Kentucky Electric Co-op History Becomes a Book
11/23/2008

David Dick has been writing the last page column—The View From Plum Lick—in Kentucky electric cooperatives systems' statewide publication Kentucky Living magazine since 1988. He knows a thing or two about Kentucky electric co-ops.

So, it was only befitting he write the the amazing history of the rural electrification program in Kentucky.

His amazing anthology - Let There Be Light, The Story of Rural Electrification in Kentucky - debuted on November 15 at the Kentucky Book Fair in Frankfort.

“I got the idea for the book, don’t remember exactly, while crossing paths with (KAEC President) Ron Sheets. I suggested it would be important to capture Kentucky electric co-op history,” David recalls. “Since then, I’ve backed off the word ‘history.’ I’m not an historian or scholar —I’m a story teller.”

David’s work began by gathering information from former Kentucky Living editor Gary Luhr who had compiled a lot of historical information for the 50th anniversary of the magazine. “In Gary’s mind, his collected information was to become a history of the program,” says David.

Gary turned over his archives—box after box. “I went through it all and determined this was doable, and it gets more exciting as I go along.”

With his wife Lalie’s help, the two have now traveled to all 26 Kentucky co-ops to gather their individual histories. The two also attended several co-op annual meetings last year and if they didn’t make it to a meeting they met with the co-op’s general manager.

The two also gained a wealth of knowledge and new insight for the book by interviewing KAEC’s first president JK Smith, who recently passed away. “It was JK who said the book should be about ‘people’ and not just a ‘history’ book. JK said managers and founders ARE important, but there are people all over the state who still remember what it was like when the lights came on for the first time and we’re putting those stories in the book as well.”

The idea of the book has caught on. “Co-op support is there,” says David, “and we’re hopeful that with Ron’s encouragement, co-ops will want many copies for their libraries, schools, so younger folks will know electricity doesn’t just happen—there are challenges. And, we’re trying to put together a book that remembers ‘people.’

“I’ve never met a group of people, in the co-op world or out, that are more warm, encouraging and hospitable. It’s been good medicine for me. I’ve been going through chemotherapy since January ’07.”

You may also purchase David's book via the KentuckyLiving.com Web site.

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