April 2024 GLE

April 2024

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Great Lakes Energy Cooperative

Three Openings On GLE Board Go Green In The Great Outdoors With Energy Wise Bringing Pentwater’s History To Life

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.

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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

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Giving A Green Light To Energy Savings

gtlakes.com /greatlakesenergy /jointruestream

Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Howard Bowersox, Chairman, District 8 219-670-0977 hbowersox@glenergy.com Mark Carson, Vice Chairman, District 2 231-675-0561 mcarson@glenergy.com Paul Byl, Secretary, District 7 231-861-5911 pbyl@glenergy.com

Dale Farrier, Treasurer, District 5 231-564-0853 dfarrier@glenergy.com

Janet Andersen, Director, District 6 231-690-4622 jandersen@glenergy.com David Coveyou, Director, District 1 231-347-4056 dcoveyou@glenergy.com Richard Evans, Director, District 3 231-883-3146 revans@glenergy.com John LaForge, Director, District 9 269-623-2284 jlaforge@glenergy.com

Mary O’Connell, Director, District 4 989-217-8379 moconnell@glenergy.com PRESIDENT/CEO: Shaun Lamp 888-485-2537

ast month in this space, I discussed how GLE’s sense of belonging drives our commitment to continual improvement, both for your electric cooperative and the communities we serve. These efforts go far beyond our community outreach efforts such as scholarships and the People Fund. With Earth Day just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to shine a light on the many ways GLE is working to be a responsible steward of the environment and empowering its members to do the same.

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For starters, the power GLE provides its members is generated using a fuel mix that is more than 60% carbon free. That figure includes about 18% from wind and solar power.

Last year, as part of our regular vehicle replacement program, we began adding hybrid-powered small bucket trucks to our vehicle fleet. These trucks not only have much lower carbon emissions thanks to significantly reduced fuel consumption, but they also produce far less noise on job sites. Less noise means a safer work environment for our lineworkers. That’s two wins for the environment and one for GLE’s bottom line thanks to the lower fuel costs to operate these vehicles.

One of my favorite ways GLE seeks to do our part for the environment is through our Energy Wise program. This program appeals to me because it reflects the true nature of the “cooperative spirit.” The Energy Wise program offers rebates to GLE members who invest in qualifying energy-efficient appliances and home systems. Through this partnership, we aim to empower our members to make purchases that will make a long-term positive impact, both for the environment and their pocketbooks.

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Brett Streby 231-487-1389 • bstreby@glenergy.com

While it might not seem like these small changes in energy consumption will make much difference for the environment, here are some numbers to put some perspective on the impact the Energy Wise program is having:

BOYNE CITY HEADQUARTERS 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712

In 2023, the Energy Wise program helped GLE members cut their combined carbon emissions by more than 3.3 million pounds. That’s the equivalent of 1,221 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year or 6.1 million pounds of coal burned.

Call center hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. M–F Phone: 888-485-2537 Email: glenergy@glenergy.com TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: Call 888-485-2537 or login to your account at gtlakes.com or the GLE mobile app.

Change of Address: 888-485-2537, ext. 8924 Great Lakes Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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These reductions included more than 1 million pounds from commercial lighting upgrades, which includes nearly 690,000 pounds that can be attributed to air source heat pump rebates and nearly 50,000 pounds that were the result of thermostat upgrades.

Finally, the energy efficiency improvements our members achieve through the Energy Wise program will help improve the power grid's reliability by reducing electric use during peak demand periods.

I’m proud to lead an organization that places a priority on working cooperatively with its members to make choices that have a meaningful positive impact on the communities we serve.

Energy Wise Offers Push-button Savings W

ith the arrival of spring, many people will soon feel the pull to get outside to take on yard work such as mowing the lawn.

But when GLE member Robin S. heads out to mow this year, the one thing she won’t be feeling is the pull of the mower’s starting cord. That’s because Robin took advantage of a rebate available through GLE’s Energy Wise program to help pay for a new battery-powered lawn mower last year.

As a widow and empty nester, Robin is independent, resourceful, and self-reliant. From learning how to remodel her basement by watching how-to videos to caring for her one-acre yard, she seems to do it all.

Robin enjoys working in her yard and doesn’t mind the extra time it takes to mow her lawn with a push mower.

Last spring, she was in the market for a new push mower and purchased a gas-powered model based on a friend’s recommendation.

Unfortunately, once Robin got the new mower home, she quickly discovered she couldn’t start it. Her son, who was visiting at the time, also found it difficult to start. She knew she had to find something she could easily start on her own, so she returned the new mower and continued her search.

When Robin and her son visited her local Lowes, something different caught her son’s eye. He noticed the batterypowered lawnmowers with a push-button start. Since he knew no one lived close by who could help his mom if she had trouble starting her lawnmower, a push-button start seemed to be the answer. Robin agreed that it would be safer and easier.

Together, they checked the EGO mower’s reviews and were happy with what they read. So, they decided it would be her best option and purchased an EGO electric lawn mower.

As a GLE member, Robin was thrilled to find a sign by the lawnmowers mentioning Energy Wise rebates were available for her purchase. She took a photo of the sign and later called GLE to inquire about rebates available for electric yard equipment through the Energy Wise Program.

Pleased with her purchase and the Energy Wise program rebates, Robin also bought a battery-powered trimmer.

her manage her trimming and mowing power needs.

Each electric outdoor tool she purchased includes an interchangeable lithium battery, so Robin can have a backup battery charging when needed and has a schedule to break up the mowing time. Robin said she hasn’t noticed an increase in her electric use since she started using the new yard tools and she’s pleased with her purchases.

To learn more about all of the rebates available through the Energy Wise program, visit gtlakes.com/energy-wise.

Robin has overcome the challenge of having a large yard and limited battery power by creating a system to help

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.

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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.

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“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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Three Openings On GLE Board

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ominating petitions are available in three districts for Great Lakes Energy (GLE) members who wish to seek election to the cooperative’s board of directors.

Three board positions, each for three years, will need to be filled. Qualifying GLE members who reside in districts 1, 2, or 7 can seek election to the board.

Counties by district are: District 1 – Emmet County District 2 – Charlevoix and Cheboygan counties District 7 – Muskegon and Oceana counties

David Coveyou, District 1

Mark Carson, District 2

Paul Byl, District 7

EMMET

The terms of directors David Coveyou of Petoskey (District 1), Mark Carson of Boyne City (District 2), and Paul Byl of Shelby (District 7) expire this year. The three incumbents plan to seek re-election.

To get a name on the ballot, qualifying member-owners of the electric cooperative who maintain a primary residence within its service area must file a nominating petition.

Petitions must be signed by at least 50 active GLE members within the candidate’s district. Completed petitions are due by noon on June 7, 2024, at the GLE office in Boyne City. Visit gtlakes.com/board-of-directors to request a petition or learn more.

1 Beaver Island

CHEBOYGAN

2 CHARLEVOIX ANTRIM

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When Do We Vote?

Great Lakes Energy members elect a candidate from within their district to the cooperative’s board of directors once every three years.

Find the district in which you reside below to determine when you will receive a mail-in ballot that will accompany the annual election issue of Michigan Country Lines. The ballots also include instructions on how members can take advantage of an online voting option.

2024 Election District 1 – Emmet County District 2 – Charlevoix and Cheboygan counties District 7 – Muskegon and Oceana counties

2025 Election District 6 – Lake and Mason counties District 8 – Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola counties District 9 – Allegan, Barry, Kent, Montcalm, and Ottawa counties

2026 Election District 3 – Antrim County District 4 – Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Otsego counties District 5 – Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties

8 APRIL 2024

GRAND TRAVERSE

MANISTEE

MASON

OCEANA

7

6

OTSEGO

4

KALKASKA CRAWFORD

5

WEXFORD MISSAUKEE

OSCEOLA

LAKE

8

CLARE

MECOSTA

NEWAYGO

MUSKEGON

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MONTCALM

KENT OTTAWA

ALLEGAN

BARRY

MONTMORENCY

OSCODA

GLE PHOTO CONTEST

Fishing

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2

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Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit!

Submit Your “Fairs & Festivals” photos By April 20

Each month, members can submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo with the most votes is published here, along with other selections.

Our April theme is Fairs & Festivals. Photos can be submitted by April 20 to be featured in the June issue.

How To Enter

Enter the contest at gtlakes.com/photocontest/. Make sure to vote and encourage others to vote for you, too. The photo receiving the most votes will be printed in an issue of Michigan Country Lines along with other favorites. All photos printed in the magazine in 2024 will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 bill credit in December 2024.

MOST VOTES! 1. Brothers returning to fish camp, Christopher Mulder, New Era 2. Look, Dad, it's bigger than your fishy!, Zachary Wilson, White Cloud 3. R ight on, Grandpa, thanks for taking me fishing!, Molly Jensen, Fountain 4. Get it away from me!, William Brooks, Newaygo 5. M y grandson Max, first solo fish, John Baker, Middleville 6. Big bass, bigger smile!, Jason Corby, Gaylord

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.

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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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Pentwater Historical Society members (from left) Beth Russell, Lynn Holyfield, Bart Zachrich, and Karen Way stand near the Gustafson Building, one of 25 locations featured in the society’s Building Stories Program. They are holding a copy of the illustrated map and one of the story panels created for the project.

Bringing Pentwater's Past to Life hen people reminisce about a building or location that has an important place in history, they may say, “Boy, if these walls could talk, think of the stories they could tell.”

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With the help of Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund, the Pentwater Historical Society is giving a voice to the stories tied to many buildings and other locations with historical significance around the small Oceana County community on the shores of Lake Michigan.

In 2023, the historical society received a $1,000 People Fund Grant to help defray costs associated with its Building Stories program. The multifaceted project includes 25 16-by-20-inch panels that are on display at various businesses in Pentwater’s downtown. Each panel includes a story providing detailed information about a historically significant building or location in Pentwater, and an original illustration and/or a photograph to accompany the story.

Historical society board member Beth Russell came up with the idea for the Building Stories program along with volunteer Pam VanderPloeg in mid-2022. Pam, a Grand Rapids native, is an architectural researcher,

12 APRIL 2024

photojournalist, and author who has been active in the Pentwater Historical Society for several years.

Beth explained that Pam had been leading architectural walking tours in residential areas of the community for some time, and the idea for the Building Stories program germinated between them as they chatted over coffee on several occasions.

The motivation behind the project, Beth said, was to help spur interest—especially among visitors—in Pentwater’s rich and interesting history.

“We are trying to make sure that people who come to visit for a week understand more about Pentwater and its history and that sparks an interest in coming back,” Beth said.

Pam wrote all 25 stories based on research she and Beth did using records from the historical society and other sources. The women didn’t have to look far to find someone to design and create the illustrations for the Building Stories project panels. Pam’s daughter, Libby VanderPloeg, is an accomplished illustrator and artist.

Libby not only created the story illustrations, but she also

created an illustrated map of the Pentwater area that shows the location associated with each story.

Beth said the map has been quite popular, with more than 70 copies sold since the project’s completion. Libby is donating a portion of the proceeds from the map sales back to the historical society. The map is available for purchase at the Pentwater Historical Society Museum and through Libby’s website, libbyvanderploeg.com/shop. Beth said the goal is for the map to be more than an informative fundraising tool.

“Yes, it’s a fundraiser, but it’s more about making sure people have Pentwater and its history in front of them— whether it’s here or in their year-round home elsewhere— on a regular basis,” Beth said.

Not all the stories featured in the project are about buildings. Some of them are tied to notable historical events and the locations where they took place. For example, one story panel is about Pentwater’s role in a 1913 flying boat race. The race wasn’t Pentwater’s only tie to aviation history. Another of the 25 panels details the history of the short-lived Lenert Airplane factory, where a total of six all-metal biplanes were built in the early 1930s.

Beth said the Building Stories project, which was completed in early August of 2023, has been well-received among visitors, both seasonal and year-round residents, and the downtown merchants who have agreed to host the story panels at their stores. On the heels of the Building Stories project’s success, Beth said the historical society will be pursuing more projects in the future.

The Pentwater Historical Society was founded as a not-forprofit organization in 1982. For many years, the society’s museum was housed in the basement of the village hall.

But in 2014, the society moved to its current location in a former church building at 85 South Rutledge Street.

Some of the society’s notable annual events include spring and summer dinners, which take place on the fourth Wednesdays in May and August, participation in the Pentwater Community-Wide Garage Sale, and the Homecoming Parade.

Since its inception in 1999, the People Fund has awarded more than $4.5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that serve GLE’s 26-county service area. Grants are funded by participating GLE members who agree to have their monthly electric bill rounded up to the next whole dollar.

To learn more about the People Fund, including how to sign up, how nonprofit organizations can apply for a grant, and a list of recent grant recipients, visit gtlakes.com/ people-fund.

In addition to the museum, the society offers many other ways to experience the community’s history, such as: • A self-guided audio tour allows people to listen to one of six recorded narratives on their cell phones while they visit the area of town to which the narrative relates.

• History cruises on Pentwater Lake are offered in the summertime.

• Regularly scheduled architectural walking tours, along with History on the Green presentations, History on Hancock tours, and personalized private strolling tours on Hancock Street or in the museum by request.

• On June 23, 2024, the society will host a 10th anniversary celebration which will include historic cottage tours and the unveiling of a model of the USS Sequoia.

To learn more about the Pentwater Historical Society, including museum information, tours, upcoming events, and how to get involved with the organization, visit pentwaterhistoricalsociety.org/.

The entire Building Stories collection can be found online at pentwaterbuildingstories.com/.

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

Building Community Connections At Great Lakes Energy, creating and maintaining strong connections are critical elements of our daily operations. But these connections go far beyond the electric and fiber optic lines that provide affordable, reliable electric power and high-speed internet service to our members. As your memberowned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, it’s these connections and the sense of community belonging that comes with them that inspire our drive for continual improvement within our organization, in the lives of our members, and in the communities we serve.

Another way we pursue our mission to improve the lives of our members and the community is by being responsible environmental stewards and empowering our members to do the same. Here are some examples:

HEAVY-DUTY CARBON CUTS

LIGHT WORK

DRIVING CHANGE

In 2023, GLE members collectively cut carbon emissions by more than 3.5 million pounds thanks to energy efficiency upgrades made through the Energy Wise program. That’s the equivalent of the carbon emissions of 1,295 gasoline-powered vehicles driven for one year. More than a third of those emission savings, or about 1.2 million pounds, came from the installation of residential mini-split heating and cooling units.

The business community is also getting in on the savings available through the Energy Wise program.

More than 1 million pounds, or a little less than a third, of the carbon emission reductions tied to the Energy Wise program in 2023 were the result of commercial lighting upgrades. The energy efficiencies gained through these upgrades are good for both the environment and the bottom line of the businesses that made them.

GLE is also helping cut carbon emissions by supporting people who are switching to electric vehicles. In the past four years, 179 people have taken advantage of Energy Wise rebates tied to electric vehicles. GLE also provides access to electric vehicle charging stations in multiple locations throughout its service area. In 2023, 1,492 charging sessions at these stations eliminated the consumption of 5,586 gallons of gasoline. That’s nearly 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions.

Total 2023 Energy Wise carbon savings:

Commercial lighting carbon savings:

Gasoline saved from EV charging:

3,351,825 lbs.

1,161,886 lbs.

5,586 gal.

Learn more about the savings available through the Energy Wise program at gtlakes.com.

16 APRIL 2024

Meeting High Standards GLE exceeds eight out of nine state performance standards in 2023 reat Lakes Energy distributes electricity to more than 128,000 meters in portions of 26 counties from Kalamazoo to the Mackinac Bridge. The rural, sparsely populated nature of our service area presents many challenges for our lineworkers when they respond to outages and service requests. Despite these challenges, GLE consistently shines in the annual reliability report we are required to file with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). This report is intended to show how well an electric utility is able to meet standards established to protect consumers from unacceptable levels of electric service and reliability. Although the MPSC granted all Michigan electric cooperatives a waiver from reporting on the bottom seven of these standards for 2023, GLE was able to compile the data and is reporting it here for the benefit of our members.

G

The addition of more line protection devices, the use of new technologies, improvements to major line circuits, and ongoing vegetation management to limit tree damage to power lines are all helping to improve reliability and get the lights back on safely and more quickly for members during storms.

Performance Standard

MPSC Standard

GLE

Meter Reading Factor Percentage of meters read

95%

99.26%

New Service Installation Factor Percentage of new services installed within 15 business days

90%

98.81%

MSA Wire Down Relief Factor Percentage of guarded downed wires reached within 120 minutes

90%

100%

Non-MSA Wire Down Relief Factor Percentage of guarded downed wires reached within 180 minutes

90%

100%

Outage Restoration–All Conditions Percentage of members restored within 36 hours

90%

99.89%

Outage Restoration–Normal Conditions Percentage of members restored within 8 hours

90%

95.72%

Outage Restoration–Gray Sky Conditions Percentage of members restored within 24 hours

90%

99.89%

Outage Restoration-Catastrophic Conditions Percentage of members restored within 48 hours

90%

99.48%

Sustained Interruptions Percentage of members experiencing 4 or more sustained interruptions

Less than 6%

14.43%

Striving to achieve high standards is another way Great Lakes Energy looks out for you.

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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Financing, 30% tax credit, and rebates up to $2,000 available.

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the Power Behind Your Power.

Lineworker Appreciation Day | April 18, 2024

Visit facebook.com/greatlakesenergy on April 18 to share your appreciation with our lineworkers.