Family Tradition

 

 

 

     We hit a tremendous milestone this year, Eighty-Five Years in business!  Granddaddy McCarthy

started Glades Gas in Okeechobee, Florida in 1929, following his arrival from Nebraska

in 1911.  In 1929 after the stock market crashed, he started a side business aside from the

D.B. McCarthy General Store on the northwest corner of Park Street and 5th Ave in Okeechobee.

 

     He brought in propane gas refrigerators by train from Tampa, and for the first time, every resident in Okeechobee was offered refrigeration in their homes.

When Daniel founded Glades Gas Company in 1929, he offered the Okeechobee housewife

a luxury, which had not been available to her previously.  She was now able to have

refrigerators powered by propane in her home.

 

     McCarthy's only son, Daniel M. (Dennis' Dad) returned from the service (WWII) and in 1946

married Ruth  Ottens from St Louis.  The following year the young couple founded the Clewiston Glades Gas and they moved from Okeechobee to that community.

 

     In 1954, Indiantown Gas Company came into the company fold.  Timer Powers had worked

with the  McCarthy family from the time he was a young teen and when the Indiantown

office was opened, he left as manager of the Okeechobee office and took over the Indiantown

operation which his family still operates today.

 

Daniel Benedict McCarthy died on December 16, 1963 following a bout with pneumonia.

He had been a vibrant part of Okeechobee and its economic development for more than

50 years at the time of his death.

 

In 1987, Monica McCarthy Clark took over the reins of her grandfather's company.  Monica's

brother Kevin managed the Clewiston operation and Dennis and Karen operate the

Belle Glade facility.

 

Currently, the only Glades Gas still operating is the Belle Glade office.  Okeechobee

and Clewiston sold off the propane side of the operation to Florida Public Utilities in 

February of 2013.  They continue to operate the air conditioning side.

 

The Family Business Institute reports that only 30 percent of family businesses survive into the second generation.  Twelve percent survive into the third and only three percent

make it into the fourth generation and beyond.  I guess that makes us a pretty rare statistic.

 

Everyday business for us is just a family tradition.

 

We just got back in town with a fresh batch of Batter It Up and it now comes in Cajun flavor!  Check out the 

new packaging.  Still no MSG and now it is made with Sea Salt which is actually better for you.  The salt we normally use, may come from salt mines or even from the sea. However, this so called "table salt" is a refined product - it is mainly a kiln-dried sodium chloride with anti-caking agents added.

Kiln-drying involves scorching salt at high heat to remove moisture. This refining process creates a product that is unnatural and hard on the body. It is the true culprit that contributes to high blood pressure, heart trouble, kidney disease and eczema, among other problems.
It often contains additives like aluminum that makes it powdery and porous. (Aluminum is a very toxic substance dangerous for the nervous system and it has been found to be one of the primary cause of Alzheimer's disease).

Table salt is mined from underground salt deposits. Table salt is more heavily processed to eliminate minerals and usually contains an additive to prevent clumping. Most table salt also has added iodine, an essential nutrient that's lacking in naturally occurring sea salt.  

 

We got to try a recipe made by one of Batter It Up's owners Roscoe Parsley that was literally to die for.  He took fresh conch, fresh lobster he had caught during Lobster Season in the Keyes and fresh shrimp, rolled them in Batter It Up and tossed them into a home made Caesar dressing that had us drooling for more.  He threw all this together in twenty minutes time!  I can honestly say it was one of the best salads I have ever tasted, and I love a good salad!   Dennis suggested we use the Cajun batter on the shrimp and it really added an extra zest.

We only have 6 cases in stock so if you want to try this blend, you better hurry in, it will not last.

Skeeter Warner and his partner Roscoe Parsley are busy introducing their batter all over the country.  They are in several negotiations with some big time chains we have all heard of.....It won't be long before you can order your dinner with our very own Batter It Up coating in one of your favorite restaurants.  

If you know anyone in the restaurant business that would like a free sample, tell them to come on by or give us a call....we will be glad to share!!  In the meantime, keep enjoying Skeeter's Batter It Up...it is the best!

                          

Air Conditioning Quiz

     Who can tell us how the coils work on your      central air conditioning system?  First call gets a prize!  561-996-3770

Who Else Wants to Support the Youth of Belle Glade?

     This morning I attended the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast mixer and had the pleasure of running into James Lee and his business manager Cathleen Laport.  I was pleasantly surprised as they  had stopped in our store yesterday to say hello and thank us for our meager donation from last year.

 The breakfast was well attended and we had a wonderful program on sugar cane provided by the University of Florida (Go Gators!!) Research Center's Dr. Ron Rice.  My head was filled with facts about the soil and farming and how environmentally sensitive the cane farmers are!  Leadership Glades attendees were there in full force ready to load their bus and spend the day getting educated on ecotourism.  Breakfast was provided by Lakeside Medical Center and was great as always.

     Upon returning to my office, I decided to learn more about the James Lee Foundation as I was seeing so much publicity about him in the local news.  Check out his website as he seems like the real deal.  http://www.teamlee.org/about-us/  I love it when to locals go off, make something of themselves and then return to their roots to give back.  I met his mom, Elaine Bain last year in McDonald's at the sign up for his one day football camp.  She was extrememly nice.  I guess the saying "the apple doesn't fall far" certainly rings true in James' case.  I believe we have ourselves a real hometown hero!!

New Cuban Restaurant on Main Street: Prado's

   

     There is a new Cuban restaurant at 612 S Main Street in Belle Glade!  The best news is that it is open Monday through Saturday 5:30 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday 6:00 am till 9:00 pm.  How about that?  We have a new breakfast place right here in town!  They have dine in or take out.  Last week we tried take out with a steak sandwich, a media noche and pan con lechon which is a pork sandwich.   All were really good!
     The menu has soups, sandwiches as well as quite a few specials ranging  from ropa vieja and picadillo to pollo asado and Caribean chicken.  They also have lots of sides that you can choose from.
    We provide the gas for their beautiful new kitchen and we can tell you it is really clean!  Hope everyone comes out and supports this new restaurant!  See you there!

Two Gals Deli Now Open!

There is a new restuarant in Pahokee.  It is located at the base of the levee and is owned by Becky Maynor.  It features  wonderful homecooked specials three days a week.  Monday is Chicken-n-Dumplins, Tuesday is Chicken/Fajita Steak and Thursday is Chicken Pot Pie....yummmmmm, I can smell the wonderful creations right now.  They offer an array of sandwiches, salads and deserts.  You can call them and place an order for pickup at 924-0024 and be sure and tell them we sent ya!

Local Talent

     I recently attended the the Belle Glade, Pahokee Annual Christmas mixer at the Bank of Belle Glade.  It was very festive with lots of food, great trimmings and good folks.  There were bank presidents,  business owners, farmers, high school principals and retirees among the crowd.  The thing I was most struck by was our local talent.  Zarak Lawson played Christmas music for us with his downhome comtemporary style.  Some local women immediately jumped on the microphone and chimed in with song.  Zarak is a local musician who graduated UF (Go Gators!) and has come back to make Belle Glade his home.
       I met a local anesthesiologist named Glen who told me how lucky we are to have Dr. Karis as our local surgeon because he is top notch and extrememly well educated.  I had to agree as he has operated on nearly everyone in my family!
     When it was time for door prizes, I was lucky enough to win a book written by our very own Ann Rust who signed the copy for me.  Although already considered a local hero, someday, I believe  she will be a real celebrity.  I really enjoyed myself meeting new people and reconnecting with some I hadn't seen for awhile.
     We have a lot of talent in the Glades.  Sometimes we get a bad rap from the press but if you come out and visit for a day or so you will meet some of the finest folks in the land. 

Holiday Time!

     Thanksgiving has come and gone.  Everyone is madly trying to get a jump start on the decorations, tree trimming, Christmas cards, gift buying and holiday bustle.  Many stores had their trees and decorations up before Thanksgiving.  Take time to remember the reason for the season....its not about the tinsel and the sparkling lights.  Its about taking time to show someone how much you love them.  Do something extra special for someone less fortunate than you this holiday.  When making your gift purchases this year, remember those less fortunate.
     Many families are struggling.  The unemployment rate is at an all time high.  Perhaps in lieu of a gift for a loved one, give a donation to your church for a family that is struggling. 
     Have a safe, happy holiday season from all of us in the Glades Gas Family.

Propane Incentives for Farmers

    Good Day Farmers!  We are here to share good news with you....The Propane Economic Research Council is offering news of rebates to farmers wanting to go green with propane.        http://www.agpropane.com/Feed/
This website has all the news along with the one page simple application.   http://www.agpropane.com/Feed/files/FEED%20Flyer.pdf   The Propane FEED Program  (Farm Equipment Efficiency Demonstration) was designed to test and monitor propane usage in irrigation pumps and other farm applications.
     There is a fairly simple application.  Fill it out today and see how you can save big bucks and be enviro-friendly as possible.   C'mon FLORIDA FARMERS!  Check out this map to see where they are using efficient propane on the farm:  http://www.agpropane.com/feed/Map.aspx?id=7705  we don't see any of our locals on here.

September News

Hello Friends!
     The summer has come and gone, the kids are back in school or gone off to college and the heat is relentless.  No time to slack on changing or washing out  your air conditioning filter.  Your unit is working harder than ever to keep up with the humidity and the ever soaring  temps.  The afternoon rains are the  only occasional relief we seem to get only to beget more toads and more  mosquitoes.

Should you need work on your central air system, here are some key questions for your contractor:
     

Trane Condensors

• Make sure your contractor is licensed and has adequate workers compensation.
• Verify your contractor's license status. 
• Get a written warranty for your contractor's work
• Take advantage of expert advice. Ask a lot of questions!
• Get a written bid. 

Club Green Winners!

     In an effort to go Green we instituted Club Green in March of 2011.  If you currently pay your bills on line or with a credit card over the phone or have a credit or debit card on file, good news,  you are automatically enrolled in Club Green. You may say so what is the big deal...well we think it is a very big deal when people collectively do things to help our planet.  When you think of the paper wasted on sending out paper bills to every customer who in turn send in checks in envelopes and multiply that by thousands of customers every month, well, that adds up to a lot of paper and a lot of trees.  I guarantee we haves saved a tree or two since March and we are just getting started!  So if you want to get on the band wagon, just give us a call....here are the winners:

March     Glades Dry Cleaners

April       Crop Production Services

May        Dr. Kevin Connell

June        Randy Prescott    

July         Robert Carter

August's winner will be announced on the 18th!  Stay tuned and congratulations to our winners!

Propane Sources

     Well it has been a few weeks since we blogged.  Summer seems to be flying by.  The Mosquito Magnets are in full swing, pool heaters are getting a break with all this heat and generators are being cranked up in preparation for a hurricane.  If you have any of these contraptions, they can be tied into your main house tank if you choose.....there is some labor involved however you will never have to fill one of those portable BBQ tanks again!  The best thing you can do is to tie in your BBQ grill if you  have a built in.  Running out of gas in the middle of cooking some expensive steaks is not a fun situation especially if you are cooking for company!
     Propane offers tremendous value.  When the summer storms come and the power goes out, you can still cook and some can shower with their gas water heater.  Propane is an extremely clean burning fuel and that is why propane converted vehicles require much less maintenance.....it is common for our vehicles to run 200,000 miles before an engine overhaul is necessary.  Chefs love propane in cooking because they can control the temperature so much better than on an electric source.  Of course everyone loves to grill on the Bar-B which is a healthy alternative to heating up the kitchen in summer.  Laundromats use propane in their dryers for a fast effective way to dry their clothes.  There are so many great ways to use propane and we  have just mentioned a few.....one of our favorites is up at Big Bertha's...the toys!  The Tiki Torches and fire-pit offer such a relaxing ambiance that just can't be matched.
     To learn about some other fun ways to use propane, stop by the office and we will be glad to share.  In the meantime have a great  summer and happy vacationing.....with high gas prices we are hearing that most people are staying at home enjoying their propane on the Bar-B!

Mosquito Magnets which are a name brand mosquito repellent work very well to combat those nasty little critters that are about to take over the Glades.  If you really want to get mosquitos under control once and for all, we can tie it into your main gas supply and no more hauling 20# tanks to the local dispensers.

 

What is the big deal about Social Media?

    Just what is the big deal about social media anyway?  Who has time to learn how to set up a Fan Page or set up a YouTube or Twitter account?  Personally, I have accounts all over the place and spend a lot of time working on each one.  I think each media has its own benefits.

     YouTube is a fantastic way to share a "how to" lesson.  You can go to YouTube and learn how to do just about anything you want.   You can learn things you never even thought about learning before!  Did you know that it is the 3rd largest search engine??  It is the fastest, cheapest way to do video marketing.

     In business, Twitter can help you reach new markets and increase sales but only by building relationships.  It is a great way to publicize your business and build a strong brand.  You send 160 character Tweets to your Followers and let them know what is happening in your world or share advice., or just wish everyone a great week.  Twitter is about relationships, not sales.  It is fun to meet people on Twitter and learn from their Tweets.

     Facebook is the phenomenon of this decade for sure.   I believe our grand kids will be talking about it some day as I don't think it is going anywhere soon.  You can advertise a business, service or product for free by setting up a fan page, which literally takes about 5 minutes.  Fan pages are starting to look like web sites in that you can enter your email address and get on people's mailing lists.  It is growing exponentially by the day.  Ads pay for the company since signing up and having a fan page is free.  Facebook is a great way for grandparents to see what their families are doing hundreds or thousands of miles away.  It is a great platform for businesses to share important information with their customers on a daily basis.  And of course teens love talking to their friends in class on their cell phones while looking  up what movies are playing at the local theater.

     No matter which media you choose to dive into, they are all fun, free and only a click away.  If you have any questions how to use any of them, stop by the office....I love to share!

    

Propane Safety First! GAS Check

Launched in1985, GAS Check™ signified the beginning of an industry-wide effort to help reduce residential accidents involving propane. Developed by a team of industry volunteers, the revised GAS Check™ Inspection Program responds to changes in the propane industry and appliances.

What is GAS Check?
GAS Check is a completely voluntary set of guidelines for inspecting residential gas systems.
This inspection guideline covers propane containers, regulators, appurtenances, gas supply
lines and equipment visible and accessible to the person conducting the inspection and
represents the conditions existing on the date of the inspection.

Gas Appliance System Check (GAS Check™) is a voluntary inspection program developed by PERC together with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) that provides guidelines to technicians on how to perform two important types of residential safety inspections:
•  A “Gas System Check” of the gas delivery system, including containers, regulators, and appurtenances.
•  A "Gas Appliance System Check" of both the gas delivery system and all propane-burning appliances.

Our technicians have been performing GAS Check since 1985 on all new installations.  Ask your propane supplier if they have done the same.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Mexican favorites!

     Do you know what Cinco de Mayo really is all about?  Most people don't.  The Battle of Puebla took place on May 5, 1982 outside of the town during the French intervention of Mexico.  The Mexican Army defeated the French forces that were occupying the area at the time.  Today the victory is celebrated on the 5th of May every year.  See a map of Puebla, it is located in the Southern Mexico:   


http://www.sacred-destinations.com/mexico/puebla-map

Clean Coils Save $$$$$
The coil on the left is extremely dirty vs. the new coil on the right.                                            Maximizing the efficiency of your Air Conditioning (HVAC) system makes sense with the rising costs of energy. Both condenser (outdoor) and evaporator (indoor) coils are made to provide optimum heat transfer required for the area needing cooling. The air being transferred, in most cases, contains a mixture of dust, dirt, pollen, grease and moisture. These contaminants settle on the surface of the coil and impact the ability to transfer heat. They also affect the quality of the air within your home or building. The cost of operating dirty air conditioning equipment is greater than you might expect!
Power Costs
Equipment operating with dirty coils may use as much as 37 percent more energy than equipment with clean coils. Restricted heat transfer causes the compressor to work harder, increasing the head pressure. Rising head pressure will result in a loss of cooling capacity of up to 30 percent. (Example: If our 4-ton system with a 30 percent loss is now only providing 2.8 tons of cooling). The system will cost more to operate and provide less cooling. This loss will be noticeable on the hottest days, when cooling is needed the most!
Life Expectancy
Higher operating pressures caused by a dirty coil may reduce your equipment's life expectancy. The restriction of heat transfer and strain placed on the compressor can lead to equipment failure. Compressor failure means no cooling. Compressor replacement cost is out of sight compared to a cleaning! Caution:  Do not judge the cleanliness of a coil by its visual appearance. Air conditioning cooling coils provide moisture, cool temperature and food from dust; all which contribute to contamination growth which affects the cooling coil in the following ways: • Reduced heat transfer. The contaminants on the coil surface act as an insulation media between the air and the cooling coil. The air flowing through the coil is not reduced in temperature adequately enough to allow the system to cool the building efficiently. Therefore, the compressor will run continuously to compensate for the poor temperature transfer. In a system where the air is cooling the building efficiently, the compressor will cycle in and out of service as required. Poor heat transfer results in poor energy savings. • Blockages in the coil. This decreases the amount of air passing through the system. This in turn affects the air conditioner's ability to cool the air. To compensate, the compressor is running at longer durations. Effective maintenance on the cooling coil provides cost savings in energy consumption. • Corrosion of the coil. Contaminants attach themselves to the fins of the cooling coil. Over time, they become etched into the surface to provide a secure holding. This eats away at the cooling coil and over time degenerates the cooling coil's ability to perform efficient heat transfer. The solution for coil corrosion is to remove contaminants through maintenance. The alternative is to replace the cooling coil, which comes at a greater cost than coil maintenance.
So you are asking what is the best way to keep my coils clean?  The answer is to change or wash your filter like clock work every month.  We wash our's when we pay the electric bill.  If you suspect your coil is dirty, call for a coil cleaning before the real heat sets in.  It will save you money over the course of the summer.  Be kind to your AC and it will be kind to you:)

Southeastern Convention International Propane Expo

  We just returned from the one of the largest trade shows in the South in Atlanta, Georgia.  The National Propane Gas Association sponsors the show every year just before Easter.  We have been attending it for over twenty-five years.  There are wholesale distributors and retailers involved in every facet of propane imaginable.   The show had less exhibitors this year, only two hundred and thirty compared to over five-hundred in the past....The shrinking economy roars its ugly head.  It still is an incredible show with new state of the art propane toys.
       One particular toy that really caught our eye were these glass beads put out by RH Petersen.  We have been selling their gas logs for over twenty five years.  They are second to none in terms of a realistic looking gas fire place logs.  They are called Fyre Stones and Fyre Glass.  You can check them out at:  Peterson Logs  

May have to replace our traditional logs with the Stones...they are really different. 

We have always been a member of the National Propane Gas Association.  Their mission is:

     "To advance safety and to increase the use of propane through sound public policy"

Black Gold Weekend

The 33rd annual Black Gold Festival will be held on Torry Island at the Belle Glade Marina this weekend.  Here is the schedule.  C'mon out and enjoy the fun!


Schedule of Events:
6:45 a.m. – Registration for the 5K Walk/Run at the Torry Island Campground and Marina. All participants will receive a free t-shirt.
7:30 a.m. – 5K Walk/Run – Torry Island Campground and Marina
11:30 a.m. – Opening ceremonies
Noon – Kernel Contest
11 a.m. – 6 p.m. – Art & Photography Exhibits, Dunking Booth, Volleyball Tournament, Children’s rides and games, Glades style food booths, and Arts and Crafts booths
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Continuous Entertainment, Airboat and Car show
4:30 p.m. – Dave “Gator” Bressmer Concert
6:00 p.m. – Ryan Walker Concert
6:45 p.m. – Wild Blue Concert
Grand Finale – Fireworks

PBC School District Using Propane Buses?

by JADE MINGUS / KVUE News

Bio | Email | Follow: @JadeM_KVUE     

  Could Palm Beach County School Board follow suit??

Austin area school districts are getting creative to save dollars during the current education budget crisis. Eanes Independent School District is implementing several cost-saving measures to help offset a multi-million dollar shortfall.
Eanes ISD won a $2.2 million grant to purchase propane powered buses. Transportation Director Tim Wysong said the buses could save $75,000 a year in fuel costs and another $25,000 a year in maintenance costs.

Eanes ISD will get the propane buses this summer and put them in service by the fall. The 25 buses will replace the district’s oldest, least efficient diesel powered buses. 

“Every dollar we can save here we can put towards children,” Wysong said. 

Wysong said the cost of a gallon of diesel fuel has risen 74 percent since 2008. He said propane costs less than diesel, and it burns cleaner.

Eanes ISD also requires bus drivers to idle three minutes or less. Wysong says turning off the engine has so far saved the district $1,000 per week.

Austin ISD has a no idle policy unless there are special circumstances.
AISD also received a grant to buy propane buses; six will start service this fall. The school district has 478 buses that transport 22,000 students every day. AISD buses travel 7 million miles per year.

Eanes ISD parent Robyn Post supports cuts outside the classroom. She believes the propane buses could save badly needed dollars.

“I would rather cut fuel prices through this new program rather than cutting teachers and important staff members to help educate our children,” Post said.

Eanes ISD also added GPS monitoring devices to every school bus. The district has since shortened routes and consolidated stops.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if  Palm Beach County School Board and Palm Tran for that matter follow suit and switch to propane gas.  They would save the tax payers big money in the years to come and help boost the local economy by supporting local propane companies.