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Allendale
Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com
Bad Axe/Ubly
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Berrien Springs
Waterfurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeo thermal.com
Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com
Clifford Orton Refrig & Htg (989) 761-7691 sanduskygeothermal.com
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adamsheating cooling.com
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Lansing Candor Mechanical (517) 920-0890 candormechanical.com
Lowell Arctic Inc. Htg. & Clg. (616) 897-4213 heatingcoolingonline.com
Mancelona Top Notch Htg, Clg, & Geothermal (231) 350-8052 Topnotchheatandair.com
Michigan Center Comfort 1/Air Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southernmichigan/
Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989) 772-4822 waltonheating.com
Muskegon Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheatingcooling.co
Portland
ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com
Sunfield
Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com
Traverse City
D&W Mechanical (231) 941-1251 dwmechanical.com
Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com
CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES
Cloverland: up to $4,200
Great Lakes: up to $3,000
Homeworks/Tri-County: up to $3,000
Presque Isle: up to $2,700
Cherryland: up to $2,500
Thumb Electric: up to $2,000
Alger Delta: up to $2,000
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark
EDITOR: Christine Dorr
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird
RECIPE EDITOR: Christin McKamey
COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd
PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association
Michigan Country Lines, USPS-591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.
Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta, Cherryland, Great Lakes, HomeWorks Tri-County, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Thumb electric cooperatives by their boards of directors.
Postmaster: Send all UAA to CFS.
Association Officers: Tom Sobeck, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; Craig Borr, president and CEO.
CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR:
Michigan Country Lines
201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please notify your electric cooperative. See page 4 for contact information.
The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.
6 AMERICA’S BEST CAMPGROUND IS RIGHT HERE IN MICHIGAN
After staying at 350-plus RV parks, Terrell and Katie Deppe applied their experience to develop the award-winning Indian River RV Resort.
10 MY CO-OP KITCHEN
One-Pan Meals: These delicious dinners make cleanup a breeze.
14 THE GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM PRESERVES MICHIGAN’S RICH MARITIME HISTORY
The recently found wreck of the Nucleus adds to the museum’s many discoveries.
18 GUEST COLUMN
At One with Plants: Inheriting his grandmother’s love of horticulture, Gary Bopp made gardening his passion and his career.
#micoopcommunity Instagram contest winner Morning glow @chelseaolkowski (Chelsea Olkowski)
To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
Instagram Contest
Use #micoopcommunity for a chance to be featured here and on our Instagram account.
Win $100 for photos published!
Recipe Contest
See details on page 10. Pumpkin recipes due Aug.1; Family Favorites due Sept. 1
Win a $100 bill credit!
Guest Column
Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/ community to submit.
Win $200 for stories published!
Mystery Photo
See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!
500 J.K. Paul Street
Ontonagon, MI 49953
906-884-4151
800-562-7128
After hours: 866-639-6098
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
William Hodges, President
Lake Linden District
906-934-3743 • mistermich52@gmail.com
Calvin Koski, Vice President
Aura District
906-524-6988 • cgkoski@up.net
Mildred Ann Gasperich, Secretary Boston District
906-337-5079 • anngasperich@yahoo.com
Randy Myhren, Treasurer Green/Firesteel/Toivola District
906-884-4092
Jack Lehto, Director
Pelkie/Herman/Aura District
906-353-6684 • jlehto@up.net
Michael Urbis, Director
Ewen/Trout Creek/Lake Mine District
906-988-2344 • mdurbis@yahoo.com
Michael Gaunt, Director Chassell/Keweenaw Bay District
906-370-8133 • budget2019@gmail.com
PERSONNEL
Eugene Soumis, General Manager Dallas Aho, Administrative Assistant
Fay Hauswirth, Billing Clerk
Mark Urbis, Line Superintendent
OTHER INFORMATION
Date of Incorporation: Sept. 30, 1937
Fiscal year-end: Dec. 31 countrylines.com/coops/ontonagon
Ontonagon County REA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Providing reliable power to you is and will always be top priority for Ontonagon REA. These days, power reliability seems to be making news now more than ever. As the energy industry continues to transition and more segments of the economy are becoming electrified, such as vehicles, machinery, and even lawn equipment, additional pressures are being placed on our nation’s electric grid.
With summer storm season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to tell you about a few measures we’re taking to ensure you continue receiving the reliable power you depend on and deserve.
Let me be the first to say I love trees and the charm they add to our communities, and I know you do too. While trees provide shade and add beauty to our area, you may be surprised to learn that overgrown vegetation accounts for about half of all power outages.
That’s why we strive to keep the co-op’s power lines clear in rightof-way (ROW) areas. A ROW area is the land a co-op uses to construct, maintain, replace, or repair underground and overhead power lines. This ROW enables Ontonagon REA to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder distribution power lines. The overall goal of our vegetation management strategy is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our area.
Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear
lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keep lines clear to improve power reliability. However, traditional vegetation management is costly and time consuming. It entails on-the-ground, labor-intensive efforts involving dozens of workers assessing vegetation and overseeing the quality and completion of contractor work. Although this approach has worked for decades, advances and improvements in technology have allowed us to reduce our costs and improve efficiency.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, we also maintain power reliability through planned, controlled outages. By carefully cutting power to one part of our local area for a few hours, Ontonagon REA can perform system repairs and upgrades, which ultimately improve electric service. Planned outages can also be used to balance energy demand, but only in rare circumstances. Rest assured, we will always notify you in advance of a planned outage, so make sure we have your correct contact information on file to receive the latest emails or texts.
Vegetation management is an essential tool in ensuring power reliability and minimizing the risk of outages. As advancements become more accessible and costs drop, we anticipate using additional technologies to ensure a consistent energy supply while managing the environment.
Lastly, I encourage you to follow Ontonagon REA on social media so you can learn about the latest co-op updates.
rad Hanson began working for the cooperative in the summer of 1992. In July, he will retire after 31 years of dedicated service. When asked about the greatest change he has experienced during his career, he quickly responds, “Technology! We are now integrating metering and outages in real time via our cell phones, which function like small computers. It’s been amazing to witness how rapidly things change with advancements in technology. It’s made a huge difference in how we accomplish things in the field.”
He also recalls more practical changes that occurred during his tenure at the cooperative. “For my first 10 years at the cooperative, we only had removable buckets for our digger trucks. They were difficult to use, so we climbed a lot of poles, so when we got our first actual bucket truck, it was memorable and made a real difference for us in how we worked in regard to both safety and efficiency,” he said. “Incorporating brushing crews into operations has also made a huge difference for us in accomplishing our work. Rights-of-way are cleared,
storm damage repairs are easier and safer for us, and we have many fewer power outages.”
Distribution Supervisor Mark Urbis has high praise for Brad. “When I first started at REA, Brad was the one I was most nervous around due to him being the lead lineman out of the Ontonagon shop,” he said. “I learned in a hurry that Brad was here to help. I would turn to Brad to gain knowledge on how things were supposed to be done. He has always been there for all the crew members for any kind of help they have needed. Even with all the changes here in the last four years, Brad has always had a smile, and that speaks to the type of lineman he is. I think when you talk to Brad, all of us here look not for just his opinion but also his approval. I will miss our work-related and nonwork-related conversations in the morning over coffee.”
Brad’s retirement plans include taking time for himself and “to enjoy the great outdoors in nice weather instead of all weather,” he says with a grin. “It’s been a rewarding
“I would turn to Brad to gain knowledge on how things were supposed to be done. He has always been there for all the crew members for any kind of help they have needed.”
career, but now I pass the torch to the next generation,” he thoughtfully concludes.
Ontonagon REA and its members extend congratulations and best wishes to Brad for his 31 years of service to the cooperative and its members.
Ontonagon REA is pleased to announce that Apprentice Lineman Kaleb Preiss has achieved Journeyman Lineman Status. Kaleb, who began working for the co-op in 2018, recently completed 7,000 hours of fieldwork training and testing at Northwest Line College to attain his certification.
Congratulations, Kaleb, and we wish you continued success in your new position!
Once upon a time, in the middle of the woods, there was an RV park. It was neither too little nor too big. Neither too old nor too modern. Neither too remote nor too busy. It was, as our friend Goldilocks would say—just right. It was that “just rightness” that was likely the key to Indian River RV Resort being named Campspot’s 2023 Best Campground in America.
The story of any business, even one as charming as Indian River’s, is never a picture-perfect fairy tale. The owners of the RV park are Terrell and Katie
Deppe, who had no intention of buying an RV resort, or even an RV, until 2007. Terrell had taken a job in the tech industry, leading the couple to sell their home in Texas and move to Minnesota. The market had been good for home sales, but the couple was hesitant to pay the high prices the buyers’ market was asking. So, they rented, moving twice. During one of their transitions, Terrell, who was able to work remotely, was struck with an idea.
“I looked at Katie and said, ‘If we are going to have to keep moving, let’s just KEEP moving. Let’s buy an RV,’”
To learn more about Indian River RV Resort or to book a lot at the Best Campground in America, visit:
said Terrell. “It took her a while to wrap her head around the idea, but when she realized that the amount of money we were spending on rent and moving could pay for the depreciation of an RV in less than a year, she committed to 10 months.”
Ten months turned into five years during which the Deppes traveled to 46 of the lower 48 states in the U.S. and stayed in over 350 private, state, and national RV parks. They experienced the best and worst of them and were getting a feel for what worked and what didn’t in their nomadic lifestyle.
For the next decade, the Deppes began looking for an opportunity to take the knowledge they’d gained on the road and put that, along with their passion and grit, into an RV park of their own. That’s when Indian River RV Resort came into their lives. Finally, at the end of 2019, they had made an offer and were prepared to take on the challenges of owning an RV park— maybe not the sort of challenges they were about to face.
“I quit my job on Friday, March 13, and the country shut down on Monday,
March 16,” said Terrell, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic. “Had we just made the greatest mistake of our lives, or was God going to lead us to our promised land? We chose to act in faith.”
The Deppes went to the park to help the current owners open for the season—getting their hands into daily operations, waiting for the sale to close, and preparing for the July Fourth weekend.
While much of the world had seemed to shut down, folks were still eager to travel with their families, and one of the few things open was the great outdoors.
“We were receiving an average of one call per minute, not counting the people standing in front of us to book future dates,” said Terrell. “We were using the resort’s previous paperbased reservation system. It felt like we were failing, and we had to make some big changes—fast.”
Luckily, Terrell’s experience in tech and the multitasking wizardry Katie had developed while home-schooling the couple’s four children were the
perfect skill set for the challenges they faced. They quickly switched to an online reservation system and were able to focus on creating a clean, quiet, family-friendly space similar to the ones they had enjoyed on their own RV travels.
Now the Deppes, along with their son Jonathan, turn their attention to maintaining the gorgeous land, keeping the facilities pristine and welcoming, and dreaming up ways to improve their guests’ experience. They often go above and beyond. One of their most recent projects was consulting with a certified master arborist about the well-being of their trees. With the findings, they swapped ground leaf removal for mulching and are already seeing healthier grounds. It’s this sort of attention to detail that allows their guests to let the busyness of the world fall away. It’s just the sort of thing you hope for when you head out to escape the dragons of the world and find yourself, for a time at least, living happily ever after.
Help keep your cooling costs in check this summer with these tips from energy.gov.
• Try to keep your thermostat as close to the outdoor temperature as possible. The Department of Energy recommends at least 78 degrees when you are home. Turn up the thermostat even higher when you are away to prevent your A/C unit from running unnecessarily. A programmable or smart thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature to ensure you are cooling your home when you need to and not when you don’t.
2
Prevent Heat Gain From The Sun
• Sun shining in through windows and doors literally warms your home like an oven. Use window coverings to keep the sun out and your home’s temperature cooler.
1 3 4
Maintain Your A/C Unit
• For central air, have a professional check the unit annually. He or she will perform a proper tune-up and can spot some potential problems before they become emergencies.
• Change the filter on your HVAC unit regularly all year long.
• Run ceiling fans at a fast speed in a counterclockwise direction to create a wind chill effect. Turn the fan off when you leave the room; fans cool people, not rooms.
• When first turning on the air conditioner, don’t turn the temperature way down to jumpstart the cooling effect. Your A/C unit doesn’t work faster because the temperature is lower, but it could cause it to run longer than necessary.
6
• Only run full loads in your washer and dishwasher.
• Cracks and leaks around windows, doors, and utility cutouts allow warm air to enter the home and cause your A/C unit to work harder. Seal or caulk leaks and holes.
• Let your dishes air-dry instead of using the heat setting. Prop the door open once the final rinse is complete for faster drying.
• Cook or grill outside when you can to avoid running your stove or oven.
• Buy Energy Star-certified appliances; these appliances are guaranteed to run more efficiently than noncertified ones.
Enter
Ontonagon REA members whose photos we print in Michigan Country Lines during 2023 will be entered in a drawing. Four lucky members will win a credit of $50 on their December 2023 energy bills!
Upcoming Topics and Deadlines:
Porches, due July 20 (Sept./Oct. issue)
Celebrations, due Sept. 20 (Nov./Dec. issue)
To submit photos, and for details and instructions, go to http://bit.ly/countrylines. We look forward to seeing your best photos!
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Pumpkin recipes due Aug.1; Family Favorites due Sept. 1
Submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a $100 bill credit and have your recipe featured in Country Lines with a photo and a video. Submit your recipe at micoopkitchen.com , or send it via email (include your full name and co-op) to recipes@countrylines.com
WINNING
Jean Horrocks, Presque Isle Electric
1 pound ground beef
2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
8 ounces (2 cups) uncooked elbow macaroni
½ cup chopped onion
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup sour cream
• water, as needed
Brown meat in large skillet. Drain off all the fat as it collects. Stir in remaining ingredients, except sour cream. Add ¾ to 1 cup water and stir. Heat to boiling. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes, stirring frequently. Add additional water if mixture is too thick. Cook just until noodles start to soften, then stir in sour cream; heat through but do not boil. Makes 6 servings.
Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/recipe_ type/videos/
Shanasee Tersigni, Presque Isle Electric
1 teaspoon grapeseed oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves black or regular garlic
1 cup fennel, chopped (with fronds)
¼ –½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
¼ –½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Calabrian chili flakes or red chili flakes
1 sprig rosemary leaf
1 handful chopped fresh oregano
1 pound ground venison
2 zucchini, peeled and chopped
1 cup morel mushrooms
2 cups chopped kale
1 can (15-ounce) Italian stewed
tomatoes
2 cups organic chicken bone broth
2 cups low sodium V8
1 (8- ounce) box quinoa elbow
pasta, or favorite pasta noodles
1 (15.5- ounce) can cannelini
beans
1 (15.5- ounce) can dark red kidney beans
½ cup Peppadew peppers (a pickled piquant pepper) (substitute with sweet cherry peppers, sweet drop peppers, pimentos, sweet red peppers, or pepperoncini) & splash of pickling liquid from jar
• fresh basil and lemon zest, for garnishing
Heat ceramic cast iron pot to medium heat. Add oil. Sauté onions, garlic, fennel, salt, and pepper. Cook until onion and fennel are tender. Add herbs and ground venison. Cook until meat is browned. Add zucchini, morels, and kale. Sauté a minute, stirring. Add all remaining ingredients. Cook until pasta is al dente. Add additional broth or vegetable juice if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and lemon zest. Season to taste.
Linda Heintz, Great Lakes Energy
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound uncooked chicken breast, cut into ¼-inch slices
1 small sweet onion, cut into chunks
1 small red onion, cut into chunks
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 cup small broccoli florets
1 cup small cauliflower florets
1 cup chicken broth
½ pound asparagus, sliced into 2-inch pieces
1 cup pea pods, strings removed
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon sugar
• green onions, sliced
Heat oil in large wok over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken and sauté until no longer pink. Add onions, mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower. Sauté until just beginning to get tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 cup of broth, put lid on pan and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove lid, then add asparagus and pea pods. Sauté until just beginning to soften and color turns bright. Mix together soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and sugar. Add soy sauce mixture to pan and stir quickly. Continue to stir in all liquids and ingredients as sauce thickens. Can also sprinkle sliced green onions on top when finished. Serve alone or over rice. I use this same recipe with venison steak and use beef broth instead of chicken broth. You can use any vegetables you have on hand, but save the ones that cook quickly for the time period after the 2-minute simmer.
4 bone-in skinless chicken breasts, quartered
• salt & pepper
½ cup flour
2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups white wine
1 (5- ounce) jar Spanish green olives, sliced with pimento
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Salt and pepper chicken breasts and then dredge in flour. Heat olive oil in skillet and fry chicken until crisp
on both sides but not fully cooked. Remove chicken from skillet and pour out all but a ¼ cup of the olive oil. Turn temperature to medium. Add onions and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute, turning. Add white wine and let cook down until reduced by half. Add olives and roughly 4 tablespoons of juice from the jar. Add the cinnamon and stir. Add the chicken and put a lid on. Simmer for 30 minutes. Best if served over longgrain rice.
Lynn Hagon, Great Lakes Energy
1 pound hamburger
1 (15-ounce) can vegetable soup
1 (15-ounce) can tomato soup
2 cups water
3–4 carrots, cut up
2 medium potatoes, cut up
1 small onion, chopped
Brown hamburger and onion; drain. Add soups, water, and vegetables. Cook for about 45 minutes or so.
Kim SchumacherIf there were an award for “U.P. Young Entrepreneur of the Year,” Sierra Endel would certainly be in the running. The 19-year-old Bruce Crossing resident established her “Heart & Soul K9 Training” business at the young age of 12. “My parents were really into hound hunting, and we always had at least five dogs when I was growing up. I loved working with the dogs and teaching them things, so this was just a natural path for me. It’s something I’m very passionate about,” she said.
She began her business by training friends’ dogs. The results were noteworthy, and word quickly spread. Soon
she had people contacting her for her services. Graduating from high school a year early, she decided to obtain formal training and attended the Animal Behavioral College, where she had a double major and obtained degrees in veterinary assistant and dog training. She then did internships in both fields, completing 100 hours of “hands-on” training for each degree.
She and her co-trainer Keegan Doverspike opened their homebased business by offering in-house boarding and training. When working with a new client, the first step in the process is an assessment. “During the initial meeting, we discuss with the owner what the problems are, what they are looking to get fixed, and what they hope the outcome is,” she said. “Every owner and every dog are quite different, so the way you approach them cannot always be the same from one dog to the other. The training techniques must vary so that it is customized to what is best for the dog. This will give them the best outcome.”
Training is intensely one-on-one and covers areas such as basic obedience, commands, hunting training, puppy training, and behavioral problems such as aggression and anxiety. “I only accept two dogs at a time for training so that I can give the dogs my full attention,” she said.
One of her more difficult cases presented when Erin and Sean Gustafson contacted her. Erin states, “Our dogs Kromer and Bosco developed aggression after dealing with some necessary medical treatment. Two other trainers had refused to take on the case. When we contacted Sierra she said, ‘I want to take this case.’ Our dogs were with Sierra for a month. When we picked them up, we could not believe the difference. These two dogs, who had sent each other to the vet and sent me to the ER after breaking up a fight between the dogs, were now able to walk next to each other on the leash. This was a huge improvement.”
When asked what the biggest difference was, Erin responds, “Prior to bringing them to Sierra, we were anxious, they were anxious. They didn’t know how to interact with each other. Sierra doesn’t just train dogs.
She trains people. When we picked them up, she thoroughly went over what we needed to continue to do. We spent four hours with her. She went over everything she taught the dogs to do with us, then followed up a few weeks later at our house, which was really helpful. I think some people have an affinity for things and were meant to do things, and Sierra was meant to work with dogs. She knows what she is doing. Don’t let her age fool you.”
Sierra also works part time at a local veterinary clinic to keep her veterinary assistant credentials current. This grants clients an extra level of confidence, knowing that if a health issue arises, their animals will receive trained medical assessment and care.
Now having trained over 200 dogs, Sierra is looking to further develop operations by purchasing a larger property to accommodate a larger training and boarding facility. She
would also like to begin agility training as well as service dog training.
“I am always doing research to see how I can expand my own knowledge and help more dogs. I work with dogs to make their lives fulfilling and allow the owners to live at ease. I have had this business for seven years and am looking to expand into uncharted territory by reaching more and new people. My desire is to create peace and harmony between dogs and their owners because, in my opinion, there is nothing nicer than a well-trained dog,” she said.
To learn more about Sierra and her dog training, visit heartandsoulk9.wixsite.com/dogtraining or call 906.236.5794
“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.” - Louis SabinThe Gustafson’s dogs, Kromer (left) and Bosco (right). Kromer is a one year old American Staffordshire terrier and American pit bull terrier mix and Bosco is a three-year old tricolor Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
“In a musty old hall in Detroit, they prayed In the maritime sailorsʼ cathedral
The church bell chimed ʻtil it rang twenty-nine times For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
By Emily Haines Lloyd
The recent discovery of the wreck of the Nucleus is just one of many stories brought to light by the museum.
The Gordon Lightfoot song made the Edmund Fitzgerald, a freight ship lost in Lake Superior in 1975, the most famous shipwreck in a century. However, the depths of the Great Lakes are the secret keepers and silent graves of thousands of ships lost in its waters. Among them is the recently discovered Nucleus, a 144-foot Barquentine found under 600 feet of water around 40 miles northwest of
Vermilion Point on Lake Superior. The Nucleus was lost at sea over 150 years ago in 1869.
“It can be hard for folks to understand how a ship could go missing for so long without being discovered,” said content & communications director for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS), Corey Adkins. “But these ships went down before radar, before GPS. So, how is it documented when a ship goes down back then?”
Lucky for historians and maritime aficionados, the technology has grown exponentially, and the efforts of groups like GLSHS discover more missing vessels each year.
GLSHS fi rst discovered the wreckage of Nucleus using a Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar in the summer of 2021, and positively identifi ed the wreck in 2022 using the organization’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle). The wreck was in surprisingly good condition, which helped with the next phase of the discovery. Much like any investigation, the next steps included a great deal of research.
“There was no name visible, but the wreckage was a perfect size and in the perfect place to deduce it was Nucleus,” said Adkins. “From there, you piece together a story using old news articles and documents. Little by little, the story becomes clearer.”
Part of Nucleus ’ story includes a history of nine or 10 accidents at sea and the fact that it had sunk two other times—which earned it the
moniker of “Bad Luck Barquentine.” Additionally, on the Nucleus ’ fi nal and fateful voyage, another ship, the Union, had come upon the sinking vessel, slowed down, and eventually steamed on without any sort of communication or effort to rescue the crew.
“That is just not done,” said Adkins. “There is an unwritten law of the sea, that you always help another ship in distress. The fact that the Union didn’t assist just adds to the mystery of this wreck. But still, amazingly, there was not a single life lost.”
Mystery solving is at the heart of GLSHS’ mission. They are actively looking for wrecks every summer into early fall, hoping to piece together more stories of both the ships and those who sailed on them. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, operated by GLSHS and located at the Whitefi sh
Point Light Station, offers more stories for visitors to discover and an opportunity to walk the beach afterward to reflect on the area’s rich history.
“We are proud to share the history and tell the stories of these discoveries,” said Adkins. “Every story is important to us. All the lives and the losses. Most people only know about the Edmund Fitzgerald . But that is not the only story.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Top: An anchor from the Nucleus.
A clear right-of-way reduces power outages and improves safety for everyone.
When trees interfere with power lines, members experience outages. In fact, trees are the biggest cause of power outages.
In the past, Ontonagon County REA has hired contractors to clear our rights-of-way, but we have not been able to keep up with seasonal contractors. We have, therefore, brought our vegetative management in-house and will have our crew working on our rights-of-way 12 months of the year.
The right-of-way (ROW) program requires removing vegetation, typically from a 20-foot corridor on both sides of power lines, to ensure safe conditions and reliable power.
In certain situations, upon landowner request, overhead power lines may be reconstructed underground. Contact the co-op about necessary costs, easements, and other requirements.
The right-of-way is cleared by cutting, trimming, and mowing. OCREA treats all members equally when removing vegetation. In most cases, all shrubs, brush, and trees are removed under primary (main), high-voltage overhead power lines. They are also removed, as necessary, underneath and around secondary, low-voltage power lines that bring power from the transformer to your meter.
Cutting and trimming are done by trained, professional utility tree trimmers using specific and proven standards typical to the industry.
The electric system is regularly inspected for dead, dying, and leaning dangerous trees. When found, they are marked and then trimmed or removed to eliminate the threat to power lines.
This is a wise investment in safety and service for members, as the alternatives are emergency clearings, major power outages, and dangerous conditions for our service crews.
In the future, as our program progresses, the frequency and duration of tree outages will decrease, and line loss will improve.
Logs are the property of the landowner. Branches and small debris are left to decompose where they are cut. In maintained yard areas, branches and small debris are chipped and removed unless otherwise requested by the member.
In the best interest of all members, new plantings are not allowed in the right-of-way. Upon notification, plants need to be transplanted or removed.
A clear right-of-way improves power quality, reliability, and safety.
We all enjoy trees, but when they interfere with power lines, reliability and safety are compromised. That’s why it’s important to remove trees, branches, and brush from the ROW.
When trees and vegetation grow into the rights-of-way, they can:
• Cause power outages
• Cause lights to blink
• Obstruct visual inspections, making repairs difficult and costly
• Block access for maintenance and repairs, causing delays
• Waste electricity by drawing it into the ground
• Become a fire hazard
• Become a safety hazard for utility workers and members
Climbing a tree near a power line could cause contact, making it very hazardous for the climber.
With clear rights-of-way, Ontonagon County REA crews are able to respond to storm damage with minimal disruption of electricity. When they have safe access to the power lines, they don’t have to cut their way in to reach repair areas and they will be able to restore power in a timely manner for members. For more information, contact Ontonagon REA at 800-562-7128.
he was seldom seen without an apron and seldom seen not working. She was a farmer. Forever. And even when she didn’t live near fields and barns, she was a farmer still, in her heart. She mentored many and inspired far more. A little grandson followed her, closer than her shadow. He learned her love of plants and gardens—it was far more caught than taught. He’d quote her homespun adages, like scriptures learned in church. Some were rather humorous, like when he’d say, with serious tone: “My grandma says she knows she’ll never go to hell, because the devil knows she builds a better fire,” or “I don’t need to rest, I can sleep when I’m dead!” As this grandson grew in stature, he still loved the things she loved. With spades and trowels as his artist’s tools, he created lovely gardens. He learned the proper names of every plant he planted—good friends should have good names. He’d learned from his aproned grandma which plants chose sunny spots and which preferred the shade. He knew when each would be awake and bring their brightest flowers, so he’d plant his gardens in such a way that some would always be in bloom.
This grandma’s boy went off to school, to Michigan State one day. And there he chose to study plants and gardens and propagation. He’d learn his grandma’s favorites had Latin names as well. He’d graduate with honors, assisting his professors. He’d later maintain gardens at the Edsel Ford estate and land a job he’d hold for years, growing perennials for Wiegand’s Nursery. His grandmother moved to heaven—she tends the gardens there. But Gary Bopp, without an apron, continues her gardening here. Retired, he now spends his summers in Lewiston, a rare jewel in northern Michigan. He lives in a place called Bliss Cottage, surrounded by Bliss Gardens. He still propagates perennials, knows each by name, knows each one’s game. He sells them each Saturday morning at Lewiston’s Farmers’ Market. He’s become a local consultant, inspiring the love of the garden. He loves to know his green “children” find
good homes with his neighbors and friends. He likes to imagine he might be a part of making this world more beautiful—spreading awe and fueling wonder in gardens. Last year he propagated 5,000 perennials, tough tested by Lewiston’s climate. He watches with pride as they’re carried from the market to gardens nearby. And somewhere in heaven, an angel with an apron worn over her robe looks down and tells those around her, “I taught him all that he knows.”
“When some people leave this world,” Gary reflects, “they leave a grand monument, a vast estate, or a collection of tributes, awards, and accolades. I hope to leave a garden.”
About the author: Rik Cryderman is happily retired after a 35-year career as director of pastoral care for Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Michigan. He splits his time between Lewiston, Michigan, and Naples, Florida, enjoying grandchildren, gardening, travel, photography, and writing. Fueled by his faith and inspired by his friends, he finds each of life’s chapters better than the last.
Guest Column
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Mystery Photo
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Identify the correct location of the photo to the left by July 24 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community
May 2023 Winner! Our Mystery Photo winner is Michelle Cockey, a Midwest Energy & Communications Cooperative member, who correctly identified the photo as the memorial plaque of Ryerson and Melissa Whiting at Whiting Park in Charlevoix County. Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September, and November/December.
Each year, 3,800 people in the U.S. die from drowning. Electric shock drowning occurs when an electric current escapes boats, docks, and lights near marinas, shocking nearby swimmers. There are no visible signs of current seeping into water, which makes this a hidden danger. The electric shock paralyzes swimmers, making them unable to swim to safety.
• Never swim near a boat or launching ramp. Residual current could flow into the water from the boat or the marina’s wiring, potentially putting anyone in the water at risk of electric shock.
• If you feel any tingling sensations while in the water, tell someone and swim back in the direction from which you came. Immediately report it to the dock or marina owner.
• Ensure your boat is properly maintained and consider having it inspected annually. GFCIs and ELCIs should be tested monthly. Conduct leakage testing to determine if electrical current is escaping the vessel.
• Use portable GFCIs or shore power cords (including “Y” adapters) that are “UL- Marine Listed” when using electricity near water.
• Regularly have your boat’s electrical system inspected by a certified marine electrician. Ensure it meets your local and state NEC, NFPA, and ABYC safety codes.
IF YOU SEE ELECTRIC SHOCK DROWNING TAKING PLACE:
DO NOT enter the water. You could become a victim, too.