EDITOR’S DESK

In the Year 2025

Janus, the Roman god of new beginnings, gave us January. Often depicted with two faces, Janus had the ability to see both the past and the future, making him the perfect symbol to mark the new year.

So, what does 2025 have in store for us? For one, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives. With the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” the proclamation highlights the ability of cooperatives to foster inclusive growth and strengthen communities.

Your electric cooperative magazine welcomes this initiative. For more than 80 years, electric cooperatives have been solving energy challenges in rural areas and improving the quality of life along the way. We look forward to celebrating that legacy throughout 2025.

Another effort we have underway this year is our magazine readership study. This is something we do roughly every three years to get a better understanding of our readers and their interests. A random survey will be sent out later this year to about 1,000 Penn Lines readers. If you happen to receive one, we encourage you to take the time to fill it out. The results help us shape the future direction of your magazine.

Speaking of the future of Penn Lines, your magazine is very much alive in the year 2025. To prepare for our 60th anniversary in 2026, we’ll be holding some fun contests (see next page). We hope you’ll participate in these contests to help us mark the occasion.

You’ll also be hearing more about Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Allegheny) in 2025. Owned by the cooperatives it serves, Allegheny has been the power provider for 13 electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania (and one in New Jersey) since 1946. Teaming up with its sister organization, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA), Allegheny will be helping to provide energy-related content in Penn Lines, including our “Energy Matters” column.

PREA and Allegheny will also join the Commonwealth in kicking off the year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show this month, partnering with our friends at the state Department of Agriculture to celebrate the theme “Powering Pennsylvania” (see page 4).

As one of the ancient gods of agriculture, Janus would appreciate starting the year with the Farm Show. After all, he knew a good beginning when he saw one. Happy New Year.

PETER A. FITZGERALD
EDITOR

Ancient Roman coin

SHAKE IT UP

New milkshake flavor debuts at Pa. Farm Show

The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association will be introducing a new flavor of milkshake in 2025 — mint — at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Jan. 4 to 11, at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

The original flavors of vanilla, chocolate and chocolate-vanilla will also continue to be available in the food court, which opens at noon Friday, Jan. 3.

The food court will feature a number of other Pennsylvania-grown and -made products, including corn dogs, which are new this year.

The theme for 2025 is “Powering Pennsylvania,” and because of the vital role they play in powering rural Pennsylvania, rural electric cooperatives have been collaborating with the state Department of Agriculture on related events. Steve Brame, president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association (PREA) in Harrisburg, will be among the guest speakers at the Farm Show’s opening ceremony. PREA serves as the unified voice for the cooperatives here and in New Jersey.

Farm Show admission is free, and parking is $15 per vehicle.

MINT IN THE MIX: Farm Show visitors will be able to try the new mint milkshakes at this year’s event.

WANTED!

Wanted: pampered pets for Penn Lines feature

How pampered is your pet? Do they have their own bed? Their own room? Social media presence? Don’t be ashamed — brag about it. Better yet, brag about it in Penn Lines.

We’re looking for pet moms and dads to show the rest of us how it’s done. Tell us — in 100 words or less — how you pamper your pet for an opportunity to be featured with your best furry friend in an upcoming issue of Penn Lines.

Send your essay and a photo of your pet to PennLines@prea.com or Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. All essays must be received by Friday, March 21. Please be sure to include your name, address, daytime telephone number, and the name of the cooperative that serves your home, business or seasonal residence.

CONTEST TIME!

Help us celebrate Penn Lines’ 60th anniversary

Guess who’s got a big birthday coming up? It’s Penn Lines, and we want you to be a part of our 60th anniversary celebration. Before we let the confetti fly in 2026, we’re inviting readers to share their thoughts about the magazine, including what it’s meant to you and your favorite articles or photographs.

Also, to make it more exciting, we’re kicking off a handful of photo contests this year; enter one — or all three. Winning photos will be featured in Penn Lines in 2026, and each lucky winner will receive a $50 gift card.

First up, we want to document the oldest copy of Penn Lines. If you have an oldie but a goodie around the house, take a photo of you with it. Please make sure the publication date is visible and provide the following: your name, address, daytime telephone number, the month and year of the magazine, and the name of the cooperative that serves your home, business, or seasonal residence. The reader who submits a photo of themselves with the oldest magazine will receive a $50 gift card.

The deadline is Friday, Oct. 31.

Please send your photo along with your Penn Lines memories to PennLines@prea.com (put “Oldest PL Issue” in the subject line) or Penn Lines Editor/Oldest Issue, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266.

TIMELINES

A decade ago, Penn Lines was celebrating the Ford Mustang, which at the time had been in continuous production for 50 years. The iconic car continues to have a loyal fan base, including a number of folks who call cooperative territories home and were featured in our 2015 article. Like it did 10 years ago, Ford is marking the Mustang’s 60th anniversary in 2025 with a limited edition model — and only 1,965 are available. The cost for the retro Brittany Blue package: $65,245.

January 2015 cover