April 2024
Weather starts getting warmer in April and you can hear the sound of balls hitting a bat and glove as baseball season gets into swing. Kids of all ages begin running their parents everywhere, traveling to practices and games. For those like me who are past the playing and coaching days, hope springs eternal as our favorite professional teams open their seasons in April and all have a chance to make the World Series.
This time of year also ushers in local spring festivals, one of the themes in our April issue. Our focus story highlights the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, which is celebrating its 100th year and is expected to attract nearly 200,000 participants over two weekends.
We also highlight two osprey festivals, one in Virginia and one in Maryland, along with measures that some of our member cooperatives take to protect these magnificent birds and other wildlife from interacting with dangerous electrical equipment.
Some other highlights this month include a program that enables kayakers to explore state parks by water, a World War II museum in Culpeper that is expanding due to community donations, and a touching story about one of our own, Rob Book, CEO at Delaware Electric Cooperative, who returned to work for the first time since receiving a heart transplant.
Hopefully, you’ll have an opportunity to take advantage of the warmer weather and get outside to enjoy a local community event, festival, sporting activity or possibly all three!
As integral members of the communities we serve, whichever activity you choose, there’s a good chance your electric cooperative will be involved.
Brian S. Mosier, President & CEO
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives