Feb. 2023 GLE

February 2023

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Great Lakes Energy Cooperative

The Iceman Cometh America’s Coolest Race Is In Northern Michigan Meet Your Director: Ric Evans

People Fund Helps Students Go for the Gold

Charge Up Your Savings with Energy Wise

THERE’S A TREASURE

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Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheating cooling.com

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Mancelona Top Notch Htg, Clg, & Geothermal (231) 350-8052 Topnotchheatandair.com

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Sunfield Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com Traverse City D&W Mechanical (231) 941-1251 dwmechanical.com Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com

WaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc. 1. 30% through 2032, 26% through 2033 and 22% through 2034

Contents countrylines.com

February 2023 Vol. 43, No. 2

/michigancountrylines

/michigancountrylines

6 SNOWMAN CAM

Ken Borton’s computer camera helped him share the great outdoors with his family ... and then changed his life.

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN

Cherries: Sweet-tart flavor.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark EDITOR: Christine Dorr

14 THE ICEMAN COMETH

America’s coolest race is in Northern Michigan.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird

RECIPE EDITOR: Christin McKamey COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd

18 SHOULD I CHANGE MY CHARGING HABITS? Four things to know about extending rechargeable battery life.

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.

#micoopcommunity Instagram contest winner

Even the snow can’t cool down the pup’s excitement to explore the great outdoors! @906explorer (Ryan Peurach)

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.

MI Co-op Community

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

Instagram Contest

Recipe Contest

Use #micoopcommunity for a chance to be featured here and on our Instagram account.

See details on page 10.

Breakfast for Dinner due March 1; Polish Favorites due April 1

Win $100 for photos published!

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

gtlakes.com

Powering Our Future

/greatlakesenergy

Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO

/jointruestream 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

Shelly Pinkelman, Director, District 4 989-390-6222 spinkelman@glenergy.com PRESIDENT/CEO: Shaun Lamp 888-485-2537 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Brett Streby 231-487-1389 • bstreby@glenergy.com BOYNE CITY HEADQUARTERS 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712

s a parent, one of my top priorities is to help prepare my children for their future. It might be helping to foster their education, teaching them practical life skills, teaching them the importance of hard work and teamwork, or sharing my passion as a die-hard Detroit Lions fan (which some may debate as helpful or not). In these and many other ways, I do my best to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow so they are well-equipped for whatever their future may hold.

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In much the same way, we here at GLE are also charged with looking ahead to prepare the cooperative to face the challenges and take full advantage of the opportunities the future may present. These efforts take many forms.

From an operational standpoint, we strive to balance financial stability with making the necessary investments to ensure the reliability of our electric distribution system. Our annual vegetation management program is a great example of work taking place today to reduce the impact of future storms on our system. The construction of our Truestream fiber-to-home network provides much-needed internet and voice services to an ever-expanding list of service areas. We’re also working to install a new generation of automated meters that will replace outdated metering technology in the field and enable more robust billing options and usage data, remote disconnects and reconnects, and automatic outage notification, among other benefits.

Our “What’s next?” vision also has us looking at emerging technologies, such as helping our members take advantage of the ever-growing list of energy-efficient products on the market. Our revised energy efficiency program, Energy Wise, offers members rebates on the purchase and/or installation of qualified energyefficient appliances and home systems. After a successful first year in 2022, we’ve made some tweaks to the program for 2023. Some of the changes include modifications to the electric vehicle charger rebate and the addition of rebates for more electric lawn and garden equipment. You can read more about these changes on page 16.

Finally, through our Youth Tour Program and our scholarship program for students pursuing lineworker training and degrees in electrical engineering and information technology, we are fostering the next generation of community leaders along with the people who will keep our lights on and develop the next technological innovations that will power our future.

Call center hours:: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. M–F Phone: 888-485-2537 Email: glenergy@glenergy.com

As a cooperative, GLE is guided by seven core principles that all cooperatives share. The future-focused programs I’ve highlighted above are a just few examples of how GLE is working to meet both the principles of “Education, Training, and Information,” and “Concern for Community.”

TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: Call 888-485-2537 or login to your account at gtlakes.com.

I’m proud and excited to be part of a cooperative that strives to have the same forward-thinking approach to serving its members in much the same way, I, as a parent, try to provide the best possible future for my children.

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

4 FEBRUARY 2023

“ We are fostering the next generation of community leaders along with the people who will keep our lights on and develop the next technological innovations that will power our future.”

GLE Scholarship Program Helps Make Futures Bright n our ongoing effort to prepare for the future, Great Lakes Energy invests in regular infrastructure and technology upgrades, ongoing vegetation management, and new services such as Truestream fiber internet. We also invest in people: both our current employees and the next generation of people who will keep the lights on and develop the next technological advancements.

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That’s why we’re proud to continue two scholarship programs for the 2023-24 school year for people enrolled in lineworker training programs and those pursuing degrees in electrical engineering or information technology.

A total of 10 scholarship opportunities ranging from $1,000–$2,500 per school year or program year are available through these two programs.

The lineworker training scholarship program offers up to six $1,000

scholarships for students pursuing certification or a degree related to a pre-apprentice electrical lineworker program at an accredited institution in Michigan.

The degree-seeking program offers two scholarships worth up to $2,500 for students pursuing degrees related to electrical engineering and two for students pursuing degrees related to information technology at any accredited college or university in the United States.

Scholarship eligibility requirements are included on the applications, which are available online at gtlakes.com/youth-programs/ or by contacting GLE’s human resources manager at (231) 487-1357 or via email at hr@glenergy.com. The application submission deadline is March 31.

In 2022, GLE awarded a total of $16,000 in scholarships between the two programs.

Meet two of the 2022 scholarship recipients:

Jessica Cole Stanwood, Mecosta County, $2,500 for information technology

Caleb Gosciak Emmet County, $1,000 for lineworker training

Jessica is a graduate of Crossroads Charter Academy and is attending Ferris State University to pursue a degree in health information technology. She enjoys spending time hanging out with family and friends, playing sports, and being involved in her school and community. “This scholarship will help me further my education as well as come out of college with less debt and stress to get a jump-start on my career,” she said.

Caleb is a 2022 Petoskey High School graduate attending Northern Michigan University’s electrical line technician program. Caleb is an Eagle Scout who participated in the lineworker class offered through Boyne City High School. After completing Northern Michigan University’s program, he hopes to return to his home area to work. Caleb said the scholarship has reduced his financial concerns and will allow him more time to focus on school.

Youth Tour Returns After a three-year hiatus, the Youth Tour program will return in 2023. Great Lakes Energy will select four high school sophomores or juniors from its service area for a June 14−18 trip to Washington, D.C., to learn about the history of our nation, explore the co-op business model, and meet legislators. Once in Washington, D.C., they will join around 2,000 high school students from across the country. Applications must be from students whose parents or guardians are GLE members.

To learn more about this leadership adventure and to apply, visit cooperativeyouthtour.com.

The application deadline is Feb. 28.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

5

Snowman Cam

By Emily Haines Lloyd

hen Ken Borton moved to Gaylord, Michigan, from the metro Detroit area in 2000 to set up a home office, he couldn’t have dreamed that the tiny eyeball camera that came with his new computer would change his life. Forever.

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For years, Borton had visited his uncle who lived in Gaylord to enjoy the snowmobiling and skiing the area offered.

He finally came back one summer to discover golf courses and amazing outdoor activities that had nothing to do with snow, and he was hooked.

“I knew it was where I wanted to live one day,” said Borton.

Borton and his wife Brenda, who are Great Lake Energy Co-op members, first bought their place in 1995 and finally moved in full-time in 2000. He was able to work remotely and got to setting up a home office. His new computer came with an eyeball camera. One day he was looking out his office window, enjoying the view, when he thought his family and friends back in the big city might enjoy the peaceful landscape he saw from his office chair.

“The camera couldn’t track, didn’t zoom in. It was nothing special,” said Borton. “It literally just looked out to our back property and the bird feeder nearby.”

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FEBRUARY 2023

As Borton dazzled his family with the natural wonders of northern Michigan, he upped his game in 2006 when he built and installed a wooden snowman that became the featured character in the video feed. The snowman joined the passing deer, turkeys, foxes, coyotes, black bears, flying squirrels, porcupines, and other wildlife that casually hung out and often partook of the fallen birdseed from the feeder.

Eventually, Borton was contacted by EarthCam, a streaming service, that offered to post his video feed for more individuals to enjoy. With temperamental internet and a desire to share the slice of heaven that is northern Michigan, Borton uploaded his Snowman Cam. He was shocked to see the feed gain a worldwide audience— including mentions on The Weather Channel and dozens of television stations—and, ultimately, millions of views year after year. It seems like an idyllic end to a heartwarming story, but that wasn’t the end.

“One day, I get a knock on the door,” said Borton. “It was a conservation officer from the Department of Natural Resources Michigan who had been called in to investigate a report of deer baiting.”

While many deer had partaken in the errant bird feed just eight feet from Borton’s back door, it hardly qualified as

“baiting.” The officer took one look, apologized, and went on his way.

Borton went back to work and life, but then the officer returned and said he needed to give Borton a ticket for the deer baiting. While the two of them were equally baffled, the ticket was issued. But that wasn’t the end of the story either.

Borton disputed the ticket and ultimately went to court, where the judge threw out the charges. State officials asked that Borton just take down the Snowman Cam so that they wouldn’t get calls about baiting any more.

Borton refused.

“It just seemed wrong,” said Borton. “No one could come up with a good reason to take down the camera and it felt like most of the system agreed. That, in fact, it was the law that should change.”

For someone who had moved to get away from folks, Borton suddenly found himself in an election for county commissioner, which would put him in the middle of people and their daily struggles.

“I had never, not ever, considered running for a political office,” said Borton. “But what I found as I got into community politics is that it wasn’t about the negativity you see on TV, it was about helping people.”

In 2020, Borton’s state representative could not seek re-election because of term limits. He seized the opportunity and made a successful bid to be elected to the 105th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. He was re-elected to a second term in 2022.

“If it hadn’t been for the Snowman Cam, I would have never found myself in this position,” said Borton. “And this position allows me to help people every single day. It’s a privilege I never dreamed of.”

Borton has received messages from people around the globe saying how much the Snowman Cam has meant to them. From a cubicle worker in Houston enjoying Michigan snow, to an autistic child who was able to calm down by watching the cam, to Richard Guccini. Guccini and the Bortons became friends via the cam and built a relationship over the years. Guccini helped raise money to offset the cost of the cam, became the voice of Santa Claus on the channel, and built the snowman that you see in the feed today. In 2018, Guccini passed away, and the Borton and Guccini families created a plaque and bench dedicated to him that states simply reads— He waits for the bears.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

7

Annual Vegetation Management Program Begins

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his winter, contracted tree-trimming crews will start removing trees and limbs near power lines throughout the Great Lakes Energy service area.

The work is part of the cooperative’s annual vegetation management program to improve electric service reliability and safety. About $8.5 million will be invested in 2023 to reclear trees along 893 miles of power line rights-of-way (ROW) in 14 counties and 50 townships.

Great Lakes Energy members will be notified by postcard, email, and phone if ROW reclearing work is scheduled in their area. Please be sure we have your current billing address, email address, and primary phone number for your service location. This will help ensure we are able to reach you.

Tree-related power line damage is a major cause of outages. Reclearing the co-op’s entire power line distribution system is performed on six- to seven-year cycles. The amount of trimming to maintain adequate power line clearance depends on the tree type, location and growth, and line voltage size. In addition to weak and dying trees, healthy trees may need to be trimmed or removed if they pose a threat to your electric service.

As always, we will address any trees in and out of the ROW that pose an imminent threat to our lines as needed throughout the year.

If you have questions about our reclearing program or concerns about a tree that may be a hazard to our lines, contact our vegetation management department at (888) 485-2537, ext. 8221 (all areas south of Cadillac) or ext. 1295 (all areas north of Cadillac).

8 FEBRUARY 2023

Counties and Townships Scheduled for 2023 Reclearing Antrim County: Banks, Echo, Forest Home, Helena, Jordan, Torch Lake Charlevoix County: Bay, Evangeline, Hayes, Milton, Norwood, South Arm Crawford County: Lovells Emmet County: Resort Lake County: Chase, Elk, Ellsworth, Pinora, Yates Manistee County: East Stronach, West Norman Mason County: Meade Montcalm County: Reynolds Muskegon County: Ravenna, White River Newaygo County: Ashland, Barton, Big Prairie, Bridgeton, Brooks, Croton, Everett, Garfield, Home, Lilley, Monroe, Sheridan Oceana County: Claybanks Osceola County: Highland, Leroy, Lincoln, Richmond, Rose Lake, Sherman Oscoda County: Big Creek, Elmer, Greenwood Ottawa County: Allendale, Blendon, Polkton

GLE PHOTO CONTEST

Family Time

1

3

2

4 Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit!

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MOST VOTES!

Submit Your “Furry Friends” photos By Feb. 20

1. # WE DID IT FOR THE GRAM, Jacquelyn Pulford, Pentwater

Our February theme is Furry Friends. Photos can be submitted by Feb. 20 to be featured in the April issue.

2. Depot Beach fun in Charlevoix! Debbie Holfeld, Brutus

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.

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 2023 will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 bill credit in December 2023.

3. Family matters, Kristine Myslenski, Wayland 4. Let's color! Sharalen Greenwell, Petoskey 5. Girls just want to have FUN! Sheila Melke, Charlevoix 6. Cousin fun! Candice Wiers, Charlevoix

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Recipes

Photos by Robert Bruce Photography || Recipes submitted by MCL readers and tested by recipe editor Christin McKamey

CHERRIES Sweet-tart flavor

WINNING RECIPE! CHERRY OAT COOKIES Marie Mercier, Great Lakes Energy

¾ ¾ ¼ 1 ½ 2 ¾ 1 ½ 2 1 1½ ¾

Recipe Contest Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Breakfast for Dinner due March 1; Polish Favorites due April 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 FEBRUARY 2023

cup all-purpose flour cup whole wheat flour cup flaxseed meal teaspoon baking powder teaspoon salt cups old fashioned (preferred) or quick oats cup butter, softened cup brown sugar cup sugar eggs, slightly beaten teaspoon vanilla cups dried tart cherries cup semisweet mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, salt, and oats. Set aside. Mix butter, brown sugar, and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.

Add flour mixture to butter mixture; mix well.

Stir in dried cherries and chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 9–11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand one minute, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

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

CHERRY FREEZER JAM Deanne Quain, Great Lakes Energy

4 cups sugar 2 cups finely chopped tart cherries 1 package SURE-JELL Premium Fruit Pectin ¾ cup water • small glass or plastic containers with lids Mix sugar and fruit together. Let stand 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a small saucepan, stir SURE-JELL and

water. Bring to a boil on high heat for one minute, stirring constantly. Add pectin mixture to fruit mixture and stir for three minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved. Fill containers, leaving ½-inch space at top for expansion during freezing. Cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Refrigerate up to three weeks or freeze up to one year. Makes about five cups. This jam is also delicious when used as a topping over ice cream.

THE MICHIGAN COOKIE Valerie Aspenleiter, Alger Delta Electric

1 ¾ 1 ¼ 1 1 1½ ½ ¼ 1 ²⁄³

stick butter, softened cup packed brown sugar egg cup pure maple syrup teaspoon vanilla cup quick-cooking oats cups flour teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt cup dried cherries cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Cream butter and brown sugar in large bowl. Stir in egg, maple syrup, and vanilla. Combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt and stir into butter mixture. Stir in cherries and walnuts.

Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets.

Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges of cookies are golden brown. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

CHERRY OATMEAL MUFFINS Crystal Riley, Cherryland Electric Cooperative

1 cup uncooked quick or old fashioned oats 1 cup flour ½ cup brown sugar 1½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¾ cup buttermilk 1 egg ¼ cup oil 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup frozen tart cherries, coarsely chopped (do not need to thaw)

Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Combine liquid ingredients in a small bowl. Pour liquid mixture into dry mixture and stir just to moisten. Stir in cherries. Spray muffin pan or use liners. Fill cups about ²⁄ ³ full. Bake for 15–20 minutes.

CHERRY SALAD

Cathy Lautner, Cherryland Electric Cooperative 1 cup water 1 (3-ounce) package cherry gelatin 1 can cherry pie filling (not “less sugar” version) • whipped cream (optional)

Bring water to a boil and dissolve cherry gelatin. Put in dish, stir in cherry pie filling and chill. Top with whipped cream if desired.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Book Vending Machine Has Students

GOING FOR THE GOLD here are few things parents like more than hearing from other adults that their child was “as good as gold.” Now, thanks to the efforts of the Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix, students at Charlevoix Elementary School actually get something golden as a reward for the good things they do at school.

In October, the club provided a book vending machine to the school that is already paying off in many ways.

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The program works like this: Teachers, support staff, bus drivers, and other staff at the school are provided with golden tokens to give students as a reward for achieving good grades, good attendance, or good behavior, or for just generally being a good person. Students can then visit the book vending machine, where they can redeem the token for a book. The machine only accepts tokens, not real money.

Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix Board President Gail Gennett said the idea for the vending machine came from club secretary Rita Moore, who saw a similar project on a local news broadcast while she was visiting family in Portland, Oregon. Gail said Rita called her right away, suggesting it would be a great project for the Charlevoix club.

In April, Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund awarded a $1,000 grant to help fund the project.

That money was combined with money raised 12 FEBRUARY 2023

by the club itself, Kiwanis International, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and private donors to pay for the machine, books, and tokens.

Gail said the vending machine is stocked with books selected by the school’s librarian and staff at the Charlevoix Public Library. Each student was provided with one token initially to spur interest in the program. Tokens are also provided through the school’s student of the week program. The goal is for each student to get at least three books over the school year.

“Beyond that, a student might get a coin for anything from befriending a fellow student who is having a bad day to meeting a classroom goal that a teacher has set,” Gail said.

Gail said the feedback she’s heard about the vending machine from school staff and parents has been overwhelmingly positive and thankful.

“I’ve been stopped many times at the grocery store by parents who are very grateful for the program,” Gail said. “I’ve even had parents tell me that their child is doing better in school or is excited about going to school thanks to the program.”

She said the program offers benefits in many ways beyond serving as a simple reward for good

Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix Board President Gail Gennett speaks during a ribboncutting ceremony for Charlevoix Elementary School’s book vending machine.

behavior. In addition to fostering excitement for reading among students by offering a book as a reward, Gail also pointed to the program’s positive social and mental health benefits.

A Charlevoix Elementary School student redeems a golden token for a book from the school's new book vending machine.

Gail, who has a background in both education and serving as a counselor, said many schools are seeing that the limitations on in-person interactions during the height of the COVID19 pandemic have had a noticeable impact on social skill development for some children. By encouraging a positive social environment at school, the book reward program can also help improve students’ emotional and mental wellbeing, Gail said.

Charlevoix Elementary School Principal John Haan said the book vending machine has been an “amazing” addition to the school.

A Charlevoix Elementary School student shows off the book she selected from the school's new book vending machine.

“We’re very grateful for the support of the Kiwanis Club and GLE’s People Fund. Our kids and our teachers are extremely enthusiastic about it,” he said. “Our kids already love books and reading, and the book vending machine adds even more energy and excitement to our literacy program.” John added that research has shown that giving children books and getting them excited about reading is a significant factor in them becoming readers.

John said the school is still raising money to help supply the book vending machine. Anyone wishing to contribute to the effort may do so by contacting the school office at (231) 547-3215 or by sending contributions to Kiwanis Youth Foundation, P.O. Box 275, Charlevoix, MI 49720.

KIDS COME FIRST Founded in 1934, the Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix is a very active club. On average, club members provide nearly 400 hours of community service work per month. The book vending machine is just one example of the many child-focused programs the organization supports.

Some other examples of programs the club sponsors include a fifth-grade essay contest, volunteering with the Headstart Reading program, St. Mary’s Builders Club, AKTION Club, Boy Scouts, scholastic scholarships, and many more. The club raises money for its many community efforts by selling hot dogs and kielbasas at many community festivals, selling maple syrup and holiday nuts, hosting an AppleFest Fun Run, and hosting a Christkindlmarket, which it did for the first time this past December.

“Kiwanis is all about kids,” Gail said. “That’s why I joined 35 years ago.”

Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix members gather around Charlevoix Elementary School's new book vending machine following a ribboncutting ceremony in October.

The club meets at noon every Tuesday at the Charlevoix Senior Center, located at 13513 Division Street in Charlevoix. The senior center is in Charlevoix County’s Shirley Roloff Center, which was formerly the Charlevoix Elementary School building. Gail invites anyone interested in learning more about the club or joining to call her at (231) 330-1076. More information about the Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix is available online at charlevoixkiwanis.com or on the organization’s Facebook page.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

The Iceman Cometh America’s Coolest Race Is In Northern Michigan

By Emily Haines Lloyd

14 FEBRUARY 2023

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very year on the first weekend in November, around 5,000 mountain bicyclists take off down the runway at Kalkaska Airport and barrel through the woods across dirt paths, abandoned railroad beds, and rugged ski trails until they end up—muddied and ecstatic some 30 miles later—at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort in Traverse City. The Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge is the largest point-to-point mountain bike race in the country and happens right here in northern Michigan.

“How would I explain it to someone who’s never been?” asked Kat Paye, executive director of the Iceman Cometh Challenge. “It’s an absolute riot.”

What started as a small “race” of 35 bikers over 30 years ago, with a course staked out by the event’s race founder, Steve Brown, has grown into an annual event that brings out professional cyclists and novice mountain bikers alike.

“It started as almost a dare,” said Paye. “See if you can make it on this crazy trail, and I’ll give you a burger and a beer at the end.”

The scope of the race has expanded since then, with not only 5,000 athletes descending on Traverse City every year, but nearly 10,000 volunteers, spectators, and wellwishers at the Celebration Zone. The event has also seen the addition of shorter and more kid-friendly races like the Slush Cup and the Meijer Sno Cone. Luckily, there is still

beer at the end, as Bell’s Brewery has been a key sponsor for the past 13 years.

“You can’t help but get caught up in the energy,” said Paye, who has volunteered along the course for the past 10 years herself. “Everyone cheers for everyone else, amateurs, pros. It doesn’t matter your level; you’re a part of the Iceman family.”

The family has been headed by Brown since the beginning, who recruited friends and family to help as the event grew, knowing the more significant the event got, the more impact it could have. Iceman has always had a nonprofit angle, with proceeds helping to promote health and wellness, land stewardship, and the biking community at large.

“Steve is a really giving human,” said Paye. “He loves this industry and saw a way to have a homegrown, feelgood event that feels like a homecoming no matter how big it gets.”

From the beginning, the community in northern Michigan has been as much a part of the race as the course and the riders themselves. Folks staking courses, transporting riders and their bikes, running first-aid and food stations, and cheering wildly all along the way.

Since its inception, Iceman has given nearly $500,000 to youth cycling programs, trail-building organizations, biking associations, and many local nonprofit efforts. It’s amazing what this “little bike race” has done to impact the community and its members since 1990.

Paye encourages anyone who thinks they might be up for the challenge to try Iceman once in their life. Registration begins in March and fills up quickly, with over $70,000 in cash prizes for pro and amateur categories. If you feel like biking crazy terrains through all kinds of weather while you smile bigger the muddier you get isn’t for you, the team is always looking for volunteers and supporters to cheer on the maniacs on bikes.

When asked if there’s something about Iceman that still surprises her after her decade with the organization, whether it’s the course with its ever-changing finish line, the support from the community, the lion-hearted athletes, or even the volunteers and fans who make it all happen, Paye pauses for a moment, almost wistfully, and says...

“All of it.”

If you’re considering signing up for Iceman, keep an eye out on the event website, iceman.com, for registration details. Or, if you’re interested in volunteering, send a note to icemaninfo@iceman.com. iceman.com /IcemanTCMI /icemancomethtcmi

Charge Up Your Savings With Energy Wise

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nce thought of as a mainly niche, experimental, or very limited production product, driving an allelectric or a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle is now a more feasible option for some people, due to advances in technology and infrastructure in recent years.

Whether it’s for the lower operational and regular maintenance costs, the zero tailpipe emissions, or some combination of these and other reasons, the growth in the number of EV models on the market and in the availability of public charging sites has more people considering the switch to an EV. Most EV owners do the bulk of their vehicle’s battery charging at home. Although EVs can be charged on a standard 120-volt household circuit, they will charge much more quickly on a Level 2 charger, which requires a 240-volt circuit.

For example, on a standard 120-volt circuit, a Chevy Bolt will add about four miles of range per hour. However, on a 240-volt residential Level 2 charger, the Bolt will add about 26 miles of range per hour. That’s why many people who plan to use their EV for a daily commute opt to have a Level 2 charger installed at their home. Although there are costs associated with the purchase and installation of a Level 2 charger, GLE’s revised energy efficiency program, Energy Wise, can help.

Following a successful first year in 2022, Energy Wise has been updated for 2023. One of the changes is EV-related rebates. Last year, the program offered a rebate for the purchase of a new EV and another rebate for the purchase and installation of a Level 2 charger.

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This year, the rebate for purchasing a new EV has been eliminated, and the rebate for a Level 2 charger has been increased to $800. This change recognizes the growth in the used EV market. It also allows plug-in hybrid vehicle owners to take advantage of the rebate. Tying a larger rebate to the charger instead of a specific vehicle purchase will allow more members to take advantage of the EV incentive.

Clean up with additional new rebates In addition to the changes to the EV charger rebate, several new rebates have been added for electric lawn and garden equipment. The Energy Wise program now offers $40 rebates for corded or cordless electric leaf blowers, string trimmers, and chainsaws. These rebates join existing rebates for electric walk-behind or riding lawnmowers. Rebates are $50 for walk-behind mowers and $300 for riding mowers.

More information about these rebates and many more are available online at gtlakes.com/energywise.

Rebate forms may also be downloaded and submitted through the website. For all Energy Wise rebates, we encourage members to check all rebate requirements prior to purchase to make sure the product or system they are considering will qualify.

“ The industry is being asked to do things today that weren’t even on the radar a decade ago. It’s challenging, but it’s also exciting to see how we can take advantage of the emerging technologies.” hot water system, and mini-split heat pumps for heating and cooling.

Ric Evans

An Energy Educator At Heart ic Evans knows the energy world from the ground up. Some days he might be climbing around in residential crawl spaces and attics, looking for ways to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Other days he might be participating in board meetings where he’s helping guide policies for portions of the electric grid. But at the heart of all these wide-ranging activities is what he considers his true calling: an energy educator.

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Ric, who has been a GLE member for nearly 24 years, has represented Antrim County as the District 3 representative on the GLE Board of Directors since 2011. He will be seeking election to his fifth three-year term later this year.

He also represents GLE on the board of directors for Wolverine Power Cooperative, GLE’s sole energy provider.

Ric has operated his own energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting firm since 2006. For a time, he served as a clean energy policy specialist for the Traverse Citybased Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. He’s now spending much of his time doing energy audits for low-income households through the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency.

He said his background as an energy consultant has provided him with some unique insight in his time on GLE’s board, especially with the rapidly changing landscape of the electric industry in recent years.

“The industry is being asked to do things today that weren’t even on the radar a decade ago,” Ric said. “It’s challenging, but it’s also exciting to see how we can take advantage of the emerging technologies.”

Looking forward, Ric said he shares in the excitement among GLE’s staff and members surrounding the Truestream fiber internet project. He’s eager to see the network grow, not just because it provides high-speed internet service to members who have little or no access, but also because it will allow GLE to take advantage of “smart grid” technologies. Ultimately, GLE members will become more informed about, and have more control over, their energy usage.

When he’s not busy with GLE business or helping people make their homes more energy efficient, Ric enjoys spending time with his wife, Jenn, and their three dogs and two cats. He has been a professional disc golfer since 1997, and he’s an avid snowboarder and a part-time drummer.

Ric said his interest in energy efficiency and sustainable energy programs grew after he completed his degree in natural resources at Michigan State University—well before those concepts were as widely known as they are today.

“When I first started my business, I had ‘energy auditor’ on my business card, but I had to take that off because nobody knew what that was,” Ric said.

When it comes to energy efficiency, Ric practices what he preaches. He’s been an early adopter of many types of systems for his all-electric Eastport-area home. Some of those systems include a grid-tied solar electric system with battery backup, a passive solar-heated addition, a solar MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

Should I Change My Charging Habits?

Four things to know about extending rechargeable battery life

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any of us are so connected to our phones, tablets, and laptops that we panic when their battery nears the dreaded 0% mark. We want our device batteries to perform well for as long as possible. If you ever fret over your device’s power levels, here are tips on striking the right balance between battery health and how you work and play.

Keep your battery about 40% to 80% charged.

There’s a lot of reasonable advice around the internet to keep your phone charged between 20% and 80%, or between 40% and 80%. To understand those recommendations—and why you might want to either follow them or ignore them—it helps to understand how rechargeable batteries work.

Up until about 20 years ago, batteries benefitted from occasional “deep discharges”—running the battery down until the device shuts off. But because of the different materials used in batteries today, that’s not true anymore.

Rechargeable batteries contain two different materials that produce electricity when particles flow from one to the other. They flow in the other direction when being recharged. That process will degrade any battery over time. Keeping both sides of the battery in balance, with the device charged at about 50%, will put the least amount of stress on the battery and make it last longer.

But that’s unrealistic—no one’s going to keep their phone half-charged all the time. So, the experts try to make it easier by recommending 40% to 80% or 20% to 80%.

Apple devices offer even more flexibility, pointing out that modern rechargeable batteries are designed to last for years in the various ways you use them. They recommend that rather than worrying about the battery, you just focus on using and enjoying your device.

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Overnight charging can add stress to some batteries.

Charging your device up to 100% or letting it drain to 0% until it shuts down does put extra stress on the battery and can shorten its life. That’s why it can make sense to charge your devices occasionally throughout the day rather than keeping them plugged in while you sleep. Newer electronics will actually stop charging at 100%. But then, each time the charge drops to 99%, charging will resume.

Keep it cool, but not cold.

One absolute in battery care is don’t let your device get warmer than 95 degrees. Keep it out of the sun, and never leave it in a hot vehicle. If the device does get hot, don’t go to the other extreme and put it in the freezer. Just place it in the shade or take the cover off for a while.

Use less power.

It sounds simple, but one of the easiest ways to put less stress on the battery is to use less power. You can close energy-draining apps and functions when you’re not using them, and you can activate energy-saving settings like putting the device to sleep sooner. Another easy way to reduce battery use is to activate the “airplane mode” button every now and then.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to turn in their electronics every couple of years for the latest versions, these recommendations likely won’t apply. But if you’re someone who wants your devices to last longer, these suggestions can help prolong battery life.

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Well-Connect is a hybrid ground source heat pump uniquely designed to operate with your existing furnace. Similar to how a hybrid vehicle greatly reduces the need for gas, doubling the fuel efficiency, a Well-Connect significantly reduces the amount of propane, fuel oil or wood needed to heat a home. This approach reduces the installation cost of the system to a fraction of the cost of conventional geothermal systems and saves a homeowner 50% to 70% on heating costs. It also provides efficient air conditioning all summer.

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PLUG-IN SAVINGS These days, more and more people are considering the switch to driving an electric vehicle. Although many electric vehicles can be charged at home on a standard 120-volt circuit, a 240-volt Level 2 charger is much faster and makes owning an EV much more practical.

If you are among those who have made or are considering the switch to an EV, Great Lakes Energy’s Energy Wise program offers some help in keeping your ride ready to roll. The program offers Great Lakes Energy members a rebate of $800 on the purchase and installation of a qualifying Level 2 smart charger.

To learn more about the Energy Wise EV charger rebate, call 888-476-9534 or visit gtlakes.com/energywise today!