PROLOGUE
Back in 1973, a small group of system planners who were meeting near the coalfields of western Pennsylvania caught a glimpse of a vision. At that time the vision was vague, shaky, limited, and, for some, blurry. It was narrow in scope, but somewhat wide in geography. A group led by Bill Reinke took the vision and massaged, organized, and implemented it in the form of an annual social gathering, now affectionately known as "THE PIG ROAST," herein after referred to as (PR). These planners were representatives of various power systems throughout the southeast, all involved in interconnection planning of bulk power transmission networks. The nature of the work required long hours and significant travel. In those early days, much of the travel centered on the quest for computer facilities, initially analog and later digital in design. Travel in those days was not very convenient and the computer work often involved glitches, not easily corrected by phone. In addition, the meeting topics were heavy, the social hours long, and late night sessions poring over prime rib and Jack Daniel's were stress filled. It became evident that a change in the routine was needed. Finally, the vision was consummated and on a hot summer August afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama, approximately 15 interconnection planners and their families gathered in Lee Wetzel's backyard, and thus, a tradition was born. That smaller entourage has grown to a hundred and more participants at today's annual event. To attend a current PR today is to step into history and reside with those pioneers of yesteryear. The history of the PR has paralleled that of the power system. Many milestones will be remembered. Included in the official record are extensive high voltage interconnections, computer technology, coordinated planning, demand side options, non-utility generation, base cases, open access, OASIS sites, Security Coordinators, and Reliability Councils. In the unofficial record are the first PR, the initiation of the "Piggy," monstrous August rains, stolen beer, and enough memories to fill a book. Each year, new, first-time rookies and old, seasoned returnees, come together with the regular attendees to enjoy the fun, fellowship, frivolity, and food. Each year, the circle expands and the comradery envisioned by those early pioneers is shared and multiplied. Without the old blood, history is lost. Without the new blood, there is no future.
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