POWERING UP THE GRID. Pt. 1

Florida, and the central Florida area, in particular, just weathered the fury of Hurricane Irma; a storm, like the more recent Hurricane Maria, which absolutely devastated the islands of the Caribbean. (Talk about a 1-2 punch, they got it).

And while Polk County only sustained 100 mph winds, the zephr was powerful enough to fell large oak trees, and destroy a significant portion of the local power grid; among which included that of the county seat, Bartow.

Though I live in a nearby city now, I grew up in the afore-mentioned place, and while I don’t especially like Florida, I almost idolize my little idyllic hometown, and with the passing of years, I appreciate it more.

And while I admit my bias, and I realize the vast majority of people are prone to say something similar, Bartow is a very special place; and quite unlike the two larger cities in this county. While it happens to be the county seat, its courthouse is, perhaps, the tallest building among our municipalities, and a great deal of ‘what goes on goes on here,’ with a population of about 15,000, it retains a small town flavor.

People know their neighbors there, and there is just something more personable, and ‘there there’ about its schools, teachers and the curriculum. And like any small town, high school sports are a priority, and its games and meets are attended by enthusiastic crowds.

I grew up playing in the nearby orange groves, exploring a local cemetery, and I regularly walked to the Ritz Theater on Friday evenings; in which you could select from any movie on the menu, (as long as you chose the one and only feature).

Speaking of Bartow’s power grid, and Florida, in general, thousands of electric linemen from across the nation, and our northern neighbor have converged to “get us back in business.” The past week it is not unusual to see trucks from North Carolina, and Rhode Island, and Canada, and as often, as not the trucks may be seen traveling in convoys of 10 or 12; as they ‘barrel towards’ their next destination, and assigned mission.

(to be continued)

by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 70. Copyright pending
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