It's Monday morning, and I am looking out the window of my office searching for a topic for this month's column. My view is of a large cornfield across Sumter Highway from SEC's headquarters. It's not a lake shore or a beach front view… but I really love it. The rows of corn are beautiful and sometimes I catch a glimpse of a turkey and the occasional deer. Looking out of my office window makes me think about how much I love this area. I want to take a moment to talk about the treasures we have in the four counties that SEC serves.

First of all, if you've never taken a moment to pause and stare at one of the beautiful black water rivers around here, you are missing out. One of my favorite spots in Kingstree is at the end of Singleton Avenue. There's a little park in a bend in Black River where you can walk along the edge of the water.  Another is Half Moon Landing on Lynches River. The next time you are in one of these areas, pull over for 5 minutes and enjoy the view of that black water rolling around the bend.

Another thing I really like is the atmosphere you find along Lake Marion. I'm not talking about the atmosphere the weather man might mention - I'm talking about the feeling. When you get south of Summerton or Manning, you seem to find a boat in every driveway. Every gas station sells bait and tackle. It's like the whole community is telling you to, 'Relax.'

We have a lot of great fishing (reds, striper, cats, and bass get a lot of attention) in our territory, but I want to be honest with y'all.  I don't think there's anything more relaxing and satisfying than simple bream fishing. There's a spot near Petersfield Landing on the Big Pee Dee where I love to sit - and wait for a cork to disappear.

I know I am not the only one who loves this area. I know a lot of you have some favorite spots you want to tell me about. Over the next month, reach out to me (through our Facebook page or by mailing a letter to Rob Ardis, Santee Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 548, Kingstree, SC 29556) and tell me about your favorite spot - to fish, to eat or to simply sit still and view the beauty of God's creation. I'll check some of them out, and I'll pick one to feature in an upcoming column. Deal?

I know you love this place too. Tell me about it.

Robert G. Ardis III
President and Chief Executive Officer