Jan/Feb 2024 Alger Delta

January/February 2024

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association

WINTER THUNDERLAND I-500 Snowmobile Race Welcomes Thrill-Seekers to the UP

Unclaimed Capital Credits List Inside

Director Elections in 2024

Alger Delta Members Featured in Cookbook

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT1

Geothermal gives you the freedom to focus on life WaterFurnace geothermal systems provide reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—rain or shine, day or night, windy or not. They use the stored solar energy in the ground to provide your family luxurious comfort and incredible savings. In fact, it’s the only HVAC system that’ll pay you back—and with the renewed 30% federal tax credit1, there’s never been a better time to switch to the Reliable Renewable.

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES

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

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

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

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

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

Muskegon Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheatingcooling.com

Lowell Arctic Inc. Htg. & Clg. (616) 897-4213 heatingcoolingonline.com

Negaunee J-Goods Plmb. & Htg. (906) 869-2522 jgoodsplumbingand heating.com

Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com Clifford Orton Refrig & Htg (989) 761-7691 sanduskygeothermal.com Filion/Bad Axe Air-O-Dynamic Htg. & Clg. (989) 582-0137 Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheating cooling.com

Manistique Hoholik Enterprises (906) 341-5065 hoholikenterprises.com Marinette, WI GPS Htg. & Clg (715)732-2111 gpsheatingcooling.com Michigan Center Comfort 1/Air Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southernmichigan/

Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com Sunfield Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com

Cloverland: up to $4,200 Great Lakes: up to $3,000 Homeworks/Tri-County: up to $3,000 Presque Isle: up to $2,700 Cherryland: up to $2,500 Thumb Electric: up to $2,000 Alger Delta: up to $2,000

Traverse City D&W Mechanical (231) 941-1251 dwmechanical.com Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com

visit us at waterfurnace.com/mi

1. ENERGY STAR-rated units qualify for 30% through 2032, 26% through 2033 and 22% through 2034.

WaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc. ©2023

Contents countrylines.com

/michigancountrylines

January 2024 Vol. 44, No. 1 /michigancountrylines

Calling All E-Bike Enthusiasts!

Share Your Electric Adventures!

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark EDITOR: Christine Dorr

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird

On the cover: The International 500 Snowmobile Race is the fastest and toughest race around. 2024 marks the 55th year of the race.

COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha

6 SEEKING SNOWBIRDS

PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN

RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd

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.

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.

Bird-watchers hoot with joy as snowy owls return to Michigan.

Simple vegetarian recipes for eating healthy.

14 WINTER THUNDERLAND

I-500 Snowmobile Race welcomes thrillseekers to the UP Jan. 28–Feb. 3, 2024.

18 GUEST COLUMN Rural Michigan Pickleball: This hot new game is not only for big cities and celebrities.

MI Co-op Community

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

Recipe Contest

See details on page 10. Stir Fries & Curries due Feb. 1; Quiches & Savory Tarts due March 1.

Win a $100 bill credit!

Guest Column

Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published.

Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.

Win $200 for stories published!

Mystery Photo

See details on page 18.

Win a $100 bill credit!

Are you an avid e-bike rider with a passion for electric-powered adventures? We want to interview you for our upcoming magazine issue dedicated to the e-bike community!

Whether you're cruising through city streets, conquering mountain trails, or exploring scenic routes, we want to hear your stories, tips, and experiences with your electric bikes.

What We’re Looking For: Personal Stories: Share your most memorable e-bike journeys and the impact they've had on your lifestyle.

Tips and Tricks: Enlighten our readers with your e-bike wisdom. What accessories do you swear by? Any maintenance hacks to keep your ride in top shape?

Stunning Photos: Capture the essence of your e-bike adventures. Share your favorite snapshots and let the visuals tell your story.

How to Participate: 1. Email us at editor@countrylines.com with the subject line “E-Bike Feature."

2. Include a brief overview of your e-bike experiences and why you love riding.

3. Attach high-quality photos showcasing your e-bike escapades.

Submission Deadline: Jan. 30

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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A Momentous Shift in Energy Policy

algerdelta.com /algerdeltaelectric BOARD OF DIRECTORS

District 1—Big Bay Darryl Small 906-345-9369 • smallwld14@gmail.com

By Mike Furmanski, General Manager

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District 2—Harvey/Deerton Karen Alholm 906-249-1095 • karenalholm@gmail.com

District 3—Grand Marais Mike Lawless 906-287-0007 • mclawless79@gmail.com District 4—Cedar River/Palestine Bill Wotruba 414-507-9787 • wotrubab@hotmail.com

District 5—Gourley/LaBranche/Cornell/Harris Steve Wery 906-295-1255 • d5director@algerdelta.com District 6—Nathan/White Rapids Jesse Betters 715-923-4946 • jjbetters@gmail.com

District 7—Stonington/Rapid River Kirk Bruno 906-399-1432 • kbruno.algerdelta@gmail.com District 8—Nahma/Isabella Don Johnson 906-280-0867 • dsj731@gmail.com

District 9—Hiawatha/Maple Ridge Stephen Dausey 906-202-3899 • d9director@algerdelta.com GENERAL MANAGER: Mike Furmanski mfurmanski@algerdelta.com HEADQUARTERS: 426 N. 9th St, Gladstone, MI 49837 906-428-4141 • 800-562-0950 Fax: 906-428-3840 • admin@algerdelta.com algerdelta.com OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (EST) Alger Delta Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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ichigan’s energy future is undergoing a significant transformation with the recent signing of a comprehensive set of bills by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Collaborating closely with the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA), Alger Delta will delve into an in-depth analysis of these newly enacted laws in the months ahead. Below is a brief overview focusing on two key bills that hold substantial implications for Michigan’s electric cooperatives and another bill that may impact our members locally.

100% Clean Energy by 2040 Michigan’s new 100% clean energy by 2040 target stands among the most ambitious in the country. It will require all state electric utilities to employ a portfolio of 100% carbonfree resources by 2040. Clean energy is largely defined as wind, solar, hydro, and nuclear.

This legislation mandates utilities to procure 50% of their energy from renewables by 2030, escalating to 60% by 2035—a substantial leap considering the Great Lakes State currently stands at 15%. Starting in 2035, the renewable portfolio standard transitions to a clean energy standard, requiring all utilities to obtain 100% of their energy from noncarbon-emitting sources by 2040.

This bill is a “big lift” for Michigan.

Utility and business community concerns remain regarding the pace of decarbonization and its impact on electric reliability and affordability.

While Michigan’s electric cooperatives support investments in clean energy, we must also consider the operational realities of relying on intermittent resources. Constructing large-scale projects demands considerable

time and financial resources, as well as overcoming time-consuming regulatory hurdles, which makes the proposed timeline a challenge for many of the state’s electric utilities.

Additionally, the challenge of land acquisition looms, with an estimated need for approximately 200,000+ additional acres for wind and solar power generation to achieve the renewable energy targets in the legislation.

Energy Waste Reduction Requirement for Electric Co-ops This bill mandates that electric co-op boards approve Energy Waste Reduction plans and programs. Co-ops are now obligated under statute to submit a formalized waste reduction plan to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) every four years.

Renewable Energy Siting This bill gives state regulators authority over renewable energy permits. While it doesn’t directly impact cooperatives, it empowers the MPSC to issue permits for solar systems exceeding 50 megawatts and wind systems over 100 megawatts.

Formerly, localities held exclusive control over siting. The new laws centralize permitting for large projects at the state level, while smaller solar projects remain under local authority.

“This energy package will have more consequences for the state of Michigan than any energy legislation in Michigan’s history” said Craig Borr, President and CEO, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association. “It will clearly take time for the impacts to be felt by Michigan residents, but the impacts will be felt for decades.”

UNCLAIMED CAPITAL CREDITS

ARE WE LOOKING FOR YOU?

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ne of the benefits of being a member of Alger Delta Cooperative is any revenue beyond expenses is allocated to each active member as capital credits in proportion to each member’s electrical usage. Once capital credits are allocated, they are retained by the cooperative for several years, as they are the most significant source of equity for the cooperative. Equity is used to help meet the expenses of the cooperative, such as paying for new equipment to serve members. The Alger Delta Cooperative Board of Directors will review the cooperative’s financial position and determine whether or not to declare a retirement (your cashback payment or credit on your current bill).

As part of the retirement process, a portion of capital credits are unclaimed because we are unable to locate certain members. On the following pages, we have listed the names of members who are entitled to capital credits that remain unclaimed.

• If your name is on the list, fill out the form below and return the completed form to Alger Delta Cooperative with your signature.

• If you recognize the name of a deceased member and you are the legal heir, go to algerdelta.com and download the Capital Credit Estate Form found under the Customer Service tab. Follow the steps on the form and return it to Alger Delta at 426 N. 9th St., Gladstone, MI 49837.

• If you know someone on this list, please have that person fill out the form below. For security purposes, the member must contact us.

Additional information will be required from the person initiating the claim. Claims for refunds will be paid only after proper documentation has been received and validated by Alger Delta Cooperative.

Please return this form to Alger Delta Cooperative, 426 N. 9th St., Gladstone, MI 49837.

1. Member Claiming The Refund Member’s Name

Service Address

Current Mailing Address Telephone

FIRST NAME

MIDDLE NAME

LAST NAME

STREET ADDRESS

STREET ADDRESS AND/OR APT. NO.

(

)

CITY

CITY

STATE

ZIP CODE

Years you were a member (approx.)

Please provide any additional details to this claim to make it easier for us to verify your identity:

Signature Required

SIGNATURE OF MEMBER

DATE

The unclaimed credits list can be found on pages 12, 13, 16, & 17

Bird-Watchers Hoot With Joy As

SNOWY OWLS RETURN TO MICHIGAN

By Yvette Pecha

very winter, “snowbirds” who live in the colder northern parts of North America leave their three-season residences behind in a bid to escape the frigidness and snow. While they head to warm locales like Arizona, Florida, and Texas, there are actual snowbirds out there that seek out refuges a little less tropical. This is the reason elusive snowy owls can oftentimes be seen in Michigan—their own unique version of Florida.

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Snowy owls live most of the year in the Arctic, and the majority of them stay there year-round. But from late October to December, in a phenomenon known as irruption, some birds will leave the tundra. Most will go to Canada and the northern United States, as well as parts of Asia and Europe. Every year is different—some years will see high numbers of the owls while, in others, you may be lucky to

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JANUARY 2024

see one or two. “It waxes and wanes,” said Straits Area Audubon Society member Steve Baker.

Baker says that owls that migrate the soonest to Michigan tend to first congregate around the Great Lakes, where it is still warm enough for them to hunt for ducks and other waterfowl.

“You’ll see them on the shorelines and on piers and other structures around the lakes,” he said. But once the water freezes, they’ve got to find a new hunting ground. “They’ll head for places with fields and other flat, open grounds,” Baker said. “There aren’t any trees in the Arctic, so they’re heading to places that look like home.” He said they’ll often perch on barns, hay bales, utility poles, and fenceposts, where they keep constant watch for prey, mostly meadow voles, which are similar to the lemmings they eat the rest of the year.

The highest concentrations of snowy owls in Michigan are found in Rudyard, Pickford, and Sault townships.

While snowy owls have been found throughout the state, the most populous areas for the birds are the eastern Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula. But if you want the absolute best shot at observing these raptors, you’ll need to head to a small UP community about 30 miles north of St. Ignace—Rudyard Township. Baker, who as a member of the Audubon Society contributes to the society’s annual Christmas bird count, said the count finds that Rudyard almost always has the highest number of owls. Snowy owls like hay fields, and Baker says Rudyard residents will be happy to tell you that they have the best hay crop in the world. “Their hay is actually shipped down to Florida for racehorses,” Baker said. He says because Rudyard has clay soil that doesn’t drain well, regular crops are tough to grow, hence the focus on hay. In January 2019, Rudyard proclaimed itself the Snowy Owl Capital of Michigan.

and dusk. Look in structures that are low to the ground and also scan flat, snowy areas for irregularities. A dirty patch or lump just might be an owl facing away from you.

With their sleek white plumage, bright yellow eyes, and wingspans of up to four feet long, these feathered friends are certainly captivating. “They are beautiful and they’re just great fun to look at,” Baker said. “Whether you’re an avid birder or not, snowy owls are just one of those birds that people get excited about.”

For more information, visit: straitsareaaudubon.com /StraitsAreaAudubonSociety

THE LEMMING/SNOW OWL CONNECTION In the Arctic, snowy owls feed on lemmings, which look like chubby hamsters. And they can eat a bunch—up to 1,600 a year! Because they’re so reliant on lemmings as a food source, their population cycles are linked. If lemmings are low, owls may wait to hatch young.

Scarce lemming years translate into owl couples only having one or two offspring, and sometimes none at all. But lots of lemmings means Mom and Dad can provide for lots of babies, so they’ll lay more eggs.

These baby booms typically result in irruption years, with the younger owls leaving in winter to avoid competing with adults for food. In peak lemming/owl reproduction years, young “snowie” sightings have been reported as far south as Texas and Florida.

Baker, who lives in Indian River, Michigan, travels to Rudyard several times a week to glimpse these beauties for himself and take pictures (he is a contributing photographer to many websites/publications). Most people in search of the owls will look from their vehicles as they drive down the road. “You’ll sometimes just see a caravan of cars,” Baker said.

The town obviously welcomes visitors who want to see this rare bird for themselves, but it is expected that observers will adhere to a few guidelines. “These are beautiful, photogenic birds,” Baker said, “but it’s very important that people don’t do anything to harass them.” In general, he says spectators should be respectful, keep their distance, and be as quiet as possible. He says people who spot the owls while driving can get out of their cars, but they should not wander onto adjacent private land.

If you want to witness this spectacle, plan your trip to Rudyard before late March—that is when the owls typically leave for their Arctic home. Whether you’re in Rudyard or anywhere else where the birds have been spotted, there are a few things you can do to increase your luck of seeing one. The best times to see them are at dawn

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Director Elections In 2024 District 2 (Harvey/Deerton), District 3 (Grand Marais), and District 4 (Cedar River/Palestine)

lger Delta will be holding director elections in three of its nine districts. In 2024, District 2 (Harvey/Deerton), District 3 (Grand Marais), and District 4 (Cedar River/Palestine) will hold elections to send a representative to the board of directors. Elections will be held via mail ballot over a 30-day period beginning in mid-March and concluding on May 1. Members interested in running for the board can find the qualifications and responsibilities for the position on Alger Delta’s website. To qualify as a candidate, you must be a member of the cooperative and take electric service in the district you seek to represent. You must be at least 18 years old and must not be employed by, or have a financial interest in, a competing business. You must complete and submit a nomination petition to be placed on the ballot.

Nomination petitions must be submitted by Feb. 1, 2024.

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Alger Delta Members Featured in New

Best of Michigan Country Lines Cookbook

Directors participate in strategic planning, setting policy and direction, governance of the cooperative, and other duties relating to a nonprofit corporation. Board members are expected to attend the monthly board meetings and the Annual Meeting, participate in industry-related training and events, and serve on committees.

Directors are elected for a term of three years and are paid $350 per meeting day when attending to Alger Delta business. For more information about serving on the board of directors, you can look at Article III of the cooperative’s bylaws at www.algerdelta.com under the tab “Customer Service,” then “Bylaws/ Tariffs.” You can also find more details or print out the nominating petition from our website at “About Us/Board of Directors.” If you cannot access our website and would like to receive a copy of the bylaws or a nominating petition via email or in print form, please call Alger Delta at 906-428-4141.

If you purchase a copy of the new Best Of Michigan Country Lines Cookbook, you just might recognize some familiar cooks featured in the publication.

Alger Delta members Kris Hazeres and Melody Brown were selected to have their signature recipes included in the cookbook.

Kris’ recipe for Little Masterpieces (Homemade Donuts) and Melody’s recipe for Easy Taco Soup were featured in the cookbook, which is currently available on Amazon and at countrylines.com.

All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook will benefit two deserving charities, Feeding America Local Foodbanks and Cooperative Family Fund. Congratulations to Kris and Melody on their prize-winning recipes.

Pictured above is Kris Hazeres receiving her complimentary copy of the cookbook from Alger Delta Finance Manager Lynn Labadie and Melody Brown receiving her copy from Alger Delta Board Member Darryl Small.

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District 1: Big Bay District 2: Harvey/Deerton District 3: Grand Marais District 4: Cedar River/Palestine District 5: Gourley/LaBranche/Cornell District 6: Nathan/White Rapids District 7: Stonington/Rapid River District 8: Nahma/Isabella District 9: Hiawatha/Maple Ridge

SNAP SHOT

Great Outdoors

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6 1. Kayaking in the harbor at Grand Marais.

Paul Petersen 2. Bear-y happy. Terri Sivula

3. Boys will be boys. Christy Herrild 4. Morning visitor. Jan Gratteau

5. Winter day turkey gathering. Connie Tingley

6. The wicked witch of the East flys again. Beware all who venture into her domain, which is ¾ of a mile up Co Rd 374 off of U.S.-41. Connie Lindstrom 7. Happy hunting! Serena Peterson

7 Submit a photo & win a $50 energy bill credit!

Submit Your Photos & Win A Bill Credit!

Alger Delta members whose photos we print in Michigan Country Lines during 2024 will be entered in a drawing. Four lucky members will win a $50 energy bill credit on their December 2024 bills!

Upcoming Photo Topics And Deadlines: Pets, due Jan. 20 (March/April issue) Flowers & Garden, due March 20 (May/June issue) Monuments, Statues, & Memorials, due May 20 (July/August issue) To submit photos, go to http://bit.ly/countrylines.

We look forward to seeing your best photos!

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2023

8. F all ride down Rock River Road.

Mary Ann McHaney

Photo Contest Winners

Alger Delta awarded four members with a $50 bill credit for being selected in a random drawing of all contest entries that appeared in Michigan Country Lines during 2023.

Thank you to the many Alger Delta members who participated.

Members are welcome to send in photos for our 2024 contest.

1. Kris Montgomery, End of season ice fishing. Jan./Feb. 2. Daren Landis, Brothers by chance, friends by choice. March/April 3. Lisa Conger, May all your troubles be bubbles. Sept./Oct. 4. Michelle Trotter, June and Arlo. Nov./Dec.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Recipes

VEGETARIAN

Simple vegetarian recipes for eating healthy

WINNING RECIPE! COLORFUL ASIAN RICE SALAD Amy Schultz, Great Lakes Energy

2 cups dried brown rice 3 cups water 3 green onions, sliced 1–2 stalks celery, sliced ½ pound purple cabbage, thinly sliced or grated ½ cup almonds, toasted 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted 1 red bell pepper, finely diced 1 yellow bell pepper, finely diced 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, sliced, discard juice 1 cup broccolini, diced, discard thick stems 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped or minced Dressing*: ¼ cup avocado oil 1½ tablespoons sesame oil 1 clove garlic, crushed & minced ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, juice included

Recipe Contest Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Stir Fries & Curries due Feb. 1; Quiches & Savory Tarts due March 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 JANUARY 2024

Cook rice until chewy and tender, using a pressure cooker, rice cooker, or stovetop.

Meanwhile, prepare the ingredients. If needed, toast the almonds and sesame seeds by adding each to a dry skillet and stirring over medium heat, until lightly toasted. In a small bowl, add all dressing ingredients and combine. Once the rice is ready, in a large bowl, add the cooked rice, all remaining ingredients, and the dressing. Stir until combined. Serve warm or chilled. Makes about 10 cups of salad. * Note: If preparing ahead of time, keep sauce separate and combine before serving.

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

GARDEN ENCHILADAS Nancy Hascall, Cherryland

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 sweet potato, peeled & diced 1 large onion, peeled & diced 1 zucchini, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed & drained 1 teaspoon cumin 1 (30-ounce) can enchilada sauce, divided 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar or chihuahua, etc.), divided ½ cup jalapeño cream cheese, divided 8 large flour tortilla shells 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced Garnish: • guacamole • sour cream • diced tomatoes Preheat oven to 350 F. Heat the oil in a large frying pan on medium/mediumhigh heat. Add the diced sweet potato

and stir to coat with oil. Cover the pan and sizzle for about 4 minutes, until the sweet potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Add the diced onion and zucchini. Sauté uncovered for another few minutes, until the onions start to caramelize. Add the garlic, corn, black beans, and cumin. Cook and stir 1–2 minutes. Coat the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan with about 1 cup of enchilada sauce.

Evenly divide the cooked ingredients into the tortillas. Add a heaping tablespoon of grated cheese and a teaspoon of cream cheese in each tortilla before rolling it up and placing it seam-side down in the pan.

Nestle the enchiladas next to each other.

Cover the enchiladas with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle the remaining cheese. Arrange the jalapeño slices on top. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 8 minutes.

Garnish with guacamole, sour cream, and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

MUSHROOM RICE CASSEROLE Angela Reed, Cherryland

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided ½ pound portobello mushrooms (or mushroom of choice), cleaned and chopped 1 medium sweet onion, finely chopped 3–4 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups cooked brown jasmine rice 2 large eggs 1 cup cottage cheese ½ cup sour cream ½ teaspoon fine sea salt ²⁄ ³ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x13inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. In a large skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add

the mushrooms to the skillet and lightly salt; sauté until mushrooms have released their liquid. Add onions and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook another 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, sour cream, and ½ teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, combine the rice mixture and the cottage cheese mixture. Add the combined mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle with ¹⁄³ cup Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes. Top with remaining ¹⁄³ cup Parmesan. Serve immediately.

SUPERB SPINACH LASAGNA ROLLS Deb Finedell, Great Lakes Energy

EASY VEG RATATOUILLE Betsy Little, Alger Delta

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium red onion, minced 1 medium red bell pepper, diced 1 medium eggplant, diced 1 small zucchini, diced 4 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup basil, chopped 1 large tomato, diced (or 1 15-ounce can diced tomato) ¼ teaspoon salt

¹⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper In a large skillet, add olive oil and heat.

Add the onion and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring. Add the red pepper, eggplant, zucchini, and garlic. Cook covered 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in basil, tomato, salt, and pepper.

May serve on rice, mashed potato, or couscous.

8 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente, drained & cooled 1¾ cups ricotta 2 cups cottage cheese 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded & divided 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded & divided 3 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper 3 cups spaghetti sauce, divided • fresh parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine ricotta and cottage cheese, 1½ cups Monterey Jack, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, spinach, garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread half of the spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a 9-inch broilersafe baking dish. Spread filling mixture evenly onto each noodle. Gently roll up each noodle lengthwise and place seamside down in the baking dish. Drizzle roll ups with remaining sauce and top with remaining cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 1–2 minutes, or until the cheese is dark golden brown. Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Alger Delta Cooperative Members With Unclaimed Capital Credits A ABRAHAMSON PAUL ACHA VALERIE J ACOCKS JAMES R ADAMS ALTON ADAMS DON ADKINS DAVID AHLQUIST MARC AHMAD NASEER AHO CHARLES JR AHO GORDON T AKRE BRIAN ALBERT GRACE ALEXANDER KAREN ALEXANDER WALTER ALKIRE MARK ALLARD ROBERT ALLYN PATRICIA M ALTERGOTT EDWIN ALTO EVA E AMMEL JAMES AMORE ALEXANDER ANDERSEN HARRY JR ANDERSON ALICE ANDERSON BECKY ANDERSON BETTE ANDERSON BURT ANDERSON CHARLES H ANDERSON CHRIS ANDERSON CRAIG ANDERSON DAN ANDERSON DON ANDERSON ERIN ANDERSON FERN E ANDERSON JAMES ANDERSON LESLIE ANDERSON MARK ANDERSON MARVIN ANDERSON ORVILLE ANDERSON RANDY ANDERSON RAYMOND ANDERSON ROBERT ANDERSON SUSAN ANDERSON THOMAS ANDERSON WILLIAM O ANDRZEJ JACH ANGELL LANNY L APER JOHN APER KATHLEEN ARCHAMBEAU BOB ARKENS HARVEY ARMATTI NEIL L ARMSTRONG J M ARMSTRONG LEONARD W ARNOLD LILA ARNT LYNDON ARQUETTE JOHN ARROWOOD LEONARD B ARTIBEE H G ARTS FRED ASCHBACHER ROBERT T ASH ROSEMARIE ASHLAND ROBERT ATHERTON WILLIAM ATTWELL SUSAN AUGE HENRY L B BABCOCK RAY BACKLUND PAUL BACON ALLAN BACSIK JOSIE BAILEY DAVID BAILEY EDWIN BAILEY RAMONA BAILEY RUSSELL L BAIRD VICKEY BALCHEN HARRY BALL ANDY BALL GREG L BALL ROBERT BALLARD CLYDE BALLARD PAM BALLAS THOR BALLINGER DOROTHY BALLINGER VICTOR BANGHART ERSKANE BANNISTER CURTIS

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BARAGWANATH CLYDE BARAZSU CLARENCE BARBEAU AGNES BARC ROGER BARDOWSKI JOHN BARDOWSKI THOMAS BARGER KATHERINE BARKENQUAST ROBERT BARNETT MICHELLE BARNEY ELLEN BARR HARRY BARRY JOHN D BARRY ROBERT H BARTH JEANNE A BARTLETT DALE BARTOL BRENDA A BASSETT GERARD BATCHELOR GERI BATES RUSSELL BATTAGLIA BILL BAUDOUX LEO BAUER HERBERT BAUMAN WILLIAM D BAYLIFF HELEN BEAN ROBERT BEARSS RONALD BEAUCHAINE JOSEPH R BEAUCHAINE LAWRENCE BEAUCHAMP JOHN BEAUCHAMP MARY BEAUCHAMP NORBERT BEAUCHAMP NORMAN BEAUCHAMP RAY BEAUDOIN STELLA BEAUDOIN TAMI BEAUDRY DAN L BEAUDRY SHELDON BEAULIEU STEVEN BEBO WILLIAM J BECHAZ ROBERT E BECKS THOMAS BECKSTROM JAMES BEEBE CHARLES BEEBE MARY BEECK LELAND BEERMAN CALVIN BEERMAN REBECCA BEHNKE AARON BEHNKE GERALDINE BEHREND MARY BEJMA GEORGE BEJMA GEORGE J BELANGER DONAL BELLAND LLOYD BELMORE ROBERT BELONGIE TOM BELTRAME DONALD BENAGH ROBERT BENGRY CAROL BENISH RONALD BENMARK ROBERT BENN ADAM BENNETT DEB BENNETT JOHN BENO ROY BENSEL VIRGINIA BENSON DEAN BENSON ELIZABETH BENSON FREDA E BENSON JEFF BENSON JOSEPH BENSON PETE BENSON RODNEY G BENTZEN IRVIN BERAN BRAD BERGE ROBERT BERGER CLARENCE BERGER JAMES BERGER MARGARET BERNARD WILL BERNHEISEL STEVE BERTHIAUME DEAN BERTHUME ALLETTA BERTO CYNTHIA BERTUCCI ROCCO BERUBE JOSEPH BERUS LOUIS BESSE GREG

BEST DUANE BETTASO BETTY A BETZ MARK BETZINGER GARY L BETZINGER RICHARD BEYER CHERYL BEYER RONNIE BEZOTTE PAM BIELECKI VINCENT BIGELOW GRACE BIGGS DOROTHY BIGLEY DIANNA D BIGOTT AMY BINGHAM RUTH BIRCHAM IRENE BIRD BASIL JR BITTERS ARTHUR BJORNELL GLORIA BLACK GEORGE BLACK WILLIAM BLAIR CAROLYN BLAIR TOM BLAKESLEE R STEVE BLAND JAMES BLECKINER JANICE BLOOM WILLIAM BOCKLUND DEAN BOEHM RICHARD H BOLEN THOMAS HJR BOLITHO T BOYD BOLLBUCK OTTO E BOLM GERALD BONNER JOSEPH BONNER MARY BONTRAGER STAN BOOKER ROBERT BOOTH WILLIAM BORDEAU LINDA BORGA VICTOR D BORNEMAN HARLAND M BORSETH TIM BORST DONALD BOSBOUS GEORGE BOTT TIM BOUCHARD JANIS BOUCHEY DOUGLAS BOULLEY JAMES E BOURNIQUE ROBERT BOUTILIER ALLEN BOUTWELL DENNIS BOVEROUX KENT BOWERMAN MILTON BOWERS CHARLES A BOWERS DENNIS BOWMAN DARRELL BOWYER ROBERT BOYE CHARLOTTE BOZICK GARY W BRADWAY INEZ BRAKE WILLIAM J BRAMER LLEWELLYN J BRANDLY JAMES BRANDON ERIC BRANDT JAMES BRANSTROM JR JAMES C BRATUMIL FRED BREHM BERNARD BREY JAMES BRIGGS DOROTHY BRIGGS MICHAEL BRIGHAM GEORGE W BRINK DONALD BRISSON EDWARD J BRISTOL LINDA BROEDERS NICK BROOKS EDWARD BROWN C J BROWN DONALD BROWN GARY BROWN LOIS BROWN MALCOLM V BROWN PETER S BROWN RICK BROWN RONALD BRUCE DAVID BRUMM NANCY BRUZAS JOHN E BRYANT GLORIA

BUCHAN WAYNE W BUCK BRYAN BUCKLAND JOHN BUCKLAND VERNON BUCKMASTER ALLAN BUCKNER LEWIS BUELTEMAN WILLIAM BUESSEM GEORGE BUFE CHARLES BULLOCK TOM BURANT HELENE BURGETT BILLIE E BURKLUND ELMER BURKLUND LAVETA BURNELL KEITH BURNETT III LEO BURNS LARRY BURNS RICKY BURNS WILLIAM BURR LAWRENCE W BURROUGHS R J BUSH DALE BUSH DARRYL BUSH WAYNE A BUSHEY JOSEPH BUTKUS SHEILA BUTLER EDWARD C BUTLER JAMES BUTLER MARK BUTLER THOMAS BUTLER WILLIAM E BYE MARK C CADEAU GABE CAIN MAVIS C CALKINS HOWARD CAMERER MARK CAMMIRE SHELLEY CAMP JOHN CAMPAU JOHN J CAMPBELL JAMES CAMPBELL JAMES W CANFIELD SIDNEY CANFIELD VICKY CANTRELL CHERYL CANTWELL GORDON CAPELLO GARY CAPPAERT JAMES CARLEY LLOYD CARLSON CRAIG CARLSON CURTIS CARLSON ERNEST CARLSON JAMES CARLSON MAGNUS J CARLSON MARK CARLSON NORMAN CARLSON RICHARD J CARLSON ROSE V CARLSON SUSAN CARNES VERLIN CARPENTER DONALD CARPENTER RANDY W CARRIERE JUDE L CARRIGAN MARY CARROLL PHILLIP CARTER DON CARTER F. DAVID CARTER WADE CARTER WILLIAM CASSIDY CAROLE CASTELLO DONALD CASTLE DON CASWELL JOHN A CASWELL KATRINA CAULKINS WILLIAM G CAYER CLARENCE CAYER DANA CENTENAIL DONALD CHAFFEE BURT CHAMBERLAIN MARGARET CHAMBERS HELEN J CHAMBERS SUSAN CHANEY DAN CHANEY EDWARD R CHAPMAN CHRISTINE R CHAPMAN TODD CHARLAND DAVID T

CHARLEBOIS CHRISTINA CHARLEBOIS WILLIAM CHARLES DON CHARLES FRED CHARLIER ROLAND CHARMER IRIS CHATTERTON MICHAEL CHENIER GARY CHINAVARE ELMER CHRISTENSEN JOHN CHRISTENSEN ROBERT N CHRISTIANSEN COURTNEY CHRISTIANSEN LAVERN CHRISTIE LINDA CHRISTIENSEN THOMAS CHRISTNAGEL REGINA CHRISTOPHER WILBUR CHRISTOPHERSO GREG CLAIRMONT MICHAEL CLANCY THOMAS CLARK JEROME CLARK ROBERT CLAUSEN DOUGLAS CLAUSEN SHARON CLAYTON NATALIE CLEMENT JOHN C CLEMONS LEN CLINKER PATRICIA CLINKER WALLACE CLONTZ DON CLOUTIER CLARENCE COATS JOHN D COCHRAN WILLIAM COCONATE ANTHONY JR COFFEY CAROLYN COFFEY CHARLES E COLE JACK COLLIER CHUCK COLLIER DELWOOD COMBS RICHARD J COMPO BRADLEY COMPTON WESLEY CONKLIN LOWELL CONLEY DEAN CONNELL THOMAS CONNELLY RICHARD CONNER MARLA CONSIER JANET COOK HAROLD COOK WILLIAM COOLEY DAN COOMBE KENNETH COONEY R E COOPER CHARLOTTE COOPER FRANK COOPER LLOYD COOPER RAYMOND COPEMAN JASON COPPENS HOWARD COPPENS WILLIAM H COPPOCK JACQUELINE A CORBETT FRANCIS X CORBIN WARREN CORNISH FAY F CORSTEN ROBERT CORWIN GARY F COSTELL JOSEPH COTTON GORDON COUILLARD JERRY COURTRIGHT ELLEN COUTS GERALD COUVEAU JOSEPH COVERT ROGER H COXFORD ROBERT COYER MICHELLE CRAIGMILE JOSEPH CRANE RONALD CRANE RONALD L CRASS LEE A CRENSHAW KATHERINE CRETENS RONALD CROSCHERE MICHAEL CROSS AMY CROWE MARK CRUM FRANCIS CUMMINGS HELEN CURRY JOHN CURTIS ROBERT V

CUTLER PAUL C D D ANGELO MIKE D’ADDIO DAN DAHN FLORENCE DALE ARTHUR W DALE CHRISTINE DALE DONALD D DALES PERCY DALESSANDRO NICKOLAS DAMBERG WILLARD DANIELSON DEB DAUL KAREN DAUNT EDWARD DAUST PERRY J DAVIDSON HUGH J DAVIDSON VIRGIL DAVIS GEORGE DAVIS GLENNA DAVIS JAMES E DAVIS JANE P DAVIS JOSEPH R DAVIS TOM DAWSON DOW DAWSON ROSS DEAN JOEL DEAN MORGAN DEAU THOMAS DEBELAK RAYMOND DEBRUYN TERRY DECKER MARGARET G DECOTA GEORGE DEDIC NATASHA DEFIORE MARY DEFOREST STEVE DEFRECE WILLIAM DEGENEFFE HAROLD DEGRAND AGNES DEGRAVE SHIRLEY DEGROOT LLOYD A DEHART CAMERON DEITER ROBERT DELASILVERN JEROME DELASKI MARCIA DEL-LITTO SALVATORE DELONGCHAMP SCOTT DEMAGGIO WILLIAM SR DEMARSE WAYNE DEMERSE RICHARD DEMEYER HENRY DEMILLE JAMES DEMILLE SONJA DEMLOW CLARA DENHAM JOSEPH M DENMAN ROBERT DEPAS ERNEST DEPAS JEANNE DEPETRO TERRY DEPEW SELMA DEPPERT DONALD DERENZY TODD DEROSIE TODD DESCHAINE WILLIAM DESCHAMPS GERALD DESHAMBO WAYNE DESOTELL MARVIN DEVET MARK DEVOOGHT SHANNON DEWAR MICHAEL DEWEES NANCY DEWEY RANDY DEWITT JEFF DEWITT OWEN DHANSE CATHY DICK WM/SHEILA DIEDRICK DAVID F DIEFENBACH RAY DIEM ROBERT J DIETRICH JOSEPH DIONNE EDWARD JR DIONNE LARRY DOHM ROBERT DOLASKIE GLADYS M DOLLAR CANDY DONATO PETER S DONNELLY MICHAEL DORAIS ANNA

DOREN WILLIAM DORSE ROBERT DOTSON JERRY DOUCETTE STACEY DOUGLAS EVELYN DOUTREE RUSSELL DOUVILLE WAYNE DOWNTON ELIZABETH DRAZE JAMES DRIFKA DAN DROUILLARD AL DRURY AL DRURY D/C DUBOIS TOMMI DUBORD WILLIAM DUCHAINE JAMES W DUFAULT DEBBIE DUFOUR TOM DUFRESNE THEODORE DUNKUS ROSE DUNNING WILLIAM DUPRAS DUANE DUSSAULT GERALD DUTCHER EDSEL M DWIGHT ROLLAND DYKSTRA PATRICK DZIEDZIC LEONARD J E EAGLE ROBERT EAGON PATRICK EARL FERN EASTLEY JOHN EASTMAN CHARLES EASTMAN DENNIS EBLI JAMES EDGE TIM EDGETTE GERALD R EDMUNDS DONALD EDSELL BILL EDWARDS ERNEST P EDWARDSEN BRUCE EICHHOLZ A H ELAVSKY EDWARD ELLERY HARRY ELLIOTT PAUL ELLIS DAVID ELLIS LOY ELTMAN DALE EMARD MICHAEL W ENGEL RICHARD ENGLAND BRENT ENGLE NITA ENGLUND THOMAS EPPS KENNETH ERCK LEE ERDMAN KEVIN ERDMANN RAY ERICKSON NEIL ERICKSON ROBERT L ERICKSON SIDNEY J ERICKSON WAYNE ERICKSON WES ERICKSON WILLIAM R ERKKILA DON ERNST GERALD ERTL ROY ESP CHUCK ESPINOSA GUSTAVO A ESSEX BRUCE EUL MARY J EVENSON FREDERICK W F FADROSKI FRANCES FAIN IRA D FAIRBANKS SHARON FAIRCHILD DENNY FAIRCHILD GLENN R FALBO CARMINE FARLEY CONNIE FARMER CLAUDE FARRELL JOHN FAUCETT HERBERT FEATHERS OLIVER FEHER CHARLES L FEHER MARGARET FELL JOSEPH W

FELTNER GERALDINE J FELTNER OLIVER FEOLE WARREN FERGUS JOHN H FERGUSON JAMES FERGUSON K C FERNSTRUM CAROL FETTERHOFF STEVE FIEGEL RICHARD L FIELDER WM H FILHART DANIEL FINCH JAMES FISH CHARLES J FISHER KAY FISSETTE MARGARET FITZGERALD WILLIAM FLEEK NORMAN FLETCHER SUSAN FLEURY FRED FLEWELLEN JAMES FLICK RICHARD FOAT RICHARD FOLEY GLEN FOLEY PATRICK FONTAINE RICHARD FORNERO SHEILA FORSBERG GAIL B FORSBERG MICHAEL FORSSBERG BERTEL FORSYTHE ROBERT FORTIN ALBERT F FORTIN RUTH FOSTER CLAYTON FOSTER DOUGLAS J FOUBERT NANCY FOUNTAIN BEVERLY FOX LOWELL FRAME ROBERT FRANCZEK WALTER FRANK CURTIS FRANKOVICH GEORGE FRANKOWSKI ROBERT FRASURE JOSEPH FREDAL MADELYNN M FREDERIKSEN JOHN FREDRICKSON THOMAS R FREEMAN WESLEY FRENCH RICKY FRISQUE KATHI FRISQUE RICHARD FUDALA KATHERINE FULCHER MICHAEL FULLER ABBOTT JR FULLER MICHAEL FYE SANDRA G GABLE TIM GAGNON JESS GAINES FALBERT GALBRAITH WILBUR P GAMBLA PAUL GANE HOWARD GANZER WILLIAM GARDNER RUSSELL GARDNER THEODORE GARNSEY DIANE GASIEWICZ NORBERT GASOWSKI DAVID GASPEROSKY PHILIP GAUTHIER GENE GEARU RICHARD GEBAUER DENNIS GEE RICHARD GEER GEORGE C GEHLING LYNN GEHRKE JULIUS GEISELMAN GREG GELTZ CHARLES E GENTZ HEINZ GERDOM HENRY F GERETZ MICHAEL J GERICKE CHAD GEROU MARY GERVAIS LARRY GHILARDI DANIEL GIBBS JAMES G GIBBS JOE

GIBSON LEON GIFFORD ROBERT GIGUERE ANNA GILLIGAN MICHAEL GILMORE LARRY GINTER DEAN GLADSTONE WILLIAM R GLENWOOD ILE GODFREY LYLE GOLDBERG LIND GOLDSWORTHY KENNETH GORDANIER JENNIE GORDON ELSIE GORMELEY MAX GOSNELL THOMAS GOSSELIN MARGARET L GOTSCHALL BUCK GOUIN DAVID GOW MICHAEL GRADDY CHESTER GRADY CHESTER GRAEBERT CLAYTON GRAHAM GRACE E GRAINGER RALPH GRAMENZ R D GRAN MABEL G GRANFIELD JOHN GRANGER THEODORE GRANSKOG IVER GRATSCH DONALD GRATSCH ROBERT E GRAUSTEIN BRIAN GRAVEDONI GUIDO GRAVEL JAMES GREEN BARBARA GREEN JOE GREEN JOHN D GREEN NELL GREEN RONALD GREENE WILLIAM GREENING LORETTA GREENLEAF MARY GREENSHIELD FRIEDA GREER BERNARD GREER WALLACE GREGG PAT GRIFFITHS RUSSELL GRIGGS MARJORIE GRILLE MARC GRINSTEINER SCOTT GRONDIN LEE GRONMARK ADELINE GRONMARK ALLEN GROOM HAROLD GROSS HOWARD GROSS VIVIAN GUARD BRENDA GUCINSKI MARTIN GUNTER SHIRLEY GUNVILLE J K GURNICKI ROY W GUSTAFSON ALGOT GUSTAFSON EUGENE H HAAG ANNE HAAS WILLIAM HAGA JAMES HAGA JAMES G HAGER C WILLIAM HAGMAN MEL HAHKA RAYMOND HAHTO EDWIN M HAILE STEVE HAKES RUSSELL HALFHILL RICHARD HALL CHARLES HALL JANE HALL ROBERT HALL THOMAS W HALLINEN BRUCE P HAM JACK HAMILLA WALTER S HAMM JOHN P HAMMOND VERNON HANCOCK DANIEL HANSON DEBRA HANSON GUSTAF A

HANSON LINDY HANSON RICHARD N HANSON ROBERT H HARDWICK DARREL HARDWICK GAIL HARDWICK JAMES HARDWICK MELVIN HARMON GEORGE H HARRINGTON STEVE HARRIS ART HARRIS CHARLES HARRIS ERWIN J HARRIS HAROLD HARRIS VIOLA HARTMAN PAUL HARTSHORN TIMOTHY HARTVIGH ANDREW HARTWIG LINDA HARVEY ELIZABETH HASKELL DORIS HASTINGS NOEL HASTRICH DUANE HAVICAN NADRA HAWLEY KELLI HAYDO PETER HAYES WILLIAM C HAYNES CHARLES E HAYNES EUGENE HAZEN PHYLLIS HAZEN RICHARD HEAD DEAN HEIDBRIER ELOY HEIDE JOHN HEIKKINEN NORMAN HEISEL BRUCE HELMAN DONALD D HENDERSON ALTON HENDERSON PATRICK HENDRIXSON JEFF HENNES ROBERT HENNING JAMES HENRY RAYMOND HENRY STANLEY HENRY STANLEY JR HENRY TAMMY HERBERT ARTHUR HERBST STEVE HERFORD DARREL HERIOUX NORBERT HICKEY THOMAS HICKS ROBERT R HILBRAND BRUCE HILL ARNOLD HILL GERALDINE HILL PEARL HILL ROBERT HILLIKER WARREN HINTON ROSEANNA HINTZ JAMES HIRSCH CARLA HIRSCH EDWIN HOEGH ELNA HOERNER ROBERT HOERSTER EWALD H HOFER ROBERT HOFFENBERGER HEIDI HOFFER RAYMOND A HOFFINS ROBERT HOFFMAN JOANNE HOFFMAN WARREN C HOFFMAN MATHIAS ESTATE HOGAN EVERETT HOGAN KATHLEEN HOHMANN BRUCE R HOHOLIK STEVE HOKANS GREG HOLBROOK GLEN HOLDERMAN ROBERT P HOLKKO VIRGINIA HOLM MICHAEL HOLMES DAVID HOLMES WILLIAM F HOLTY DOUGLAS HOMERNIK WILLIAM HONGISTO JOHN M HOOTEN DAN HOOTEN ERNEST

HOOTS SHARON HOOYMAN ALEX HOPPE ROGER HORIE DAVID HORROCKS WANDA HORTON BESSIE HOSKINS ROSALEE HOULE JAMES HOWE AMANDA HOWLAND DEWITT HOXIE ALLAN R HOY ESTHER HOY FRED HOY JANINA HOY WILLIAM HOYME STEVE HROZA ROBERT HUBBARD DEE L HUBBARD ERNIE JR HUBERT HARRIS HUBERT PEGGY HUDSON ALICE HUDSON PATTI HUDSON RICHARD HUDSON ROBERT HUEY HOMER HUGHES CHESTER HUGHES RALPH HUGHEY VICTOR HULBERT GORDON HULSE ROBERT C HULT NAOMI TRUST HULTGREN ARTHUR HUMMEL ROBERT HUNT ANDREW M HUNT ELDON HUNTER ROY HUNTOON CAROL S HUOTARI TAMMY HURSCHIK JR JOHN HUSBECK F. JAMES HYDE BARBARA HYLAND CAROLYN HYTINEN JENNIE M HYTINEN KIM I ILIFF EMERY IMHOFF SAM INMAN BRIAN INMAN W G INMAN WAYNE IRISH GERALD E IVERS PAM J JACHIMSKI DAVID JACKOMINO MARGARET JACKSON CHARLES JACKSON MARGARET H JACKSON MARY F JACKSON WILLARD JACOBS JAMES F JACOBSON DUANE JACOBSON NEAL JACQUES MARK JAEGER PAUL ESTATE OF JAHNKE DAN JAMES J L JAMES KENNETH JAMES SHIELA JAMES WILLIAM R JANNEY ELAINE JARDEEN SHELBY JARRETT KEITH JARVIS BRENDA JARVIS DAVID JARVIS JOHN JASON RICHARD JASPER MICHAEL JEEVES RICH JEFFERS JOHN JENKINS ED JENNIE MARK JENSEN BERYLE JENSEN CHARLES JENSEN LLOYD JESSEN PEGGY

JEVICKS WALSH JOEL DOROTHY JOHNE ROY W JOHNS AL JOHNSON BRIAN JOHNSON CARL R JOHNSON CAROL A JOHNSON CHARLES JOHNSON DANNY R JOHNSON DAVID JOHNSON DENNIS JOHNSON EDWARD F JOHNSON FRED JOHNSON GARY JOHNSON GENE JOHNSON GEORGE JOHNSON HARDING V JOHNSON HENRY T JOHNSON HILDA JOHNSON IVAN JOHNSON JAMES R JOHNSON JEROME G JOHNSON JIM JOHNSON JUANITA M JOHNSON KAREN JOHNSON KENNETH B JOHNSON L KEN JOHNSON LLOYD JOHNSON MARIE P JOHNSON MARILYN JOHNSON MARY JOHNSON MOLITA I JOHNSON OLAF JOHNSON ROBERT JOHNSON ROBIN JOHNSON THOMAS JOHNSON WALTER JOHNSTON ANN JOKINEN ARNE JOLLS WARREN JONCAS MARSHALL JONES BOBBY F JONES LOUISE M JONES MADELYN JONES ROBERT J JONES W R JORANSON PHILIP JUENGER ALLAN JUETTEN FRED A JUNEAU RICHARD JUNGLES JOHN JUNTILA KIRBY K KACZMARCZYK IRENE KACZMARCZYK SUSAN KAERCHER CALVIN EII KAIM FRANK KALIS FRED KALISCH KEITH KALISHEK JOHN KALLMAN BERTHA KALVHIK DONNA KANGAS DINA A KARPINEN RICHARD KASBEN EDWIN KASCO WILMA KAUFMAN ROBERT W KAUPPILA CAROL J KAUPPINEN MIKE KAUPPINEN S E KAY TERRY KAYSER MAX KAYSER RENEE KEEKER MICHAEL KEEL JOHN KEHL CRAIG KELLAR TINA KELLER RICHARD KELLEY JEROME KELLEY SARAH KELLNER ROBERT KELLY JOHN J KEMP LANA KEMP RON KENNEDY DAVID KEOHANE LINDA KEOHANE TIM

KEPHART HARRIETT KERN JAMES L KERN SARA J KERR LYNN KERTTU MARY KESNER CHARLES KESTER GERALD KESTERSON JAMES W KETT JOAN KETT JOHN II KEYSER JAMES KEZERLE EMIL KIDA ALBIN KILANSKI EDWARD KILBURN KAREN KILEY MIKE KIM YONG KIMBALL FRANCIS KING DAVID KING DENNIS R KING DORIS L KING ERNEST KING GLADA KING JAMES A KING KATHY KING THOMAS E KIRSCH MICHAEL KISH SYLVIA KISH WILLIAM KISZELY WILLIAM KITTRELL EDWARD KLAUKE WALTER H KLEAVER OTIS SR KLEIKAMP WILLIAM KLINGENMAIER ROBERT KLINGER DAVID A KLINGER RUSSELL KLODZINSKI FERNETTA H KLOPOTEK NANCY KLOSOWSKI JANICE KLOTZ HENRY KLUMB RONALD KLUMB VICTOR KMIT STANLEY KNIGHT ROBERT KNIGHT RUSSELL JR KNISS GORDON KNOWLES KURT KOCH MATTHEW KODOS RICK KOERNKE MARK KOLLER HARRIET KOOI DONALD E KOSCIELSKI RICHARD JR KOSON IRENE KOSSOW ELLEN KOSTELANSKY CHRIS KOTEWA JAYSON KOVAL VIOLET KRAFT JAMES KRAJCIK HARVEY KRAJEWSKI FRANK KRATZ MELVIN KREBSBACH ROGER KREMPA JAMES KRISE ELMER W KRUEGER DIANA KRUEGER JACK D KRUEGER RAYMOND KRYSCIO KEENA KRZYCK JULIUS KUBLIN JOHN KULCZYNSKI WILLIAM KUMPULAINEN EINO J KUNERT MICHAEL KURETICH DAVID KURRLE CHRISTIAN KURTZ JODY H KURTZ LLOYD KUZAVA JIM L LABRECHE DAVID LABRESH JOSEPH LABUHN RAYMOND

LABUTE RICHARD LACANNE NORBERT W LACANNE ROBERT LACHAPELLE DON LACOMBE JAMES LACOMBE JEAN M LACOSSE ADELORE JR LACOSSE MELVIN LACROSSE CRAIG LAFAVE CHARLOTTE LAFAVE PRISCILLA LAFAVE RUSSELL LAGERSTEDT WALLACE LAHAY DONALD E LAHDE JAMES LAKE JERRY LAKE LARRY LAKENEN BILL LAKENEN CATHY LAKOSKY HAROLD LAKOSKY MARCIA LALONDE RICHARD LAMPINEN ELNA LAMPINEN RAY LANAVILLE DANIEL LANAVILLE LARRY LANCOUR JOSEPH JR LANCOUR KEITH LANCOUR MAURICE LANCOUR PAULA A LANE JACKIE R LANE VERONICA ESTATE OF LANG FRED LANGLEY ERIC LAPUSZWSKI LARRY LARABY ROBERT LARION DALE LARSEN CORA LARSEN GORDON LARSEN KELLY A LARSEN SCOTT LARSEN STANLEY LARSON HOWARD H LARSON JAMES M LARSON LEONARD LATONDRESS BARBARA LATOURNEAU J0ANNE LATVALA CAROL LATVALA DEAN LAUBENSTEIN WILLIAM LAUCHNER DONALD E LAUFER DANIEL LAUNDRE ROBERT LAURICH CHARLES LAURILA RUTH LAVALLEY CHARLES LAVALLEY ERNEST LAVALLEY REBECCA A LAVEY JOSEPH II LAVIGNE PATRICIA LAVIOLETTE MATT LAWRENCE LEONARD LAWSON GORDON LAWSON JOHN R LAZZARI GREG LEAZENBY JEANNINE LEBLANC AL LEBOEUF JOHN LECLAIRE DONALD LECLAIRE GERALD LEE ROY E LEGAULT PHIL LEGREVE HAMILTON LEHTOMAKI TOIVO LEIMAN JAMES LEITNER WALTER LEMIRE ALLEN LEMON LESLIE LENNERT PHILLIP LESJACK FRANK LESPERANCE JEFF LESSARD KENNETH LEWIS STEPHEN A LEWIS STEVEN L’HOTE TIMOTHY P

Continued on pages 16 & 17.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

WINTER THUNDERLAND I-500 Snowmobile Race Welcomes Thrill-Seekers to the UP

By Emily Haines Lloyd

I

n the heart of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, nestled amid the snow-covered landscapes of Sault Ste. Marie, a winter spectacle has been captivating spectators for over five decades. The International 500 Snowmobile Race (I-500), a thrilling 500-mile endurance race on a onemile oval ice track, is a testament to not only the athletic individuals who participate, but also the spirit of the volunteers and residents who come together to share the beauty of the Upper Peninsula and the hospitality of smalltown living.

The story of the I-500 began in 1969, when that year’s Indianapolis 500 pace car came to town and a small group wondered if a 500-mile snowmobile race could rival the legendary IndyCar race. Today, after 55 years and only a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the I-500 owes its resilience to the unwavering commitment of its organizers.

A RACE LIKE NO OTHER Teams from Alaska to Louisiana, as well as several Canadian border towns, converge in Sault Ste. Marie to participate

14 JANUARY 2024

in this remarkable event for a full week, with the final I-500 race held on the first Saturday of February each year.

“It’s the only mile-long oval ice track in North America,” said International 500 Chairman & Director Ric Federau. “It takes weeks for our volunteers to build the track, using 2 million gallons of water. It’s the fastest and toughest race around.”

The I-500 race features 38 sleds (snowmobiles), each with 14 team members, including two to three drivers. Like the Indy 500, pit stops are crucial, with team members refueling the sleds and making any necessary repairs. The drivers cover a grueling 500 miles at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour, making this a true high-speed showdown.

The green flag drops at 10 a.m., with the race lasting into the late afternoon.

Though the final race is the main event, the entire week is a celebration of winter sports, starting early with time trials and the track opening up to the public for skating.

A highlight is the world's largest kids' snowmobile race, where youngsters compete on the same track under the lights, with their proud parents acting as their pit crews.

“Without a doubt, it is our volunteers and greater community who make this race a success. It’s not only their dedication and hard work; it’s how they greet visitors like neighbors. They make sure everyone feels at home.”

A BOOST FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE ECONOMY The I-500 isn't just a thrilling event for spectators; it’s a financial boon for the Sault Ste. Marie community. The race attracts 10,000 to 15,000 spectators who spend a day or a week in the area to enjoy the winter fun.

The economic impact of the race reaches far and wide, with hotels, restaurants, and local businesses benefiting from the influx of visitors. A study conducted by Lake Superior State University revealed that the economic impact of the I-500 is felt as far south as Gaylord (over 100 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie), highlighting the race's ability to draw visitors and generate revenue for the entire region, while showcasing Michigan as a hub for winter sports.

POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS & COMMUNITY The heart and soul of the I-500 is its dedicated team of 200 people who work tirelessly to ensure the race’s success—this is the only professional snowmobile race run entirely by volunteers. These individuals are the backbone of the event, contributing their time and effort to make it a memorable experience for all. It also has built its reputation as a premiere event due to the kindness and hospitality of the businesses and residents of the town who open their doors and hearts to welcome winter sports enthusiasts.

“Without a doubt, it is our volunteers and greater community who make this race a success,” said Federau.

“It’s not only their dedication and hard work; it’s how they greet visitors like neighbors. They make sure everyone feels at home.”

The I-500 reminds us how a shared passion can bring people together and create enduring traditions that withstand the test of time.

Jan. 28–Feb. 3, 2024 For more information, visit: i-500.com

/SooI500Race

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

15

Alger Delta Cooperative Members With Unclaimed Capital Credits, continued

L’HUILLIER DAVID LIDDLE EVELYN LIEB JOSEPH LIIMATTA DANIEL LILLY RICHARD LINDAHL JOHN W LINDBERG MARILYN LINDEBLAD ROLAND LINDEMUTH BRAD LINDGREN FAMILY TRUST LINDROTH JOHN LINDSTROM ANTONE LINE KAREN LINSMEIER JOSEPH LINSMEIER LORRAINE A ESTATE LITCHARD RICK LITTLE CHARLES J LITTLE HATTIE E LITTLEFIELD ARLENE LOBSINGER CRAIG LOCKETT CHARLES E LOGAN MARIAM LOHMAN GARY LOHRMAN JAMES E LOKAR GARY LOKAR JOHN E LONG GERALD LONGI GOLDIE LOOMIS SOL LORENZONI BOB LORUSSO PAUL LOSCH JAMES LOUGHRAN JOHN JR LOVELESS BRIAN LOVELLETTE CLYDE LOWE CARROLL LOWES TIM LUCAS CLIFFORD LUCCHETTI JOHN F LUCE DANIEL LUCIER RAYMOND LUFT CAROL LUISIER JAMES LUKITY JOHN LUKITY RENATE W LUND NORMAN LUNNING JOHN W LUNZ ED LUTHER GLENN LUTHER WARREN LYTLE CLARENCE M MAAHS WERNER H MACH WESLEY MACKNIGHT MARY J MACLACHLAN MICHAEL MACLAREN STEVE MADAY BENEDICT MAGNUSEN JAMES MAHONEY JOSEPH MAJEWSKI RICH MAKI NATALIE C MAKI STUART MALONE ROSE MALVASIO KARIE MANKEE WILLIAM MANKOWSKI MARK J MANNER CHARLES MANSFIELD JAMES R MANZOLINE ROCCO MARCH RONALD MAREK FRANK T MARK CHARLES MARKANTONY JOSEPH MARKEY STEVE MARKS EDWARD MARKUS HENRY MAROHNIC GARY MARTIN ARTHUR MARTIN JAMES MARTIN PATRICIA M MARTIN SAM MARTIN VICTOR F MARZU JOHN MASICH KEVIN

16 JANUARY 2024

MASLANEY FRANK MASSEY CHRISTINE MASSEY JOSEPH MASSEY MARTIN D MAST MAYNARD MASTERS CHARLES MASTERS GEORGE W MASTERS RON MASTERS WALLACE R MATHERS ROBERT MATHEWS ROBERT J MATHIAS CINDY MATHISON TODD MATRIOUS LUCILLE MATSON VICTOR MATTAS CHARLES MATTHEWS ROLAND MATTHEWS WILLIAM MATTONEN WILHO MATTSON HARVEY MATTSON JOE MATTSON MEL MATTSON SADIE MATTSON VICTOR MATULA RAYNOLD MAXSON DANIEL MAXWELL IVA A MAYNARD DANIEL MAYNARD RODNEY M MAYNARD WILLIAM MAYVILLE JEROME E MCAFEE JOHN MCALLISTER LAWRENCE MCARDLE JAMES F MCCARTHY LEE MCCAULEY SHAWN MCCLELLAN ROBERT MCCLELLAND CHARLES M MCCONNAUGHEY PAT MCCULLOUGH GLORIA J MCCULLOUGH JOAN MCCULLOUGH WILLIAM MCDONALD JOSEPH MCEACHERN THOMAS MCELVEEN SCOTT MCFEE MELVIN MCGAHEY JEANNE MCGARITY CLARA B MCGEE JAMES MCINTYRE PAUL J MCLEAN WILLIAM MCLEOD LEONARD C MCMANUS AGNES MCMANUS ARTHUR MCMARTIN BETTY J MCMILLAN DONALD MCNALL EMMETT MCNALLEY GEORGE W MCNALLY GEORGE MCNEIL ARDEN L MCNICKLE FLORENCE MCNUTT TOM MCPHERSON ANNE MEADE JAMES MEADOWS DAVID MECOUCH JOHN MEDWAYOSH ALMA MEEVES LOIS J MEHLENBACHER HUGH C MEISSNER PATRICK MEISTER ERIC MENDINI EUGENE S MENUCCI EUGENE MERCHANT RANDY MESHIGAUD LLOYD MESSENGER JOHN METDEPENNINGE M MEYER CHARLES J MEYER DONNA L MEYERS DICK MICHAU NORMAN MICKELSON HAROLD MIELKE ELAINE MIELKE WILLIAM C MIGWANABE JOSEPH MIHALIC NICK MIKA ANDREW

MIKA LEON MIKUS IRVING MILCAREK JAMES MILLBAUGH RUTH H MILLER AGNES MILLER AMOS W MILLER BRUCE MILLER CHRISTINA MILLER DONALD G MILLER GORDON MILLER JACQUELIN MILLER JEFFERY MILLER JOHN MILLER JON E MILLER LARRY MILLER LOUIS MILLER OSCAR MILLER RALPH MILLER ROBERT MILLER SUZETTE MILLER W C MILLER WAYNE MILLS MAX AJR MIQUEEN JAMIE MIRON BESSIE MITCHELL DARBY MITCHELL SHIRLEY MITSAKOPOULOS CARL MOBERG RICHARD MOCKUS VYTAUTAS MOFFETT DAVID O MOHER PAT MOHRMANN ROY MOLINARO AMY MOLLE ORVAL MOLLE ORVAL O MONDLOCH HOWARD MOORE DANIEL MOORE JENNIFER MOORE JERRY MOORE JOHN L MORALES HELEN M MORE DAVID MORE’ JAMES L MOREAU LEO MOREHOUSE ROBERT L MOREY JEFF MORGAN MERLE MORGANTINI ARLEEN A MORIN ALICE MORRISON GEORGE MORRISON ROBERT MOSLEY AUGUST MOSS HAROLD JR MOSS KENNETH J MOTTO BRADLEY MOYLE JACK MROZEK ANDREW MULHERON ANGUS MULLANEY THOMAS FSR MULLEN ALVIN MULLEN DENISE MULLER TERRY MUNN GLENN MUNN WES MURDOCK MICHAEL R MURPHY TIM MURRAY WILLIAM MURRINGER KEVIN MUSTATIA SUSAN L MUTCH IAN MYERS SANDRA MYLER EDWIN L N NACHTMAN PAUL NAGRO JOHN P NANKEE ROBERT NANTELLE CARL NARKOOLI JOHN NASON STEPHEN L NAUMANN ESTELLA M NEELIS EARL NEIMAN MARILYN NEITZER JANE NELSON ANN S NELSON BRAD

NELSON CAROL NELSON CHARLES JR NELSON DANIEL NELSON GERDA NELSON GLEN NELSON GLENN D NELSON HAROLD NELSON MARTHA L NELSON RANDALL NELSON WILLIAM NESBERG TED NESBITT ROBERT NESTELL FLOYD W NESTLE BILL NEUENS DENNIS NEUENS PATRICIA NEVENHOVEN DAVID NEVILLE DANIEL E NEWHOUSE ROBERT NEWMAN EDISON NEWMAN EMMANUEL P NEWTON ANTHONY NGUYEN LONG NICHOLAS LOUISE NICHOLAS SANDRA NICKLAS NAN NIELSEN N O NIEMI DAN R NIEMI EVELYN NIEMI HUGO NIEMI WILLIAM NIRVA VENNER NIVEN DAVID NOBBEN JAMES NOBLE KENNETH NOEL WILLIAM BJR NOFSINGER IRIS NOHA JAMES RSR NOOR ROSEMARY ESTATE OF NORBERRY LAURA NORDEN BRENDA NORDGREN LAURIE NORMAN ALICE NORTCH KATHLEEN NORTHRUP ROBERT NORTON RAYMOND P NORTON THERESA NOVINGER MILDRED NOWICKI WALTER NUERNBERG LONNIE NUESE GALE NUTTALL PATSY NYE MARIAN NYLUND LARRY S NYMAN HAROLD H O OAKES DON OATES STEPHEN OBERLITNER ALTON OBERSTAR ELIZABETH OCHSENKEHL ROBERT O’DELL LARRY O’DONNELL MICHAEL OHMAN T W TRUST OJALA EINO M OLEKSYN SUNNY Y OLIVER BARBARA OLIVER D C OLIVIER BRETT OLMSTED HOWARD OLMSTED MADELYN OLSEN RONALD OLSON BILL OLSON CHARLES A OLSON CHRIS OLSON DAVID OLSON EVELYN OLSON JEAN M OLSON P JOHN OLSON RICHARD D OLSSON CLIFFORD O’MALLEY MARTIN OMAN DIANA OPGENORTH ANN ORCUTT MILFORD

ORLEY GERALD ORNDAHL IVAR ORZEL KENNETH OSLUND CHARLES OSSTYN RANDOLPH OSTERMAN JAMES OSTRANDER MARY OTIS JOSEPH M OUELLETTE CLAUDE OUELLETTE CONNIE OUELLETTE KEVIN OUELLETTE ROGER OVERACKER LEONARD OXENFORD JAMES OZAMBELA RAFAEL P PAANANEN PAUL PAANANEN ROY PAAVOLA LUCILLE PAGAN MICHELLE PAGE BENSON PALMER EDWARD PALMER MARILYN PANGRAZZI JERRY PAPANDREA PHYLLIS PAQUETTE DONNA PAQUETTE HELEN PAQUETTE KIM R PAQUETTE VICKI PARCHER ADA PARDEE MARGARET PARKER ERNEST E PARKER LEROY PARKS JIM PAROLINI B E PARRISH JESS PARRISH SUSAN PATRICIA FRED PATTEN CHARLES PATTERSON J ALAN PAUL NORMAN PAULIN ERVIN J PAULIN KENNETH PAULSON EDWARD PAULSON GLEN PAULSON KARLA PAULSON MIKE PAVLAT JIM PAVLOVIC VES PAYNE JAMES PEACOCK BRIAN PEARSON RICHARD PEASE WESLEY PEKKALA KAREN M PELL DAN PELL EARL PELLEGRINI CAROL PELTIER THERESA PELTO CALLEE PELTO LESLIE JR PELTO SHELLY PELTOLA IMPIE PELTONEN RICHARD PENAR JOSEPH PENDAZ RUTH PEPIN JEFFREY PERKET STEVE PERLICK RICHARD PEROSKY THOMAS PERSON MICHAEL PERTTUNEN GLYDE H PERTUNEN CHRIS PETERS FRANK PETERS HELEN PETERSEN JOHN PETERSEN ROBERT PETERSON ALLAN PETERSON BRIAN A PETERSON CHARLES PETERSON DEBBIE PETERSON DOROTHY A PETERSON GEORGE PETERSON GORDON PETERSON JOHN A PETERSON LAWRENCE PETERSON PEGGY

PETERSON RICHARD PETERSON WESLEY PETITPREN RAYMOND PETROVIC JAMES C PETTY JOHN E PEVZNER MARTIN PFEIFFER FRED PFEIFFER WILLIAM C PFLUGRAD DAVID PHILEMON LENA PHILLIPS JOY ESTATE OF PICARD GLADYS PICKARD RICHARD PIERSON RICHARD B PIGOTT ROBERT PILLERA KEN PILLERA SHEILA PINKOS GERALD PINKOS KYLE PIRLOT DIANE PIRLOT PATRICIA PIVAR ANTHONY J PLACE SHANE PLOOF KEITH PLOURDE JOSEPH PLUFF ARTHUR PLUTCHAK J N POCIUS BRADFORD JSR POHLER WANETA POISSON KENNETH POKLAR RUDOLPH POLAND JOHN POLFUS JODY POLFUS ROBERT POLKINGHORNE PATRI POPLAWSKI BERNICE PORATH MICHAEL L PORTER EDWARD PORTER FRANCES PORTER JR WILLIAM POTTER LEONARD R POTTER THOMAS POWERS DAVID J POWERS RICHARD E POWERS RON J POWERS SUZANNE PRATT JOHN PRATT PATIENCE PREDIGER SANDRA PREMEAU ROBIN J PRESTAY THERESA PREVO RICHARD PRIEB DOROTHY PROFFITT LESLIE A PROUT TERRY PROVOT ROBERT PUGH JOHN PUGH WILLIS PUGLIA SAM PUMMELL PHILLIP PURPLE GERALD PUZACH LAWRENCE PYNNONEN MARK Q QUALMANN DAVID QUENTON SUSAN QUEVEDO EUNICE QUINN CHERYL QUINNELL EDWARD A

RAY CLARENCE RAY GREGORY RAY HUGH F RAY MARVIN RAYMOND RICK REBELLA PAUL REED BENNY REED DELORES M REEDER R M REICHERT JAMES REYNOLDS FRED REYNOLDS HAROLD REYNOLDS HARVEY S RHOADS KATHY RICHARDS F W RICHARDS MICHAEL RICHARDS RICHARD RICHMOND DAVID RIECKMAN JOHN RILEY DON RINGER DOROTHY RIPPLE ROBERT E RISKU ALBERT P RITTENGER MARK ROBBINS ALVIN ROBERTS CAROL ROBERTS ELEANORA ROBERTS EMMA ROBERTS JOHN ROBERTS JOSEPH EJR ROBERTS WILLIAM H ROBERTSON BRENT ROBERTSON MIKE ROBERTSON PAUL E ROBINSON DANIEL ROBINSON EARL ROBINSON KAREN ROBINSON LEON ROBINSON WAYNE ROBISON DONALD R ROCHEFORT MILLICENT J ROCKENBACH PHILIP ROEDER FRED ROHDE RAYMOND ROMERO ART ROSA DAWN ROSENLUND JAMES ROSS ROBERT L ROUBOS PAUL ROULEAU JAMES ROWLEY DUANE ROYER BETH ROZEK MICHAEL RUCINSKI RICHARD RULEAU ROBERT RUMAC AGNES RUNGE WILBUR RUOTSALA MATT RUPAR CONNIE RUSHLOW VINCE RUSKA JOHN RUSSELL EVERETT RUSSELL MARK RUSSO LILA P RYAN WILLIAM RYAN WILLIAM JR RYERSE JOSEPH RYERSE LEONARD RZANCA JANETTE RZONCA MARY L

R RABIDEAU ROBERT RABOIN GEORGE RADCLIFF RAYMOND RAMA GENEVA RAMA STANLEY RAMSEY WILLIAM RANCOUR THOMAS RANDALL HAROLD RANGUETTE JOYCE RANKEN ED RAS KAREN RASMUSSEN KATHIE RATH GORDON RATHBUN CHARLES P RAVEN RICHARD

S SAARI NANCY SACHASCHIK JOE SAGATAW MICHAEL SAGER LUETTA SAGERT DAWN M SAHN KEN SALINE ANITA SALMI KAYLEEN SALO NOREEN SAMAR CHARLES P SAMS TINA SANCHO JAMES P SANDAHL CHRISTOPH SANDBERG ROBERT SANDERSON HOWARD

SANDERSON WILLIAM SANDUSKY ARTHUR SANFORD AARON SANTTI GEORGE J SANVILLE ROY SAPE LEO SARBER MARY A SARGENT VIOLET SARVER JERRY SASSIN JOHN SATTERFIELD ROGER SAUNDERS EDWARD SAUNDERS ROYAL SAUTTER DIANE SAUVE JAMES SAVOLA REINO SAYEN LUCILLE SCARPELLI FREDA SCHAEFER DENNIS W SCHAEFER EVORA SCHAUPETER KAREN A SCHETTER TOM SCHICK EDWARD J SCHIMMEL DUANE H SCHIPPA LYLE SCHLUETER GENE SCHMIDT GARY J SCHMIDT R W SCHMIDTKE ALAN SCHMITT MARK SCHNEIDER JEANNE SCHNURER MICHAEL SCHOEN HUGH W SCHOENSEE RODGER SCHRANDT CHERYL SCHROCK KENNETH SCHROEDER ED SCHROEDER HELEN SCHROEDER JOHN SCHROEDER JUDITH SCHROEDER RICHARD SCHULER ALMA SCHULTZ DAVID O SCHULTZ KAROL SCHWANDER CRAIG SCHWARK WILLIAM SCHWARTZ ANDREW SCHWARTZ JOHN L SCHWEMIN EVERETT SCHWENDERMAN WM A SCOTT CLARENCE W SCOTT VIRGIL SCRIBA MONA ESTATE OF SEALANDER MARVIN SEALANDER STELLA SEEGER EDITH SEGLUND RICHARD SEIDL ROBERT SELANDER WILBUR R SELIN JANELLE SELLERS WILLIAM SENGER WALTER SENSIBA BERT SEPPANEN CHERYL SERRA CHARLES SEVDE JAN SEYMOUR TIM SHARROW STEVE SHATZER MARIAN L SHAW ARTHUR SHAW DUANE SHAW WILLIAM SHEETS HAROLD R SHEPPARD RONALD SHERBINOW LINDA SHEREN PAMELA SHERWIN JOHN SHERWIN JOHN B SHIMP JOHN R SHIRK MICHAEL A SHORKEY JAMES R SHORT HAROLD D SHORT OWEN A SHORTER J.CLYDE SHUMAR PETER SHUSTA PETER P SICINSKI ANTHONY

SIERACKI MARY A SIIRILA EINO SIMON BEVERLEY J SIMON JOSEPH SR SIMPSON WILLIAM SIMS VIRGIL SINERVO EUGENE SINN ELIZABETH L SIPKOVSKY ROBERT SKALLERUP DONALD SKELLENGER BYRON SKOWLUND HARVEY SLATTERY RICHARD L SLAVSKY PHILLIP SLOAN DELWIN SLUSSER ALANDA SMEESTER PAMILA SMIT DONNA SMITH CHARLES J SMITH CLARIBEL SMITH DALE SMITH DAVID P SMITH DONALD SMITH GARY SMITH JAMES S SMITH JEAN SMITH JEREMY SMITH KELLY SMITH KERRY SMITH LARRY D SMITH LEE SMITH LOUISE SMITH RICHARD L SMITH ROBERT SMITH TERRY SMITH WARREN J SMITH WILLIAM SNOW VEONNE SNYDER JULIE SNYDER MATT SODDERS WILLIAM SOGARD JOAN L SOMMARBERG EDWIN SOPER DALE SOPER VERN SORENSON ELSIE SOT JOHN SOUMIS CAROL A SOUTHWELL DONALD D SOWA EDWARD SOWERS CARL SPAGNOLO LAWRENCE SPANEL JOHN SPARKS LAWRENCE SPAULDING EDWARD SPEAR G A SPECKER JOHN SPELGATTI DAVID SPENCER DAVID SPENCER DONALD SPENCER TIM SPERLING TWYLAH SPIECE MARK L SPOERNER HAROLD M SPOKES FRANK SPRIENSMA DOUG SPRIGGS DANIEL A SPRIKS RICHARD SPYKER LOIS SQUIRES ROBERT B ST AMOUR DIANNE ST AMOUR DON ST CYR PERRY ST DENIS RICHARD ST GERMAIN JONAS ST GERMAINE KATHERINE ST JOHN THOMAS ST MARTIN JOHN M ST OURS LLOYD STACKLEY KATHLEEN STADIG KENT H STADWICK LEON STAFFE VIVIAN STAFFELD CHRISTINE STANLEY MILES STECKLEY WILLIAM STEEB TERRY

STEEDE DOROTHY A STEELE MIKE STEERE OWEN STEERE SHIRLEY STEINBACK AYNARD STEINBRECHER EVA STEINER RUSSELL STENROSE LENA STEPHENS KELLY STEPHENSON NORMA STEVENS MARCIA STEVENS MARK STEVENS TOM STEWART DONALD STICH ELDEN STIERITZ MATT STILLSON DIANE STIMAC FRANCIS STOBBELAAR JOHN S STODDARD MELANIE M STONE MELVIN STONE WILLIAM STONEBURNER ROSE STORCH ARTHUR E STORE CARRIE STRAHL KELLY STRAHL PEGGY A STRAUSS SELMA STRAZZINSKI JOHN STRINGER JACK STRIPLING BURNELL STROM LILLIAN STROM MARY A STROM SHARON E STROMGREN HELEN STRUCK ROBERT SUGIHARA BEN T SULLIVAN ANNA M SULLIVAN SHAWN SUNDBACK JEFF SUNDIN HARVEY SUNDLING CARL SUNDLING JESSE E SUNDSTROM DONALD SUNILA ERNEST SUOJANEN ARNO SUTCLIFFE RICHARD SUTTER KEN SWAGART BRENDA SWANSON DELBERT SWANSON JANE SWANSON LAWRENCE SWANSON VICTORIA SWARD HENRY I SWAYER FRANCIS SWENSON WILLIAM A SWIGART J LEE SYERS LOUISE SYLVESTER LOUIS SYPE RUSSELL SZAPA BRUCE SZATKOWSKI GARY T TAIT GREG TAIT MARVIN TAKACS LOUIS TANDLUND RICHARD TARSKE RICHARD H TATROW JULIE TAYLOR JOHN TAYLOR ROBERT TAYLOR WILLIAM TEETER MAURICE TEIGEN TERRY TEMPLE DOUGLAS TEMPLE EARL TENEYCK GEORGE TERVOLA BRUCE TEXTER III ROBERT A THATCHER JAMES THIBEAULT RICKEY THIELKE DENNIS THILL JAMES THOMAS FRANCIS THOMAS JAMES THOMAS ROBERT C

THOMPSON CHARLES L THOMPSON MARVIN THOMPSON TERRY THORLEY RON THORNTON BETTY THORRINGTON LISA TILFORD ANDREW TILLISON JIM TITHOF ROSALEE J TODD RAYMOND TOGNARELLI BETTY TOMPKINS MILTON K TOMPKINS W B TOPEL BILL TOTH ROBERT TRAGER ROBERT J TREBILCOCK LEANNE TREGEMBO DAVID TREPTOW JAMES TREVASKIS SHIRLEY TREVETHAN GEORGE TREWARTHA LEONARD TRICKETT ROBERT TRIERWEILER WENDA S TRIM CECIL TROMBLEY LOYST E TROST DONALD TROST JEANNE TROTTER JOHN TROUT GENEVIEVE TRUCKEY WILLARD TRUDEAU VIVIAN TRUOG KAREN TRUSCHKE FRED TUCKER DOUGLAS S TUCKER ORVILLE R TUCKER THOMAS TUOMIKOSKI JOLYNN TUOMIKOSKI REVA TUREK DON/GINA TURK DUANE TURK DWAYNE TURNBULL GEORGE TURNER KIMBERLY TURPIN TOM TUSKAN BRENDA TUTTLE BRENT TUYLS DANIEL TWA KAREN TYLER JACK TYNER MELANIE TYSON ROBERT U UNDERHILE MELVIN UNDERHILL JOHN PC URBAN JENNIE URQUHART THORNTON L V VADNAIS JOSEPH P VALEEN ESTHER VALENCIC JIM VALENTINE A H VALLERUGO CATHERINE VALLERUGO JOHN VANABEL CYRIL VANDEMARK TERRY VANDENBERG JACK VANDENBOOM DAN VANDEZANDE MARGARET VANDYKE JOHN VANELSACKER BONNIE VANELSACKER DAWN VANHALA A VANLERBERGHE ERNEST VANLOON DEAN VANOENEN MIKE VANRIPER J VANTASSEL STEVE VARGO JOHN H VARVIL LORRAINE VAUDREUIL ROSALIE VEIHL DAVID VELEZ HUMBERTO VERHOEF MARVIN J VIAU TERRY

VICK EDWIN VIITALA LES VIOLETTE EDSEL VITITO TOM VOGELBACHER LORE VONHADEN CONNIE VONHUBEN CORINNE VORBECK KIRK W WACHTER CRYSTAL WADDINGHAM BONNIE WAGNER CHARLES WAGNER JOHN A WALKER TARA WALL CLAUDE WALLEN JANE WANDAHSEGA SHARON WANINK DAVE WARD CLARA WARD JOYCE WARD ROBERT WARD SCOTT WARNER RICHARD WARNER ROY WARREN SCOTT WARRICK DONNA WASHBURN ROBERT D WATSON RON A WATZ RANDY WAYBRANT MARIAN WEACKLER THERESA WEATHERFORD EDITH WEBBER HECTOR WEBER MICHAEL WECK RUSSELL WEESE C J WEILAND BETTY H WEINSCHROTT PHILLIP J WEISS PATRICIA WELLINGTON ROSEMARY WELLNER GUY R WELLNITZ WALTER WELLS GERALD WELSH KATHLEEN WENDLING GERALD WENTZEL BEATRICE WERRE RANDALL WERT JESSIE WERY ALBERT WERY GERALD WERY RAYMOND WESTBERG CARL WHALLON SALLY J WHEELER DON WHERRY WILLIAM JR WHITE DONALD WHITE PATRICIA WHITE WILLIAM WHITELAW MATTHEW WHITFIELD NEAL WHITMAN DONALD R WHITMAN JOSEPH WHITTRIDGE CHARMA WICKLUND JAMES WICKMAN TOD WICKLUND ROY TRUST WIDDIS RICHARD C WIESNER LYNNE WIGLE JOHN G WIHOWSKI DAN WIKLANSKI PAUL WILCHEK FRANK WILDE EDWARD WILDEY JEFF WILHELM MARJORIE WILKINS CYNTHIA WILKINSON ROBERT WILLET RUTH WILLEY STEVEN M WILLIAMS ALLAN WILLIAMS BRIAN E WILLIAMS DALE WILLIAMS JOAN WILLIAMS KEITH WILLIAMS MARVIN WILLIAMS PATRICIA

WILLIAMS PAUL WILLIAMS RAYMOND WILLIAMS RHONDA WILLIAMS SANDRA J WILLIAMS WESLEY WILLIS LYNN WILLISON CONNIE WILLS STEPHEN WILLSON DON WILS CHARLIE WILS DAVID WILSON CHUCK WILSON KATHLEEN WILSON LOUISE WILSON MARIETTA WILSON PATRICIA L WILSON ROBERT WILSON TOM WINCHELL H L WINTER WILLIAM C WINTERMUTE CLARE A WINTERS ALBERTA WINTERS MELVIN WIRTH JACK WISELEY CLARENCE E WNUCK ALFRED WOJDA MARY WOLF ROBERT WOLFE EMILY WOOD ALLAN WOOD ALLEN WOOD LEO WOODAZ BETTY WOODLAND MICHAEL WOODWORTH PATRICK WOON JAMES N WOYTONIK KAMMIE WRIGHT ALVIN WRIGHT JEAN WRIGHT LEONARD WRIGHT MARJORIE WRIGHT VICKI WRONA CARL WYLIE HENRY WYMAN DAVID WYMAN DAVID SR Y YANKUNAS PETER J YEADON JAMES YLIMAKI OIVA YOKEUM JOANN YOKEUM SHEILA YOST TINA YOUNG CARL YOUNG ELIZABETH YOUNG FRED YOUNG GEORGE YOUNG ROBERT YOUNGS EARL Z ZABKIEWICZ ROBERT ZAHORIK PHILIP ZAJDEL ROBERT ZIELESCH EDWARD ZOKOE JOSEPH ZONA ROBERT F ZORZA JAMES ZORZA ROBERT ZWIERZYCKI LEON ZWOLINSKI RONALD

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

MI CO-OP Guest Column

Rural Michigan Pickleball

By Christopher Mulder, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member

y mom was a trendsetter when she picked up and started to share her newfound pickleball game approximately six years ago, well before the current pickleball rave.

While celebrities are pickleball influencers and investing in pickleball in heavily populated areas, rural America is picking up the sport, too.

M

Mystery Photo

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The first place mom introduced pickleball to my family was during a Tuesday morning game at a local church’s indoor multiuse court.

We were on Christmas break, visiting my parents from Texas, our latest Air Force assignment at the time. My family of five played with young and old alike, building community, embracing light competition, and raising our heart rate. We were hooked.

Over the years since then, we have played wherever we could find court space—back at the church, close-by community center, or Village of New Era’s pickleball court, which it has thanks to a grant. Playing the game with our school-age children is always a highlight.

Nov./Dec. 2023 Winner! Our Mystery Photo winner is Keith Hemenway, a Midwest Energy & Communications member, who correctly identified the Dome at the Michigan State Capitol.

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The most recent and significant pickleball playing event occurred this past summer. We put together a small but competitive pickleball tournament at New Era’s pickleball court.

After clearing the water from the court following an overnight rain, it was time for opening ceremonies— invocation, national anthem, and tournament rules. Over the next few hours, the six teams aggressively competed for the title of inaugural champion, but of course only one team can come out on top. That team was composed of my two teenage sons; they played with heart and poise, defeating my wife and me in the final round. Of course, in this house, we haven’t heard the end of their big victory.

Rural America can offer excellent pickleball play with friends, family, and even strangers. Our goal is to have an annual pickleball tournament in the Village of New Era. Even beyond this tournament, I hope to continue making memories well into the future while playing pickleball in west Michigan and other locations around the state.

About the Author: Christopher enjoys playing pickleball, making maple syrup, and traveling. He is a United States Air Force Officer and F-16 pilot. He once wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal suggesting we send a president to space.

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18 JANUARY 2024

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RECEIVE A MONTHLY EMAIL OR APP NOTIFICATION WITH YOUR BILL AMOUNT AND DUE DATE.

SET UP DUE DATE REMINDERS SO YOU NEVER MISS A PAYMENT.

EASY AND SECURE PAYMENTS: STILL PAY ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE.

ONLINE ACCESS: VIEW OR PRINT CURRENT AND PAST STATEMENTS AND USAGE HISTORY.

Sign up for paperless billing and receive a $20 bill credit!

The first 150 members who sign up for paperless billing via SmartHub will receive a $20 bill credit.

ALREADY REGISTERED WITH SMARTHUB?

Simply log in and enroll in paperless billing to be eligible for the $20 bill credit.

VISIT ALGERDELTA.COM AND CLICK ON SMARTHUB TO GET STARTED algerdelta.com • (906) 428-4141 • 1-800-562-0950 At Alger Delta Electric, we join forces with other local, not-for-profit utilities through WPPI Energy to share resources and lower costs.