A family legacy blooms at First Love Farms

If you’re driving down North Old Troy Road in Union City this December, don’t be surprised if you find yourself slowing down — or stopping altogether — to take in the dazzling spectacle at house number 1777.

Inspired by Clark Griswold’s over-the-top holiday spirit in “Christmas Vacation,” Gibson Connect Fiber Installation/Repair Technician 2 Mitch Eddington decorates his house and yard with millions of Christmas lights and 40 inflatables each year.

“When I was a kid, I remember riding around with my parents to see Christmas lights, and there was always that one house we just had to go see,” Mitch said. “I want to be the house that the kids look forward to seeing each year.”

For many families in Union City and Obion County, a visit to Mitch’s house has become a cherished part of their holiday season.

Mitch has always loved Christmas, but he didn’t start decorating for his favorite holiday until after he got married and purchased his first home. He and his wife have been married 15 years, and their children are aged 12, 10 and seven.

Preparing their home and yard for the annual celebration is not a team game though.

“I’m too picky,” Mitch joked.

Setting up takes about a month so Mitch gets started in October, working after hours and weekends. There are elements that remain the same from year to year to ensure everything works properly, but he tries to change as much as he can to keep the display fresh.

He sticks with traditional-style lights because those are his favorites. The lights are synchronized to music.

His biggest challenge is finding the time and a power source to get it all done.

When another Christmas has passed, Mitch begins the dreaded task of cleaning up. He has a shed dedicated for storing his decorations.

“I’m always excited to put them up, so for me, taking them down is sad,” Mitch said.

While the lights are up, Mitch and his family get a kick out of watching cars drive slowly to take it all in. Some folks even park their vehicles in Mitch’s driveway to enjoy the show as long as possible. He’s grateful for their support, offering this message to them: “Thank you for taking the time out of your busy life to come enjoy a Christmas tradition.”

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, Mitch’s Christmas wonderland at 1777 North Old Troy Road in Union City is sure to brighten your season.

A message from Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO Dan Rodamaker

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays — delicious food, spending time with family and watching football.

Even in the rush of travel or hosting your family’s celebration, November gives us two powerful reminders: to pause and reflect.

On Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. We are especially proud to recognize our employee veterans and our member veterans.

At Thanksgiving, we count our blessings — including the freedoms their service has helped protect.
I’m reminded of the Irving Berlin song from “White Christmas,” which perfectly fits Thanksgiving: “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep).” If indigestion or the stress of the season keeps us up at night, we can, as the song says, fall asleep counting our blessings.

Our blessings here at Gibson Electric Membership Corporation are indeed abundant. Every time I plug in the coffee pot, take a picture on my phone, stream a show on TV or simply turn on the lights, I’m grateful for the forward-thinking leaders who founded our co-op in 1936.

Even today, in a much more urbanized society, co-ops fulfill a mission that would look daunting to other kinds of utilities. Did you know that investor-owned utilities have an average of 35 customers per mile of line, whereas electric co-ops serve an average of just seven members per mile? Co-ops cheerfully do more with less — and I’m so grateful for what we accomplish every day.

We couldn’t do it without our great team. From engineering, linework and fiber services to accounting, member services, technical support, communications and more, all of us at Gibson Electric are aligned with the mission of providing safe, affordable and reliable electricity and internet services. We know how important this work is, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who take it as seriously as I do.

Most importantly, I’m grateful for our member-owners. Thank you for trusting us to provide electricity and internet to your homes and businesses. Thanks for engaging with us, supporting our community initiatives and taking ownership of your cooperative. It’s our honor to work with you to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve.

As you prepare for the holidays, I hope you’ll take a moment to count your blessings. Whether you count them in whispered prayers as you drift off to sleep, write them in your journal or make a mental list, do like the old hymn says and name them one by one.

Happy Veterans Day and happy Thanksgiving from all your friends at Gibson Electric!

Please note: Gibson Electric is not involved in the application process or in distributing LIHEAP funds. All applications and decisions are handled directly by the appropriate state and local agencies.

Application windows for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) opened Nov. 1, 2025, in Tennessee and Nov. 3, 2025, in Kentucky. This federally funded grant program aims to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs.

In Tennessee, LIHEAP is administered through a network of 19 local agencies that reach all 95 counties. It is one-time assistance offered to help defray heating and cooling expenses, as long as funding is available. The LIHEAP assistance amount will range from $174 to $750 depending on household energy burden.

Applications and all necessary forms must be submitted via SmartSimple. If you need assistance, the agency serving your county can help you with your application. Gibson Electric members who live in Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Lake or Obion counties should contact the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council at (731) 364-3228.

Gibson Electric members who live in Haywood and Madison counties should contact the Southwest HRA at (731) 989-5111.

Gibson Electric members who live in Lauderdale County should contact the Delta Human Resources Agency at (901) 476-5226.

Tennesseans can visit https://thda.org/help-for-homeowners/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap/ for more information.

In Kentucky, LIHEAP is administered through local Community Action Agencies and is available in all 120 counties. Fall Subsidy applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until Dec. 12, 2025. Applications are submitted through local Community Action Agencies. Gibson Electric members who live in Kentucky should call 800-456-3452 or visit www.capky.org/network to locate their local office.

From its origins as a refuge for young men to its modern-day focus on health and wellness, the YMCA has been building stronger communities across the country for generations.

Locally, the Northwest Gibson County YMCA provides essential services to meet the needs of Trenton, Dyer, Rutherford, Yorkville and beyond. In celebration of National Co-op Month in October and Gibson Electric Membership Corporation’s annual member appreciation events, the YMCA is receiving one of 10 matching TVA Community Care grants from Gibson Electric.

Brooke Carrell, who recently marked her one-year anniversary as branch executive director, said the YMCA would use the funds for its suite of kids’ programs, which includes water safety, swim lessons and YPlay sports.

“Our kids’ programs are close to my heart,” Carrell said.

Over the summer, YMCA swim instructors taught water safety and swim lessons to more than 200 local children. The Y also fielded a competitive swim team and sent its lifeguards to the Lifeguard Olympics, where they placed fifth out of 12 YMCAs and received the highest ranking – Superior – in the multi-rescue scenario. YPlay sports like indoor soccer, volleyball and flag football are growing, and youngsters are learning healthy habits early in fun fitness classes.

While kids hold a special place in Carrell’s heart, she is equally committed to providing “something for everybody” at the Y. The Active Older Adults (AOA) program promote health and fitness, strengthening social bonds and teaching new skills. In September, the Y started a four-week technology course to help older adults learn how to use the internet, send text messages and set up email accounts. Those classes will eventually be opened to the public.

Although the Northwest Gibson County YMCA has an up-to-date fitness room, group exercise classes and a virtual fitness studio, its mission reaches well past treadmills and free weights.

“We’re a community, and we’re a family,” Carrell said.

A heat pump is an HVAC system that both heats and cools your home by transferring heat rather than generating it. Like a refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space, which makes the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. Heat pumps often offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all climates.

Follow these three tips to maximize the electric efficiency of a heat pump.

Maintain a consistent temperature setting. Heat pumps are most efficient when set at a steady temperature, rather than repeatedly heating up from a lower setting. Do your best to avoid drastic temperature adjustments on your thermostat, especially during unoccupied times. If you have a programmable thermostat, consider setting a schedule that maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the day instead of turning the heat down significantly when you are away or asleep.

Optimize airflow. Keep your outdoor unit clear of obstructions like mulch, plants and dirt to allow proper airflow. Inside your home, keep vents and registers clear of shoes, clothes and furniture. Also, be sure to clean or replace air filters regularly to prevent them from becoming clogged.

Have the heat pump professionally cleaned. To ensure the best performance, follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for professional cleaning from time to time.

Are you interested in an energy-efficient electric heat pump? Gibson Electric offers financing, which includes heat pump equipment, installation costs and even added insulation upon credit approval. Loans are offered up to $20,000. Learn more at https://gibsoncoops.com/services/ or call your local member service center.

Note: Brett Wade was recently promoted to Fiber Installation/Repair Technician 2.

To ensure Gibson Connect subscribers continue enjoying fast, reliable service, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation recently welcomed four new team members with backgrounds in fiber optics and Information Technology (IT).

Fiber Installation/Repair Technicians I Cody Hoffman-Bullington, Parker Denton and Brett Wade, and Technical Support Representative Tonya Owens joined the team in August.

“We’re always looking for ways to better serve our members, and that starts with having the right people in place,” said Charles Phillips, Gibson Connect vice president of operations. “Cody, Brett, Parker and Tonya bring valuable experience and a strong work ethic focused on delivering top-notch service to our subscribers.”

Hoffman-Bullington is a West Tennessee native who worked at Irby Utilities and Cable South prior to joining Gibson Electric. He and his wife, Emilie, and their daughter, Willow, currently reside in McKenzie, with eyes on moving to Greenfield soon.

Denton and Wade are both Peabody High School graduates. Denton attend­ed North American Lineman Training Center in McEwen. He previously worked at TEC, a telecommunications service provider, and CableSouth. Working for Gibson Electric has been his goal as he’s always heard good things about the co-op from his grandfather, Bobby Cotham, a retired employee.

Wade started working in fiber optics soon after high school. He learned about fiber networks while helping with the Gibson Connect buildout in our Kentucky service area. He and his fiancée, Leah, have set April 25, 2026, as their wedding date.

Owens earned her undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2003. She has 15 years of experience in IT at the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.

She and her husband, Ronnie, live in Kenton. She has two adult daughters and four grandchildren.

Thanks to the TVA EnergyRight® program for businesses and industries, communities across our service area are seeing real benefits from energy efficiency upgrades. In partnership with Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, TVA is helping schools, businesses and industries reduce costs and improve facilities without straining their budgets.

Gibson Electric Key Account Representative Cynthia McClure delivered incentive checks totaling $32,000 to the Crockett County School District in Alamo. McClure works closely with TVA to inform Gibson Electric member businesses of the programs, services and funding available to them through EnergyRight® and other TVA initiatives.

Crockett County utilized the EnergyRight® program’s LED incentives to improve lighting in its high school, middle school and three elementary schools to enhance the learning environment and save an estimated $45,000 a year in electricity costs.

“We knew because it was an energy-saving initiative, we would be rewarded with some kind of reimbursement,” said Crockett County Director of Schools Phillip Pratt. “I was expecting a couple of thousand dollars. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised with $32,000.”

While schools and small businesses may find lighting and HVAC projects to be most useful, TVA EnergyRight also offers cash incentives for forklifts, refrigeration, thermal ice storage, variable speed drives and commissioning. All incentives are available through the Preferred Partners Network, a network of TVA-vetted commercial and trade contractors.

For more information or help applying, go to EnergyRight.com/incentives or contact Gibson Electric at 731-562-1611 or cmcclure@gibsonemc.com.

Every October, we celebrate National Cooperative Month—a time to reflect on what makes electric cooperatives unique and worth preserving. This year, we’re adding a little extra flavor to the celebration, because at Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, members are our jam.

Cooperatives put people before profits, serve their communities, and give member-owners the power to make local decisions. And to me, that’s as sweet as it gets.

Just like your favorite jam, Gibson Electric is made of real ingredients: real people, real care, and real principles. Seven principles, to be exact—guiding everything we do and reminding us why the cooperative model is worth preserving.

The seven cooperative principles are our recipe for success, and as you read this month’s edition, you’ll find stories that illustrate many of these values in action.

1. Open and Voluntary Membership

Membership is open to anyone who lives in our service area and accepts the responsibilities of membership—regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.

2. Democratic Member Control

You have a voice in your co-op. Gibson Electric member-owners elect a board of trustees to represent their interests and help guide long-term priorities.

3. Members’ Economic Participation

As a not-for-profit organization, we don’t send profits to shareholders. Instead, we reinvest in what matters—stronger infrastructure, new technology, and reliability upgrades—all aimed at improving your service.

4. Autonomy and Independence

We are member-owned and democratically controlled, meaning all decisions are made locally with the needs of our communities at heart.

5. Education, Training and Information

Knowledge is power. Whether it’s energy-saving tips, outage safety or understanding how your co-op works, we’re committed to keeping you informed and empowered.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives

When disaster strikes or help is needed, co-ops come together. It’s how we restore power faster and stand strong through challenges.

7. Concern for Community

From energizing our youth to fostering economic development, we’re here to make our communities better for all of us.

These aren’t just words on paper—they’re the real ingredients that make Gibson Electric a meaningful part of your life and community. From the principles we follow to the people we serve, we’re proud to be your cooperative.

Members are our jam—not just in October, but all year long.

Does your home buzz with activity in the early morning or right after dinner? That’s not just your routine — it’s part of a bigger picture. These are what we call “peak times,” when everyone’s flipping on lights, brewing coffee, cooking meals and unwinding with electronics. And while it might seem like business as usual, this surge in energy use puts a real strain on our power grid.

September marks the final month of our summer period (June-September), when electricity demand is typically highest between 1 and 7 p.m. That’s when air conditioners are running full blast, appliances are in use and families are returning home for the day. As we transition into fall, it’s a great time to be mindful of how and when we use electricity.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation works around the clock to ensure that electricity flows to your home whenever you need it. Behind the scenes, an enormous and intricate system is at work — one of the most complex machines in the world: the U.S. power grid. The grid is made up of three major interconnections that span the country, each managing supply and demand through regional authorities to keep the lights on and our economy running smoothly.

Electricity comes from a diverse mix of sources — hydropower, natural gas, coal, solar, wind and more. Once energy is generated, it travels through high-voltage transmission lines to local utilities like Gibson Electric, which then deliver it to your home or business through distribution power lines.
When electricity demand surges during peak times, it’s more expensive to generate or purchase power. If supply can’t keep up, the risk of outages increases. That’s why using less energy during peak hours to ease strain on the grid is more important than ever.

So how can you “beat the peak?” Start by adjusting your thermostat a few degrees during peak hours. Smart thermostats can automate this for you. Delay using energy-hungry appliances like ovens, clothes dryers and dishwashers until later in the evening. If you have an electric vehicle, charging it overnight instead of right after you get home can also help.

Looking ahead, our winter period runs from December through March, with peak hours typically between 4 and 10 a.m. While these peak times are based on typical seasonal patterns, weather in the South can be unpredictable. Sudden cold snaps or heat waves can shift demand unexpectedly, so staying flexible and energy-aware is always a good idea.

Small actions taken by many households can lead to big results. When we all work together to reduce energy use during peak times, we protect our power grid, help control cooperative costs and ensure reliable electricity for our communities.

For third- and fourth-generation farmers Ginger Atkins, Jill George and Brooke Coffey, memories flourish where flowers grow —  on the family farm that’s blossomed into a community haven.

Sisters Ginger and Jill grew up on their parents’ farm in Hickman, Kentucky, and continued operations after their father, Doyle Wayne George, passed away in 2009. They’ve continued growing corn and soybeans like their father, but with Jill’s daughter, Brooke, they added you-pick flower rows in 2023. With no idea what to expect, they welcomed 190 visitors on their first day.

“That’s the spark that encouraged us,” Brooke said.

Rooted in family

The new addition deserved a name. First Love Farms, inspired by the “First Love” silverware pattern featuring delicate roses and handed down to each woman in their family for four generations, was born.It’s a heartfelt tribute to Sue Werner, the family matriarch who passed away in 2021.

“Everybody knew Mom,” Jill said. “She worked at the bank, was an avid gardener, loved her yard and always had a smile on her face. She kept a row of zinnias in her (vegetable) garden.”

Now they watch with delight as people from Western Kentucky, West Tennessee and beyond stroll through their rows of zinnias, sunflowers, daisies and more. Jill, who lives on the farm, often sees guests enjoying quiet moments at sunrise, while watching butterflies, hummingbirds and yellow finches dance through the blooms.

Celebrate and create

Patrons begin their visit at a flat-bed trailer, where they choose a jar or small bucket, fill it with water and grab scissors. Then, they wander the rows to cut and create their own bouquets. Payment is simple — cash or Venmo.  

“It’s all on the honor system, and it’s worked really well,” Brooke said.

With photography passes available, families can capture precious memories of engagements, weddings, gender reveals and more. Colorfully painted wooden butterflies dot the landscape, perfect for kids and families to snap photos. Jill’s friendly dog, Mo, is always nearby, happy to entertain visitors in exchange for a few head scratches.

From June to October, the farm transforms with the seasons, starting with daisies in late spring and ending with pumpkins in the fall. The on-site pavilion is available to rent for birthday parties, office retreats or a relaxing day with friends.

An unexpected but joyful benefit of hosting events has been partnering with local talent to offer art, flower arranging and yoga classes.

“It’s fun to see people channel their creative side at First Love,” Brooke said, with Ginger adding that the flowers are “catnip to children” and perfect for passing on their passion for God’s creation.

“Sharing something that we love doing is really rewarding,” Brooke said.

Plan your visit

Whether you’re looking to pick a bouquet, snap a photo or soak in the beauty, First Love Farms welcomes you to make your own memories among the blooms.

First Love Farms is located at 3105 KY-125, Hickman, KY 42050.
Find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit firstlovefarms.com for more information.