January 2025 GLE

Great Lakes Energy Cooperative

January 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

FROM THE U.P. TO THE WORLD Pine Mountain’s FIS Continental Cup Journey Continues

2025 Truestream Construction Plans Announced People Fund Celebrates 25 Years GLE Awards $30,000 In Classroom Grants

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT1

Both of these devices create hot air, but which uses less power?

7 Series

Space Heater (high) 1,500 watts

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.

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Reliable Renewable is a trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc

visit us at waterfurnace.com/mi

1. ENERGY STAR rated units qualify for 30% through 2030 and 26% through 2032 and 22% through 2033 .

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

Contents countrylines.com

January 2025 Vol. 45, No. 1 /michigancountrylines

/michigancountrylines

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark EDITOR: Christine Dorr GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Michigan Country Lines, USPS591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.

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Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta, Cherryland, Great Lakes, HomeWorks Tri-County, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Thumb electric cooperatives by their boards of directors.

POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. ASSOCIATION OFFICERS: Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; Craig Borr, president and CEO. CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR: Michigan Country Lines 201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please notify your electric cooperative.

See page 4 for contact information.

The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.

MICHIGAN’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

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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

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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.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Exciting Truestream Times Ahead

By Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Howard Bowersox, Chair, District 8 219-670-0977 hbowersox@glenergy.com Janet Andersen, Vice Chair, District 6 231-690-4622 jandersen@glenergy.com Paul Byl, Secretary, District 7 231-742-2643 pbyl@glenergy.com Dale Farrier, Treasurer, District 5 231-564-0853 dfarrier@glenergy.com Mark Carson, District 2 231-675-0561 mcarson@glenergy.com David Coveyou, Director, District 1 231-347-4056 dcoveyou@glenergy.com Richard Evans, Director, District 3 231-883-3146 revans@glenergy.com John LaForge, Director, District 9 269-623-2284 jlaforge@glenergy.com Mary O’Connell, Director, District 4 517-974-5797 moconnell@glenergy.com PRESIDENT/CEO: Shaun Lamp 888-485-2537 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Brett Streby 231-487-1389 • bstreby@glenergy.com BOYNE CITY HEADQUARTERS 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712 Call center hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. M–F Phone: 888-485-2537 Email: glenergy@glenergy.com TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: Call 888-485-2537 or login to your account at gtlakes.com or the GLE mobile app.

When I look back over the year that just ended and ahead at the year that’s just beginning, I’m filled with pride about what we’ve accomplished and excitement about what the future will bring when it comes to making a positive impact on the lives of our members. This is especially true for our Truestream fiber internet service.

Over the past six years, we’ve connected more than 24,000 Truestreamers to our fiber network and received various grants for the project including a $46 million Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure (ROBIN) grant in 2023.

In 2024 alone, we added an additional 900 miles of trunkline to our fiber network, and as the year was drawing to a close, our complete fiber network build-out had just passed the halfway point.

Thanks to the gains we made in our construction last year, in the fall of 2024, we were able to get a head start on some of our 2025 construction plans by beginning fiber construction in the Kalkaska service area. We’ve already begun accepting registration for service in some of these areas with more to follow soon.

In 2025, we will continue leveraging the ROBIN grants we were awarded in 2023 in four construction phases, eventually making Truestream service available to more than 9,000 GLE members in our Kalkaska, Scottville, Waters, and Hart service districts, which include rural parts of Kalkaska, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Crawford, Oceana, and Mason counties.

While last year’s work focused heavily on our Waters service district in Otsego and Crawford counties, this year, we are moving much farther into our Kalkaska service area and southern portions of our Waters service district that we couldn’t reach in 2024. We’ll also be making our first inroads into our Scottville service district in portions of Mason and Oceana counties outside of Pentwater.

Seeing the continued growth of our Truestream network is especially rewarding because its life-changing impact on the lives of our members mirrors the impact electric cooperatives had on their members by bringing electric service to unserved rural areas starting in the 1930s.

Although our not-yet-served area continues to shrink, I know many members are still eagerly awaiting Truestream service. I want to offer my thanks for your patience as we work on a project that requires significant time and financial resources to build out the massive infrastructure for the Truestream network.

We look forward to connecting you to Truestream service, and I want to reassure you that we are working hard to make that happen as efficiently as we can.

Scan this QR code with your mobile device or visit truestreamfiber.com/new-truestreamer/#buildingfiber to watch a video explaining the Truestream construction process.

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

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JANUARY 2025

gtlakes.com

/greatlakesenergy

/jointruestream

GLE Board Approves Rate Changes To address rising costs associated with providing electric service to our members, at an open member meeting on Oct. 22, the Great Lakes Energy Board of Directors approved rate changes that will result in a net increase across all rate classes. The goal of these changes is to balance affordability with maintaining reliable service for our members. This includes ensuring that our monthly charge is sufficient to cover our fixed costs while the perkWh charge appropriately covers the variable cost of the electricity members use.

Under the new rates, the fixed monthly charge for residential and seasonal members will increase by $3.96. No changes were made to the power supply cost recovery factor or the per-kWh rates for the residential and seasonal rate classes.

Although small, the increase will raise revenues to provide sufficient funding for maintaining reliable electric service, providing adequate margins, and ensuring members receive the service they need to power their homes and businesses.

The new rates will take effect on bills rendered in February 2025.

Approved Adjustments For Residential and Seasonal Members Current kWh

Approved

300

800

2,000

300

800

2,000

Change $3.96

Monthly Charge

$39.21

$39.21

$39.21

$39.21

$43.17

$43.17

$43.17

$43.17

Energy Usage

$0.13702

$41.11

$109.62

$274.04

$0.13702

$41.11

$109.62

$274.04

PSCR on Energy Use

$0.00188

$0.56

$1.50

$3.75

$0.00188

$0.56

$1.50

$3.75

Energy Optimization*

$0.00198

$0.59

$1.58

$3.96

$0.00198

$0.59

$1.58

$3.96

MI Low Income*

$0.87

$0.87

$0.87

$0.87

$0.87

$0.87

Tax*

$3.26

$6.08

$12.84

$3.42

$6.23

$13.00

$85.60

$158.86

$334.67

$89.72

$162.97

$338.79

*Charges required/approved by the state of Michigan.

Notice to Members of Great Lakes Energy Cooperative Rate and Tariff Changes Effective on or After Feb. 1, 2025 The Great Lakes Energy Cooperative Board of Directors adopted the following changes to the Cooperative’s tariffs at a board meeting held Oct. 22, 2024 in accordance with 2008 Public Act 167.

1. An increase to the monthly charge for Residential Service Rate Schedule A and Alternative Residential Service Rate Schedule A-S. 2. An increase to the PSCR factor for Schedule D-APM, PSDS-General, PSDS-1, and PSDS-2.

3. An increase to monthly charge by type of light for Outdoor Lighting Service, Rate Schedule OL. 4. An increase to the monthly charge for General Services, Rate Schedule GS. 5. An increase to the distribution service and purchased power monthly, energy, and demand charges for Large Power Service, Rate Schedule LP. For specific details on any of Great Lakes Energy’s tariffs, please call 888-485-2530 or visit gtlakes.com/account-information/.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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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 flyovers 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.

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 finding 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

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JANUARY 2025

“When I saw a Rose Bowl flyover photo from years ago, I knew I had to capture it for myself.” Leipprandt shared.

“There’s something special about the roar of a flyover—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 first 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.”

To purchase “MIconic” and explore the captivating world of Tyler’s aerial photography, including exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, visit his website and connect through his social media platforms.

michiganskymedia.com

/michiganskymedia

/michiganskymedia

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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GLE Awards More Than $30,000 In Classroom Grants

These schools received classroom grants for the 2024-25 school year: In November, Great Lakes Energy awarded $30,017.24 in grants to support 18 classroom programs in schools that educate children of the cooperative’s members.

The grants are intended to help implement innovative projects and target projects that typically fall beyond the scope of school budgets. Grants are awarded up to a maximum of $2,000 per school district.

A total of 50 applications were submitted for the 2024-25 grant cycle. The applications were evaluated according to published standards by a panel of volunteer employee judges from various departments at GLE. School names and districts were hidden during the evaluation process to allow for judging based on project merit and the quality of the application submitted.

With the 2024-25 school year grants, the classroom grant program has awarded more than $332,700 to 222 school projects since GLE launched the program in 2012.

• Boyne City Middle School, Boyne City, $2,000 for microscopes • Charlevoix Elementary School, Charlevoix, $1,265 for DASH robots • Coopersville Middle School, Coopersville, $2,000 for a laser engraver cutting machine • Grant Elementary School, Grant, $1,568.76 for broadcast programming and equipment • Grayling High School, Grayling, $2,000 for cameras and equipment • Harbor Light Christian School, Harbor Springs, $700 for PocketLab’s G-Force cars • Inland Lakes Schools, Indian River, $1,339.98 for a MakerBot 3D printer • Ludington Elementary School, Ludington, $2,000 for electrical circuits and electromagnets

Oceana Christian School teacher Marissa Snider said, “This is such a huge blessing to our school and STEAM classroom! I am beyond thankful and excited!”

• Mason County Central Schools, Scottville, $1,899.50 for GoPiGo kits and Raspberry Pi

Online applications for the 2025-26 school year will open in September 2025. To learn more about GLE’s Classroom Grant Program, visit gtlakes.com/youth-programs/.

• McBain Middle School, McBain, $2,000 for Snap Circuit kits and 3D pens • Newaygo Elementary School, Newaygo, $2,000 for Ozobots • Oceana Christian School, Hart, $2,000 for Cubelets Robot Blocks • Patricia St. Clair Elementary School, Hesperia, $1,920 for indi robots • Pentwater Public School, Pentwater, $599 for a classroom hydroponics growing system • Shelby High School, Shelby $1,800 for programmable robots • St. Stanislaus School, Dorr, $2,000 for the robotics program • Tri County Middle School, Howard City, $1,925 for Bit Board Rovers • Wolverine Elementary School, Wolverine, $1,000 for a BenQ board

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JANUARY 2025

GLE Photo Contest

HISTORICAL TREASURES MOST VOTES

1. MOST VOTES Sawmill afterthoughts, Amanda McCaul, Baldwin 2. Wellington Farm steam power, Scott Schultheis, Kalkaska 3. Perfect fall day at the Hamilton Dam, Coby Kempkers, Allegan 4. Between the ears at Fort Holmes, Victoria Eilers, New Era 5. Hoover Dam, Beth Pipe, Baldwin 6. Fayette Historic State Park “Ghost Town,” Adam Lynch, Gaylord

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Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit!

Submit Your “Sunrise to Sunset” Photos By Jan. 25!

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Each month, members can submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo with the most votes is published here, along with other selections.

Our January theme is Sunrise to Sunset. Photos can be submitted

by Jan. 25 to be featured in the March issue.

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How To Enter: Enter the contest at gtlakes.com/photocontest/.

Make sure to vote and encourage others to vote for you, too. The photo receiving the most votes will be printed in an issue of Michigan Country Lines along with other favorites. All photos printed in the magazine in 2025 will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 bill credit in December 2025.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Kitchen

SOUPS & STEWS The perfect comfort food.

WINNING RECIPE!

EASY CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP Chris McAfee, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op

1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil 1 medium yellow onion, finely 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 flavors, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat, add lime juice, and stir.

Serve soup in bowls with desired toppings.

Serves 6. Can easily double recipe.

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

RECIPE CONTEST

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Smoothies & Shakes, due Feb. 1; Mushrooms, 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 2025

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

LOBSTER BISQUE Nancy Joldersma, Great Lakes Energy 6 tablespoons butter ¹⁄2 cup chopped mushrooms 4 tablespoons chopped onions 4 tablespoons chopped celery 4 tablespoons chopped carrots 1 tablespoon flour 1 (32-ounces) carton chicken or vegetable broth ¹⁄2 teaspoon salt ¹⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 pound cooked lump lobster meat (or imitation lobster or crab), divided 3 cups half-and-half 1 cup dry white wine

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

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 flour. 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.

Place beef in crockpot. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, 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.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 11

Your Small Change Makes a Big Impact

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

For the past 25 years, Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund has been centered around the idea of cooperative members coming together to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

From The Beginning Ludington-area resident Kathleen Andersen, who has served on the People Fund board since its inception, said one of the most rewarding parts of serving on the board is seeing the long-term impact the grants are having on the community service organizations and programs they support.

People Fund grants are awarded by a volunteer board from GLE’s north, central, and south regions.

The board members from each region meet twice each year to evaluate grant applications submitted

by nonprofit organizations that serve their respective areas.

Since its inception in 1999, the People Fund has awarded more than $4.8 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in GLE’s service area.

The People Fund has no overhead costs, which means 100% of members’ contributions are returned to the community in the form of grants supporting local nonprofit organizations.

Sandcastles Children’s Museum’s First People Fund Grant 2009

1999 People Fund Is Established

2006 $1 Million in Grants Distributed

2011 Manna Food Project’s/ Love INC’s First Grants

Meeting Local Needs Because of this arrangement, GLE members who participate in the People Fund can rest assured that their contributions benefit organizations that serve their local community and that the grantmaking decisions are being made by people who live in the area and know its unique needs.

GLE Chief Operating Officer Shari Culver, who has been the program’s administrator since 2009, said one of the People Fund’s best strengths is its direct connection to the communities GLE serves.

“I think it’s one of the purest examples of the cooperative principle of ‘concern for community,’” Shari said.

12 JANUARY 2025

Currently, nearly 40,000 members participate in the People Fund and agree to round their bill up to the nearest dollar, averaging less than 50 cents per month. When those contributions are pooled together, the positive impact on the community really adds up. In 2024 alone, the People Fund awarded 100 grants worth $262,026 to nonprofits.

See the 2024 People Fund annual report attached to this issue for more information about this year’s grants and the impacts to local communities.

The People Fund In Action

NORTH: MANNA FOOD PROJECT Harbor Springs-based Manna Food Project has been helping to feed the hungry in northern Michigan since 1987. Today, the organization delivers nearly 3 million pounds of food every year to help address food insecurity across three counties.

Manna operates a food bank, a food rescue program, a weekly food pantry, and the Food 4 Kids backpack program. Manna also partners with organizations to host events highlighting the importance of healthy, fresh food. Since 2011, Manna has received 10 People Fund grants totaling $44,000.

2012 $2 Million in Grants Distributed

CENTRAL: SANDCASTLES CHILDREN’S MUSEUM With more than 30 hands-on displays, Sandcastles Children’s Museum in Ludington is built around the idea that children learn best by experiencing things through play. The exhibits range from a baby nursery and a mini pizzeria to 3D printing and a music studio. Some exhibits focus on creativity, theater, and art while others focus on life skills and science. Since the museum was founded in 2006, the People Fund has awarded it 11 grants worth nearly $30,000.

People Fund Plus Is Introduced

$4 Million in Grants Distributed

2016

2021

2017 $3 Million in Grants Distributed

2024 People Fund Celebrates 25 Years

SOUTH: LOVE INC OF OCEANA COUNTY

To learn more about the People Fund, visit gtlakes.com/people-fund, scan the QR code, or call 888-485-2537 to speak to a member service representative.

Love INC of Oceana County also brings people together to help make a difference in the community. The organization helps coordinate services among area churches that offer unique resources to serve their communities. This increases efficiency and reduces duplication of services.

The group also offers a help center, thrift store, personal growth workshops, gap ministries, and medical equipment.

Since 2011, Love Inc. of Oceana County has received seven People Fund grants worth nearly $27,000.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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 fly.

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 way our volunteers show up and execute at the highest level is a testament to our spirit of volunteerism.”

February 21–23, 2025 kiwanisskiclub.com /kiwanisskiclub MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15

2025 Truestream Construction Plans Announced Great Lakes Energy is pleased to announce its 2025 Truestream construction plan that will bring life-changing high-speed internet and voice service to thousands of members in 28 areas in the cooperative’s Waters, Kalkaska, Hart, and Scottville service districts. These service districts include rural portions of Kalkaska, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Crawford, Oceana, and Mason counties.

The 2025 construction plan will take place in four phases in the following Truestream service areas.

Enter your service address in the mapping tool available at truestreamfiber.com/status to determine your Truestream service area location.

PHASE 1: Kalkaska Service Area • Mancelona 4 • Mancelona 1 • Clam River 2 • Clam River 1 • Clam River 3 Mainline construction for this phase began in the fall of 2024 and is expected to be completed and lit in the spring of 2025. Construction to the homes and in-home installations will start in the summer and continue for several months. Registration in these areas opened in mid-November.

PHASE 2: Kalkaska Build Sequence • Westwood 3 • Westwood 1 (partial) • Westwood 2 • Kalkaska 2 • Kalkaska 3 • South Boardman 1 • South Boardman 3 • Fife Lake 1 • South Boardman 2 Mainline construction for this phase is expected to be completed and lit in late summer of 2025 with in-home installations to follow. Registration in these areas is expected to open in January.

PHASE 3: Waters and Hart Build Sequence • Lovells 3 (permit pending area) • Lovells 4 (permit pending area) • Lovells 2 (permit pending area) • Weare 3 • Weare 4 • Weare 1 Mainline construction for this phase is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025 with in-home installations starting in the winter of 2026. Registration in these areas is expected to open in April.

PHASE 4: Scottville Build Sequence • Riverton 4 • Riverton 2 • Riverton 1 • Scottville 2 • Scottville 1 • Scottville 3 • Scottville 4 • Eden 3 Mainline construction for this phase is expected to be completed and lit in the winter of 2026, with construction to the home and in-home installations starting in the spring of 2026 and continuing for several months. Registration for this phase is expected to open in July.

As construction continues throughout the year, additional details will be updated in our monthly construction updates at: www.truestreamfiber.com/news/.

A Lifetime of Learning and Leadership When Howard Bowersox was first elected to the Great Lakes Energy Board of Directors in 2019, he already had a long history of leadership and community service under his belt.

Today, as he approaches the end of his second term on the board, he’s expanding on those aspects of his life in new ways.

Howard serves as the board representative from District 8, which includes Clare, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Osceola counties.

Howard, who lives near Stanwood, grew up in Buffalo, New York. He is retired from a career that included working in the chemical and insurance industries and as a commodities broker. For a time, he also worked as a plant engineer and manager, which included responsibility for the co-generation of steam and electricity for the plant. He said those experiences prepared him well for his role on the GLE board.

Shortly after he was reelected in 2022, Howard was chosen by his fellow GLE board members to serve as chairman.

He also serves on the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Board of Directors alongside GLE CEO Shaun Lamp, which expands the reach of his leadership to the statewide level.

Howard said one of the things he enjoys the most about his added responsibilities as board chairman is his regular interactions with Shaun.

“Shaun and I have an awesome relationship. We regularly bounce ideas off each other to address strategic initiatives,” he said.

“ In addition to all the other benefits Truesteam brings, it will allow members to have more flexibility in managing their energy use, their bills, and their accounts.”

Leading the way Outside of his role with GLE, Howard has served as the chairman of his township’s planning commission and zoning board of appeals for many years. He has also served on the board of a credit union and in leadership roles in the Jaycees, both on the local and state levels. Howard was also recently appointed to the school board for Crossroad Charter Academy, where he had served as a teacher.

Looking to GLE’s future, Howard said he’s excited about the continued growth of Truestream.

“I’m particularly excited that we are getting closer to completing our fiber build-out,” Howard said. “In addition to all the other benefits Truesteam brings, it will allow members to have more flexibility in managing

their energy use, their bills, and their accounts.”

He said he’s also looking forward to the expected restart of the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant later this year because it will provide a longterm, reliable source of power at a consistent price for GLE members.

GLE’s power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, has a long-term contract to purchase power from Palisades when it comes back online.

When he isn’t busy with GLE, school, or township business, Howard and his wife Janet enjoy gardening around their home.

Howard is one of three board members whose terms will expire in 2025. He has indicated that he plans to seek reelection.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

MI CO-OP Guest Column

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.

18 JANUARY 2025

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 flew 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 finishing 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.

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