MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
Geothermal so comfortable, all the bases want to be home.
WaterFurnace geothermal home heating & cooling systems provide reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—rain or shine, day or night, windy or not. They use the stored solar energy in the ground to provide your family luxurious comfort and incredible savings. In fact, it’s the only HVAC system that pays you back. Plus, many state, local, and utility programs offer incentives to lower installation costs. Be safe at home—contact your local WaterFurnace dealer to make geothermal your go-to for home comfort.
LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS
Allendale
Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com
Berrien Springs
WaterFurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeothermal.com
Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com
Cadillac Wilder Htg & Clg (231) 645-4822 Wilderheatingandcooling.com
Filion/Bad Axe
Air-O-Dynamic Htg & Clg (989) 582-0137 aod-hvac.com
Gaylord Family Plmb & Htg (989) 732-8099 familyplumbingandheating.com
Grand Rapids
Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1 (888) 235-2473 belaire.com
Hart
Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsgeothermal-mi.com
Holland G.H.P. Systems Inc. (616) 396-5833 ghpsystems-inc.com
Indian River
M&M Plmb & Htg (231) 238-7201 mm-plumbing.com
Lansing Candor Mechanical (517) 920-0890 candormechanical.com
Michigan Center
Comfort 1/Aire Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southern-michigan
Mt Pleasant
Walton Htg & Clg (989)772-4822 waltonheating.com
Muskegon
TMC Mechanical LLC (231)865-1114 www.tmcmechanicalllc.com
Portage
Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1 (888) 235-2473 belaire.com
Portland
ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com
Sparta
West Michigan Geothermal (616) 887-1290 Westmigeothermal.com
Sunfield
Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com
Three Rivers
Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1 (888) 235-2473 belaire.com
Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com
ELECTRIC CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES
$2,250 rebate available through your co-op.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark
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, USPS591-710, 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:
Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; John Kran, 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.
visit waterfurnace.com
MICHIGAN’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
MI CO-OP Community
RECIPE CONTEST
See details on page 10. Chill Out! No-Cook, due May 1; Pizza, due June 1. Win a $100 bill credit!
GUEST COLUMN
See details on page 18. Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published!
To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
6 HOME FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST
Easy ways you can be prepared for fire and carbon monoxide emergencies.
10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN
Rice Dishes: Stirred, steamed, and savored.
14 A CASTLE MADE FOR STORIES: CASTLE FARMS HOSTS ‘ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’
For three days, history was shared, celebrated, and brought to life.
18 GUEST COLUMN
A North Woods Matriarch: A HomeWorks member honors her great-grandmother—a true “up north” pioneer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gabe Schneider, President 517-449-6453
gschneider@cherrylandelectric.coop
Valarie Handy, Senior Vice President 231-392-4705
vhandy@cherrylandelectric.coop
Melinda Lautner, Secretary 231-947-2509
mlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop
Dean Adams, Treasurer 231-642-0014
dadams@cherrylandelectric.coop
Terry Lautner, Director 231-883-6455
tlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop
David Schweitzer, Director 231-883-5860
dschweitzer@cherrylandelectric.coop
Tom Van Pelt, Director 231-386-5234
tvanpelt@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.
Worth The Recognition Celebrating Safety, Skill, and Service
By Rachel Johnson
Every April, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Month. I may be biased, but I think Cherryland has the best of the best working for our members. And if you’ve ever watched our crews work in sideways rain or kneedeep snow, you know why.
When the wind is howling, our lineworkers are in a bucket truck, repairing damaged lines and poles, and restoring power with calm precision. It’s demanding work. It’s dangerous work. And it’s work they approach with deep professionalism and care for the members we serve.
Around here, safety isn’t a slogan. It’s a discipline. It’s the morning tailboard conversation. It’s the double-check. It’s the willingness to slow down when conditions demand it. Last year, we had no significant lost-time accidents. That doesn’t happen by chance. It happens
because our crews live safety every single day with one clear goal: everyone goes home.
The same discipline that keeps our crews safe is what keeps your lights on. Pole by pole. Mile by mile. Because they do the job right the first time, Cherryland members experience roughly one-third of the outage time of the statewide average. And when outages do occur, no one works harder to get the lights on than our team.
That kind of performance is built deliberately by a lean, focused team that knows its mission. In fact, we serve more members per employee than almost any co-op in the country. That efficiency only works because every person on our team takes ownership of reliability and safety. Some run to the field. Some run to the office. All run toward the storm.
Please join me in recognizing our lineworkers this month—for their skill, their discipline, and their unwavering commitment to safety and service.
KALKASKA BENZIE
MANISTEE WEXFORD
LEELANAU
GRAND TRAVERSE
The Qualities You Might Not See
By Jeff Puffer
That extra time working storms, responding to outages, or moving work plans forward translates to about 62 more work days than the average person.
hear more, listen to the Co-op Energy Talk Podcast
When most people picture a lineworker, they think about the obvious parts of the job—climbing poles, working storms, long hours in tough conditions. And those things are true. But they don’t tell the whole story.
What makes a good lineworker isn’t just strength or technical skill. It’s attention to detail. The kind that isn’t something you switch on at work; it’s part of who you are. Our lineworkers notice when something looks different, when a sound is off, when a piece of equipment isn’t behaving quite the way it should. That awareness is what keeps them safe and helps them manage situations where the margin for error is critical.
There’s also a level of pride that’s harder to explain. Lineworkers tend to see their work like craftsmanship. Every install, every repair, every rebuild carries their signature, even if no one else ever notices. They do the job as if their name is at the bottom of it.
And when the power goes out, they take that personally too. It’s not uncommon for someone to cut a vacation short or step in on a day off because they know neighbors are waiting. For our crews at Cherryland, this work isn’t just a job. It’s a responsibility they carry with them all the time.
Our lineworkers stand out in ways that don’t always make headlines. They simply do the right thing, over and over again. It’s something our members can be proud of— because we certainly are.
HOME FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST
For Residents/Citizens
SMOKE ALARMS
Have Smoke Alarms — Install one in every bedroom or sleeping area and one on every level of your home.
Have the Correct Smoke Alarms
• Standard — Photoelectric or ionization smoke alarms.
• Bed Shakers — For hearing impaired, deaf, elderly.
• Strobe Lights — For hearing impaired, deaf, elderly. Plugs directly into the wall. Industrial strobe.
• Nest — Smoke/CO combo that alerts your phone when it goes off.
Test Your Alarms — Press the smoke alarm test button once a month to assure your alarms work.
Change Batteries — For 9-volt battery smoke alarms, change batteries once a year or when alarm chirps.
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS (CO)
Have CO Alarms — Install a working CO alarm on every level of your home.
Best Placement — CO alarms are best near kitchens, garages, utility rooms, appliances.
Change CO Alarms — Install new CO alarms every 6 to 8 years.
Safety Tip
If you are having any symptoms like:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion
Please call your local fi re department to come evaluate your home CO level.
Did You Know?
Most fire deaths happen overnight, and a closed bedroom door can slow the spread of flames and reduce smoke inhalation, potentially saving your life.
Plan Your Escape — Have a plan designed around your abilities.
Things to Consider
• Can you get out on your own without equipment or assistance?
• If you need equipment, be sure it is accessible at all times.
• If you need someone to assist you and answer the who, what, when, where, and how.
• Make sure your equipment fi ts through all exits.
• Use a bedroom on ground fl oor close to an exit if possible.
• Install exit ramps or widen door to make escape easier.
Know Two Ways Out — Include family, neighbors, friends, or a building manager in practicing your escape plan.
Windows and Doors — Practice opening locked windows and doors.
Service Animals — Be sure to include any service animals in your plan.
Need Extra Help? — Call your local fire department’s nonemergency number if you need help with your escape planning.
Did You Know?
SAFETY INFORMATION!
Check out the MI Prevention fi re safety information for more tips and videos on fi re safety! Scan the QR code or visit miprevention.org
In a fire, you have very little time to escape. Be prepared by having essential items in a bag that you or first responders can easily grab.
Seven (7)-day supply of necessary medications.
Emergency contact information.
Contact information for equipment replacements.
Necessary medical supplies/refills.
When contacting 911, be sure to tell dispatcher:
Full name.
Nature of disability.
Your exact location within home.
Any necessary/life-saving equipment needed (e.g., wheelchairs, medication, oxygen).
Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire fatalities. For your safety:
• Never smoke in bed.
• Never smoke when tired.
• Never smoke when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Never smoke while on medical oxygen.
Cleaner Air Starts at Home This Earth Day
The theme for Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet,” and it reflects on the fundamental truth that environmental progress is sustained by daily actions of communities, educators, workers, and families protecting where they live and work.1
While we often think about protecting outdoor spaces, the air inside our homes matters just as much. In fact, indoor air can contain dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke particles, and other pollutants that affect comfort and overall well-being.
For many families, especially during allergy season or in the colder months when windows stay closed, indoor air quality can make a noticeable difference. That’s where energy-efficient air purifiers can help.
Modern air purifiers are designed to capture fine airborne particles you may not even see. By reducing common irritants and improving air circulation, they help create a fresher, more comfortable living environment year-round. Whether you’re managing seasonal allergies, lingering cooking odors, or everyday dust, an air purifier can be a practical step toward cleaner indoor air.
BREATHE EASIER THIS EARTH DAY
Celebrate Earth Day with healthier indoor air!
Why Use an Air Purifier?
• Reduces allergens like pollen and dust
• Improves indoor air quality year-round
• Supports healthier breathing and better sleep
An ENERGY STAR® qualified air purifier helps create a healthier home while supporting energy smart living. Cherryland Electric Cooperative is offering rebates on qualifying room air purifiers. Visit cherrylandelectric.coop/rebates/ for more information on rebates.
This Earth Day, consider how small improvements inside your home can support a healthier household while using energy wisely. Many newer air purifier models are built with efficiency in mind, helping you maintain better air quality without significantly increasing energy use.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting energyefficient choices, Cherryland Electric Cooperative offers rebates on qualifying air purifiers. These rebates are designed to make it more affordable for members to invest in equipment that improves comfort and supports efficient energy use.
Small changes like choosing ENERGY STAR products are one way we can work together to care for both our homes and the environment. This Earth Day, take a moment to consider simple upgrades that can make a lasting difference where you live and breathe every day.
Visit cherrylandelectric.coop/rebates/ to learn more about air purifier rebates and other rebates and energy-savings incentives Cherryland Electric Cooperative is offering. 1 earthday.org
Scan the QR code to view eligible rebates or visit cherrylandelectric.coop/rebates/
Starts at Home
The 5 W’s of Right-of-Way
What
to
Know About
Tree
Trimming & Vegetation Management
WHO maintains the right-of-way?
Cherryland’s Right of Way team—along with trained contractors—work yearround to maintain safe clearance around power lines and equipment.
You may see bucket trucks, forestry equipment, or a small crew handling specific concerns.
This isn’t occasional maintenance. It’s ongoing system protection.
WHAT is right-of-way work?
Right-of-way maintenance means managing trees and vegetation around electrical equipment to protect safety and reliability.
That includes:
• Trimming branches away from distribution lines
• Removing dead, dying, weak, or leaning trees
• Keeping clear access to poles and equipment for lineworkers
It’s about more than trees—it’s about preventing outages and ensuring crews can safely restore power when needed.
WHERE does trimming happen?
Along power lines throughout our service territory—and sometimes even outside the immediate right-of-way.
If a tree is dead, diseased, or leaning toward a line, it doesn’t have to be directly underneath the wire to pose a risk. We aim to be proactive before storms make the decision for us.
WHEN does it happen?
We follow a consistent schedule:
Full-cycle trim every 6 years
We rotate through our entire system to maintain proper clearance.
Half-cycle patrol every 3 years
We inspect for hazardous trees between full trims to catch problems early.
Every day, we address hazards reported by crews and members as they come up.
Vegetation management happens year-round—because reliability isn’t seasonal.
WHY do we do it?
Trees are one of the leading causes of power outages, especially during storms.
Proactive trimming helps:
• Reduce outages
• Improve safety for lineworkers
• Speed up restoration times
• Protect long-term reliability
In short: Fewer outages start with fewer tree conflicts.
See a Hazard? Call Us.
If you notice a tree that is dangerously leaning on power lines, please contact Member Services at 231-486-9200.
We’d always rather take a look today than respond to an outage tomorrow.
RICE DISHES
ASPARAGUS & RICE
SALAD W/ PINE NUTS
Susan Cusick, Great Lakes Energy
1 cup white long-grain rice, uncooked
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound asparagus, washed, trimmed, and cut into 1-inch pieces
¼ cup pine nuts (can be pre-toasted)
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup chopped green onions
¼ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, for topping
Cook the rice according to package directions until tender, then remove from heat. Let stand uncovered to cool, and fl uff with a fork. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil over mediumhigh heat. Sauté the asparagus, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. Transfer to a bowl of cold water and drain; set aside. In a small dry skillet, toast the pine nuts (if untoasted) over medium heat until golden and fragrant, stirring often and watching closely to prevent burning. In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, remaining ¼ cup olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well blended. Add the cooled rice, asparagus, and green onions; toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust spices. Transfer the mixture to a shallow serving dish. Top with the toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, and serve at room temperature.
WILD RICE SOUP
Jessica Arnold, Great Lakes Energy
1 (6-ounce) box wild rice mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, fi nely chopped
¾ cup all-purpose fl our
2 quarts chicken broth/stock
2 cups cooked and shredded boneless chicken
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 cup Velveeta cheese, cubed
JAMBALAYA
Leah Ollanketo, Ontonagon REA
1 tablespoon oil
1½ pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes
1 pound andouille sausage, thinly sliced
12 ounces frozen cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose fl our
1 onion, peeled and chopped
4 green onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 celery ribs, fi nely chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1½ teaspoons dried basil
1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2½ cups chicken broth
1¼ cups long-grain white rice
BAKED CHICKEN AND RICE
Terry LaCost, Great Lakes Energy
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup butter or margarine (½ stick)
2 cups boiling water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon dried onion fl akes (or fresh chopped onion, to taste)
1 cup uncooked rice
• paprika, for sprinkling
Prepare the wild rice according to the package directions and set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in the fl our and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes to form a roux. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, and continue cooking until the mixture begins to thicken slightly. Add the cooked chicken, mushrooms, salt, and black pepper and stir. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the cooked wild rice, half and half, dried parsley, and cubed Velveeta cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the soup is smooth, then serve warm and enjoy.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and cook the chicken until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165 F, then remove from the skillet and set aside. Add the andouille sausage to the same skillet and cook until browned, then remove and set aside with the chicken. Thaw the shrimp under cold running water and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and flour to the skillet, and stir continuously while scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan to form a roux. Add the onion, green onions, garlic, celery, and bell pepper and sauté for about 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the basil, Cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and diced tomatoes. Then add the chicken broth and rice and bring the mixture to a boil. Return the chicken, sausage, and shrimp to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let stand for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
Preheat the oven to 400 F. On a plate or cutting board, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the butter in a shallow 2-quart baking dish (a 9x13-inch dish works well) and melt it in the hot oven. Carefully add the chicken to the dish and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, transfer the chicken to a plate, and to the melted butter, add the boiling water, chicken bouillon cubes, onion, and uncooked rice until well combined. Transfer the chicken back in the dish and cover with the rice mixture. Then return the dish back to the oven to bake for 40 minutes longer, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked. Sprinkle with paprika just before serving.
The Work Behind the Bucket:
What Our Lineworkers Are Really Doing Out There
When you pass a Cherryland bucket truck on the side of the road, it might not look dramatic. But there’s a lot happening—planning, checking, and double-checking before the lights come back on. Here’s what our lineworkers are really doing out there.
It’s Not Just Flipping a Switch
What you might notice:
A crew gathered around one piece of electrical equipment, pausing before they begin.
What’s really happening:
Before any repair starts, our line crews confirm the line is de-energized, test it, and ground it for safety. Every line is treated as energized until proven otherwise. Those careful steps protect the crew and the community.
The Details Make the Difference
What you might notice: Work is happening in one small spot, even when everything else looks fine.
What’s really happening: Sometimes the issue isn’t dramatic—it’s a worn connector, a cracked insulator, or hardware that needs attention. Addressing those small details protects hundreds of homes and strengthens the entire system long after the trucks leave.
Watching Each Other’s Backs
What you might notice:
Multiple trucks. Multiple lineworkers.
What’s really happening:
Linework is built on teamwork. While one lineworker may be in the bucket, others are managing equipment, monitoring safety, and supporting the repair from the ground. No one works alone—and that’s by design.
Care in Every Climb
What you might notice: Crews are moving carefully— even during a storm.
What’s really happening: Storm conditions increase risk. Our lineworkers balance urgency with safety, restoring power as quickly as possible without skipping the steps that keep everyone safe.
Our lineworkers don’t just restore power. They bring training, judgment, and steady hands to every pole they climb. This National Lineworker Appreciation Month, we’re proud to recognize the work happening behind the bucket— the kind built on care, teamwork, and doing things the right way.
Castle Farms hosts ‘Antiques Roadshow’
By Emily Haines Lloyd
Three days, thousands of objects—and stories more valuable than the price
For a few summer days in Charlevoix, Castle Farms became something more than a historic landmark. For three days, its stone walls, manicured grounds, and grand halls were the backdrop for thousands of personal histories as “Antiques Roadshow” rolled into Northern Michigan.
For Castle Farms owner, Linda Mueller, hosting “Antiques Roadshow” was more than a successful event. It was the realization of a long-held dream. A lifelong collector and steward of history, Mueller kept the show on her bucket list for years, imagining what
it would mean to see the castle’s halls filled with stories carried in by people from across the region.
When the opportunity fi nally aligned, it wasn’t just a milestone for the property, but a deeply personal moment for the woman who has spent decades preserving the past and inviting others to connect with it.
THE EMAIL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
“We had reached out years ago,” said Kristin Frazho, Castle Farms’ general manager. “When we emailed again in 2023, a producer responded within a day. Suddenly, after years of imagining it, it was really happening.”
That response kicked off more than a year of planning. Producers, crew members, and logistics teams walked the property, mapping everything from
parking and power needs to filming locations and crowd fl ow. The details were extensive, but Castle Farms was uniquely prepared.
With indoor and outdoor spaces, established infrastructure, and a staff accustomed to large-scale weddings and community events, the venue was defi nitely ready for its close-up.
“When the crew walked away, they told us Castle Farms set a new precedent for the show,” Frazho said. “To hear that during the show’s 30th season, and as their fi nal stop of the year, was incredibly meaningful.”
ORGANIZED CHAOS, PERFECTLY ORCHESTRATED
For Director of Guest Experiences Jessica Anderson, the goal was always balance.
“We want events that enhance the community, not overwhelm it,” she said. “‘Antiques Roadshow’ brought people to Charlevoix in a way that felt thoughtful and intentional.”
During filming, roughly 4,500 guests passed through the castle, many arriving with wagons, boxes, and carefully wrapped heirlooms. Guests checked in, followed time slots, boarded trams, and moved through triage stations before meeting appraisers in the main filming areas.
“There was so much excitement,” Anderson said. “Even people who knew their item might not be valuable were grateful to be there, to have someone listen to their story.”
WHERE OBJECTS BECOME STORIES
That focus on storytelling over dollar signs mirrors Castle Farms’ own mission. The property’s restoration and vision have been guided by Mueller, whose extensive antique collections are displayed throughout the castle as tools for learning and connection.
“Linda teaches history through objects,” Anderson said. “Each item carries a story, which aligns perfectly with what ‘Antiques Roadshow’ does.”
During filming, that connection came full circle. Mueller recognized several appraisers from past interactions with her own collection, and watching her interviews unfold was a powerful moment for the staff.
“To see Linda glow, to watch her live out a dream she’s worked toward for more than a decade, was overwhelming,” Anderson said.
A PRICELESS APPRAISAL
If the experience itself were up for appraisal, both Frazho and Anderson agree its value can’t be measured.
“It’s priceless,” Frazho said. “For the town, for our team, for Linda, and for every guest who walked through the gates carrying a piece of their family’s history.”
As the episodes air this spring on PBS, viewers nationwide will see what unfolded at Castle Farms. History was not just appraised. It was shared, celebrated, and brought to life—one story at a time. This fulfilled a long-held dream and the castle’s very purpose.
Tune in to PBS for the Michigan episodes (subject to change) at pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/schedule/.
• Castle Farms, Hour 1
Monday, March 30 at 8 p.m.
• Castle Farms, Hour 2
Monday, April 6 at 8 p.m.
• Castle Farms, Hour 3
Monday, April 13 at 8 p.m.
Plan Your Visit
Castle Farms is one of Northern Michigan’s most unique destinations. Open seasonally with special events throughout the year, Castle Farms offers something for every age.
castlefarms.com
5052 M-66 North, Charlevoix, MI 49720 (231) 237-0884
Wes Cowan (left) appraises an 1864 Lincoln & Johnson campaign flag in Charlevoix, Michigan. Photo by Meredith Nierman for GBH, © 2026 WGBH Educational Foundation.
Sean Delaney (left) appraises a John Bailey dwarf clock, ca. 1800, in Charlevoix, Michigan. Photo by Rob Thompson for GBH, © 2026 WGBH Educational Foundation.
CO-OP NEWS
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!
Cherryland’s 88th Annual Meeting
Scheduled for June 11
Cherryland’s 88th Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, June 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Incredible Mo’s in Grawn. Cherryland will provide updates regarding the 88th Annual Meeting in Michigan Country Lines, on our website and social media.
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 EnergyStar qualified appliances, visit our website at cherrylandelectric.coop/rebates
Your Board In Action
February 2026
• The board of directors heard an update from Wolverine Power Cooperative on Palisades Nuclear Power Plant. It is still on track for a 2026 restart.
• The chief operating officer gave an update on the new facility plan. The cooperative has submitted a site plan for review with Garfield Township.
• The board of directors and staff discussed storm preparedness.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
1. MOST VOTES Jennifer Smith—“When night creeps in”
2. Sue Rehmann—“Swimming with Smoke”
3. Crystal Creech “Generational growth. Replanted and remembered.”
4. Robert Smith—“S. Benjamin Island, North Channel, Ontario”
5. Gina Kurylo—“Snowy bend at Brown Bridge Quiet Area”
6. Robert McKinley—“Gracie taking a break hiking up Empire Bluffs Trial in Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat’l Lakeshore”
Enter to win up to $200 off your energy bill!
Submit Your “Fresh from the Garden” Photos By April 25! 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 Fresh from the Garden! Photos can be submitted through April 25 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 2026, you will be entered to win a credit of up to $200 on your December 2026 bill.
A North Woods Matriarch
By Janet Horricks, a HomeWorks Tri-County Cooperative member
My great-grandmother and greatgrandfather, Leatha and Charles Malinowski, lived in Sigma, Michigan, a small abandoned logging town near Kalkaska, in a small cottage across from the old, abandoned Sigma Hotel.
Their cozy home featured a massive stone fi replace that was the heart of the house. Hanging above the mantle was an enormous muskie that weighed over 57 pounds and measured fi ve feet long. This remarkable fish was speared by my great-grandmother while ice fishing on Torch Lake.
I regret that I do not have a photograph of the muskie, but I have a picture of my grandmother with another impressive catch of the day. She was also featured in the local Kalkaska newspaper, highlighting my grandparents’ ice fishing expertise.
My grandparents were true Michigan
they were outside—fishing and ice fishing on the many local lakes and streams. They made full use of Michigan’s beautiful forests by deer and rabbit hunting, or simply by walking the woods to gather berries for my grandmother’s jams and jellies, mushrooms, and other natural resources they relied on in their daily lives.
Most of my treasured memories are of my greatgrandmother, as my great-grandfather passed away when I was young. She was an incredible woman and a true fi gure of “up north” Michigan history.
To supplement their income, my grandmother sold her jams and jellies, which became favorites throughout both Michigan peninsulas. Her many talents were celebrated at local fairs, where she earned recognition for her jams and jellies, baked goods, and most memorably, her Fairy Forests.
She created mini forests made from fungus that grew on the sides of trees, which she gathered during walks through local woods. These were lined with moss from the forest floor and filled with
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My grandparents were true Michigan outdoors enthusiasts who lived off the land. No matter the season, they were outside—fi shing and ice fi shing on the many local lakes and streams.”
tiny ceramic animals, miniature trees, and mirrored lakes.
I am incredibly fortunate to carry these people in my memories, and I am deeply proud that they were such a meaningful part of Michigan’s outdoor heritage.
GUEST COLUMN Win $200 for stories published! Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.
When the lights go out, lineworkers are ready to answer the call, day or night, to safely restore power and keep our communities moving forward. They take pride in powering the places we call home. Today and every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and commitment.
Lineworker Appreciation Day April 18, 2026
ReadyWhenit M a t ters Most
