April 2024 Cherryland

April 2024

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Cherryland Electric Cooperative

Wired for Safety Don’t Sleep on Cybersecurity Preparedness Award-Winning Cybersecurity

AMERICA’S FAVORITE HOUSEGUEST

How a small-town girl made reality TV history

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Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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Contents countrylines.com

/michigancountrylines

April 2024 Vol. 44, No. 4 /michigancountrylines

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark

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EDITOR: Christine Dorr

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman 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.

10 14

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 WHEELS OF CHANGE

Exploring the e-bike phenomenon in Michigan.

MI Co-op Community

To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN

Stir-Fries & Curries: Asian-inspired dishes full of flavor and fragrance.

14 AMERICA’S FAVORITE

HOUSEGUEST How small-town girl Nicole Franzel of Ubly, Michigan, made reality TV history.

18 NO BARRIERS 2024 PROGRAM

Adventures for rural veterans— apply by June 15. In-person expeditions will take place in July and August.

Recipe Contest

See details on page 10. Homemade Burgers due May 1; Casseroles due July 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!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

3

CO-OP NEWS Board Approves Rate Change cherrylandelectric.coop /cherrylandelectriccoop @cherrylandec BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Schweitzer, President 231-883-5860 dschweitzer@cherrylandelectric.coop

Gabe Schneider, Senior Vice President 517-449-6453 gschneider@cherrylandelectric.coop Valarie Handy, Secretary 231-392-4705 vhandy@cherrylandelectric.coop

Tom Van Pelt, Treasurer 231-386-5234 tvanpelt@cherrylandelectric.coop

Melinda Lautner, Director 231-947-2509 mlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop Terry Lautner, Director 231-883-6455 tlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop

Dean Adams, Director 231-642-0014 dadams@cherrylandelectric.coop CEO: Rachel Johnson

Co-op Editors: Courtney Doyle: cdoyle@cherrylandelectric.coop

Bailey Watson bwatson@cherrylandelectric.coop OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS 231-486-9200 or 1-800-442-8616 (Mich.)

ADDRESS P.O. Box 298, Grawn, MI 49637 PAY STATION Cherryland Electric Cooperative office 5930 U.S. 31 South, Grawn MI, 49637 Cherryland Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

At its March 2024 meeting, Cherryland’s board of directors approved changes to the cooperative’s rates. These changes will go into effect in May of 2024 and first appear on your bill in June 2024. For more information on these changes and how they impact your bill, visit cherrylandelectric.coop/rate-change.

April 18 Is National Lineworker Appreciation Day When the lights go out, so do Cherryland’s line crews. Thank you to Cherryland’s lineworkers for all they do to keep the lights on for our members!

Members Donate To Local Nonprofits Through Cherryland Cares You can help local nonprofits by contributing to Cherryland Cares. Cherryland Cares is funded by members who voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar amount. A member’s average annual contribution is approximately $6.

The funds collected through this program are then distributed by the Cherryland Cares Board: a five-member volunteer board that reviews grant applications and allocates the funds to nonprofits seeking assistance.

If you are interested in making a difference with Cherryland Cares, call the Cherryland office at 231-486-9200 or sign up through SmartHub.

Members Earn Rebates With Energy Efficiency Upgrades Cherryland members are eligible to receive rebates for energy-efficient upgrades in their homes or businesses. For a guide to our residential and commercial rebate programs and a complete listing of rebates available on Energy Star-qualified appliances, visit our website at cherrylandelectric.coop/rebates.

Cherryland’s 86th Annual Meeting Scheduled For June 13 Cherryland’s 86th Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, June 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Incredible Mo’s in Grawn. Cherryland will provide updates regarding the 86th Annual Meeting in Michigan Country Lines, and on our website and social media.

Board In Action February Board Meeting • After a year of challenging financial hurdles due to mild weather, power supply costs, and other cost pressures, Cherryland’s chief financial officer reported that the cooperative ended the month with positive operating margins due to diligent budget management and lower-than-expected power supply costs.

• Cherryland’s communications and member relations manager gave a special presentation to the board about the cooperative’s strategic communications plan, spanning the next few years.

• The board discussed developments in the preparation to comply with the state’s new energy waste reduction mandate.

4 APRIL 2024

Don’t Sleep on Cybersecurity Preparedness

By Rachel Johnson, Cherryland CEO

’ve always been a good sleeper. I hear others complain about sleeplessness and waking up still tired but, luckily, I’ve managed to avoid that for most of my life. As the CEO of your cooperative, there is one thing that sometimes keeps me up at night— cybersecurity and threats to the electric grid.

I

I didn’t choose this topic to scare you, but rather to level with you about what this risk involves and how we are managing it on your behalf. We can’t manage this risk by burying our heads in the sand.

Our cyber threats come from various directions. On average, the cooperative’s cyber protections stop as many as 6 million attempts to test or breach our defenses every month.

The biggest cyber threats generally come from nation-state bad actors with a goal of upsetting national security through power disruption.

The second biggest cyber threats tend to come from profit-motivated hackers who are hoping to lock up our systems and your data in order to force us to pay them to get it restored.

Our proactive approach to managing these threats is multifaceted. First and foremost, our employees undergo

extensive training and testing on how to defend against social engineering.

Most cyberattacks happen when an employee opens a bad attachment, clicks on a bad link, or does something else that allows cybercriminals entrance into our systems. That means our employees are our first line of defense.

In addition to training, we have rigid firewalls and complex multi-factor authentication requirements to access our system. We decrease our employees’ risk of getting bad links with strict filters on incoming emails.

We are also continuing to build isolation between our systems while recognizing that our cyber threats can quickly spread to our grid operations capabilities. These isolations mean that systems that operate the grid can’t and don’t communicate with the other systems.

Recognizing this important connection between our grid and our computer systems, this year we also restructured the organization. Now, information technology and operational technology are all housed in one department and we have a dedicated cybersecurity administrator. This allows us to always have a focus on managing cyber threats to grid security.

While prevention is our ultimate goal, we know that a cybercriminal could still get through our defenses.

As our cybersecurity administrator likes to say, “We have to be diligent 100% of the time but they only have to be lucky once.” Rest assured that we have a carefully developed and regularly tested cyber incident response plan to help us manage any breach that may occur.

Our cyber incident response plan will serve as our guide if a cyber incident occurs. Throughout 2024 we will be rigorously testing it through cybersecurity drills and other similar exercises. Honing our response skills is the best way we can make sure that our team is ready when a real event happens.

Our work in mitigating cyber threats will never be done. But we have the right team and the right resources in place to manage those risks on your behalf. I hope that helps you sleep a little easier; I know it does me.

To learn more, scan here for the latest episode of Co-op Energy Talk.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Wheels of Change: Exploring the E-Bike Phenomenon in Michigan

By Emily Haines Lloyd

Former Executive Director of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance Bob Wilson coordinated a legislative e-bike ride on the White Pine Trail in 2019.

Legislators participated in the ride, and it helped to provide the foundation for passage of laws regarding e-bikes.

W

hen you think of the many human milestones, there are an interesting amount that revolve around mobility. A baby rolls over, crawls, and finally walks.

A teenager takes the car out for a spin for the first time.

The inaugural trip on a bus, train, or plane, watching the world become both bigger and smaller. These moments shape our connection to the world.

There’s a new and electrifying addition to these monumental experiences—a person’s first ride on an e-bike. Bikes are often a child’s first taste of freedom. Just like when the training wheels come off a bicycle, the experience of an e-bike can be not only fun but also liberating.

One E-Bike Is Not Like the Other There are three categories that most e-bikes fall into. With the first, pedal assist, riders are given a motorized boost, like an invisible hand is pushing them forward. The second, a throttle, allows the rider to zoom around at up to 20 miles per hour without pedaling; this is a common option for delivery drivers and couriers. And the last is a faster pedal assist, allowing speeds of at least 28 mph. Regardless of the category, e-bikes are bringing the delight of cycling to a larger audience.

6

APRIL 2024

“My e-bike gets me out and makes me feel young,” said Great Lakes Energy member Beth Guntzviller. “I get a huge smile on my face when I hop on.”

A Greener Ride As a growing number of manufacturers roll out a diverse array of e-bikes, Michigan is experiencing a surge in the adoption of these eco-friendly transports. E-bikes have the ability to replace traditional cars for shorter commutes and errand running.

Within the e-bike movement is the profound impact it has on individuals, like Great Lakes Energy member Nancy Peterson, who attests to the transformative experience.

“My e-bike gets me to places on Beaver Island that I usually would not see, so I love it,” she said.

This highlights that, in addition to offering environmental responsibility, e-bikes serve as a catalyst for bringing people closer to nature, enabling them to explore and appreciate the outdoors in ways they might not have otherwise experienced.

“Our e-bikes have opened up a whole new world for us. They give us the mobility we could have never gotten out of a traditional bike.”

Inclusivity Redefined: E-Bikes for All Abilities Beyond their environmental benefits, e-bikes have emerged as a symbol of inclusivity, breaking down barriers for individuals with varying physical abilities.

Donna Robillard on her Charge Comfort e-bike.

“As seniors, we have a lot of medical issues—knee replacements, bad heart, arthritis, and a few extra pounds, just to mention a few,” said Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op member Debbie Artrip. “But our e-bikes have opened up a whole new world for us. They give us the mobility we could have never gotten out of a traditional bike.” Debbie and her partner Don got their e-bikes in 2023 and have already put more than 1,500 miles on them.

Unlike regular bikes, the electric assistance e-bikes provide makes cycling accessible to a broader demographic. This inclusivity is a game changer, allowing those who may face physical limitations to experience the joy and freedom of bike riding.

“Every pedal rotation gives me a boost, but when I get tired, or up a steep hill, I can use the thumb throttle and just sit back and enjoy,” said Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op member Donna Robillard, who has a heart condition.

“I do not have to worry about going too far and physically not being able to get back because I am too tired. I can be out enjoying the wind, air, and nature with happiness in my heart as I am free.”

Navigating the Challenges While e-bikes are a big hit, there are some bumps in the road, as policymakers determine just where e-bikes are allowed to go.

Great Lakes Energy member Bob Wilson was the executive director of the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance several years ago and helped promote legislation that enabled e-bike use in various locations. There are specific laws and regulations for each e-bike category, so it’s always a good idea to check guidelines before hitting your favorite trails.

As the electric wave continues to sweep across the state, e-bikes are not only providing a greener alternative but also ensuring that the joy and freedom of bike riding are accessible to all. The future holds exciting possibilities for a Michigan where e-bikes weave a tapestry of environmentally conscious and inclusively connected mobility.

Visit michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hike-andbike/ebikes to learn more about riding e-bikes in Michigan.

Beth Guntzviller enjoys riding her e-bike and always makes sure to carry a small medical kit, cash, gloves and hat, jacket, and snacks.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Q&A Wired For Safety

April 18 is Lineworker Appreciation Day! Between the dedication, long hours, and often dangerous work they do, safety is at the core of it all.

At Cherryland, safety isn’t just a set of rules we follow; it’s a way of life. There’s even a team at your co-op dedicated to making sure our employees, members, and greater community stay safe.

Let’s get to know the leader of that team— Safety and Operations Manager Jeff Puffer.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background and how you landed at Cherryland.

A: I worked for 15 years on the

municipal side (primary water, waste water, and utilities) in the city of Cadillac and city of Manton. After that, I moved over to Wolverine Power Supply as an I&C Technician working on the instrumentation and controls within their substations. While I was at Wolverine, I had the chance to visit all the co-ops and get to know the people working there. I knew I eventually wanted to make my way to Cherryland.

I started at Cherryland nearly nine years ago as a meter technician.

As a life-long athlete and high school football coach, I’m a little competitive. I wanted to push myself to be better, so I took advantage of some leadership opportunities to try and learn some new things.

Safety was the first opportunity to grow my career at Cherryland that I was passionate about exploring.

When the safety director position opened up, I applied and got the job.

It was about the same time that the leadership at Cherryland wanted to start putting a bigger emphasis on the importance of safety. From there, they added me to the management

8 APRIL 2024

team and, after a couple of retirements, my department has grown and shifted to encompass the lineworkers and mechanics, and that’s where we are today.

Q: What do you do as safety and operations manager?

A: Safety is the most important

thing. There are a couple of different lenses you can look through. The first is the safety of employees. Making sure they’re trained and getting the resources they need to do their jobs, very dangerous jobs for some, and making sure they’re working safely so we don’t experience a tragedy that could’ve been prevented.

The second lens is the compliance side of things. While we’re smaller than a lot of other utilities, we still have to meet all the same MIOSHA rules.

There are a lot of laws we have to make sure we’re in line with, and all kinds of standards and rules, whether they’re set by the department of transportation, the state, federal laws, you name it; all of those things can change on a yearly basis or even more often. So a really important part of my team’s job is to stay on top of those changes and keep our practices in line with those requirements. Safety is a huge

undertaking and our safety coordinator, Megan, helps us with a lot of that.

At Cherryland, we’re always trying to be a leader in our industry, especially when it comes to safety.

We’re always thinking forward about how we can do something better, safer, or more efficiently.

Q: We often talk about safety and how it’s a top priority for us here at Cherryland. What does that mean to you?

A: I just try to make it real, and the

philosophy is simple. I try not to talk about the rules and what to do and what not to do, what to wear and what not to wear, etc. We talk about the hazards. The real situations that could hurt you or even worse. From there, we can look at those situations and discuss what we can do to keep that from happening.

When we approach safety from that point of view, it becomes more than just rules. When our employees are involved in setting our practices to best keep everyone safe, they’re committed to not just following those best practices and “rules,” but they will hold each other accountable, too.

Q: Cherryland’s mission is: Member-Focused. Safe.

Affordable. Reliable. How does the co-op live out the “Safe” part of our mission?

A: When our employees are safe,

our members are safer, and in turn our cooperative family and entire community is safer. On top of all the safety practices we have for our everyday operations, we go out and give free safety presentations and trainings to anyone who wants one.

We talk with all kinds of industries and tailor those safety presentations to what they’re doing. Whether it’s businesses, local first responders, schools, you name it—we do everything we can to make sure our community knows how to be safe around our poles, wires, and electricity in general.

We find ourselves working alongside these different groups in emergency situations whether it be a storm, fire, car-pole accident, etc. When our team shows up, they show up not only to do their job, but to keep the other first responders safe while they do theirs.

The last thing you ever want is to see someone get hurt when you know there’s something you could’ve done to prevent it.

Q: How does Cherryland invest in the safety of our members and employees?

A: As a member-owned cooperative,

we put a lot of thought into where we spend our members’ money. When I think about how we invest in safety, I think of the onsite employee trainings, our community safety demonstrations, and the quality equipment we provide so our staff can do their jobs safely.

Safety is one of those things that can be hard to measure because, if we do our job right, how do you measure how many accidents, injuries, or worse were avoided thanks to the time and money invested in safety?

“When our employees are safe, our members are safer, and in turn our cooperative family and entire community is safer.”

Q: Can you talk a little bit about RESAP, what it is, and how it works?

A: RESAP stands for Rural Electric

Safety Achievement Program. It’s essentially an audit of our safety programs—where we’re doing well and where we can get better. In Michigan, our statewide association takes the lead and organizes a team of five to seven other safety and operations professionals to visit other co-ops around the state and assess them based on a whole bunch of questions developed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

That team of visiting safety professionals looks at the entire co-op, top to bottom, from office employees to lineworkers, from high hazard to low hazard, policy, training, compliance—every angle you can think of. Then they grade you based on the questions provided by NRECA. The goal isn’t just to get the good grades—it’s to find your blind spots.

You may have top marks in three

specific areas you’ve given a lot of attention to over the past couple of years, but that may mean you’ve neglected another area. The RESAP process helps us refocus our energy into where we can create an even better safety program.

Q: What are you most proud of when you look at Cherryland’s safety programs?

A: Without a doubt, the thing I’m

proudest of is that we have a culture at Cherryland where every employee here isn’t just safe because we ask them to be. They choose to do the right thing, and they’re invested in keeping themselves, the members, and their coworkers safe.

It goes back to the idea that safety is a tough one to measure. We can be proud of the zero accidents in however many days, but we can’t really measure the things that never happened or even came close to happening because of the Cherryland team’s ownership of the safety culture at work and in our community.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Recipes

STIR-FRIES & CURRIES

Asian-inspired dishes full of flavor and fragrance

WINNING RECIPE! CHICKEN FRIED RICE Deborah Lull, Midwest Energy & Communications

¼ cup vegetable oil, divided 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 cup cooked chicken, diced ½ large red bell pepper, finely chopped ½ large sweet onion, finely chopped ½ cup peas, frozen or fresh 3 cups cooked white rice (or brown) 1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce ¼ cup soy sauce 4 green onions, chopped

Recipe Contest

In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil. Add eggs and cook 1 minute on each side. Remove and set aside. To the skillet/wok, add the remaining vegetable oil and sesame oil. Add chicken and stir-fry 1 minute. Add red pepper and onion.

Stir-fry 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.

Add peas, cooked rice, chili-garlic sauce, and soy sauce. Stir-fry 3–4 minutes. Add cooked eggs and stir until combined. Sprinkle in the green onions; stir. Serve immediately.

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Homemade Burgers due May 1; Casseroles due July 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.

10 APRIL 2024

Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/recipe_ type/videos/

EASY INSTANT POT BEEF CURRY Deb Finedell, Great Lakes Energy

2 tablespoons canola oil, divided 1 red onion, sliced ¼-inch thick 1 large red bell pepper, sliced ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided 1 2-pound chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces 1 (14.5-ounce) can coconut milk, well shaken 3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste • lime wedges, cilantro, red chiles • cooked rice Press “Sauté” on Instant Pot/pressure cooker and heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add onion and pepper, and season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black

pepper. Sauté until tender for 5 minutes; transfer to a bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Season beef with remaining ¼ teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and curry paste; add to pot and scrape up any brown bits. Cover and lock lid, make sure it is set to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.

Use the natural release method for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually. Using 2 forks, break up the meat into pieces, then toss with onion and red pepper. Serve over rice with lime wedges, cilantro, and red chiles, if desired. Enjoy!!

TAHITIAN CHICKEN STIR FRY Kristine Myslenski, Great Lakes Energy

1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained, reserve juice ¹⁄ ³ cup Bragg® Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce) 1 tablespoon Schezwan sauce ½ teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 cup diced onion 1½ cups sliced zucchini (or sub w/ broccoli, snap peas, frozen peas, or mushrooms) 1 cup chopped red bell pepper • cooked rice, for serving

In a small bowl, combine the pineapple juice (not chunks), Bragg® Liquid Aminos, Schezwan sauce, black pepper, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Set aside.

In a large skillet, add 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and stir and cook until no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet. To the skillet, add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and all veggies. Cook approximately 3 minutes, stirring, until tender crisp. Add the chicken and sauce and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the pineapple chunks. Serve over rice.

CHICKEN CURRY W/ LEMONGRASS & POTATOES Ralph Krider, Great Lakes Energy

3 stalks lemongrass, chopped (use only the lower 3 inches of each stalk) 3 tablespoons fresh ginger 1 Vidalia onion, chopped 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons curry powder ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and/or drumsticks, skin removed 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened full-fat coconut milk 1½ teaspoons sea salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro 1 lime, cut into wedges

Put the lemongrass, ginger, and onion into a food processor; process until well minced and very aromatic. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

When the pan is hot, put the contents from the food processor into the oil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly browned. Sprinkle in the curry powder and cayenne; stir well. Add the chicken and toss well to coat all the chicken with the spices in the pan. Shake the can of coconut milk well and add it to the pan along with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is half cooked, about 15 minutes. Add the potatoes and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are done and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 more minutes. Sprinkle cilantro over each dish and serve with a lime wedge.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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THE CLEAN ENERGY BALANCING ACT Shrinking electric supply, growing electric demand

THE BROADENING GAP BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND Rising Electric Demand

As people convert to electric vehicles and electric heat, Michigan's electric load will grow dramatically.

Diminishing Electric Supply

Utilities are under increasing pressure to retire coal plants faster than they can replace them, resulting in a reduction of power supply reserves.

5 million

50%

households could be powered by the amount of coal and natural gas Michigan has slated for retirement over the next 10 years.

increase in electric demand is projected for Michigan over the next 15 years.

WE SUPPORT CLEAN ENERGY, BUT THE GROWING IMBALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND POSES A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO ELECTRIC RELIABILITY The clean energy transition is underway and Cherryland Electric leads by example, providing members with energy that is 60% carbon free.

Nearly 2x the regional average.

Policies mandating a shift to high amounts of intermittent, weatherdependent energy sources are accelerating the premature retirement of traditional, reliable generation.

66%

of North America is currently facing an elevated risk of blackouts. Experts warn that within five years, Michigan and surrounding states will be at high risk of blackouts.

60% carbon free

Co-op’s Fuel Mix

vs.

35% carbon free

Regional Average Fuel Mix

So what do we do right now?

88%

High Risk Elevated Risk Normal Risk

of the time, Michigan imports energy from outside its borders to keep the lights on for homes and businesses.

We are collaborating with our power supplier Wolverine Power Cooperative, the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, and fellow electric cooperatives in Michigan to drive innovation, make strategic investments, and advocate for a seamless transition that gives equal weight to affordability, environmental impact, and electric reliability.

Sources:

MPSC Fuel Mix Disclosure Data NERC Summer & Winter Reliability Assessments, 2023–2024 NERC Long-Term Reliability Assessment, 2023 ITC 2022 Summer Review MISO Futures Report, 2021 Form EIA-860, 2022 (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/)

Award-Winning Cybersecurity ward-winning cybersecurity” is an accolade everyone wants to hear about coming from their electric utility. After a recent competition to test our skills, we’re proud to share that Cherryland members have just that. But what does that mean for you as a member?

It means that your co-op doesn’t take this whole cybersecurity thing lightly.

“A

As much time as the cooperative spends making sure our lineworkers are safe out in the field, Cherryland also invests time and effort into learning, updating, and improving our cybersecurity. We know that cybersecurity is a very real concern and it’s constantly changing, so we’ve made it a priority to plan, prepare, and practice our talented team’s unique set of skills.

Recently, we sent three of our IT and engineering staff members to a training conference sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER). The first two days were spent learning and training on cybersecurity from experts in the field. The third day

culminated with a competition called the Grid NetWars Experience. Teams from across the country competed to test what they had learned in a simulated cyberattack. The Cherryland team finished in second place out of all the teams.

As a cooperative, it’s our mission to provide a safe, affordable, reliable experience for our members. Part of what allows us to do that is investing in the education and experience to grow our team’s skills. Cherryland’s Engineering and IT Manager Chris Vermeulen explained, “No one attended (the conference) and didn’t learn something to bring back to their work.”

Cherryland is proud to say that our team brought back not only the knowledge, but the evidence that our work is paying off in the form of finishing second in the competition.

When asked what Vermeulen was most proud of during the competition, he said, “The way we played to everyone’s strengths.” Cherryland has built a team that will continue learning and working together to keep you and your power safe.

Don’t forget—maintaining strong cybersecurity is a team effort! You can do your part by following these three simple tips: • You should never click on links from unknown sources, whether text, email, or social media.

• Make sure to update your devices to the latest available version to keep yourself safe.

• Use secure passwords and always lock your smart devices.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

AMERICA’S FAVORITE HOUSEGUEST

How a small-town girl made reality TV history

By Yvette Pecha

“B

ig Brother” is one of the longest-running reality game shows of all time, having begun airing on CBS in 2000. Throughout the show’s tenure, there have been more than 300 “houseguests.” And while houseguests commonly compete in multiple seasons, only one of them has ever won the show twice: Nicole Franzel of Ubly, Michigan. She earned that distinction late last year with her victory on “Big Brother Reindeer Games”; her first win came in 2016. Having played for a total of four seasons of “Big Brother” and one season of “The Amazing Race,” Nicole spent “most of her 20s” appearing on television screens.

Becoming a reality show legend was not something Nicole (a Thumb Electric Cooperative member) could have envisioned when she applied to be on the show the first time in 2014.

She and her mom Jeni had been superfans of “Big Brother,” which features contestants living together under 24/7 surveillance in isolation and voting someone out each week, since she was 8.

But the first year Nicole was eligible to audition (the show’s age requirement is 21), she didn’t put much thought into doing so—“I thought there was no way I’d get in,” she said. She was also in the process of completing nursing school at Saginaw Valley State University. But Jeni,

14 APRIL 2024

who’d been encouraging her to try out, made one more push and called Nicole at school the day before the application deadline, urging her to come home and make an audition video.

Nicole did, and the day after submitting it, she got a call from the show’s casting department.

She went through a series of telephone and live interviews, and was ultimately chosen as one of 16 houseguests for season 16.

That first year, she came in seventh place. Nicole said that at the time, she was really glad to have had the experience, but she didn’t expect anything to come from it. She took and passed her nursing board exam and began working in a hospital rehab unit. But then, “California area codes started popping up” on her caller ID—the show’s producers liked Nicole and wanted her to come back. She returned to “Big Brother”

in 2016, and this time, as the last houseguest standing, she went home with $500,000. She got much more than clout and cash though—one of the other contestants on the show that year was Victor Arroyo. They didn’t have a “showmance,” but Victor pursued her after the season ended and they started dating a year later. Victor, who lived in Louisiana, moved to Ubly with Nicole, and they are now married and have a 2-year-old son named Arrow.

Nicole, Arrow, and Jeni.

These days, Nicole is a social media influencer and small-business owner. Nicole and Jeni operate Franny and the Fox, a clothing boutique featuring handmade, eco-friendly apparel.

Initially, it was an online store that exclusively featured clothes for children. But upon hosting pop-up shops in Port Austin and getting great feedback, Nicole and Jeni opened a storefront in Cass City and expanded their product line to include women and babies. “My mom and I love to shop, and we’ve always had a unique style,” Nicole said. She’s happy to have the opportunity to work from home and be with her son, but she keeps up her nursing license in case she decides to return to the profession one day.

As far as keeping her options open to television, Nicole announced she had retired from “Big Brother” upon starting her family. But when producers offered her the prospect of playing “Reindeer Games,” which was filmed in just six days, she couldn’t pass it up. “Saving Christmas” through a series of holiday-themed competitions, Nicole walked away with the $100,000 prize, which she plans to use to build a barn for a hobby farm. She is back into retirement—for now. “If the opportunity for the right show at the right time appears, I’ll consider it,” she said. “But I’m also super content with never going back.”

“I never expected to be in this position—but I can proudly say I’ve stayed true to myself through everything.”

Victor, Arrow, and Nicole.

If “Reindeer Games” is truly the end of Nicole’s reality TV career, she can retire with her head held high. “I never expected to be in this position—but I can proudly say I’ve stayed true to myself through everything,” she said.

She’s made great friendships through the show and says being watched for eight years of her life undoubtedly benefited her personal growth. “It was a great learning experience,” she said. “But the thing I learned the most is that no matter where I go, I always want to come back home.” instagram.com/coconuts_ facebook/nic.fran4 frannyandthefox.com

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

15

AVOID UTILITY SCAMS Scammers will threaten you with everything from shutting off power to your home to legal action. Don't fall victim to these types of scams.

• Our employees will never show up at your door to demand payment.

• Never give personal information to an unknown caller or visitor.

Our representatives have access to the details they need to service your account.

• Demands for immediate payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash reload cards should immediately raise red flags.

• If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer falsely representing the co-op, please let us know as soon as possible.

Notice to Members of Cherryland Electric Cooperative Rate Change Effective May 6, 2024 Changes to Cherryland’s rates will go into effect on May 6. These changes include: • $4 increase in the residential availability charge.

• $4 increase to the general service single-phase availability charge and $7 increase to the general service three-phase availability charge.

• $0.004 increase in the energy charge for both residential and general service members.

Cherryland’s board of directors approved these changes to the cooperative’s rates at its March 2024 board meeting.

For more information on the approved changes listed above as well as changes to all other rate classes, please visit our website at cherrylandelectric.coop/rate-change, call our office at (231) 486-9200, or send an email to cec@cherrylandelectric.coop.

16 APRIL 2024

Fishing

PHOTO CONTEST

3

1

2

4 Enter to win up to $200 off your energy bill!

Submit Your “Fairs & Festivals” Photos By April 20!

Submit your best photo and encourage your friends to vote! The photo receiving the most votes in our Facebook contest will be printed in an issue of Country Lines, along with some of our other favorites. Our April theme is Fairs & Festivals! Photos can be submitted through April 20 to be featured in our June issue.

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit!

To enter the contest, visit cherrylandelectric.coop/photo-contest or visit facebook.com/cherrylandelectriccoop for a link to the current photo contest. Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you as well. If your photo is printed in Country Lines during 2024, you will be entered to win a credit of up to $200 on your December 2024 bill.

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6 MOST VOTES

1. “Gone fishing!” — Alexis McEachern 2. “A boy and his fish.” — Lindsay Benedict 3. “A successful evening of fishing by the Manitou Islands!”

— Deb Radjenovich 4. “Enjoying the Betsie River with Grandpa.” — Amy Simon 5. “Tuna fishing with the pros!” — Corrie Piersma 6. “Hooked.” — Nan Merica

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

2024

NO BARRIERS

ADVENTURES FOR RURAL VETERANS—APPLY BY JUNE 15 IN-PERSON EXPEDITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN JULY AND AUGUST Michigan electric cooperatives believe there should be “No Barriers” for veterans with disabilities. That’s the name and idea behind CoBank’s No Barriers initiative. Michigan cooperatives are looking for qualified veterans* from our local community to participate.

No Barriers is a five-day, all-expenses-paid expedition in Colorado, designed to help veterans with disabilities transform their lives through curriculum-based experiences in challenging environments (climbing, rafting, and hiking).

If you are a disabled veteran or you know of a disabled veteran in our community who would like to participate in the No Barriers program, please apply directly at nobarriers.tfaforms.net.

If you have questions about the application process or need assistance filling out an application, please contact us at: warriors@nobarriersusa.org 970-484-3633 ext. 305 Learn more about No Barrier’s mission and programs at nobarriersusa.org. *Must have VA disability rating to be eligible.

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cherrylandelectric.coop

the Power Behind Your Power.

Lineworker Appreciation Day | April 18, 2024