NEWBERRY — The City of Newberry Utilities Department celebrated Public Power Week earlier this month and as a part of that, a celebration was held at City Hall.

City residents were invited to bring a copy of their latest utilities bill and a regular incandescent light bulb to exchange it for a new LED bulb. Corndogs and slushies from Sonic of Newberry were provided and residents also had the opportunity to register for door prizes that included T-shirts, bill credits and gift cards.

Marc Regier, director of the City of Newberry Utilities, said that Newberry’s utility services were reliable and safe and they took pride in serving their friends and neighbors.

“We are proud to have served Newberry for 120 years,” Regier said.

Public Power Week is an annual national event coordinated by the American Public Power Association in Washington, D.C. It was celebrated this year from Oct. 2 through Oct. 8.

The association represents not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities that power homes, businesses and streets in nearly 2,000 towns and cities, serving 48 million Americans.

Throughout the week, city elementary school students had the opportunity to participate in a coloring contest. Each coloring page contained a fact or safety message about electricity.

Middle and high school students had the opportunity to participate in a competition to submit a song, poem, illustration, essay or combination expressing an electrical safety message. All entries were displayed at the celebration held Oct. 7.

Winners of the competition were:

• Gissela Luis Sanches, seventh grade, Newberry Middle School

• Quinn Waites, fourth grade, Newberry Academy

• Kindel Jaeger, third grade, Newberry Academy

• Grace Mayer, second grade, Newberry Academy

• Lila Koon, first grade, Newberry Academy

• Princess Lucas, second grade, Newberry Elementary

• Mason Hunter, third grade, Newberry Elementary

• Kaden Williams, K5, Newberry Elementary

• Justin Ramirez, first grade, Newberry Elementary

• Ardestini Epps, Kindergarten, Boundary Street Elementary

• Melenna Gallman, second grade, Boundary Street Elementary

• Emily Parra, third grade, Boundary Street Elementary

• Josi Aull, fifth grade, Boundary Street Elementary

• Michael Isbell, second grade, Gallman Elementary

• Romona Olvera, third grade, Gallman Elementary

• Jamarion Hawkins, fifth grade, Gallman Elementary

• Xavier Gary, fourth grade, Gallman Elementary

• Brandon Ramirez, first grade, Gallman Elementary

As part of the Public Power Week celebration, children enjoyed a variety of activities including jump rope, hula-hoop and cornhole.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_IMG_0608.jpgAs part of the Public Power Week celebration, children enjoyed a variety of activities including jump rope, hula-hoop and cornhole. Courtesy photos

Sonic of Newberry provided corndogs and slushies for the event.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_IMG_9939.jpgSonic of Newberry provided corndogs and slushies for the event. Courtesy photos

City residents had the opportunity to register for door prizes including T-shirts, bill credits and various gift cards.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_IMG_9942.jpgCity residents had the opportunity to register for door prizes including T-shirts, bill credits and various gift cards. Courtesy photos

Community members took time to check out the wall of coloring pages. City elementary school students had the opportunity to participate in a coloring contest as part of Public Power Week. Their artwork was displayed in City Hall during the celebration.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_IMG_9943.jpgCommunity members took time to check out the wall of coloring pages. City elementary school students had the opportunity to participate in a coloring contest as part of Public Power Week. Their artwork was displayed in City Hall during the celebration. Courtesy photos
City holds celebration

By Elyssa Haven

For The Newberry Observer