February 2025 Midwest

Midwest Energy & Communications

February 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

MIDWEST GRIT Kyle Ostwald’s ‘Survivor’ Journey

New Schoolcraft Substation School Grant Winners Wings of God in Paw Paw

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT

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Not hearing is believing.

WaterFurnace doesn’t think you should hear your furnace and A/C more than you feel its heat and air.

You know when a traditional HVAC system is on. Stop and listen. Is the burner turning on? Are the blower and fan running? Is air blasting through your vents? With geothermal, those tell-tale signs are eliminated, because sound from the system is barely noticeable.

As a result, you get comfortable, consistent heating and cooling—and none of the noise.

With WaterFurnace, silence is golden.

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

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES

Allendale Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com

Holland G.H.P. Systems Inc. (616) 396-5833 ghpsystems-inc.com

Portage Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com

Berrien Springs WaterFurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeo thermal.com

Indian River M&M Plmb & Htg (231) 238-7201 mm-plumbing.com

Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com

Lansing Candor Mechanical (517) 920-0890 candormechanical.com

Sunfield Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com

Michigan Center Comfort 1/Air Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southernmichigan/

Three Rivers Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com

Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com Filion/Bad Axe Air-O-Dynamic Htg & Clg (989) 582-0137 aod-hvac.com Grand Rapids Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheatingcooling.com

Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989) 772-4822 waltonheating.com

Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com

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

The Reliable Renewable is a trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc 1. ENERGY STAR rated units qualify for 30% through 2030 and 26% through 2032 and 22% through 2033 .

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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Keeping Promises

By Terry Rubenthaler, President/CEO VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO

CASS

LENAWEE

MONROE

ST JOSEPH

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND CASSOPOLIS SOLUTIONS CENTER 60590 Decatur Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031 M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

PAW PAW SOLUTIONS CENTER 59825 S. LaGrave Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

TECUMSEH SOLUTIONS CENTER 5050 South Occidental Hwy., Tecumseh, MI 49286 M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

CONTACT US Midwest Energy & Communications 800-492-5989 teammidwest.com Email: info@teammidwest.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS Clarence “Topper” Barth, Chairperson, Three Rivers 269-279-9233 Clarence.Barth@teammidwest.com Dan Bodette, Vice Chairperson, Wauseon 419-344-4015 Dan.Bodette@teammidwest.com Ron Armstrong, Secretary, Lawton 269-299-0443 Ron.Armstrong@teammidwest.com John Green, Treasurer, Dowagiac 269-470-2816 John.Green@teammidwest.com Gerry Bundle, Cassopolis 269-414-0164 Gerry.Bundle@teammidwest.com Erika Escue-Cadieux, Onsted 419-346-1088 Erika.Escue-Cadieux@teammidwest.com Fred Turk, Decatur 269-423-7762 Fred.Turk@teammidwest.com Jim Wiseley, Bloomingdale 269-760-4619 Jim.Wiseley@teammidwest.com Jeff Diehl, Union 574-274-6693 Jeffery.Diehl@teammidwest.com PRESIDENT/CEO: Terry Rubenthaler DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING: Amy Pales COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST: Grant Zamora Midwest Energy & Communications is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Please note: electric customers of MEC must adhere to our bylaws, which can be found at teammidwest.com/bylaws.

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Remember those lessons we learned in elementary school?

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. The best promise is a kept promise. Honesty is the best policy.

I sure do. Those lessons still guide me both in my personal life and at MEC. It’s extremely important to me that when MEC says we are going to do something, we do it.

Our fiber project is a huge example of this.

In 2015, we set out on a course to change lives in southern Michigan, northern Indiana, and Ohio by bringing fiber internet broadband to all of our electric customers.

That project was completed in 2021. A promise kept.

We quickly learned that many of our neighbors were also unserved and desperate for this critical utility. Like you, they had been overlooked by other providers for years. We knew we had to try something to help these people.

We began looking for funding programs and grants. One of those programs was the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). It was intended to invest $20 billion to bring reliable, high-speed internet throughout rural America. We knew it was an incredible opportunity, so we set out on a course to plan a massive expansion that would more than double our footprint. We did our due diligence first though. Before we said, “Let’s do this,” we said, “Can we do this?”

We sent crews out into the field to literally get the lay of the land to determine who wasn’t served and if the area was feasible for the project. We developed a business plan and bid on the addresses we knew we could serve. We didn’t win all areas we wanted. There were other providers that outbid us, but at least those people teammidwest.com

would still get internet service, or so they thought.

In 2020, we were awarded $37 million from RDOF to bring fiber internet to over 33,000 rural customers. We did not take our commitment lightly. We had to add employees, contractors, and inventory to make this happen. To date, we’ve built fiber to over 22,000 residents and businesses thanks to RDOF, and we will complete the rest by the end of 2026. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Another promise kept.

However, not everyone has been that fortunate. Some of the other providers who also received RDOF funding defaulted due to their inability to meet RDOF’s obligations. Reasons like “costs have gone up” ring hollow to the customers who were expecting broadband service by now. Those rural residents are, once again, stuck without access to this modern necessity. In fact, we actually had to turn away people who wanted MEC fiber because they were supposed to be served by other providers’ RDOF projects. That sounds like a broken promise to me.

Now, the next big grant opportunity is beginning. The Michigan High Speed Internet (MIHI) office has just released the maps for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Fortunately for the folks that were in the defaulted areas, their areas are included in this program. As we consider further internet expansion using BEAD funds, I want you to know that we will continue to evaluate the opportunities thoroughly to determine if it makes sense for MEC. We will again do our due diligence and develop a business plan that ensures feasibility.

We will make sure it fits with our vision to build vibrant, relevant, sustainable rural communities. Our electric customers are the foundation of who we are, and we’ll never lose sight of that. We won’t make a promise we can’t keep because the life lessons we learned in 2nd grade are still very much with us. /teammidwest

2025 Vegetation Maintenance Plans A massive blackout swept through the northeast United States and parts of Canada in August 2003. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that one of the main causes was the interaction of a tree and a power line in Ohio, which could have been prevented with proper vegetation maintenance. The DOE concluded that better, more consistent vegetation maintenance practices were necessary to prevent similar events in the future.

At MEC, we take these practices very seriously. Our chief responsibility as an electric cooperative is to provide reliable and safe power, and trees present a major hazard to our electric lines. As a result, we proactively remove trees and brush within 15 feet on each side of our power lines. This has been proven to significantly reduce the amount of time our customers spend without power, and it helps our linemen more efficiently identify and repair damage when needed.

We understand the value of trees, but unfortunately, power lines and trees do not mix. If the trees on your property end up tangled in our power lines, it could result in an outage for many customers. Therefore, we remove the hazard wherever possible.

You can learn more about the importance of tree trimming and vegetation management from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Here are the townships where we plan to clear our rights-of-way in 2025: Southwest Michigan: Calvin, Constantine, Fabius, Florence, Hamilton, Howard, Jefferson, Keeler, LaGrange, Lockport, Mason, Newberg, Ontwa, Penn, Pipestone, Pokagon, Porter (Cass County), Silver Creek, Volinia, Wayne Southeast Michigan: Adrian, Blissfield, Clinton (Lenawee County), Franklin (Lenawee County), Raisin, Tecumseh We also employ a long-term spraying strategy to manage continued regrowth. It effectively controls tall-growing trees and bushes while promoting lowgrowing plants that are beneficial to wildlife. We will spray in the following townships: Southwest Michigan: Almena, Antwerp, Brady, Calvin, Constantine, Decatur, Fabius, Flowerfield, Hamilton, Keeler, LaGrange, Leonidas, Lockport, Marcellus, Mendon, Newberg, Oshtemo, Park (St. Joseph County), Paw Paw, Penn, Pipestone, Porter (Cass County), Porter (Van Buren County), Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft, Silver Creek, Texas, Volinia, Wakeshma, Wayne Indiana: Portage Southeast Michigan: Dover, Fairfield, Gorham, Hudson, Madison, Medina, Palmyra, Rollin, Rome, Seneca Ohio: Clinton (Fulton County), Franklin (Fulton County), Gorham, Mill Creek

OUR MISSION: Delivering first-in-class innovations and solutions where others won’t.

OUR VISION: Creating vibrant, relevant, and sustainable rural communities.

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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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.

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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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Efficiency Questions for Your Home Inspector In the market for a new home? Add energy efficiency to your must-have list! It can have a huge impact on your bills and overall comfort.

There are three questions you should ask your home inspector.

What is the age and condition of the HVAC system?

HVAC systems are one of the most energy-intensive appliances in your home.

They typically last 15 to 25 years, getting less efficient as they age, and can cost $5,000 to $10,000 to replace.

Are insulation levels sufficient?

How old is the water heater?

If your home is poorly insulated, indoor air will escape faster and your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature.

Like HVAC systems, water heaters use lots of energy and lose efficiency as they get older.

While they’re slightly less expensive on average—about $900 to $3,000—they don’t usually last as long. Water heaters typically need to be replaced after about eight to 12 years.

Insulation is an important part of your home’s comfort level.

Poor insulation also means more sound from outside can enter your home. Not fun if you have noisy neighbors!

Variable Billing Program Want a better idea of how your next electric bill will fit into your budget?

When you sign up for Variable Billing, your monthly payment will be calculated based on your previous 12-month average electric usage. Higher use and lower use times of year are averaged out, letting you pay a similar amount month to month with slight adjustments throughout the year.

This program is perfect for those who mindfully budget household expenses, or for those who prefer to know roughly how much they’ll pay before their electric bill arrives.

To sign up for Variable Billing, give us a call at 800-492-5989.

Please note: Missed or late payments may result in removal from the budget program.

New customers with less than 12 months of service history will pay a fixed amount each month with no adjustments until month #13. At that time, they will roll into Variable Budget Billing.

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Hope, Faith, and Recovery Wings of God Transition Home in Paw Paw, Michigan is transforming lives.

The organization was established in 2012 to provide Christianity-based transitional housing for previously incarcerated women, many of whom have struggled with addiction. Wings of God gives the women, or “Pearls,” the opportunity to experience a calm living environment, participate in addiction recovery steps, and develop a support network throughout its oneyear program. The organization has assisted 125 women (10 per year on average) since its inception.

Wings of God does not receive any state or federal funding, relying solely on donations and grants to provide its services. In 2024 the organization received one such donation from MEC, matched by a Sharing Success Grant through CoBank.

Wings of God Pearl (L) and staff member (R)

How It Works Women who come to Wings of God must apply on their own initiative. Staff members meet with them to determine if they’ll be a good fit for the program.

The newly minted Pearl then moves into the home and begins the first of five phases.

• Phase 1: The Pearl spends time acclimating to the home, getting her medical needs met, and going to life skill classes.

• Phase 2: The Pearl begins working part time and continues her classes. Depending on her progress, she may be granted more freedom and may be able to take a leave of absence.

• Phase 3: The Pearl begins working full time.

• Phase 4: The Pearl prepares to move out of the main Wings of God home. With staff she defines future housing goals and how to achieve them.

• Phase 5: The Pearl moves into one of three next-step houses in Paw Paw, or she moves into her own housing.

To graduate from the program, a Pearl must have a minimum of $1,000 for a housing down payment and must demonstrate that she intends to continue going to classes, attending church, and participating in addiction recovery meetings.

Strength Through Love Executive Director Karina Lamorandier says that at Wings of God, Pearls are transformed by the power of forgiveness.

“We witness miracles of relationships with children, including adult children, restored,” she says. “We celebrate

recovery as Pearls mark days, weeks, months, and eventually years of living sober. We have the honor of sharing our faith in Jesus—who is lover of their soul—who will set her feet on solid ground.”

Wings of God offers women at their most vulnerable point an opportunity for safety and stillness.

“One of the Pearls shared after her first night at the Wings of God house that she had her best night’s sleep because she wasn’t in charge.

She felt safe; she felt covered,” says Lamorandier.

Applying Women interested in applying to the Wings of God program can call 269-415-0777. They can also email a brief bio and reasons why they are interested to info@wingsofgodinc.org, or mail it to Wings of God Transition Home, PO Box 3, Paw Paw, MI 49079.

Several volunteer opportunities are also available. More information about Wings of God can be found on their website at wingsofgodinc.org.

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.

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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

MEC IN THE COMMUNITY

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5 1. Scholarship Opportunity: Southwestern Michigan College: SMC-bound students can apply for our one-course scholarship to cover Intro to Computer Technology. Get full details at teammidwest.com/smcscholarship.

2. Comstock Christmas Riverwalk: MECers Patty and Stevie decorated a tree for the city of Adrian’s Comstock Christmas Riverwalk.

3. Adopt-A-Family: We adopted five local families and donated gifts to supplement their Christmas. MECers and friends of MECers donated funds and helped purchase, wrap, and deliver the gifts.

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4. Dowagiac Candlelight Christmas Parade: Apprentice linemen Ethan and Matt drove an MEC bucket truck in this year’s parade.

6. Lenawee County Road Commission: MECers Evan, Ryan, Nick, and Patty presented a hotline electrical safety demonstration to 66 employees.

5. Toys for Tots: We collected donations at each of our service centers. Many Cass employees participated in a gift exchange to drive donations. Our Tecumseh employees took a trip together to shop for donations, and each bestowed a gift card on a random shopper as an additional act of kindness.

7. Marcellus Santa Express: Nine MECers volunteered at Marcellus Elementary for their Santa Express event. They wrapped the gifts students purchased for their families, while elementary employees and parent-teacher organization members assisted students with selecting and purchasing presents.

Take a look at this year’s winners and their projects:

Strengthening Schools Grant Recipients In December 2024, we awarded Strengthening Schools Grants to local teachers, administrators, and school officials to help them bring new and exciting learning opportunities to students throughout our service territory. The program is funded by partnership dollars through our power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative.

We’re proud to offer these grants each year to those who share our vision of creating vibrant, relevant, and sustainable rural communities. A team of MEC customers evaluates all applications without knowledge of the applicants, districts, or communities.

2025-2026 Grant Cycle Information and applications for the 2025-26 funding cycle will be available at teammidwest.com beginning in April. Keep an eye on future issues of Country Lines for further details.

Grant Reviewers Needed Did you know that MEC electric customers decide which proposals get funded? We need volunteers for the upcoming award cycle!

If you can dedicate time to reviewing, discussing, and awarding grants, including meeting in person for one full weekday in the fall, please email pr@teammidwest.com.

The review committee does not know the school, educator, or district when determining recipients.

• Bloomingdale Middle & High School: Handheld CNC router • Brandywine Middle/Senior High School: New books for classroom • Cassopolis Alternative/Adult Education: Adjustable standing desk converters and Bluetooth earbuds • Cassopolis Middle School: Staff crisis prevention training/recertification • Colon Elementary School: Classroom sensory station • Edwardsburg Middle School: 3D printer for computer coding classes • Edwardsburg Middle School: eGlass technology tool • Edwardsburg Primary: Classroom bookshelves and fluorescent light covers • Gobles High School: New graphing calculators • Lenawee Intermediate School District: Books for classroom libraries and presentation clickers • Madison Middle School: Supplies to start an Italian ice business for students • Mattawan Early Elementary: Math & Movement mats • Mattawan Early Elementary: Sensory light table • Mattawan High School: Creation of an escape room • Mendon High School: Copies of “The Little Liar” for 9th grade English & history classes • Michener Elementary School: Yoto Players with cards for audiobooks • Onsted Middle School: Cricut machine and supplies for Fab Lab course • Onsted Middle School and High School: Delta Math Response to Intervention program • Paw Paw High School: Laser engraver and tumbler • Paw Paw High School: Pay-It-Forward class supplies and expenses • Paw Paw Later Elementary: Supplies for school therapy dog program • Paw Paw Middle School: Hardback novels and leveled reading texts for middle schoolers • Redwood Elementary School: Floor rug for music classroom • Springbrook Middle School: Equipment for Piano Exploration Camp • Tecumseh High School: New equipment for school weight room • Van Buren Intermediate School District: Sensory equipment • Van Buren Intermediate School District (Early Childhood): Licensing for Tobii Dynavox augmentative and alternative communication equipment • Vicksburg Middle School: iPad for middle school band • Watervliet High School: Camera lens for yearbook class • Watervliet High School: Novels for high school special education students

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

MIDWEST GRIT

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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

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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

PROTECT YOUR NETWORK WITH PROTECTIQ MEC Wi-Fi is protected by ProtectIQ. The CommandIQ app alerts you when it blocks a virus or hacker.

It’s free for MEC fiber internet customers on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Fiber internet service is not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

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CHECK ELIGIBILITY: teammidwest.com/phone Fiber phone services are not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

16 FEBRUARY 2025

We Built a New Substation in Schoolcraft Our power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, recently constructed a new substation to serve our Schoolcraft-area electric customers.

The new substation will replace the old one, and the old substation will be decommissioned.

Why Build a New Substation?

Due to normal wear and tear, equipment needs to be replaced regularly.

Our previous substation was built around 1942 and wasn’t built to handle the growth and demand we see today.

How Does This Benefit Customers and MEC? Even if you maintain equipment as well as MEC does, it develops a higher risk of failure as it ages, just like all machinery. This upgrade modernizes the substation and ensures reliability.

Also, if more people move to the area and need MEC electric service at their

homes, the substation will be wellequipped to handle the extra demand.

How Does Wolverine Fit In? We purchase power that Wolverine generates so we can distribute it to our customers.

requires a lot of resources. It makes more sense for us to buy the power we distribute than it does to generate it ourselves. We simply can’t afford to do it ourselves. Plus, we become part of a stronger network by pooling resources with other electric cooperatives.

As part of this arrangement, Wolverine builds, owns, and maintains all of our future and rebuilt substations.

Wolverine also owns many of the substations used by our fellow Michigan electric co-ops. By working with Wolverine, we get access to the wide range of resources they have.

What About Outages?

This is the third substation that Wolverine has rebuilt for MEC customers. The previous two are in Cassopolis (at our headquarters) and in Prairie Ronde.

How Long Did Construction Take?

Why Buy Wolverine’s Power?

Our agreement with Wolverine exists because generating electricity

As part of our arrangement with Wolverine, they respond to outages at the substations they own. Our team can, and will, still make repairs as needed but having Wolverine simply means we’ll have more resources when we need them most.

From planning to the end of construction, it takes about 2–3 years to build a new substation.

For the Schoolcraft substation, the construction phase began around February of 2024, and it was energized in October.

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.

18 FEBRUARY 2025

“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.

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TeamMidwest.com

Trade School &

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS High school seniors — answer this video challenge and you could earn $1,000 toward your trade school or college education!

Up to two of this year’s awardees will also be able to apply for a second scholarship after completing their first year of trade school or college.

THE CHALLENGE Pick ONE of MEC’s three main services (electric, propane, fiber internet) and create a short video to promote it. Visit teammidwest.com/scholarships for resources to help you think outside the box!

LEARN MORE

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Apply by

MARCH 17, 2025