OPALCO is gearing up to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2012, and has planned a fun-filled year of events, activities and recognition for the OPALCO co-op family.

“The history of bringing power to our rural islands is steeped in the stories of the local people who dedicated their life work to create the electric cooperative, to build the system (eventually) across twenty islands, and to continually maintain and improve the power grid and friendly offices that serve us today,” said OPALCO representative Suzanne Olson. “We invite you to join us in celebrating this hard-won success story and to participate in the activities and events designed to honor the co-op family that includes each and every co-op member-owner who invested their time, money and trust over the years.”

To kick off the celebration, members may pick up a commemorative 1937-style calendar featuring the artwork of Orcas Island artist Frank Loudin. Calendars will be available next week at your local OPALCO office and at the following island hardware stores: Ace Hardware Friday Harbor and Browne’s Home Center (San Juan Island); Sunset Builder Supply (Lopez Island); Island Hardware & Supply and Orcas Island Hardware (Orcas Island).

Here’s a snapshot of what is planned for the 75th anniversary year; more information will be available closer to the actual events.

• Special annual meeting: Saturday, May 5 on the ferry. Recognition of OPALCO co-op family, including past employees and board members, the 75 longest-standing members and all members in attendance who are 75 or older. Special anniversary gifts and limited-edition collector’s items (including a historical 75th anniversary publication) will be handed out, as well as special door prizes and the usual delicious free lunch.

• OPALCO open houses: Members will be invited to open houses on Lopez, San Juan, Shaw and Orcas Islands for refreshments, gifts and recognition of each island’s unique history, co-op family members and longest standing members. Each office will have a unique historical display.

• Historical monument in Eastsound: One of OPALCO’s old diesel generators will be placed on a concrete pad in front of the OPALCO headquarters with interpretive signage. The unveiling of this monument, as well as the completion of a permanent historical timeline exhibit will coincide with the Orcas Open House event.

• Monthly electrifying articles: Telling the co-op story, including key events and profiling key people along the timeline.

• Commemorative items: Beginning with the vintage calendar, there will be a variety of limited edition items created to commemorate the 75th year. Many of the items will be available exclusively at the annual meeting on May 5.

The 75th Anniversary will also be the theme of OPALCO’s 2012 County Fair booth. Staff will create a traveling historical exhibit that will be available for display at other island events and venues.

Please call Suzanne Olson at 376-3537 if you would like to host the traveling exhibit at your event, place of business or community venue.

Please also let Suzanne know if you have stories about OPALCO to share for the Anniversary Publication, memorabilia to loan or donate from OPALCO’s past, or know of people who may be among the 75 longest-standing co-op members.

OPALCO is a cooperative electrical utility serving more than 11,000 co-op member-owners on 20 islands in San Juan County. It provides electricity that is 90 percent greenhouse-gas free and is predominately generated by hydro-electric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937 to bring electricity to our rural islands.