Southwest Rural Electric Association will hold its 71st annual meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the historic Ramona Theater in downtown Frederick. All SWRE customer-members are encouraged to attend.

Registration will begin at 4 p.m. and continue through 6:55 p.m. The SWRE business meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Prize drawings will follow the business meeting.

SWRE is an electric cooperative that serves customers in a 6,000 square mile area in north Texas and southwest Oklahoma.

A health fair at the meeting will be sponsored by the Tillman County Health Department and Indian Territory Home Health and Hospice. The health fair exhibits will open at 4 p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m.

Entertainment at the event will begin at 6:20 p.m. and will feature the musical talent of noted young performer Mikayla Jo Balderas of Tipton.

Mikayla, who is 13 years old, has performed for most of her life and has won many talent competitions. She has performed at the Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry, the Johnnie High Country Music Review, the Oklahoma Opry, the On the Border Opry, and at the Oklahoma State Fair. One highlight of her music career came last year when she opened for country music legend TG Sheppard. She has also served as opening performer for former HeeHaw violinist and singer Jana Jae.

The SWRE business session will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m.

During the annual prize drawing after the business meeting, prizes will be awarded to members from each of SWRE’s nine districts.

“We hope all SWRE members will attend the annual meeting,” said Fred Stowe, president of the organization’s board of trustees. “The event is always a high point of the year for Southwest Rural Electric. It is an opportunity for members to meet our cooperative’s employees, to learn first-hand about SWRE projects and activities, and to participate in directing the cooperative’s business.”

“SWRE is not a typical utility company,” said Mike R. Hagy, SWRE Manager and CEO. “Our members are our owners, and they take great pride in the organization and its service. That is what makes each year’s annual meeting such a special event.”

An annual report has been mailed to each SWRE member. The publication contains a registration form and complete information about the annual meeting.

Any questions about registration or other matters relating to the annual meeting can be directed to John H. Herring, SWRE Manager of Administrative Services. Herring can be reached toll free at 1-800-256-7973.