by Larry Umberger

     I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas holiday and you were able to spend time with friends and family!  Our family’s Christmas was delayed for several days as our son was not able to make it home for Christmas from Afghanistan.  He will be home very soon and we will celebrate the birth of Christ at that time.
     Well it comes around every twelve months!  Yes, that’s correct.  A new year!  We at Midwest have been very busy counting inventory, finishing some line projects we have going (before the snow and the frost gets too deep) and making plans for 2012.
     I mentioned in last month’s newsletter that Tri-State passed a 4.8% increase in wholesale rates.  After much discussion, Midwest’s Board of Directors decided not to increase your rates for 2012.
     Midwest’s Board also approved $650,000 to retire capital credits.  You may have received a check from Midwest for your general retirements if you were a customer of Midwest in 1985 and 1986 or received retirement portion from our G & T retirement if you were a customer in 1998.  Riley also put a credit on your account for our current layer retirement if you were a customer of Midwest in 2010.

     Have a safe and prosperous New Year!

     “Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.” -Audrey Hepburn