Both of these devices create hot air, but which uses less power?
Space Heater (high) 1,500 watts
7 Series Geothermal Heat Pump 900 watts1
WaterFurnace—The smartest way to heat and cool your home. You may not realize it, but your home is sitting on a free and renewable supply of energy. A WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump taps into the stored solar energy in your yard to provide savings up to 70% on heating, cooling, and hot water. It uses less power than a typical space heater—and it won’t singe the hair on your legs. Geothermal is a smart investment in your family’s comfort. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today and find out how much you can save by switching to geothermal.
Michigan Center Comfort 1/Air Serv of Southern Michigan (517)764-1500 airserv.com/southernmichigan/
Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989)772-4822 waltonheating.com
Portage
Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com
Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517)647-6906 esiheating.com
Sunfield
Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com
Three Rivers Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com
Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com
A lger Delta Electric: up to $2,000
C h erryland 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
P resque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op : up to $4,750
Thumb Electric: up to $2,000
MICHIGAN
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark
EDITOR: Christine Dorr
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird
RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman
COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR:
Emily Haines Lloyd
PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association
Michigan Country Lines, USPS591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.
Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta, Cherryland, Great Lakes, HomeWorks Tri-County, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Thumb electric cooperatives by their boards of directors.
POSTMASTER:
Send all UAA to CFS.
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS:
Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; 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
MI CO-OP Community
RECIPE CONTEST
See details on page 10. Smoothies & Shakes, due Feb. 1; Mushrooms, due March 1 Win a $100 bill credit!
GUEST COLUMN
See details on page 18. Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published!
MYSTERY PHOTO
See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!
To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
6 FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE COFFEE TABLE
Michigan Photographer Tyler Leipprandt unveils MIconic: a stunning collection of aerial photography masterpieces.
10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN
Soups and Stews: The perfect comfort food.
14 FROM THE U.P. TO THE WORLD
Pine Mountain Ski Jump is widely regarded as one of the best ski jumping hills globally and hosts the FIS Continental Cup.
18 GUEST COLUMN
A Family Quilt: Love and precious memories inspired a HomeWorks member to complete a project her grandmother had started.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
District 1—Big Bay
Darryl Small
906-345-9369 • d1director@algerdelta.com
District 2—Harvey/Deerton
Karen Alholm
906-249-1095 • d2director@algerdelta.com
District 3—Grand Marais
Tim Jenkins
586-306-2141 • d3director@algerdelta.com
District 4—Cedar River/Palestine Bill Wotruba 414-507-9787 • d4director@algerdelta.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 • d6director@algerdelta.com
District 7—Stonington/Rapid River Kirk Bruno 906-399-1432 • d7director@algerdelta.com
District 8—Nahma/Isabella Don Johnson
906-280-0867 • d8director@algerdelta.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)
The Value Of Electricity Continues To Shine
By Mike Furmanski, General Manager
How many of us remember dropping into Alger Delta’s office with our parents and grandparents to pay the light bill? Whether you pay your monthly bill in person, by mail, or online today, it does much more than keep the lights on.
Electricity keeps us connected to our modern world. Consider all the necessities and conveniences we enjoy in part because of the power lines running to the electric meter outside your home.
Count your televisions, desktops, laptops, tablet computers, printers, gaming consoles, music and video players, and personal assistant devices. Whether they are used every day or just occasionally, the electricity that keeps them working comes from Alger Delta.
Have you looked around your kitchen lately? Between the coffee maker and toaster and the microwave and electric skillet, a lot of us have added several other modern small appliances.
If you have a craft nook or workshop, the power tools and machines you use to cut and shape your projects can be either plugged in or recharged from the outlets connecting your household wiring to Alger Delta.
You use electricity to run all these devices, and we still keep the lights on, allowing you to use the stove, heat, and air conditioning, and get hot water from the tap. The good news is that even as we rely more on electricity, it’s still a bargain, especially compared to other things we pay for regularly.
Electricity costs have risen by about 1% annually, but co-ops across the country have reported a decline in average residential use per household since 2010. That means we’re doing more things with less energy.
Your co-op encourages you to look for ENERGY STAR ® appliances and promotes technology to give members more control over their electricity use.
Energy performance dashboards, smart thermostats and power strips, and appliance settings that shift most water heating, laundry, and dishwashing outside peak rate periods help reduce the co-op’s overall power demand. They also give you opportunities to control or even trim your monthly utility bills.
That’s good for families, couples, and individuals trying to live within their budgets. And it will become even more critical as digital devices and internetconnected technologies become even more important in our lives.
The average home now has 10 Wi-Fi-connected devices. That number is expected to explode to 50 by 2025. Technology and the gateways that keep it working use electricity, so you’ll depend upon Alger Delta for more than the power that keeps the lights on.
ARE WE LOOKING FOR YOU?
One 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
Telephone ( ) 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
From the Classroom to the Coffee Table
Tyler Leipprandt Releases MIconic
By Emily Haines Lloyd
Back in 2019, Tyler Leipprandt was balancing life as a teacher with a side hustle in drone photography—primarily in real estate. Fast forward to today, and he’s still fi nding his balance—only now, it’s while dangling from helicopters, capturing Michigan’s most iconic landscapes from above.
A Leap of Faith
Leipprandt’s shift from teaching to full-time photography wasn’t a decision made lightly. Like so many, his life was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him to juggle the demands of returning to the classroom while expanding his photography business. Soon, managing both became unsustainable. In a bold move, Leipprandt sold his house in Bad Axe, left his teaching job, and relocated to Traverse City to pursue photography full-time as Michigan Sky Media.
“It was daunting,” Leipprandt reflected. “Leaving a stable job with benefits to do something on my own wasn’t easy. But with my family’s support, I was dedicated to making it work.”
With hard work and perseverance, Leipprandt not only survived but thrived. His business expanded beyond real estate photography into landscapes and aerial shots of major sporting events. His now-famous “Dangle Series”—photographs captured while he’s suspended
from helicopters—cemented his reputation as a daring and talented photographer. In just four years, he built a notable client base that includes Pure Michigan, the State of Michigan, and the Baltimore Ravens.
A Passion for Aviation and
Michigan’s Landscapes
Aviation has always been a passion for Leipprandt, stemming from a family love of air shows and his sister’s service in the Air Force. This enthusiasm for flight led him to capture stunning stadium fl yovers and large sporting events. His most iconic photo, taken at the Rose Bowl with a B-2 bomber soaring overhead, perfectly encapsulates his love for both sports and aviation.
“When I saw a Rose Bowl fl yover photo from years ago, I knew I had to capture it for myself.” Leipprandt shared. “There’s something special about the roar of a fl yover—it’s exhilarating, and it brings together my love for service, sports, and photography.”
The Making of ‘MIconic’
Leipprandt’s dream of creating a professional coffee table book began with a homemade project. “My wife and I made our fi rst book online, and we sold 100 copies,” he recalled. “It was a fun project, but I knew I wanted to do something on a more professional level.”
This opportunity emerged after a Traverse City newspaper featured his Rose Bowl photo, leading to connections with a publisher. By February 2023, Leipprandt was working on “MIconic,” a book that took nine months to complete and was released this fall.
“MIconic” is structured regionally, beginning in Michigan’s Thumb, where Leipprandt’s photography journey started. Each chapter includes one to two backstories, giving readers insight into the photos and the moments behind them. “I wanted the book to be engaging and interactive,” Leipprandt explained. “Those stories and connections have shaped my path.”
For Leipprandt, photography goes beyond capturing beautiful images. It’s about the people he meets and the stories tied to each shot. “It’s not always about the photo itself,” he said. “It’s about how the moment happened, who you’re with, and the memories that come from those experiences.”
“It’s not always about the photo itself. It’s about how the moment happened, who you’re with, and the memories that come from those experiences.”
Director Elections In 2025
District 1: Big Bay
District 6: Nathan/White Rapids
District 9: Hiawatha/Maple Ridge Alger Delta will be holding director elections in three of its nine districts. In 2025, District 1 (Big Bay), District 6 (Nathan/White Rapids), and District 9 (Hiawatha/Maple Ridge) will hold elections to send a representative to the board of directors. Elections will be held via mail ballot beginning March 10, 2025 and concluding on May 1, 2025. 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. 3, 2025.
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
Photo Contest WINNERS 2024
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
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.
HISTORICAL TREASURES
1. Restoration of a gem, Michigan Central. Ivana Enright
2. Grave of Charley Kawbawgam “The Last Chief of the Chippewa.” He lived to the age of 103 (1799–1902). Diane Lang
3. Nahma Burner, forever in our hearts. Jeanne Kennedy
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 2025 will be entered in a drawing. Four lucky members will win a $50 energy bill credit on their December 2025 bills!
Upcoming Photo Topics and Deadlines:
Sunrise to Sunset, due Jan. 25 (March/April issue)
Michigan’s Farmlands, due March 25 (May/June issue)
Michigan’s Waterfalls, due May 25 (July/Aug. issue)
To submit photos, go to http://bit.ly/countrylines We look forward to seeing your best photos!
SOUPS & STEWS
EASY CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
Chris McAfee, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op
1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
1 medium yellow onion, fi nely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
2 cups chicken broth
1 (1- to 1.3-ounce) taco seasoning mix packet, mild or medium
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Toppings:
• shredded cheese of choice
• sour cream, optional
• corn chips, such as Fritos
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil and onion. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until onions are translucent. Add the corn, beans, tomatoes, green chiles, chicken, broth, taco seasoning, and cumin. Stir well and bring heat to boiling. Turn heat to medium and cook for about 15 minutes to combine fl avors, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, add lime juice, and stir. Serve soup in bowls with desired toppings. Serves 6. Can easily double recipe.
GRANDMA’S POTATO SOUP
Deborah Lull, Midwest Energy
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow or white onion, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
6 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 cups chicken broth or stock
6 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¹⁄4 teaspoon salt
¹⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
1¹⁄2 cups milk
1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup cubed, cooked ham
5 green onions, chopped, optional
In a large skillet, add the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and stir. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, in another medium skillet, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the milk and stir constantly until it starts to thicken. Add the cream of chicken soup and ham. Stir until completely mixed. Once the potatoes are tender, transfer the thickened mixture to the vegetables. Stir and cook until completely heated. Ladle into bowls and top with chopped green onions. Serve immediately.
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add mushrooms, onions, celery, and carrots. Cook and stir until tender. Stir in fl our. Stir in the broth, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the vegetable and broth mixture into a blender or food processor with ¹⁄2 cup lobster meat. Cover and process until smooth. Return to saucepan and stir in half-and-half, white wine, and remaining lobster. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until thickened, about 30 minutes. Garnish with lobster meat and fresh parsley.
SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW
Ruth Armbrustmacher, HomeWorks Tri-County
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
¹⁄4 cup flour
¹⁄2 teaspoon salt
¹⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
¹⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, chopped
1¹⁄2 cups beef broth
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Place beef in crockpot. In a small bowl, mix together the fl our, salt, and black pepper. Pour over meat, and stir to coat. Stir in the garlic powder, bay leaf, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, and potatoes. Cover and cook on low for 10–12 hours. Remove the bay leaf, add the frozen vegetables, and stir until warmed. Combine the cornstarch and water and add to stew to thicken. Serve.
FROM THE U.P. TO THE WORLD
Pine Mountain’s FIS Continental Cup Journey Continues
By Emily Haines Lloyd
Nestled in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, far from the glitz of the Alps or the Rockies, lies Pine Mountain—a place where world-class athletes soar, and a small-town community comes together in a way that rivals the most famous ski venues.
As Iron Mountain gears up to host the 2025 Pine Mountain FIS Continental Cup Feb. 21–23, this rural Midwest town is proving once again that it doesn’t take global prestige to create an unforgettable event—just heart, dedication, and one heck of a tailgate.
A PROUD HERITAGE:
Pine Mountain and the FIS Continental Cup
Pine Mountain Ski Jump is widely regarded as one of the best ski jumping hills globally. You read that right—globally. It is one of a handful of ski jumps in North America to host an FIS-accredited Continental Cup (formerly known as the International Ski Federation, but now called the International Ski & Snowboard Federation.) This event serves as a critical stepping stone for athletes looking to compete in the FIS World Cup and the Winter Olympics, drawing athletes from all over the world.
The Kiwanis Ski Club, a nonprofit organization founded in the 1930s, has nurtured this reputation and takes on the daunting task of organizing and executing this world-class event.
A
WORLD-CLASS
EVENT: Tailgating and Spectators
In addition to the high-quality competition, Pine Mountain is home to one of the largest tailgating events in the Midwest. Every year, approximately 10,000 spectators flock to the site, with tailgating spots selling out quickly. Some spots have been reserved by the same families for generations, creating a sense of continuity and tradition that can be felt the moment you enter the grounds. Tailgaters deck out their spaces with BBQ grills and flags from participating countries, providing an international and festive atmosphere that’s as much a part of the event as the ski jumping itself.
This unique combination of top-tier athleticism and community engagement makes Pine Mountain an unforgettable stop on the Continental Cup circuit, as well as a welcome contributor to the local economy, with local hotels, restaurants, and shops benefitting from the influx of visitors.
“The economic impact of this event is huge, bringing people from all over the country,” said Kiwanis Ski Club member and volunteer Daniel Freeman. “Iron Mountain and Kingsford are proud to host this event and share our piece of the U.P. with the world.”
THE
HEART AND SOUL:
Volunteers and Community Spirit
What truly makes the FIS Continental Cup at Pine Mountain special, however, is the incredible effort of its volunteers. The event might not have the glitzy infrastructure of more famous ski resorts, but it has something that’s arguably more valuable: a dedicated group of volunteers whose hard work and passion allow the event to match the professionalism of any other competition on the global stage.
The Kiwanis Ski Club, with fewer than 100 active members, organizes and runs the event, supported by a larger network of community volunteers. These individuals handle everything, from shoveling steps and icing tracks to measuring the depth and pitch of the snow on the jump. Volunteers brave harsh winter conditions to keep the event running smoothly and ensure that Pine Mountain Ski Jump meets the high standards set by the FIS, giving athletes the kind of professional experience they expect at any international competition.
“We have a wonderful history of ski jumping in our community,” said Freeman. “The way our volunteers show up and execute at the highest level is a testament to our spirit of volunteerism.”
This is not the Swiss Alps, but the Continental Cup at Pine Mountain stands shoulder to shoulder with other renowned events—in large part due to the communities who show up, give their all, and literally help athletes fl y.
Where In Michigan Is
This?
A Family Quilt
Mary Ellen Wynes, a HomeWorks Tri-County Cooperative member
A single mom and career woman years before it was common, my grandma never had time for hobbies. She retired in 1957 at age 70 and filled some suddenly empty hours cutting hundreds of small fabric circles to make a yo-yo quilt, a popular project with crafters that year.
MYSTERY PHOTO
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Identify the correct location of the photo above by Jan. 25 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community
Nov./Dec. 2024 WINNER!
Our Mystery Photo winner is Joseph Crites, an Alger Delta Cooperative member who correctly identified the photo as the Mini Mac Bridge in St. Louis, Mich. Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September, and November/December.
Struck with the enormity of the task of basting the edge of each circle, then pulling the thread to gather it into a still smaller “yo-yo,” she soon elicited the assistance of everyone in the family. No one escaped! Shortly after being seated for a visit, guests were handed a piece with a prethreaded needle and instructed to “make a yo-yo.” When we needed “chips” for a poker game during a family vacation, she produced a wrinkled paper bag full of yo-yos, which worked well.
Years fl ew by, and the yo-yos were forgotten until my grandma passed at 99. When my mom discovered the battered bags, their contents as brightly vibrant as ever, they were no longer hundreds of individual circles, but they had been meticulously stitched together into diamond shapes. They were given to me with the request, “Do something with Grandma’s yo-yos.”
Guided more by nostalgia than skill, I pieced that fabric of my life
together into a quilt, remembering as I stitched, the lives of others who were a part of its creation. The last Christmas before my mother’s death, my parents’ departure from our home after a visit was delayed by car trouble. Given this unexpected bonus day together, I asked if she would teach me how to embroider so that I could put the fi nishing touch on Grandma’s quilt. Together we completed the project by stitching on the border: “Created by Ruby B. MacLean 1952 and Mary Ellen Wynes 1993.”
GUEST COLUMN Win $200 for stories published! Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.
H OW TO APPLY
•
•
• Developing life-long friendships with delegates from across the country!
• Applicants must be a sophomore or junior in high school.
• You and your parents, guardian, or grandparents must be served by Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association.
• Apply Now: Scan the QR code or visit www.cooperativeyouthtour.com.