July/August 2023 Thumb

Not seeing is believing.

Almost every backyard has a shrine to cold air. It’s called an a/c unit. WaterFurnace will help you take back that space.

Air conditioners are unsightly and often located in the worst places. They’re vulnerable to the elements and can become home for small critters. But with geothermal, you won’t have an outside unit or any of these problems. So, reclaim your backyard. Plant some flowers and enjoy the unseen beauty that is WaterFurnace. Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

Allendale

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

Bad Axe/Ubly

Cutting Edge Htg & Clg (989) 551-0986

Berrien Springs

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

Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com

Clifford Orton Refrig & Htg (989) 761-7691 sanduskygeothermal.com

Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665

adamsheating cooling.com

Indian River

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

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

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

Mancelona Top Notch Htg, Clg, & Geothermal (231) 350-8052 Topnotchheatandair.com

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

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

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

Portland

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

Sunfield

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

Traverse City

D&W Mechanical (231) 941-1251 dwmechanical.com

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

CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES

Cloverland: up to $4,200

Great Lakes: up to $3,000

Homeworks/Tri-County: up to $3,000

Presque Isle: up to $2,700

Cherryland: up to $2,500

Thumb Electric: up to $2,000

Alger Delta: up to $2,000

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark

EDITOR: Christine Dorr

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird

RECIPE EDITOR: Christin McKamey

COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd

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: Tom Sobeck, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; Craig Borr, president and CEO.

CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR:

Michigan Country Lines

201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please notify your electric cooperative. See page 4 for contact information.

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

6 AMERICA’S BEST CAMPGROUND IS RIGHT HERE IN MICHIGAN

After staying at 350-plus RV parks, Terrell and Katie Deppe applied their experience to develop the award-winning Indian River RV Resort.

10 MY CO-OP KITCHEN

One-Pan Meals: These delicious dinners make cleanup a breeze.

14 THE GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM PRESERVES MICHIGAN’S RICH MARITIME HISTORY

The recently found wreck of the Nucleus adds to the museum’s many discoveries.

18 GUEST COLUMN

At One with Plants: Inheriting his grandmother’s love of horticulture, Gary Bopp made gardening his passion and his career.

#micoopcommunity Instagram contest winner Morning glow @chelseaolkowski (Chelsea Olkowski)

MI Co-op Community

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

Instagram Contest

Use #micoopcommunity for a chance to be featured here and on our Instagram account.

Win $100 for photos published!

Recipe Contest

See details on page 10. Pumpkin recipes due Aug.1; Family Favorites due Sept. 1

Win a $100 bill credit!

Guest Column

Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/ community to submit.

Win $200 for stories published!

Mystery Photo

See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!

THUMB ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

2231 Main Street

Ubly, MI 48475-0157

1-800-327-0166 or 989-658-8571

E-mail: tec@tecmi.coop

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

HURON COUNTY

Randall Dhyse, Treasurer

District 1 • 989-658-6013

Craig Osentoski, Director

District 2 • 989-658-6003

Erica Peruski, Director

District 3 • 989-658-6004

SANILAC COUNTY

Kim Nunn, Vice President

District 1 • 989-658-6005

Mike Briolat, Secretary

District 2 • 989-658-6006

Duane Kursinsky, Director

District 3 • 989-658-6007

TUSCOLA COUNTY

Louis Wenzlaff, Director

District 1 • 989-658-6008

Jonathan Findlay, President

District 2 • 989-658-6010

Matt Sommer, Director District 3 • 989-658-6012

Brad Essenmacher, General Manager

PAYMENT STATIONS

Huron County Bad Axe—Northstar Bank

Pigeon—Northstar Bank

Tuscola County

Akron—Northstar Bank

Caro—Northstar Bank

Mayville—Mayville State Bank

Millington—Mayville State Bank

Thumb Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Thumb Electric Cooperative Holds 85th Annual Meeting

Jonathan Findlay, President of the Board of Directors, opened the 85th Annual Meeting of TEC members held on June 10 at the Thumb Octagon Barn. An estimated 400 people attended the meeting, which was highlighted by the election of three directors, the approval of a Bylaw revision, and numerous entertainment activities that were a part of TEC’s Member Appreciation Day/Annual Meeting.

Elected to three-year terms of District 3 were Erica Peruski, Huron County; Duane Kursinsky, Sanilac County; and Matt Sommer, Tuscola County.

The TEC Bylaw revision was approved by the membership vote.

President Findlay introduced TEC’s Attorney Kyle O’Mara and members of the current TEC Board of Directors, including Erica Peruski, Randall Dhyse, and Craig Osentoski, Huron County; Kim Nunn, Mike Briolat, and Duane Kursinsky, Sanilac County; and Louis Wenzlaff and Matt Sommer, Tuscola County. Also introduced was General Manager Brad Essenmacher.

President Findlay acknowledged Dallas Braun for his 32 years of service to the Cooperative. He also thanked the current TEC and Air Advantage workforces for their dedication and commitment.

TEC’s Board President, Jonathan Findlay, highlighted the following areas:

• TEC’s Total Utility Plant, with Electric and Fiber included, increased by just over $20 million from 2021 to 2022. These expenditures in capital improvements were in large part due to our TEC Fiber buildout project, but also included rebuilding identified circuits of aging poles and wire, upgrading substation equipment, building new electric services, upgrading existing electric services, purchase of trucks/vehicles, office equipment, and other investments that improve our efficiency and enhance our overall system’s reliability.

• President Findlay presented the following 2022 financial information. TEC and TEC Fiber’s combined 2022 Operating Statement showed operating revenues of $26,873,107 and expenses of $25,578,520. These expenses are the costs to maintain and operate the electric and fiber optic systems. The resulting operating margin for 2022 was just under $1.3 million. The Cooperative also earned additional revenue on short-term investments, rental income, subsidiary income, and

patronage capital from other Cooperative organizations. The total margins allocated for 2022 were $1,448,134. Members’ patronage capital accounts were allocated approximately 5.4 cents on each dollar paid by TEC members in 2022. This is the great thing about being a member of a Cooperative—these margins are returned back to the members.

• The Cooperative uses some members’ patronage over time to make capital improvements. At last month’s board meeting, the board of directors retired a portion of the 2022 allocation to cover deceased and bad debt retirements. General retirements were not issued this year to save the Cooperative from having to borrow additional funds for the fiber construction project. Since patronage capital retirements began, TEC has refunded over $13.7 million back to its members.

• TEC Fiber infrastructure buildout is going well. We currently have over 1,000 active TEC Fiber accounts in various areas of Tuscola County. Members served out of Kingston, Vassar, Millington, and parts of Columbia substations have service available to them right now. Decker, Austin, Ubly, Kinde, and Sigel should see service at various points in 2023. Stay tuned.

• The Cooperative paid $1,065,071 in property taxes to schools and other governmental agencies in Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties in 2022.

TEC’s General Manager, Brad Essenmacher, highlighted the following:

• Discussed the multi-year TEC Fiber project currently underway in Tuscola County and the anticipated time frame to move into Huron and Sanilac counties. An update was also given on the activities of Air Advantage, TEC’s ISP subsidiary.

• Discussed the recent report by Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the electric grid operator that includes Michigan, warned of the possibility of power shortages this summer during peak demand and an increased risk of rolling blackouts.

• The Cooperative continues to work with its statewide and national organizations to ensure that issues that may affect electricity availability, reliability, and affordability to its membership are heard by our elected officials in Lansing and Washington, D.C.

• The Cooperative continues to support/promote “ACRE,” the Political Action Committee (PAC) for all electric cooperatives. All TEC members can participate directly. The ACRE branding will change to America’s Electric Cooperatives/ PAC and in the state to Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives/Pac in the near future.

• TEC continues its maintenance program, including aggressive

right-of-way clearing, vegetation spraying, pole testing, and other system improvement programs to improve the reliability of bringing service to members.

• TEC continues to offer its members a full slate of programs and services to help them become more energy efficient and save money.

• State Rep. Greg Alexander; State Sen. Dan Lauwers; Cole Wood, who is U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain’s field representative; and Lacie McKenney, who is U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ Bay Region representative, were introduced and briefly spoke to the membership. All were recognized for supporting Thumb Electric Cooperative and the rural electric program.

• In closing, General Manager Essenmacher urged members continue their strong interest in Thumb Electric Cooperative, to stay engaged, follow TEC on Facebook, and to be patient as the TEC Fiber buildout makes its way to their homes, and he thanked them for their support.

After the business meeting, a lunch was served, followed by entertainment for all family members, including bucket truck rides, barrel rides, candy drops, face painting, and other activities.

In action taken after the Annual Meeting, the board of directors elected Jonathan Findlay, President; Kim Nunn, Vice President; Mike Briolat, Secretary; and Randall Dhyse, Treasurer.

America’s Best Campground

Is Right Here In Michigan

By Emily Haines Lloyd

Once upon a time, in the middle of the woods, there was an RV park. It was neither too little nor too big. Neither too old nor too modern. Neither too remote nor too busy. It was, as our friend Goldilocks would say—just right. It was that “just rightness” that was likely the key to Indian River RV Resort being named Campspot’s 2023 Best Campground in America.

The story of any business, even one as charming as Indian River’s, is never a picture-perfect fairy tale. The owners of the RV park are Terrell and Katie

Deppe, who had no intention of buying an RV resort, or even an RV, until 2007. Terrell had taken a job in the tech industry, leading the couple to sell their home in Texas and move to Minnesota. The market had been good for home sales, but the couple was hesitant to pay the high prices the buyers’ market was asking. So, they rented, moving twice. During one of their transitions, Terrell, who was able to work remotely, was struck with an idea.

“I looked at Katie and said, ‘If we are going to have to keep moving, let’s just KEEP moving. Let’s buy an RV,’”

To learn more about Indian River RV Resort or to book a lot at the Best Campground in America, visit:

said Terrell. “It took her a while to wrap her head around the idea, but when she realized that the amount of money we were spending on rent and moving could pay for the depreciation of an RV in less than a year, she committed to 10 months.”

Ten months turned into five years during which the Deppes traveled to 46 of the lower 48 states in the U.S. and stayed in over 350 private, state, and national RV parks. They experienced the best and worst of them and were getting a feel for what worked and what didn’t in their nomadic lifestyle.

For the next decade, the Deppes began looking for an opportunity to take the knowledge they’d gained on the road and put that, along with their passion and grit, into an RV park of their own. That’s when Indian River RV Resort came into their lives. Finally, at the end of 2019, they had made an offer and were prepared to take on the challenges of owning an RV park— maybe not the sort of challenges they were about to face.

“I quit my job on Friday, March 13, and the country shut down on Monday,

March 16,” said Terrell, referencing the COVID-19 pandemic. “Had we just made the greatest mistake of our lives, or was God going to lead us to our promised land? We chose to act in faith.”

The Deppes went to the park to help the current owners open for the season—getting their hands into daily operations, waiting for the sale to close, and preparing for the July Fourth weekend.

While much of the world had seemed to shut down, folks were still eager to travel with their families, and one of the few things open was the great outdoors.

“We were receiving an average of one call per minute, not counting the people standing in front of us to book future dates,” said Terrell. “We were using the resort’s previous paperbased reservation system. It felt like we were failing, and we had to make some big changes—fast.”

Luckily, Terrell’s experience in tech and the multitasking wizardry Katie had developed while home-schooling the couple’s four children were the

perfect skill set for the challenges they faced. They quickly switched to an online reservation system and were able to focus on creating a clean, quiet, family-friendly space similar to the ones they had enjoyed on their own RV travels.

Now the Deppes, along with their son Jonathan, turn their attention to maintaining the gorgeous land, keeping the facilities pristine and welcoming, and dreaming up ways to improve their guests’ experience. They often go above and beyond. One of their most recent projects was consulting with a certified master arborist about the well-being of their trees. With the findings, they swapped ground leaf removal for mulching and are already seeing healthier grounds. It’s this sort of attention to detail that allows their guests to let the busyness of the world fall away. It’s just the sort of thing you hope for when you head out to escape the dragons of the world and find yourself, for a time at least, living happily ever after.

EXHAUSTED from doing lawn work with GAS-POWERED equipment?

Pretax

Pretax

Pretax

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Pretax

Camping

Enter for a chance to win a $50 energy bill credit!

Submit Your “Porches” Photos by July 20!

Submit your “Porches” photos by July 20 for the September/ October issue!

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

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit!

To enter the contest, visit tecmi.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 2023, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of four $50 credits on your December 2023 bill.

2. Beautiful Lighthouse County Park!! Walter Reimann

3. Helping Papa build the fire. Chelsea Volmering

4. Got wood? Annette Decker

5. Contemplating the meaning of life, the universe, and everything. Jodie Muska

6. Cookie Monster likes s’mores too! Olivia Tyrrell

1. S’mores by the campfire. Robert Daniels

MOST VOTES

ONE-PA N ME A LS

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Pumpkin recipes due Aug.1; Family Favorites due Sept. 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

WINNING

CREAMY BEEF TOMATO SKILLET

Jean Horrocks, Presque Isle Electric

1 pound ground beef

2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

8 ounces (2 cups) uncooked elbow macaroni

½ cup chopped onion

1 medium green bell pepper, diced

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup sour cream

• water, as needed

Brown meat in large skillet. Drain off all the fat as it collects. Stir in remaining ingredients, except sour cream. Add ¾ to 1 cup water and stir. Heat to boiling. Cover and simmer 20–25 minutes, stirring frequently. Add additional water if mixture is too thick. Cook just until noodles start to soften, then stir in sour cream; heat through but do not boil. Makes 6 servings.

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

Photos by Robert Bruce Photography || Recipes submitted by MCL readers and tested by recipe editor Christin McKamey

ONE POT PASTA E FAGIOLI

Shanasee Tersigni, Presque Isle Electric

1 teaspoon grapeseed oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

4 cloves black or regular garlic

1 cup fennel, chopped (with fronds)

¼ –½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

¼ –½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon Calabrian chili flakes or red chili flakes

1 sprig rosemary leaf

1 handful chopped fresh oregano

1 pound ground venison

2 zucchini, peeled and chopped

1 cup morel mushrooms

2 cups chopped kale

1 can (15-ounce) Italian stewed

tomatoes

2 cups organic chicken bone broth

2 cups low sodium V8

1 (8- ounce) box quinoa elbow

pasta, or favorite pasta noodles

1 (15.5- ounce) can cannelini

beans

1 (15.5- ounce) can dark red kidney beans

½ cup Peppadew peppers (a pickled piquant pepper) (substitute with sweet cherry peppers, sweet drop peppers, pimentos, sweet red peppers, or pepperoncini) & splash of pickling liquid from jar

• fresh basil and lemon zest, for garnishing

Heat ceramic cast iron pot to medium heat. Add oil. Sauté onions, garlic, fennel, salt, and pepper. Cook until onion and fennel are tender. Add herbs and ground venison. Cook until meat is browned. Add zucchini, morels, and kale. Sauté a minute, stirring. Add all remaining ingredients. Cook until pasta is al dente. Add additional broth or vegetable juice if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and lemon zest. Season to taste.

CHICKEN STIR FRY

Linda Heintz, Great Lakes Energy

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound uncooked chicken breast, cut into ¼-inch slices

1 small sweet onion, cut into chunks

1 small red onion, cut into chunks

8 ounces sliced mushrooms

1 cup small broccoli florets

1 cup small cauliflower florets

1 cup chicken broth

½ pound asparagus, sliced into 2-inch pieces

1 cup pea pods, strings removed

¼ cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon sugar

• green onions, sliced

Heat oil in large wok over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken and sauté until no longer pink. Add onions, mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower. Sauté until just beginning to get tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 cup of broth, put lid on pan and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove lid, then add asparagus and pea pods. Sauté until just beginning to soften and color turns bright. Mix together soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, and sugar. Add soy sauce mixture to pan and stir quickly. Continue to stir in all liquids and ingredients as sauce thickens. Can also sprinkle sliced green onions on top when finished. Serve alone or over rice. I use this same recipe with venison steak and use beef broth instead of chicken broth. You can use any vegetables you have on hand, but save the ones that cook quickly for the time period after the 2-minute simmer.

CHICKEN & GREEN OLIVES

4 bone-in skinless chicken breasts, quartered

• salt & pepper

½ cup flour

2 cups extra virgin olive oil

1 large onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups white wine

1 (5- ounce) jar Spanish green olives, sliced with pimento

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Salt and pepper chicken breasts and then dredge in flour. Heat olive oil in skillet and fry chicken until crisp

on both sides but not fully cooked. Remove chicken from skillet and pour out all but a ¼ cup of the olive oil. Turn temperature to medium. Add onions and cook for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minute, turning. Add white wine and let cook down until reduced by half. Add olives and roughly 4 tablespoons of juice from the jar. Add the cinnamon and stir. Add the chicken and put a lid on. Simmer for 30 minutes. Best if served over longgrain rice.

COWBOY STEW

Lynn Hagon, Great Lakes Energy

1 pound hamburger

1 (15-ounce) can vegetable soup

1 (15-ounce) can tomato soup

2 cups water

3–4 carrots, cut up

2 medium potatoes, cut up

1 small onion, chopped

Brown hamburger and onion; drain. Add soups, water, and vegetables. Cook for about 45 minutes or so.

Kim Schumacher

TEC Fiber Reaches 1,000 Customers

Last year, in the July/August issue of Country Lines, we wrote an article celebrating the first customer hookup for TEC Fiber. In this year’s issue, we are proud to announce that we have officially connected our 1,000th TEC Fiber customer! Our 1,000th customer received service on June 9 in the Millington 2 Circuit.

Like many fiber buildouts across the country, we have experienced some ups and downs during the process. In an ideal world, we would have all our prospective fiber customers hooked up today. We appreciate your patience and confidence that TEC Fiber will be the best internet service available in the Thumb area.

We also appreciate the high response rate and positive feedback that our current customers have given us on our customer satisfaction surveys. Please know that we do read your feedback and suggestions for improvement, and we will do all we can to make sure our current and future customers receive the best service possible.

Building a fiber network from scratch has been a big adjustment for all of us here at TEC. It has taken a lot of

hard work to get TEC Fiber up and running; however, hitting a major milestone like this is a great reminder of how far we have come. We are proud of this achievement, and we will continue to improve and give all our customers the “TEC Advantage” as quickly as possible.

Please visit our website at www.tecmi.coop/fiber for more information on TEC Fiber. You can preregister or register for service in the address bar at the top of the page. Additionally, you can view our service map, which has estimated timelines for all of our circuits. As always, if you have any questions, please call 989-658-8571.

HOW TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK DROWNING

Each year, 3,800 people in the U.S. die from drowning. Electric shock drowning occurs when an electric current escapes boats, docks, and lights near marinas, shocking nearby swimmers. There are no visible signs of current seeping into water, which makes this a hidden danger. The electric shock paralyzes swimmers, making them unable to swim to safety.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY TIPS FOR:

Swimmers

• Never swim near a boat or launching ramp. Residual current could flow into the water from the boat or the marina’s wiring, potentially putting anyone in the water at risk of electric shock.

• If you feel any tingling sensations while in the water, tell someone and swim back in the direction from which you came. Immediately report it to the dock or marina owner.

Boat Owners

• Ensure your boat is properly maintained and consider having it inspected annually. GFCIs and ELCIs should be tested monthly. Conduct leakage testing to determine if electrical current is escaping the vessel.

• Use portable GFCIs or shore power cords (including “Y” adapters) that are “UL- Marine Listed” when using electricity near water.

• Regularly have your boat’s electrical system inspected by a certified marine electrician. Ensure it meets your local and state NEC, NFPA, and ABYC safety codes.

IF YOU SEE ELECTRIC SHOCK DROWNING TAKING PLACE:

DO NOT enter the water. You could become a victim, too.

“In a musty old hall in Detroit, they prayed In the maritime sailorsʼ cathedral

The church bell chimed ʻtil it rang twenty-nine times For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

THE GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM

PRESERVES MICHIGAN’S RICH MARITIME HISTORY

By Emily Haines Lloyd

The recent discovery of the wreck of the Nucleus is just one of many stories brought to light by the museum.

The Gordon Lightfoot song made the Edmund Fitzgerald, a freight ship lost in Lake Superior in 1975, the most famous shipwreck in a century. However, the depths of the Great Lakes are the secret keepers and silent graves of thousands of ships lost in its waters. Among them is the recently discovered Nucleus, a 144-foot Barquentine found under 600 feet of water around 40 miles northwest of

Vermilion Point on Lake Superior. The Nucleus was lost at sea over 150 years ago in 1869.

“It can be hard for folks to understand how a ship could go missing for so long without being discovered,” said content & communications director for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS), Corey Adkins. “But these ships went down before radar, before GPS. So, how is it documented when a ship goes down back then?”

Lucky for historians and maritime aficionados, the technology has grown exponentially, and the efforts of groups like GLSHS discover more missing vessels each year.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT

GLSHS fi rst discovered the wreckage of Nucleus using a Marine Sonic Technology side-scan sonar in the summer of 2021, and positively identifi ed the wreck in 2022 using the organization’s ROV (remotely operated vehicle). The wreck was in surprisingly good condition, which helped with the next phase of the discovery. Much like any investigation, the next steps included a great deal of research.

“There was no name visible, but the wreckage was a perfect size and in the perfect place to deduce it was Nucleus,” said Adkins. “From there, you piece together a story using old news articles and documents. Little by little, the story becomes clearer.”

Part of Nucleus ’ story includes a history of nine or 10 accidents at sea and the fact that it had sunk two other times—which earned it the

moniker of “Bad Luck Barquentine.” Additionally, on the Nucleus ’ fi nal and fateful voyage, another ship, the Union, had come upon the sinking vessel, slowed down, and eventually steamed on without any sort of communication or effort to rescue the crew.

“That is just not done,” said Adkins. “There is an unwritten law of the sea, that you always help another ship in distress. The fact that the Union didn’t assist just adds to the mystery of this wreck. But still, amazingly, there was not a single life lost.”

Mystery solving is at the heart of GLSHS’ mission. They are actively looking for wrecks every summer into early fall, hoping to piece together more stories of both the ships and those who sailed on them. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, operated by GLSHS and located at the Whitefi sh

Point Light Station, offers more stories for visitors to discover and an opportunity to walk the beach afterward to reflect on the area’s rich history.

“We are proud to share the history and tell the stories of these discoveries,” said Adkins. “Every story is important to us. All the lives and the losses. Most people only know about the Edmund Fitzgerald . But that is not the only story.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Top: An anchor from the Nucleus.

Bottom: The port bow and anchor chain from the Nucleus

A drawing done by Bob McGreevy shows the Nucleus, a ship that sank in Lake Superior, but was found by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society in Paradise.

Youth Tour Student

Representative Chosen

Isaiah Kabban of Harbor Beach High School was selected to represent Thumb Electric Cooperative during the 2023 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. The trip lasted from June 14–June 18, and it was the first time TEC has been able to send a representative since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Isaiah, who will be a junior this upcoming fall, joined student representatives from cooperatives all across the country for the event. During their time in D.C., the students learned the basics about electric co-ops, toured the U.S. Capitol and other national landmarks, met with lawmakers, and much more! They also were able to attend a Broadway show and a Washington Nationals baseball game.

If you know a high school sophomore or junior who is interested in applying for next year’s Youth Tour event, please watch for information in the fall issues of Country Lines magazine, the TEC Facebook page, our website at www.tecmi.coop, or at www.cooperativeyouthtour.com.

New Employee Spotlight

Tenley Legue

Tenley Legue started as TEC’s general clerk on May 1 of this year. She came to us from Air Advantage, where she has been for the last seven years. Before that, she worked for eight years at Buffalo Wild Wings in Brighton, Saginaw, and Birch Run. She also studied at the Ross Medical Center for medical assisting. Tenley also currently helps at Baja Acres during race weekends.

Tenley, who was born and raised in Brighton, now lives with her husband Chas, and they have two children, Payton and James. In her free time, Tenley enjoys riding on the pontoon or the sideby-side with her family. She also enjoys hanging out at the race track with friends and family.

MEET OUR 2023 Scholarship Winners

This spring, the TEC Board of Directors approved the offering of three $1,500 scholarships to qualified graduates in the Thumb area. One winner was selected for each of our served counties.

Huron County

Logan Volmering of Ubly High School. He is pursuing a mechanical engineering and electrical engineering degree at Michigan State University. Upon receiving the scholarship, Logan said, “This scholarship means that I will have less financial stress, allowing me to study my school work and do what I love.”

Sanilac County

Mark Heilig of Ubly High School. He is attending Lineman School at Alpena Community College. Mark said, “This scholarship is such an honor to receive, for it will help me reach my goals as a lineman and push me in my hopes to one day come back and serve this area.”

Tuscola County

Isabella Langmaid of Caro High School. She is pursuing a degree in robotics engineering at Michigan Tech University. After receiving the scholarship, Isabella said, “I am so grateful for this scholarship! I am honored to be one of this year’s recipients of the TEC Scholarship. I plan to use it to its fullest in helping me further my education at Michigan Technological University studying robotics engineering.”

TEC would like to congratulate Logan, Mark, and Isabella, and we wish them the best of luck in their future careers!

At One with Plants

By Rik Cryderman, a Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op member

S

he was seldom seen without an apron and seldom seen not working. She was a farmer. Forever. And even when she didn’t live near fields and barns, she was a farmer still, in her heart. She mentored many and inspired far more. A little grandson followed her, closer than her shadow. He learned her love of plants and gardens—it was far more caught than taught. He’d quote her homespun adages, like scriptures learned in church. Some were rather humorous, like when he’d say, with serious tone: “My grandma says she knows she’ll never go to hell, because the devil knows she builds a better fire,” or “I don’t need to rest, I can sleep when I’m dead!” As this grandson grew in stature, he still loved the things she loved. With spades and trowels as his artist’s tools, he created lovely gardens. He learned the proper names of every plant he planted—good friends should have good names. He’d learned from his aproned grandma which plants chose sunny spots and which preferred the shade. He knew when each would be awake and bring their brightest flowers, so he’d plant his gardens in such a way that some would always be in bloom.

This grandma’s boy went off to school, to Michigan State one day. And there he chose to study plants and gardens and propagation. He’d learn his grandma’s favorites had Latin names as well. He’d graduate with honors, assisting his professors. He’d later maintain gardens at the Edsel Ford estate and land a job he’d hold for years, growing perennials for Wiegand’s Nursery. His grandmother moved to heaven—she tends the gardens there. But Gary Bopp, without an apron, continues her gardening here. Retired, he now spends his summers in Lewiston, a rare jewel in northern Michigan. He lives in a place called Bliss Cottage, surrounded by Bliss Gardens. He still propagates perennials, knows each by name, knows each one’s game. He sells them each Saturday morning at Lewiston’s Farmers’ Market. He’s become a local consultant, inspiring the love of the garden. He loves to know his green “children” find

good homes with his neighbors and friends. He likes to imagine he might be a part of making this world more beautiful—spreading awe and fueling wonder in gardens. Last year he propagated 5,000 perennials, tough tested by Lewiston’s climate. He watches with pride as they’re carried from the market to gardens nearby. And somewhere in heaven, an angel with an apron worn over her robe looks down and tells those around her, “I taught him all that he knows.”

“When some people leave this world,” Gary reflects, “they leave a grand monument, a vast estate, or a collection of tributes, awards, and accolades. I hope to leave a garden.”

About the author: Rik Cryderman is happily retired after a 35-year career as director of pastoral care for Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Michigan. He splits his time between Lewiston, Michigan, and Naples, Florida, enjoying grandchildren, gardening, travel, photography, and writing. Fueled by his faith and inspired by his friends, he finds each of life’s chapters better than the last.

Guest Column

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Mystery Photo

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Where In Michigan Is This?

Identify the correct location of the photo to the left by July 24 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community

May 2023 Winner! Our Mystery Photo winner is Michelle Cockey, a Midwest Energy & Communications Cooperative member, who correctly identified the photo as the memorial plaque of Ryerson and Melissa Whiting at Whiting Park in Charlevoix County. Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September, and November/December.

2022 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

EARLY BIRD PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS

CHILDREN’S PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS

1. BIKE (BOYS) ............................. Jase Kozlowski, Bad Axe

2. BIKE (GIRLS) .............................. Hanna Shuart, Bad Axe

3. TABLET ............................ Zachary Hollinshead, Cass City

4. TABLET ........................................ Bo Booms, Ruth

5. WIRELESS HEADPHONES Katie Sommer, Millington

6. WIRELESS HEADPHONES Rylee White, Minden City

7. WIRELESS SPEAKER Nevach Tinsey, Cass City

8. WIRELESS SPEAKER Courtney Wolschlager, Bad Axe

PRIZE DONATED BY KAPPEN TREE SERVICE

10 YARDS OF MULCH, BULK OR BAGS Melvin Hartz, Port Hope

FINAL PRIZE DRAWING WINNERS

Richard

Brian

Dale

Frederick Kent, Caro

Depcinski, Ubly

13. FOOD GIFT CERTIFICATE

Gerber, Cass City

14. ROKU EXPRESSES

Fox, Vassar 15. LED WORK LIGHT