Discovering Close to Home

The more we see, the easier it is to participate

Welcome back to Ozarks Connections!

Since our first issue hit mailboxes in January, we continue shaping what this magazine can offer. Our goal is to give members a clearer view of the cooperative and the communities we serve. 

This month, we’re highlighting youth mountain biking. We hear a lot about mountain biking in this region, but many people may not know about the student mountain biking teams. I found out about them from a flier from my kids’ middle school. 

Both of my kids joined the Fayetteville team as 6th graders, and the community was welcoming from the start. Coaches, parents and employees at bike stores patiently answered my questions. I met moms and dads who were coaches and rode with the kids. I assumed they’d already been active in biking; I was wrong. They only started once they saw how much their kids enjoyed it.

When my daughter wanted to ride her first trail, I wasn’t even sure where to go. I’d heard about the trails at Mount Kessler, but I’d never seen them (it turns out the trail markers are staked in the ground, not visible from the street). It was a reminder that opportunities can be nearby and still feel invisible if you don’t know how to find them.

The same applies to the cooperative’s work. Preparing our lineman appreciation feature gave me a new understanding of how technical, coordinated and precise the job is, especially as electric and broadband crews work side by side.

Whether the topic is student riders or line crews, the theme is visibility. The more we understand how our region works and who makes it happen, the easier it is to engage.

As we continue building this publication, we’d like your input. What should we cover? What would be useful to you as a member?  Send ideas or feedback anytime to editor@ozarksconnections.com.

Sincerely,

Amy Merck
Editor