January 2025 MEC

Midwest Energy & Communications

January 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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

Energy Tips & Programs Woodworking for Warriors Trade School & College Scholarships

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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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.

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Reliability: How We Keep Your Lights On VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO

CASS

LENAWEE

MONROE

ST JOSEPH

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

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

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

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

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

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By Terry Rubenthaler, President/CEO On May 7 this year, I walked into our dispatch room around 5 p.m. to check in with Rylie, our dispatcher.

It was calm, sunny, and a perfect day for grilling. She told me a storm was coming, but you know how accurate weather forecasts can be. So, neither of us thought too much of it but planned to keep an eye on things as normal. I then went to my home in Niles to enjoy the beautiful blue sky. She went home about 20 miles north and was greeted by a tornado that ripped a window out of her bedroom and shook her house like a tambourine. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

When that half-mile-wide tornado, packing 95-mile-per-hour winds, hit the Twin Lakes area north of Dowagiac, far too many of you were left picking up from the historical damage. But one thing I have learned in this business is that when storms hit, our people step up to ensure a safe restoration of power in the fastest timeframe possible. I want to share with you a little about how we do that.

It all starts with preventative maintenance.

We spend over $4 million annually to remove trees and brush from our rightsof-way. We do this because it significantly reduces the number and length of outages.

The next time you are driving around, look at the powerlines. Are there trees growing under them or near them? If so, that could be an outage waiting to happen. All it takes is one tree to fall on powerlines to take a pole or two down and knock many people out of power for several hours. Tree removal isn’t just about preventing outages, though. It also makes restoration faster and safer because crews can find and access the location much quicker.

Yet, we do more than cut trees. Every year, we test about 20% of our poles and replace any bad ones. We also harden teammidwest.com

and upgrade 20 to 30 miles of lines each year. Our engineering team decides which lines need larger wire or shorter spans, or require undergrounding to improve service and accommodate growth. If you live in the Schoolcraft area, you may have seen that we recently partnered with our power supplier, Wolverine Power Cooperative, to replace our substation just south of town.

Rebuilding this 1940s-era station will provide better service to customers in the area for many years to come.

Finally, the fiber we love to talk about does more than allow you to stream the Lions. It made our grid smarter. As part of that, we invest over a half a million dollars annually in automation technology that helps isolate outages to reduce the number of impacted customers; it also enables us to reroute power. In fact, if you have ever lost your power during a storm and had it come back on within a matter of seconds, that could be because our system automatically rerouted power to you from a different location.

Back to that storm that ripped out my colleague’s window. The Michigan Public Service Commission sets standards that we have to meet on restoration times. I’m proud to say that we had everyone restored in just over 48 hours, well within the guidelines. In fact, for every major storm this year—and we had some big ones—we restored power in about 48 hours.

We will always be subject to the whims of Mother Nature. But, by taking preventative measures, modernizing our system, making the grid smarter, and having people who are ready to jump into restoration efforts immediately after a storm, we can make a challenging situation better. We work hard on reliability because we understand that you depend on your service being available when you need it. It is something that MEC will remain dedicated to, no matter how fickle Mother Nature is. /teammidwest

Scholarships Available for Trade School or College High school seniors: Answer this video challenge and you could earn $1,000 toward your trade school or college education!

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

MEC provides three main services: electric, propane, and fiber internet. Pick ONE and create a commercial to promote it.

Think outside the box! Imagine you’re making a commercial for TV. What kinds of artwork, storytelling, and other creative flourishes can you use to advertise your chosen service in an unforgettable way?

To help you out, we’ve included tips on how to make a great commercial, plus some examples of great commercials, at teammidwest.com/scholarships.

Eligibility and Selection You are eligible to apply if your family receives monthly service from MEC at your primary residence. Please note that you are NOT eligible if you are the child of an MEC employee or board member.

Your application will be evaluated based on your video submission, as well as academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement and/or employment, and honors and awards.

To be considered, you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a four-point scale. For final approval, please be prepared to submit an official transcript.

We award four scholarships each year and announce winners in the spring.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 17, 2025.

Online Applications for NRECA Youth Tour We’re looking for up to two high school sophomores or juniors to join students from around the nation on an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2025.

They will explore our nation’s capital, meet with members of Congress, and build leadership skills.

Our top applicants will participate in a hands-on educational experience with MEC employees on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.

The day will start at our headquarters in Cassopolis, where attendees will learn about MEC and see firsthand what it means to be part of an electric cooperative. After getting to know participants during MEC Day, we will select up to two students to go on Youth Tour. If chosen, students must be willing to give a brief presentation to our board of directors.

Students must be high school sophomores or juniors, and their families must receive electric service from MEC. Please note that children of MEC employees and board members are not eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 27, 2025. To learn more and fill out an application, visit cooperativeyouthtour.com.

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

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

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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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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“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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Extreme Temperatures And Your Electric Bill Wondering why your energy bill may go up during winter?

When it gets colder, your heating system has to work harder to maintain the same temperature. The harder it works, the more electricity you use.

Small actions can make a big difference in saving energy.

For example: • Set your thermostat to 68 degrees when you’re home and awake. Lower it when you sleep or leave for the day.

• Caulk and place weather strips around all windows and exterior doors to seal in warm air.

• Check your HVAC or furnace filter regularly and replace it as needed to ensure your system is working efficiently.

Bill Credit Opportunity:

Interruptible Water Heater Program

That’s just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended).

Visit teammidwest.com/winter for even more energy-saving tips.

Our load management programs are an opportunity to earn credits on your electric bill while reducing strain on the electric grid.

The Program During peak demand periods, we remotely shut off your water heater. The hot water previously produced and stored in your tank will remain hot beyond the end of the control period.

We usually control water heaters about three to four times per month.

What You Get If you use 400 kWh or more in a month, you will receive a $4 credit on your account for that month.

Eligibility To participate in our water heater program, you must: • Own your home.

• Have good payment history on your MEC electric account.

• Have an MEC electric account on the residential billing rate only.

• Install your water heater within 30 days.

• Agree to the terms of load management.

You may have one water heater load management credit per electric account.

How to Sign Up Visit teammidwest.com/water-heater to get full details and apply. Explore other electric programs at teammidwest.com/electric-programs.

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Fiber Cup 2024 On Sept. 28, 2024, we held the second annual MEC x SMC Fiber Cup video game tournament at Southwestern Michigan College.

After a day full of friendly rivalries and hard-fought Valorant matches, three teams emerged victorious: 1. Michigan State University

MEC volunteers

2. Buchanan High School

Teams clash in Valorant

3. Saline High School

SMC volunteers

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who made this another successful tournament!

A recording of the tournament livestream is available at youtube.com/@Team_Midwest.

We’re already gearing up for Fiber Cup 2025—watch future issues of Country Lines for details.

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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.

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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

MEC IN THE COMMUNITY

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

3. Hurricane Mutual Aid: In the wake of hurricanes Milton and Helene, MEC linemen Chris, Garrett, Jordan, and Mark bravely volunteered to travel to Florida to help our fellow electric cooperatives turn the lights back on.

2. Cass COA Thanksgiving: We sponsored the Cass County Council on Aging’s Thanksgiving dinner event and volunteered to serve food.

4. Hurricane Relief Donations: Following two major hurricanes in the southern United States, we donated to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Disaster Recovery Fund, as well as their Cooperative Development Foundation.

We also donated to support Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives’ fundraising effort to purchase generators to send to Mountain Electric Cooperative in Tennessee. In total, 39 generators were purchased. United Utility Supply shipped them to Tennessee.

(Not pictured) Cassopolis Halloween: We volunteered to hand out candy to local kids at the Cass District Library Spooktacular. We also sponsored Ghouls Night Out, a community night that included pumpkin carving, a haunted barn, food trucks, and more.

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5. Lenawee Snack Sack Packing: MECers Patty and Stevie joined a team of volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, helping to pack more than 2,400 weekend snack sacks for kids in need.

6. United Way Rake a Difference: We donated to this year’s United Way of Southwest Michigan Rake a Difference event, and 18 MEC volunteers raked 10+ yards of local seniors. In total, more than 1,300 volunteers helped 336 seniors throughout southwest Michigan.

7. WLEN Thank-A-Vet: MEC sponsored an hour of WLEN’s Thank-A-Vet fundraiser.

In total, the broadcast raised just over $55,000 for the Veterans Dire Needs Fund.

Days of Action 2024 Every year, MECers spend a day volunteering with local communities and organizations.

Here’s what we accomplished this year:

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN Twenty-five MECers volunteered at the following locations: Hidden Acres (Dowagiac): MEC volunteers trimmed trees, cleaned paddocks, and replaced, repaired, and stained fences.

Lawrence Elementary School (Lawrence): MEC volunteers cleaned, organized, and restocked hygiene supplies for a community care closet, where the school stores clothing and supplies to donate to students and community members in need.

The Tiger Den Sports Complex (Lawrence): MEC and JD Tree Works volunteers painted the concession stand, power washed the dugouts, and trimmed trees to refresh the sports complex, which is used by Lawrence Public Schools as well as the local Little League and youth soccer teams.

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN Fourteen MEC volunteers, along with six from the city of Manchester and three from the Manchester Men’s Club, helped resurface and revitalize the softball field in Manchester’s Carr Park. Together, we: • Stripped the old aggregate and spread new material • Replaced all the wood backstops along the fence line • Removed compacted dirt from the dugouts and replaced it with crushed limestone • Repaired fencing • Replaced all bleacher boards • Poured cement for a storage locker

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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.”

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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

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE. The CommandIQ app can stop your kids from viewing specific apps, websites, and types of content online.

It’s free for MEC fiber internet customers* on the Apple App Store and Google Play. * Requires GigaSpire router and MEC fiber internet. Find your router

at teammidwest.com/which-router. If you don’t have a GigaSpire, call 800-492-5989 and we’ll mail you one free. Fiber internet service is not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

DOWNLOAD TODAY:

teammidwest.com/commandiq

NEED RELIABLE PHONE SERVICE? Get fiber phone w/ unlimited calls from MEC!

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16 JANUARY 2025

Woodworking By And For Veterans Woodworking is a creative outlet for people across America, but to one Lenawee County nonprofit, it represents so much more.

Woodworking for Warriors is a 501(c)(3) organization that uses woodworking as therapy for military veterans.

While it started as a program hosted by the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian, it steadily outgrew the space. The organization now operates out of its new home in Tipton, assisted by a Sharing Success Grant through CoBank and MEC.

Building a Community Woodworking for Warriors started as a collaboration between the Adrian Rotary Club and the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute. Every week, local veterans met at the woodshop to craft their projects, learn new skills, and form a community. John Abbey, president of the Woodworking for Warriors organization and a veteran himself, says this bond gave struggling veterans a stable foundation to rely on.

“With veterans, there’s a shared experience of selfisolation,” says Abbey. “What makes us different is that almost all programs are designed to lift the veteran’s spirit once, and then you go home. That’s not who we are. This is a place you can come back to on your time, on your initiative, without expectations, where people know you.”

New Opportunities As word spread about the program, Abbey knew it would eventually outgrow the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute.

After four years in operation, the Woodworking for Warriors 501(c)(3) organization was formed to carry the program into the future. A community member in Tipton soon offered to let the group use buildings on her property as workshop and classroom spaces. The organization secured a number of sponsorships and other forms of funding to assist with expenses, including a Sharing Success Grant provided by CoBank and MEC.

President John Abbey (L) and Vice President Craig Courter (R) (Photo: Jennifer Nix)

Join Woodworking for Warriors The workshop is open every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding national holidays. The only prerequisite is a safety training course presented by Woodworking for Warriors, which takes place at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

The new Woodworking for Warriors workshop invites every veteran who would like to participate.

“We want to find the veterans who sit in the back of the church and may not have a place to go or feel welcome, and let them know they’re welcome,” says Abbey. “I’m grateful for the fellowship I have with my fellow veterans. I wasn’t looking for it, but it’s priceless.”

The Woodworking for Warriors workshop is located at 2821 M-50 in Tipton, Michigan. There is no need to register ahead of time for a safety training course. More information is available at WoodWorkingForWarriors.org.

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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.

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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.”

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