July/Aug 19 Cherryland

July/August 2019

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Cherryland Electric Cooperative

Meet Our 2019 Scholarship Recipients

Cherryland Partners With Habitat For Humanity What’s Your Family Soundtrack?

Tip Toe Through

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In This Issue July/August 2019 || Vol. 39, No. 7

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

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#micoopcommunity

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Executive Editor: Casey Clark Editor: Christine Dorr Copy Editor: Heidi Spencer

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Design and Production: Karreen Bird Recipe Editor: Christin McKamey Publisher: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Michigan Country Lines, USPS-591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.

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

POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS. Association officers are Robert Kran, Great Lakes Energy, chairman; Mark Kappler, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric, vice chairman; and Eric Baker, Wolverine Power Cooperative, secretarytreasurer. Craig Borr is 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 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.

Come share in the splendor of rural Michigan with us

michigancountrylines This capture of a wave breaking in Lake Huron is the most brilliant @lensball capture we've ever seen. #gorgeous :@chase_gagnon

ON THE COVER The Tulip Time Festival is dedicated to honoring Holland, Michigan’s Dutch heritage, showcasing millions of tulips and celebrating the community today. This experience is so much more than tulips. With national and local entertainment, world-renowned Dutch dancers, artisan markets, fireworks, breathtaking sights just off the shores of Lake Michigan and some of the largest parades in Michigan, Tulip Time is truly an experience you don’t want to miss.

Photography by Tyler Leipprandt

6 MI CO-OP COMMUNITY Guest Column Exploring The Frankfort Scene Christal Frost, Media Personality

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN Festive Desserts To Celebrate Summer

@michigancountrylines

18 MI CO-OP COMMUNITY Guest Column

The Turtle Race Tradition Jean Alexander, Great Lakes Energy member

Win $150 for stories published!

Guest Column: Country Lines invites members to submit their fond memories and stories. For guidelines and to submit your guest column go to countrylines.com under the MI Co-op Community tab.

Christin McKamey & Our Readers

Enjoy a taste of the Old Country! This Dutch favorite recipe, Stamppot van Boerenkool: Curly Kale and Sausages, is shared with Tulip Time visitors from around the world.

Enter Our Recipe Contest And Win A $50 Bill Credit!

14 FEATURE Tip Toe Through The Tulips Emily Haines Lloyd

Best of Michigan CRAFT BEER: Give us your personal craft beer favorite. We will publish this member– recommended list in our September issue.

Submit your favorites at countrylines.com under the MI Co-op Community tab by July 20.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

3

An Envelope Of Commitment

LEELANAU

BENZIE

GRAND TRAVERSE

MANISTEE

WEXFORD

KALKASKA

Board Of Directors

TERRY LAUTNER President 231-946-4623 tlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop TOM VAN PELT Senior Vice President 231-386-5234 tvanpelt@cherrylandelectric.coop MELINDA LAUTNER Secretary 231-947-2509 mlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop DAVID SCHWEITZER Treasurer 231-883-5860 dschweitzer@cherrylandelectric.coop JOHN OLSON Director 231-938-1228 jolson@cherrylandelectric.coop GABE SCHNEIDER Director 517-449-6453 gschneider@cherrylandelectric.coop JON ZICKERT Director 231-631-1337 jzickert@cherrylandelectric.coop GENERAL MANAGER Tony Anderson CO-OP EDITORS Rachel Johnson Rob Marsh

OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS 231-486-9200 or 1-800-442-8616 (Mich.)

ADDRESS P.O. Box 298, Grawn, MI 49637 WEBSITE cherrylandelectric.coop PAY STATION Cherryland Electric Cooperative office 5930 U.S. 31 South, Grawn MI, 49637 Cherryland Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Follow us on Facebook. facebook.com/cherrylandelectriccoop Follow us on Instagram. @cherrylandec

4 JULY/AUGUST 2019

I

Tony Anderson, General Manager

n today’s world, we constantly hear talk about “affordable” housing.

While affordability is crucial to solving any regional housing problem, I believe that “livable” housing is often overlooked. Much of our low-income housing stock is in a sad state of decline. Roofs are leaking.

Windows and doors are letting valuable energy escape. Insulation is marginal at best, especially in the case of mobile homes. Who is tackling this problem?

When I tried finding organizations who were tackling this problem, the options were few and very limited in scope. So, in April, the Cherryland board of directors decided to make a big commitment toward the solution via a $100,000 annual donation for three years to Habitat for Humanity—Grand Traverse Region. These funds will be paid out quarterly and will be used for improving the building envelope of the homes of low-income Cherryland Electric Cooperative members.

The money will not affect our 2019 operating expenses. The funds will be taken from unclaimed capital credits which sit in equity on our balance sheet. After every capital credit retirement, 10% of the money on average goes unclaimed when we cannot find members who have moved off our system. Per state law, we are not allowed to do anything with the money for five years. After that, the funds become permanent equity that benefits the financial status of the cooperative.

While this is our most significant use of these funds in Cherryland history, the impact on our balance sheet will be minimal due to the strong financial position of your cooperative. The important impact lies in the improvements that can be made to the building envelope of mobile homes and stick-built homes that have grown old over past decades.

The obvious question is: Why? Well, the building envelope is probably the most neglected piece of the overall energy conservation puzzle.

When you look at our state-mandated program of handing out LED bulbs, changing out industrial motors and replacing kitchen appliances, improvements in home insulation, doors, windows, and roofs are given minuscule incentives. Where does all the energy leak out of an older home? Right, it is going out the doors, windows, and roofs.

Why does CEC care about sealing up homes that are most likely using natural gas or propane for heat? The first reason is that it is simply the right thing to do for those who don’t have the means to do it themselves.

After the right thing, it becomes common sense. If we can save a lowincome homeowner money on their heating bill, it becomes easier for them to pay their electric bill. We may even prevent them from having their gas shut off for non-payment, eliminating the need to plug in an electric radiant heater that only compounds the financial problems in the home.

Learn more about our partnership with Habitat for Humanity on a special episode of our podcast “Co-op Energy Talk,” available on our website and all major podcast platforms.

When Habitat for Humanity told me of their plans to add building envelope improvement projects to their offerings in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Kalkaska counties, they became the partner Cherryland has been seeking for a long time. Habitat brings a volunteer base, building expertise and additional fundraising ability to the problem of deteriorating building envelopes.

Your board and management did not want to hand off a problem. We wanted to be an active part of the long-term solution. We went so far as to consider forming a subsidiary and doing building envelope work in-house. With Habitat, we have to neither reinvent the wheel nor compete in a tight market for raising funds. Thus, the $100,000 became a better solution for making a significant commitment to a community issue.

Everyone at Cherryland is proud to be working with Habitat for Humanity to bring this important program to reality. We look forward to working side by side with them to make a difference in improving the building envelope in homes across our service territory.

“ W hen Habitat for Humanity told me of their plans to add building envelope improvement projects to their offerings in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Kalkaska counties, they became the partner Cherryland has been seeking for a long time.”

Co-op News moved to page 8.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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GUEST COLUMN

MI CO-OP Community

Road pin’ Trip With Christal Frost

THE BEST OF FRANKFORT

E

very time I travel back to my Benzie County roots, I marvel at how everything feels both exactly the same and somehow very different. I graduated from Benzie Central High School 21 years ago and as I drive through the hilly terrain toward Frankfort, I can’t shake the notion that, although the route hasn’t changed, everything along the way seems to have grown up—including me.

Downtown Frankfort is just waking up as I make my first stop at Crescent Bakery for a welcomed cup of coffee, delicious breakfast panini and the bakery’s world-famous fritters. Fueled by caffeine and sugar, it’s time to journey to Frankfort’s pride and joy, the Point Betsie Lighthouse. With views of the Manitou Passage, the Point Betsie Lighthouse is rumored to be the most photographed lighthouse of all time. The views are unparalleled, and it still stands today as a beacon of beauty and direction. Although Point Betsie still functions as a navigation aid, the majestic lighthouse also regularly hosts museum tours and weddings.

Curious visitors can even rent the Keeper’s Quarters— available from late May through October.

No visit to Frankfort is complete without a stop at Crystal Gardens. Crystal Gardens has been the source for gardening supplies for more than 40 years. However, Crystal Gardens has evolved to give visitors more of an experience, including a rock shop filled with unique gifts made with Petoskey stones and geodes, the Barn Swallow antique store—and even the Nature Exhibit which boasts peacocks, butterflies, a fairy garden and a gigantic stone turtle. My absolute favorite at the Gardens, though, is an entire greenhouse, called Mom’s House, which is fully dedicated to the hardy geranium.

Rolling through town, I spot the A&W Restaurant, in addition to hot dogs, burgers, fries and root beer, A&W

6 JULY/AUGUST 2019

sells nostalgia; and I am definitely buying! I pull up to a drive-in spot and am served by a friendly waitress. Staying in the car, I turn on ‘50s music and pretend I’ve gone back in time.

The next stop is Main Street. I marvel at the historic Garden Theatre, the gem of downtown Frankfort. I then make my way into Frannie’s Follies, a must-stop shop for tourists and anyone looking for a t-shirt or trinket. Sunbeams of Promise catches my eye next, and there I find a huge variety of local stones, including the elusive Leland Blue.

Our final stop leads us to Elberta, Frankfort’s port city sister, just two miles away. In fact, this tiny town was once known as South Frankfort. My tour ends at the Cabbage Shed, a building that has more history and character than any other place in the county. First built in 1867, the shed offers over 70 varieties of Irish whiskey and the longest running open mic night in Benzie County. If you leave the Cabbage Shed without trying the Drunken Beans, you will never forgive yourself.

Only a 45-minute drive from Traverse City, Frankfort has managed to hold on to its small-town charm. And, it welcomes you, like a hug from an old friend you haven’t seen in years.

Christal Frost is a media personality who can be heard on Today’s Country MusicWTCM, The Christal Frost Show on NewsTalk 580-WTCM AM.

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See Frankfort In Action

Christal Frost filmed her Frankfort adventure, now available on countrylines.com.

For behind-the-scenes footage, see the “Road Trippin” story highlight album on our Instagram @michigancountrylines.

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• Garden Theatre • Frannie’s Follies • Sunbeams of Promise

A& W

Nearby on Main Street:

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Your Board In Action May Board Meeting • The co-op’s member relations manager reported to the board the results of a recent member survey. Cherryland surveys the membership on a regular basis to obtain feedback on its services and performance.

• The co-op’s general manager discussed with the board the upcoming partnership between Habitat for Humanity—Grand Traverse Region and Cherryland to improve the building envelope of local low-income housing stock. The co-op will make its first contribution to Habitat for Humanity for the upcoming project this summer.

• The co-op’s engineering and operations manager gave the board details on the work being performed at the Bates substation in Williamsburg. The upgrades to the substation will provide better reliability to members located on the far east end of Cherryland’s service territory.

CO-OP NEWS Members Earn Rebates With Energy Efficiency Upgrades Cherryland members are eligible to receive rebates for energy efficiency upgrades in their homes or businesses. Common upgrades include replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs and purchasing Energy Star qualified appliances. For a guide to our residential rebate program and a complete listing of rebates available on Energy Star qualified appliances, visit our website at cherrylandelectric.coop.

August Brings The Northwestern Michigan Fair Join the fun at the Northwestern Michigan Fair August 4–10 at the Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds. Cherryland is proud to sponsor Special Kids’ & Kids’ Day and the Pancake Breakfast. For more information about the fair, visit northwesternmichiganfair.net.

Notification About Cherryland Cares Area nonprofit agencies seeking financial help can apply for a grant through Cherryland Cares.

This program distributes funds to local nonprofit organizations seeking assistance. Cherryland Cares is overseen by a five-member board which reviews grant applications and allocates funds to nonprofits seeking assistance.

Cherryland Cares is funded through Operation Round Up—the voluntary rounding up of one’s monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar amount.

A member’s average annual contribution is approximately $6. Your annual contribution to Cherryland Cares is reported on your monthly statement in December. Participation in Operation Round Up is voluntary and may be discontinued at any time.

All grant information is highlighted in Michigan Country Lines and on Cherryland’s Facebook page. The deadline for third quarter applications is Friday, September 6. For additional information regarding Cherryland Cares, please call Shannon Mattson at 231-486-9234 or email smattson@cherrylandelectric.coop.

CHERRYLAND OFFICE CLOSED LABOR DAY The Cherryland office will be closed Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. Normal business hours will resume Tuesday, September 3.

Line crews are on call to respond to any outages or emergencies. You can report your outage through SmartHub or by calling us at 231-486-9200.

MEET OUR 2019

SCHOL ARSHIP RECIPIENTS High School Scholarship Recipients Allison Johnston is a graduate of Benzie Central High School. She currently lives in Thompsonville with her parents, Eric and Stephanie, her younger brother, and an exchange student from Germany. Allison plans on attending Michigan State University (MSU) this fall to pursue nursing. She hopes to become an emergency room nurse in an urban area with the goal of returning to school to become a nurse practitioner. She looks forward to participating in student theater and “something crazy” like Quidditch while at MSU.

Charlee Shaefer graduated from Brethren High School and plans to attend Central Michigan University in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a minor in business administration. After college, she wants to work as an event planner in either a hotel or resort. Charlee hopes to save up enough money to buy her own hotel or resort, which will ultimately bring happiness to visiting families and herself.

David Werner is an 18-year-old Lake Ann resident and senior at Grand Traverse Academy. He works at the Stone Oven restaurant and hopes to advance his cooking career. David plans to attend the Great Lakes Culinary Institute in the fall, where he wishes to attain an associate in applied science degree in Culinary Arts (with a baking certificate) and in business. After school, he wishes to work in several different high-end restaurants and hotels in order to get a good feel for the industry and a better idea of the exact direction for his future.

Adult Scholarship Recipients Kelsey LaCross is a Spanish teacher at Leland Public School. She will begin her Master of Arts in Spanish Language in Guanajuato, Mexico, with a goal of researching servicelearning and trade-skill internships for high school students that integrate the study of Spanish. Kelsey believes that student motivation to continue language studies will increase and, in the long run, students will be better prepared to enter the global workforce with greater satisfaction throughout their adult careers. She has led student volunteer experiences in the rural communities of Costa Rica and Guatemala. Kelsey lives in Lake Leelanau with her husband, Ben, and children Keaton, 12, Lauren, 10, and Cameron, 6.

Allison Marvin is a second-year culinary student at Northwestern Michigan College.

She is working toward an associate in applied science degree in the Culinary Arts with a baking certificate. Currently, Allison works three jobs: lead line cook at Red Lobster in Traverse City, line cook at Red Mesa Grill in Traverse City, and an intern at Crust— A Baking Company in Fenton. Her goals are to become a chef or pastry chef and to travel and experience food in other cultures.

Learn more about Cherryland’s scholarships at cherrylandelectric.coop.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Festive Desserts Celebrate summer with these delectable recipes.

Photos by Robert Bruce Photography

Winning Recipe!

Frosty Lemon Pie Rita Schuette, Midwest Energy ¾ ¹⁄³ ¼ • 3 2 1 •

cup sugar cup lemon juice cup butter, cubed dash salt eggs, slightly beaten pints vanilla ice cream, softened and divided graham cracker crust (9 inches) whipped topping, fresh mint and lemon peel for garnish

In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar, butter and salt.

Cook and stir over medium heat till sugar is dissolved and butter melted. Whisk a small amount of the sugar mixture into the eggs several times. Return all to the saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat till mixture reaches 160 F or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Refrigerate till cool. Spread half of the ice cream in the crust. Freeze for 1 hour or till firm. Cover with half of the lemon mixture and freeze for 1 hour——repeat layers. After the 2nd layer of lemon mixture, cover and freeze several hours or overnight. Remove from freezer 10 minutes before serving. Garnish if desired.

Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos 10 JULY/AUGUST 2019

Grandma’s Scottish Shortbread Gail Gurnee, Great Lakes Energy 1 cup softened butter ½ cup sugar 2½ cups flour Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter and sugar together. Gradually knead in flour until well blended. Place in 9-inch ungreased cake pan and roll or press dough in until smooth. Press the tines of a fork around the edges and prick the middle of the dough. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn down oven to 300 F and bake for an additional 50 minutes until nicely browned. Run a knife around the edge to prevent cookies sticking to pan. Cut into short little squares immediately before cookies harden.

Lime Ice Cream Dessert Joyce Tamminga, Great Lakes Energy

featured

Crust: 1½ cups Ritz cracker crumbs (about 34 crackers) 4 tablespoons sugar 5 tablespoons melted butter

GUEST CHEF This traditional Dutch favorite is shared with Tulip Time visitors from around the world. Enjoy a taste of the Old Country!

Filling: 2 quarts vanilla ice cream (½ gallon) 1 quart lime sherbet Topping: 4 tablespoons lime or lemon juice ²⁄³ cups sugar 2 eggs, well beaten 6 tablespoons butter Mix cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter; press into 9x13 inch pan. Chill. Soften ice cream and sherbet enough to mix well and spread over crust. Freeze. Mix topping ingredients in a heavy

saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until thick. Cool completely. Spread the topping on the ice cream. Keep frozen. Note: This can also be made with orange sherbet and orange juice in the place of lime sherbet and lime juice.

Raspberry Delight Pound Cake Tracy Fisher, Thumb Electric 1 1 4 1 ¹⁄³ ½ 2 ¼ 2 2 •

French vanilla or yellow cake mix small instant vanilla pudding mix large eggs cup water cup oil cup sour cream cups raspberries fresh or frozen cup water tablespoons sugar tablespoons raspberry jello (powder) cornstarch, to thicken

Preheat over to 350 F. Mix cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, oil and sour cream according to cake mix directions on the box. Pour into prepared Bundt pan. In large saucepan, cook remaining ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Thicken filling

Stamppot van Boerenkool: Curly Kale and Sausages

with cornstarch and water. Drop filling by spoonfuls over top of unbaked cake. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then turn cake out onto a plate. Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream.

Venison: due August 1 Christmas Cookies: due September 1 Submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a $50 bill credit and have your recipe featured in Country Lines with a photo and a video.

Go to micoopkitchen.com for more information and to register.

Enter to win a

$50

energy bill credit!

2–3 3 • 1 4

lbs. curly kale lbs. cut-up potatoes Milk, salt, and pepper lb. smoked sausage tbsp. oleo

Strip, wash, and cut kale very fine.

Boil kale in water with salt about 40 minutes. Add peeled, cut-up potatoes and sausage and enough water to prevent burning. Cook 30 minutes. Remove sausage from pan.

Mash kale and potatoes and stir in boiled milk until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Read the full story about the Tulip Time Festival on page 14, and find this recipe and others at micoopkitchen.com.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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Easing Electric Vehicle Range Anxiety Range anxiety—fear of the battery running out before you’re able to recharge— is a roadblock to wider use of electric vehicles.

But statistics show this fear is overblown, even if you live in a rural area. While extra planning may be needed for vacations or longer trips, nearly everyone’s daily driving needs can be met with one charge.

AVERAGE MILE COMPARISON Miles

0

20

40

Average milesper-charge for all electric vehicles in 2017 Average miles driven per day

by Americans living in rural areas Average miles driven per day

by Americans

60

80

100

120

114

35.7

29.8

And when you’re done driving your electric vehicle for the day, you can plug it in to recharge overnight, “topping off the tank” while you sleep!

Sources: Dept. of Energy, Energy Information Administration, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

For more information visit cherrylandelectric.coop/ev/

Create Your Family Soundtrack

By Rob Marsh, Communications Specialist

D

o you have a historian in your family? No, not the know-it-all cousin who could be featured on the History Channel. I’m talking about someone who’s committed to preserving your family’s memories.

“

When the guys around me weren’t singing along word for word, they were laughing and telling stories. They reminisced about when they were young and first listening to the Mills Brothers.

”

We preserve memories in a lot of ways, including collecting photos, saving certificates and awards, and holding onto souvenirs from family vacations. I would say that I’m my family’s (self-appointed) historian.

Although, I don’t preserve my family’s memories by collecting photos or souvenirs. I collect my family’s music.

Admittedly, I’ve always loved music, so taking on this role wasn’t a stretch. But I recognized early on that, if your sense of smell has the strongest tie to your memories (who wants to collect smells?), then music is a close number two.

Being your family’s music historian is not just about collecting the music of everyone’s favorite artists. It’s about identifying and collecting albums and songs that, when listened to, can take you back to the special, little moments in your shared history. Often times, you’d be surprised by what music turns out to be the most significant to you and your loved ones.

On a recent trip to my family’s cabin, my dad, uncle, a couple of family friends, and I were relaxing by the fireplace late one evening. I was manning the music, rolling through the standard “cabin playlist,” when my dad asked if I had any music by the Mills Brothers: a

popular jazz and pop vocal quartet from the early 20th century.

I didn’t (like any normal person in their late 20s), but luckily someone else did. After a brief musical hiatus and some light teasing for my ignorance, over the speakers came the four-part harmony of the Mills Brothers.

The music geek in me thought it was great, but I also found the choice odd. This didn’t seem like the right music for this group of guys.

However, it wasn’t 15 seconds into the first song that something interesting happened.

When the guys around me weren’t singing along word for word, they were laughing and telling stories. They reminisced about when they were young and first listening to the Mills Brothers. They talked about their parents who introduced them to the group.

They remembered past trips to the cabin.

This led to another story, then another story, and so on.

I could see in their eyes that, while they were physically sitting by the fire, their minds were swept up in memories and how much joy that brought them. And it’s all because of this seemingly odd choice in music. And now, whenever I listen to the Mills Brothers, I’m brought back to that moment with my family and friends and sharing in their joy.

Being the family historian is not easy and often times thankless. However, when you pull out that rare photo, find that old souvenir, or play that perfect song at the right moment, it’s incredibly rewarding to you and your family.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

E T HR O U G O T H TIP

By Emily Haines Lloyd Photography by Tyler Leipprandt

f

or the past 90 years, the first week of May has been a time when Michiganders dust off the cobwebs of winter and look for the first signs of spring. In Holland, Michigan, the first signs look like millions of tulips bursting through the soil to delight locals and visitors alike.

Tulip Time was once a local beautification project that started with 100,000 bulbs in 1929. Today it has grown to become an international hot spot for travelers from all around the world to engage in Dutch history while tiptoeing through nearly five million tulips.

In May 2019, Michigan Country Lines teamed up with Tyler Leipprandt of Michigan Sky Media for an Instagram takeover to cover Tulip Time. Leipprandt, an expert at drone photography, captured images that showcase why Tulip Time is just the kind of adventure you can start dreaming of for next spring.

“Tulip Time is an opportunity for people to come and marvel at the spectacular tulip gardens and displays,” said Tulip Time Executive Director Gwen Auwerda. “But it’s also the perfect time to explore the beauty of Lake Michigan living.”

If the views are saturated with bright pops of flowering color, the history that the event brings to the streets of Holland is equally rich. City officials, volunteers, and even residents don their historically accurate costumes—

14 JULY/AUGUST 2019

complete with real wooden shoes—providing a glimpse into life during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

These traditions are proudly passed down through generations, as spectators will find local high schoolers performing traditional Dutch dancing, called Klompen, at demonstrations, as well as through the streets in multiple parades which are scheduled during the week-long event.

Along with the themed-parades (Volksparade/ People’s Parade, Kinderparade/Children’s Parade, and Muziekparade/Music Parade), there are dancing demos, flower walks, and an artisan market. At Windmill Island Gardens, visitors can marvel at not only tulip gardens, but “De Zwaan,” the last Netherlands-built working windmill in the United States. Folks can take the four flights up to the windmill for a historical tour, then look at the Amsterdam

street organ, ride on the antique carousel, or purchase some fresh-milled flour to commemorate the visit.

Over the years, the charm has never left Tulip Time, but new attractions have been added—a lively carnival sets up annually at the Civic Center, craft and art shows are displayed in the park, festival-goers can try yoga in the tulips, and many food and beverage demos are also featured. The latter is unsurprising, as the food and beverage scene has never been stronger. In fact, Holland boasts a variety of eateries for all preferences and a vibrant beer and spirits scene—including several breweries and distilleries who all participate in hosting the 500,000 people the festival brings in annually within a short, nine-day period.

“ Tulip Time is an opportunity for people to come and marvel at the spectacular tulip gardens and displays. But it’s also the perfect time to explore the beauty of Lake Michigan living.”

— Gwen Auwerda, Tulip Time Executive Director

“We have over 800 volunteers along with city workers and businesses who make this more than an event,” said Auwerda. “Tulip Time is a part of the fabric of our community.”

Over the years, while Tulip Time continues to grow and provide wonderful new experiences for attendees, it’s the quaint charm that has been a constant.

So next spring, as the tulip bulbs once again sprout their brightly colored petals, make plans to visit Holland’s Tulip Time. Those sweet flowers are a reminder of spring’s hope, but also a proud past that one little town along Lake Michigan is keeping alive.

Photo courtesy of Tulip Time.

SAV E T HE DAT E

May 2–10, 2020 MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15

Photo Contest Four-Legged Friends 1. “ How our older pup feels about the new addition”

by Erika Girven

Most votes on Facebook!

1

2. “Eyes on me!” by Angela Adamick 3. “ Black cat named Snowflake” by Morgan Bumgardner 4. “A boy and his dog” by Betty Hayden 5. “Maggie D. Moose loves her walks in the woods”

by Suzanne Feld

6. “A boy and his pigs” by Nicki Brown 7. “Thank you for my new toy” by Wendy Fulton 8. “ Murph-E enjoying a sunshine-filled day”

by Jennifer King

9. “Chill time” by Susan Boomgaard-Rasch 10. “Reluctantly agreeing to a photo” by Nan Merica

Submit Your “Favorite Costumes” Photos!

Submit your best photo and encourage your friends to vote! The photo receiving the most votes from our Facebook contest will be printed in an issue of Country Lines along with some of our other favorites.

2 Enter to win a

$200

energy bill credit!

Our July/August theme is Favorite Costumes. Photos can be submitted through August 20 to be featured in our October issue.

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit!

To enter the contest visit facebook.com/cherrylandelectriccoop and click “Photo Contest” from the menu tabs. If you’re not on Facebook, that’s okay. You can also enter the contest at cherrylandelectric.coop/photo-contest. Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you as well. If your photo is printed in Country Lines during 2019, you will be entered to win a credit of up to $200 on your December 2019 bill.

16 JULY/AUGUST 2019

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Guess this photo and enter to win a

$50

energy bill credit!

GUEST COLUMN

MI CO-OP Community

The Turtle Race Tradition

By Jean Alexander, Great Lakes Energy member

E

very summer since 1986 our family travels to Six Mile Lake cottage for a week of simple, but magical, lakefront family fun and an interesting tradition—Turtle Races. The morning of departure from Indiana brings together: three sisters, one niece, four nephews, and grandma. Loading the car is always a hoot, as we fit suitcases, extra food, linens, treats for the trip, and even bicycles. The usual eight or nine passengers somehow all fit in, too.

Where In Michigan Is This?

Identify the correct location of the photo above by July 20 and be entered into a drawing to win a $50 electric bill credit.

Enter your guess at countrylines.com or send by mail to: Country Lines Mystery Photo, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933. Include the name on your account, address, phone number and the name of your co-op.

Our Mystery Photo Contest winner from the May issue is Elsa Oja, an Ontonagon County REA Co-op member, who correctly identified the photo as historic downtown Calumet.

Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September and November/December.

What fun upon arrival it is assigning beds, cots and blow up mattresses.

Our lakefront offers a playground with sand, boats, a dock, badminton, floats, fishing rods, and a shallow lake. Days are spent fishing, swimming, floating on rafts, baseball games, catching crawdads, laughter, and days of splendid family togetherness.

Of course, one day is always chosen for the famous “Turtle Races.”

We scout for turtles along the lakeshore, spray paint the start and finish lines and assign everyone a turtle. Each turtle is then named. We hold many races—some long races, some short runs, “a sprayed box-shaped form” where turtles go in all directions to cross lines and continue racing has even been created by grandma for the day.

The longest and last race always ends with turtles racing back into the lake, and we bid our turtles goodbye. Our adventure then culminates with prizes being awarded to all the winning “turtle coaches.”

Each summer we are reminded how strange it is that turtles never seem to move in a straight path, but wander around going nowhere specific except to the water.

But, hopefully, next year we will each get a better, bigger and wiser turtle.

Jean enjoys sports, nature and going “up north” to Michigan as often as possible.

May 2019

Photo by Cody McClellan @codyjmcclellanphotography

18 JULY/AUGUST 2019

“We are reminded how strange it is that turtles never seem to move in a straight path, but wander around going nowhere specific except to the water.”

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