February 2025 Cherryland

Cherryland Electric Cooperative

February 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

MIDWEST GRIT Kyle Ostwald’s ‘Survivor’ Journey

Celebrating a Special Retirement Is AI Sparking Questions or Answers for Electric Utilities?

Proposed Rate Change Information

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT

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YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES

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visit us at waterfurnace.com/mi

Alger Delta Electric: up to $2,000 Cherryland Electric: up to $2,500 Cloverland: up to $6,275 Great Lakes Energy: up to $5,000 Homeworks/Tri-County Electric: up to $4,750 Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op: up to $4,750 Thumb Electric: up to $2,000

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MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

Contents countrylines.com

February 2025 Vol. 45, No. 2 /michigancountrylines

/michigancountrylines

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.

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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; 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.

MICHIGAN’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

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6 ADVENTURES THROUGH

MI CO-OP Community RECIPE CONTEST

See details on page 10. Mushrooms, due March 1; Summer Desserts, due April 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

AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY AT GILMORE CAR MUSEUM The largest auto museum in North America brings together history, artistry, and nostalgia.

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN

Sauces & Marinades: The essentials for culinary creativity.

14 MIDWEST GRIT: KYLE

OSTWALD’S ‘SURVIVOR’ JOURNEY Cheboygan man draws upon his roots of resilience and resourcefulness to make his mark on reality TV.

18 GUEST COLUMN

A Homeworks member’s final opening day with his father was about much more than hunting.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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CO-OP NEWS

LEELANAU BENZIE

MANISTEE

GRAND TRAVERSE

KALASKA

WEXFORD

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 Tom Van Pelt, Treasurer 231-386-5234 tvanpelt@cherrylandelectric.coop David Schweitzer, Director 231-883-5860 dschweitzer@cherrylandelectric.coop Terry Lautner, Director 231-883-6455 tlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop Dean Adams, Director 231-642-0014 dadams@cherrylandelectric.coop CEO Rachel Johnson CO-OP EDITORS: Courtney Doyle: cdoyle@cherrylandelectric.coop Bailey Watson: bwatson@cherrylandelectric.coop OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:00 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.

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FEBRUARY 2025

Co-op Board Holds Public Meeting Regarding Rate Change

through SmartHub, or emailing us at cec@cherrylandelectric.coop.

This month, Cherryland’s board of directors will hold a member input session at the cooperative office in Grawn regarding a proposed two-phase rate change. If approved, phase one of the rate change would go into effect in April and appear on bills in May.

If you are an area nonprofit agency looking to apply for our next grant cycle, please call Shannon Beery at 231-486-9218 or email her at sbeery@cherrylandelectric.coop.

The official public meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 24, at 9 a.m., ahead of the monthly board meeting.

Members are welcome to provide public comments to the board during that time.

For more information regarding the proposed rate change, see pages 12 and 13 of this issue, or visit our website, www.cherrylandelectric.coop/ rate-change.

Cherryland Cares Awards $23,500 To Five Nonprofits At its fourth-quarter board meeting, the Cherryland Cares board awarded grants to five local nonprofit organizations: The Baby Pantry at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Redeemer of Interlochen Food Pantry, North Ed Foundation, TART Trails Inc., and Benzie Senior Resources. In 2024, Cherryland Cares awarded a total of $61,730 in grants to 16 area nonprofits.

The Cherryland Cares board is comprised of five volunteer Cherryland members. The funds distributed by Cherryland Cares result from members electing to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dollar. Members can contribute to the Cherryland Cares fund by calling 231-486-9200, signing up

cherrylandelectric.coop

Serve On Cherryland’s Board Any qualified Cherryland member can be elected to serve a three-year term on the cooperative’s board of directors. Three directors will be elected at this year’s Annual Meeting, including two at-large directors and one Benzie/Manistee/ Wexford County director.

To be nominated in 2025, candidates may file a petition with the cooperative’s executive administrative assistant starting the first day of March until 4 p.m. on the last business day of March. To receive a nominating petition, please fill out the board candidate interest form on our website.

Review Article III of the co-op’s bylaws on our website for more information regarding board nominations and the election process.

Cherryland Offers Five Scholarships Cherryland offers five scholarships— three worth $4,000 ($1,000 for four years) for high school seniors and two for $1,000 each for adult scholarships (post-high school).

Applications for both scholarships are available on our website. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 4.

/cherrylandelectriccoop

@cherrylandec

Is AI Sparking Questions or Answers for Electric Utilities?

By Rachel Johnson, Cherryland CEO

In the era of artificial intelligence, data centers have become the silent engines powering our digital world, but their relentless thirst for electricity is sparking questions about sustainability and the future of global energy demands.

I didn’t write that sentence, ChatGPT did.

Artificial intelligence. Depending on what you believe, it’s either going to save us or destroy us. In the energy sector, it is certainly a heavily discussed development because it poses unique challenges and opportunities for the reliability and resilience of the electric grid system.

AI-driven data centers run high-performance computing tasks like machine learning, natural language processing, and image recognition. Those processes require massive amounts of electricity. Recent estimates suggest that data centers already account for around 1–2% of global electricity consumption, and with the surge in AI, demand is expected to rise.

In the U.S., AI demand alone could add up to 20% of our power needs over the next decade. At a time when we barely have enough power to serve the need today and political and regulatory headwinds have greatly slowed down the development of new power plants, that kind of growth in demand for electricity seems daunting.

AI data centers tend to operate continuously, leading to a higher base load on the grid. This constant demand can strain existing infrastructure, particularly in regions without robust power supply systems. They can also create unique challenges when we have moved away from 24/7/365 power plants to intermittent power producers, like wind and solar.

The bellwether for this tension is Northern Virginia, which houses nearly 50% of all U.S. data centers. Today, those facilities demand a whopping 2.8 GW of power, and that is expected to grow to over 20 GW in the next 15 years. To put that in perspective, Michigan’s total electric load is 20 GW. While Michigan is by no means a data center haven, we do anticipate data center growth here as well. As we prepare for that growth, projects like the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant restart and the future development of small modular nuclear reactors on that site are vital to ensuring we have the energy we need to serve those data centers.

While AI causes challenges, it also poses solutions that can be used to manage the rising demand for electricity. AI can help us better predict energy demand. By analyzing realtime data, AI models can forecast electricity load patterns and respond proactively, minimizing blackouts and reducing the need for costly, unplanned maintenance.

AI can also help consumers optimize their own energy use. Smart meters and connected home devices use machine learning to identify energy usage patterns, allowing households and businesses to reduce consumption and save costs without sacrificing comfort.

Back to the question we started with—will AI destroy us or save us? Probably neither. But it is an inevitable part of the future and we must plan today for that future. Or at least that’s what ChatGPT told me when I asked it.

To hear more, listen to the Co-op Energy Talk Podcast

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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DISCOVERING MICHIGAN’S MAGIC Cassondra Wanders Adventure Series

Adventures Through Automotive History at Gilmore Car Museum Not only a haven for auto enthusiasts, Gilmore Car Museum offers a glimpse into the past. It’s an immersive experience and voyage through American automotive culture. It’s also a place where history, artistry, and nostalgia come together in a remarkable setting, tucked away in the countryside of Hickory Corners, Michigan.

Spanning over 90 landscaped acres, Gilmore Car Museum encompasses nearly 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, a sprawling historic campus housing over 400 vehicles, a dozen buildings, and several life-size reenactments.

The museum started as a hobby in the 1960s for its founder, Kalamazoo businessman Donald S. Gilmore. Today, it is a living testament to the innovation and evolution of the automotive industry, welcoming more than 112,000 visitors annually and drawing guests from all over the world. Gilmore Car Museum is considered the largest auto museum in North America.

The Beginnings of Gilmore Car Museum Donald S. Gilmore journeyed into the world of collecting vintage cars in 1963 with the purchase of a 1920 Pierce-Arrow. This ignited his passion for classic cars and paved the way for Gilmore Car Museum to be the significant landmark it is today. Gilmore bought an abandoned 19th-century farm property to hold his ever-growing car collection. He refurbished eight historic barns to create a blend of rustic charm that paired with the twinkle of polished chrome. With 35 cars on display, the Gilmore Car Museum opened its doors on July 31, 1966, as a nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving the heritage of automobiles in America.

Vehicles Across the Ages Gilmore Car Museum showcases a stunning lineup of historic machines and specialty exhibits, from horseless carriages to sleek modern roadsters. Motorcycles, bicycles, hood ornaments, and other symbolic artifacts all trace the progression of automobile design and engineering.

Vehicles from all eras are on display, from luxurious Duesenbergs to iconic DeLoreans. The museum’s oldest exhibit is an 1899 Locomobile Steam Car. Classic car enthusiasts appreciate early 20th-century models from brands like Cadillac, PierceArrow, and Packard, while fans of American muscle cars are thrilled by the Chevelles, Mustangs, and Corvettes. Sophisticated European names, like Aston Martin and RollsRoyce, represent global automakers.

Reimagined Spaces One of the most fascinating aspects of Gilmore Car Museum is its commitment to recreating the atmosphere of automotive history. It offers inviting spaces immersed in decades gone by. Transport back in time at the museum’s restored 1890s

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FEBRUARY 2025

train depot. Dine in a different era at George & Sally’s Blue Moon Diner, an authentic and fully operational 1941 diner serving classic American fare.

Imagine fueling up during the Great Depression at the 1930s Shell gas station, complete with original gas pumps and signage. Visit four unique auto dealerships (listed below), each designed to reflect a distinct period.

Every detail has been meticulously crafted, from tiled floors to neon lights, to evoke the essence of car shopping in mid-century America.

• • • •

The 1918-era Franklin dealership The 1928 Model A Ford dealership The 1930 Lincoln dealership The 1948 Cadillac dealership

Automobiles in Motion The Museum’s Checker Cab and London Double Decker bus can often be seen traveling along the paved roadways around campus.

Chauffeured vintage rides are free with your admission during summer and special events like Winter Wonderland.

Experience time travel and enjoy a thrilling three-mile ride behind the wheel of a 100-year-old Model T Ford.

Secure your seat in a hands-on driving class for the opportunity to take a “Tin Lizzie” for a spin alongside an experienced instructor.

The museum is a must-see pit stop in southwest Michigan, situated midway between Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids at 6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, MI 49060

Museum Visits The Gilmore Car Museum is open yearround, though the outer buildings are closed during winter months. Refuel at two on-site restaurants: Pedal Car Cafe is open daily, and Blue Moon Diner is open from March through November.

gilmorecarmuseum.org /GilmoreCarMuseum /gilmorecarmuseum @gilmorecarmuseum7323 Scan the QR code to watch a video of our visit and vintage ride at Winter Wonderland.

Cassondra Scott is a content creator, writer, and social media influencer at Cassondra Wanders— sharing small businesses and sights to see all over the state of Michigan. /cassondrawanders

/cassondra.wanders

@cassondrawanders

@cassondrawanders

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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A Pleasure to Serve

By Mark Wilson

As I plan to step into retirement and reflect on the past 19 years at Cherryland, the lyrics to Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” linger in my head: “When you get where you’re goin’, don’t forget to turn back and help the next one in line, always stay humble and kind.” I have always tried to lead and live with humility and integrity, and I believe I have done that during my time at Cherryland Electric Cooperative.

The landscape of Cherryland has vastly changed from my first day. When I started, Cherryland was regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) until 2008, when our member regulation became effective. This was a considerable change in the organization’s operation.

Under member regulation, the board of directors became the rate-making body for the cooperative, which resulted in significant cost and time savings. Over the years, the cooperative has made major investments in our system, resulting in a significant increase in the reliability and value to our members. More recently, an additional focus has been emphasized on technology and security, which gives me great confidence in the future of the cooperative.

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Cherryland has faced some challenges during my tenure, most notably the pandemic—from regulations and personnel to supply chain problems and rising costs, Cherryland overcame. Along with the challenges, a few professional highlights come to mind. I helped oversee 14 consecutive years of retiring capital credits back to the membership, which began in 2009 and resulted in over $32 million retired in that time frame, while at the same time maintaining our equity at a constant level. I also assisted in reinvigorating our Economic Development Loan Program. Through this program, we generated over $6.5 million in loans to over 50 borrowers, creating or retaining over 100 jobs in the six counties we serve. All these highlights happened while the membership grew from about 33,000 members to over 39,000 today. I was proud to be part of these Cherryland moments and honored to witness almost 20 years of change here at the cooperative.

Cherryland is fortunate to be located in a growing region of the state, which will serve the cooperative and its members well. Looking to the future, I see Cherryland continuing to invest in the electrical grid system to maintain the high level of reliability our members have come to expect. With the cost of the line and technology investments on the rise, rate pressures will continue to be a constant. That being said, I have complete confidence in the strong leadership team

Say Hello to Your New CFO, Brad Pavwoski!

How long have you been with Cherryland and what roles have you held?

I started as an accountant for Cherryland’s subsidiary Cherryland Holdings in May of 2005.

I was brought on as an accountant for Cherryland in December 2005 and have held the controller position since 2012. I have performed just about every accounting function over that time.

that is in place at the cooperative, not to mention the best accounting team I have ever worked with. I trust it will be a seamless transition as the cooperative moves onto its next chapter.

Personally, my next chapter looks a little less certain, but in the most exciting way, as I focus on living in the moment with my spouse, Laurie, by my side. After 43 years in the business world, I have no significant plans but will stay busy. You’ll still see me volunteering in the local community or walking my Siberian husky shepherd, Aspen, who always keeps me active!

Our membership is in great hands with CEO Rachel Johnson and the rest of the senior team. Incoming CFO Brad Pavwoski is incredibly talented and will keep the finances in great shape.

The board of directors is the most engaged board that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I am incredibly proud of the work the team at Cherryland has accomplished, and I can truly say it has been a pleasure to serve.

“I am incredibly proud of the work the team at Cherryland has accomplished, and I can truly say it has been a pleasure to serve.”

What are some CEC accomplishments you have been particularly proud to be part of?

I would say that something I’m proudest of is how much we have accomplished with all of our growth (plant and members). We have improved processes and reliability, while having roughly the same number of employees today as we had when I started.

How have you been involved in the community?

Over the years I’ve been able to coach youth sports teams, be a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters, volunteer with Father Fred and Toys for Tots, be active in my church, and I recently joined the YMCA board.

What you are most looking forward to in your new role?

Analyzing our data and forecasting to develop strategies that will help to achieve the cooperative’s long-term goals.

What wisdom will you take from Mark’s leadership?

Mark is calm and collected no matter what the crisis is or how tight the deadline. That has brought a level of confidence and security to our team. I hope that I am able to duplicate some of that.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Kitchen

SAUCES & MARINADES The Essentials for Culinary Creativity.

WINNING RECIPE!

MOM’S CHOCOLATE FUDGE SAUCE

Beth Pipe, Great Lakes Energy ½ cup cocoa 1 cup sugar ¹⁄8 teaspoon salt ½ cup water 1½ teaspoon vanilla Place cocoa and sugar in pan.

Remove lumps, add salt and water, and bring to a boil. Turn to medium heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Cool, then add vanilla. Serve warm over ice cream.

RECIPE CONTEST

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Mushrooms, due March 1; Summer Desserts, 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 2025

GREAT VERSATILE MARINADE FOR GRILLING Mary and Dan Card, Great Lakes Energy ³⁄4 cup vegetable oil ¼ cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons wine vinegar (white or red) 3 green onions, sliced thinly 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 cloves garlic, chopped 3 tablespoons honey Combine ingredients in a large screw-top jar.

Place what you want to marinate (chicken, pork, tenderloin, shish kabob, beef, swordfish, shrimp) in a deep glass 13x9-inch pan. Pour marinade over top and cover with plastic wrap. Chill several hours or overnight, turning meat or fish once or twice. Drain and discard marinade. Grill the meat or fish until done.

JUICY JERK MARINADE Deb Finedell, Great Lakes Energy ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup soy sauce 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Put all ingredients into a mason jar. Cover and shake well. Use immediately or store in refrigerator for up to 4 days before use. Works great on chicken, but it’s also tasty on any other meat or fish.

EASY THAI-PEANUT SAUCE Phil Ehardt, Great Lake Energy 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk, light or regular 3–4 tablespoons red curry paste 1 cup natural unsweetened creamy peanut butter 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce ¼ cup sugar or honey 2 tablespoons white vinegar or rice vinegar ½ cup water ½ teaspoon sesame oil Whisk together all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often so it doesn’t scorch, for 2–3 minutes.

Let the sauce cool slightly. Transfer it to a container or jar, cover, and keep in the refrigerator for up to several weeks before using.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 11

The Cost of Reliability At Cherryland, we’re really proud to provide our members with best-in-state reliability. You’ve heard us talk about it here in the magazine and on the podcast. You feel it with every storm that doesn’t cause an outage, the speed in which any outage is restored, and each time the lights come on at the flip of a switch.

You’ve also heard us talk about how that kind of reliability doesn’t come for free. The cost to maintain our infrastructure and keep your lights on more than any other utility in the state continues to rise. Our loyal readers will know that we have been pointing towards the need for continued rate increases as the utility sector continues to face supply chain issues and unrelenting inflation.

While rising costs continue to drive the need for rate increases, your feedback helped find a proposed solution.

With our members in mind, we plan to propose a phased approach consisting of two smaller increases.

Ahead of the February board meeting, the Cherryland board of directors will hold a rate hearing to consider the rate change proposal. If passed, you would first see the change reflected on your May 2025 bill, with the second phase of the increase reflected on your February 2026 bill. This rate increase allows us to keep our focus on the reliability that our members have come to expect while also balancing costs to keep your bill one of the most affordable in the state.

Rate Change Phase 1

Phase 2

Effective Date: April 1, 2025

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

$2.50 increase to the availability charge

$2.00 increase to the availability charge

$0.005/kWh increase to the energy charge

$0.005/kWh increase to the energy charge

Members will see this change on their May 2025 bills

Members will see this change on their February 2026 bills

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Why a Two-phase Rate Increase?

How would the proposed rate increase impact my energy bill?

In our all-member survey last year, 75% of the respondents said they prioritize reliability over having a lower bill.

Of that 75%, over 60% said they’d prefer smaller, more frequent rate changes. In order to maintain our reliability, the need for a rate change is inevitable due to continued rising costs. However, we also understand that our members are feeling the cost pressures of inflation across every aspect of their lives.

• Under the April 2025 phase of the proposed rate change, you can expect your bill to increase by $2.50 and half a cent per kilowatt hour per month.

• Under the January 2026 phase of the proposed rate change, you can expect your bill to increase by $2.00 and half a cent per kilowatt hour per month.

We care about how this rate increase impacts our members, so we came up with this phased approach as a way to meet the cooperative’s needs while honoring the membership’s feedback. As we plan for the cooperative’s future costs, we believe our members should also be able to prepare for future costs and we hope this approach allows for that.

Visit Cherryland’s website for more details on the rate change.

RATE CHANGE TIMELINE Phase 1 Reflected On Electric Bills

Phase 2 Reflected On Electric Bills

Cherryland Board Votes On Proposed 2-phase Change

Phase 1 Rate Change Goes Into Effect

FEBRUARY 2025 LEGEND: Phase 1 Rate Change

APRIL 2025 Phase 2 Rate Change

MAY 2025

Phase 2 Rate Change Goes Into Effect

JANUARY 2026

FEBRUARY 2026

Whole Rate Change

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

MIDWEST GRIT

I

n the quaint town of Cheboygan, Michigan, nestled in the heart of the state’s rural landscape, Kyle Ostwald grew up surrounded by hardworking people who used their resourcefulness to create lives for themselves.

This Midwestern upbringing shaped the man who would go on to place 8th in the most recent season of “Survivor”— a CBS competitive reality television series. The show drops 18 strangers on the remote Mamanuca Islands in Fiji to fend for themselves for 26 days and strategically outlast the other contestants by forming alliances and winning immunity challenges. Known for his resilience, integrity, and scrappy determination, Kyle brought a unique perspective to the island—one born from his roots in northern Michigan.

A Leap of Faith for Family When asked why he applied to the 47th season of “Survivor,” Kyle’s answer was simple: family. “It was about creating a better future for the people I care about,” he explained.

The title of “Sole Survivor” comes with more than bragging rights; it offers a life-changing million-dollar reward. He hoped the prize money would provide financial relief, allowing him to spend less time working and more time with

14 FEBRUARY 2025

Kyle Ostwald’s ‘Survivor’ Journey

By Emily Haines Lloyd

his loved ones. “It’s a gamble,” he admitted, “but one worth taking for the chance to promote my family’s well-being.”

However, the decision wasn’t without sacrifices. His partner, Shania, stepped up to care for their young daughter, while pregnant with their second child, and keep things moving while he was away. “She was playing her own version of ‘Survivor’ back home,” said Kyle. “She’s the best teammate I had while on the show.”

A Midwestern Mindset Growing up in rural Michigan taught Kyle valuable lessons in resourcefulness and humility—skills that proved essential on the island.

“Where I’m from, people work hard for what little they have,” he said. “You learn to appreciate the basics and value what others take for granted.”

This mindset translated well into the game. Whether opening coconuts or making life on the island more comfortable, Kyle’s ability to “cut his own coconut” resonated with his tribemates and viewers. “Being

resourceful isn’t just about surviving,” he noted. “It’s about bringing others together and making life more comfortable.”

Resilience in the Face of Adversity Kyle’s resilience—shaped by personal challenges long before the island—was a cornerstone of his gameplay. “Life has a way of knocking you off your feet, but I’ve learned to refuse to stay down,” he said.

Whether enduring hunger, exhaustion, or the paranoia of the game, he drew strength from his ability to persevere. “Even when it felt like the universe was against me, I told myself, ‘Not today,’” he said.

Coming Home While Kyle didn’t win the title of “Sole Survivor,” his experience on the show has already integrated into his life back home. The game taught him he’s stronger than he thought—something Kyle says he’ll carry with him forever.

He also gained a new appreciation for vulnerability. “It’s okay to share the weight of life,” he said. “We’re not meant to carry it alone.” This lesson, he believes, is as important off the island as it was during the game.

Kyle offers simple but powerful advice for those facing their own struggles: “Play the game like you’ll lose. Whether it’s ‘Survivor’ or life, we only have one shot.”

“Play the game like you’ll lose.

Whether it’s ‘Survivor’ or life, we only have one shot.”

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15

Your Board In Action December 2024 • The board of directors approved the 2025 operating budget. Interest, property taxes, and depreciation are the biggest drivers of budget increases.

• Cherryland staff and the board of directors began discussions on upcoming rate adjustment proposals. See pages 12 and 13 for more information.

• The chief operating officer gave an update on the ongoing facilities planning project.

• The chief executive officer gave a legislative update, specifically regarding MEAP legislation and its implications for members. This would include phasing out our winter disconnect moratorium and mandating a state energy assistance tax on our electric bills.

Notice to Members of Cherryland Electric Cooperative A Special Public Hearing is set for Feb. 24, 9 a.m., at the cooperative’s Grawn office The board of directors will consider changes to the cooperative’s rates at its meeting on Feb. 24, 2025, to be held at the cooperative office at 5930 US 31 South, Grawn, Michigan. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. and is open to all members of Cherryland Electric Cooperative.

The session will begin with an opportunity for members to provide direct input to the board of directors. Members may come to the lobby by 9 a.m. and request to speak to the board. Members are asked to keep their comments to five minutes or less.

The following items will be considered: 1. Revisions to the cooperative’s rates to meet current and future financial needs.

Notice of changes or additions to the cooperative’s rates or service rules shall be sent to all members, as required by P.A. 167, by publication in Michigan Country Lines at least 30 days prior to their effective date.

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Breakdown Of Proposed Rate Change Cherryland’s board of directors will consider a rate change proposal at its monthly board meeting on Feb. 24. The first phase of the proposed rate change for residential and general service members includes: • $2.50 increase to the availability charge.

• $0.005/kWh increase to the energy charge.

For three-phase general service members: • $4.00 increase to the availability charge.

• $0.005/kWh increase to the energy charge The first phase of the proposed rate change would go into effect April 2025, and first be reflected on the May 2025 bill.

The second phase of the proposed rate change for residential and general service members includes: • $2.00 increase to the availability charge.

• $0.005/kWh increase to the energy charge.

For three-phase general service members: • $3.00 increase to the availability charge.

• $0.005/kWh increase to the energy charge The second phase of the proposed rate change would go into effect in January 2026, and first be reflected on the February 2026 bill.

For a complete list of proposed changes on all rate classes, visit cherrylandelectric.coop/rate-change. For more information, attend the upcoming member meeting or contact us at 231-486-9200 or cec@cherrylandelectric.coop.

MI CO-OP Photo Contest

MUSICAL MOMENTS MOST VOTES

1. MOST VOTES Mary Kovacs— “Melody strikes a chord” 2. Bill Councell—“Violin’s second life. I enjoy welding and creating musical artwork with old instruments” 3. Greg Fessenden—“Green Day in concert 8/10/21” 4. Laurie Johnston—“Rock & Roll” 5. Michelle Brefka—“Trying out the violin for the first time”

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6. William Sharp—“First concert”

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

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Submit Your “Nighttime Narratives” Photos By Feb. 25!

Share your best photo for our February theme, “Nighttime Narratives,” and encourage friends to vote on Facebook!

The photo with the most votes will be featured in Country Lines, along with other favorites, in the April issue. Submit by Feb. 25!

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 2025, you will be entered to win a credit of up to $200 on your December 2025 bill.

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MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

MI CO-OP Guest Column

One Last Hunt Bob Smith, a HomeWorks Tri-County Cooperative member

Do you have one particular day each year you look forward to more than any other?

New Year’s, your birthday, Christmas?

The one day I look forward to the most is Nov. 15, an unofficial Michigan holiday and an official Smith Holiday—the opening day of the Michigan firearm deer season.

For the past 50 years, I have spent the opening day of deer season in the woods with Smith family members.

This great family tradition dates back to the late 1930s, when the Smith Deer Camp was established in northern Michigan. My dad and I counted over 75 people who had attended our deer camp at least once. Many have long since passed and are now only memories, but on Nov. 15, their spirit comes alive.

Nov. 15, 2003, is a day I will never forget. Even though my dad and I had hunted together for about 35 years, we had never shared a hunting shed. With my dad’s age and health going in opposite directions, we decided to share a shed for what I thought might be his one last hunt.

We arrived in the shed well before daylight and sat quietly, just taking it all in. Waiting for daylight was a great time to think about our traditions, memories of prior hunts, and the lessons Dad had taught me over the years. On a sadder note, I thought about what the future might bring as I contemplated how I would forge ahead without him if this were his one last hunt.

We saw several deer before 9 a.m., but none we felt we wanted to take. Then suddenly, the largest buck we had ever seen popped out of the woods close to our shed. I was the only one in a position to take the shot and quickly ran through the lessons I had learned from Dad: Take one look at the antlers and decide if you are going to shoot, then try your best to ignore them, be sure you have a clear and safe shot, slow your breathing, rest the gun on a solid surface if possible, and then finally squeeze the trigger.

As if a greater spirit were with us, all his lessons came into play perfectly, and we had that monster buck. He really did not say anything, but I could tell he was proud and happy.

He understood the Smith hunting tradition would go on, and his memory and legacy would continue as long as I could breathe the cool, clear November air.

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“Waiting for daylight was a great time to think about our traditions, memories of prior hunts, and the lessons Dad had taught me over the years.”

Another tradition was to stop at the local cemetery on the way home and show my mom the year’s harvest. She had passed away almost 20 years earlier. Now, I have two reasons to stop at the cemetery. I continue to hunt with his spirit, helping inspire and guide me thoroughly, knowing any hunt could be my one last hunt.

The purpose of my story is not to turn you into a hunter, but rather to encourage you to create some family traditions and memories.

GUEST COLUMN Win $200 for stories published!

Share your fondest memories and stories.

Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.

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