Great Lakes Energy Cooperative
July/August 2026
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
Taking the Long Way Around Advocating For You On A National Level Truestream Surpasses 30,000 Connections Your Vote Is Your Voice
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Geothermal is like finding magic in your backyard. Turn your wishes of lower energy costs into reality with a residential geothermal unit from WaterFurnace. Our systems tap into free, renewable energy stored in the ground to deliver reliable, consistent comfort and real savings on heating, cooling, and hot water. They’re twice as efficient as traditional HVAC systems, last 40% longer, and cut energy bills by as much as 70%. Plus, many state, local, and utility programs offer incentives to lower installation costs. Stop wishing and start saving with geothermal from WaterFurnace. Visit waterfurnace.com to learn how to turn “Too Good To Be True” into “True.” YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS Allendale Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com
Grand Rapids Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com
Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989) 772-4822 waltonheating.com
Berrien Springs WaterFurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeothermal.com
Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsgeothermal-mi.com
Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com
Holland G.H.P. Systems Inc. (616) 396-5833 ghpsystems-inc.com
Muskegon TMC Mechanical LLC (231) 865-1114 www.tmcmechanicalllc.com
Cadillac Wilder Htg & Clg (231) 645-4822 Wilderheatingandcooling.com
Indian River M&M Plmb & Htg (231) 238-7201 mm-plumbing.com
Filion/Bad Axe Air-O-Dynamic Htg & Clg (989) 582-0137 aod-hvac.com
Lansing Candor Mechanical (517) 920-0890 candormechanical.com
Gaylord Family Plmb & Htg (989) 732-8099 familyplumbingandheating.com
Michigan Center Comfort 1/Aire Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southern-michigan
Portage Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com Sparta West Michigan Geothermal (616) 887-1290 Westmigeothermal.com
Three Rivers Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com
CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES $2,250 rebate available through your co-op.
Sunfield Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com
OLDEST UNIT CONTEST! Have an older geothermal unit? Tell us why you love it for a chance to win a new, modern WaterFurnace residential geothermal unit with professional installation.1 Hurry, the contest ends July 22, 2026. Enter at waterfurnace.com/giveaway 1. Visit the WF giveaway landing page for full details and requirements.
visit waterfurnace.com/mi The Reliable Renewable is a trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
Contents countrylines.com
July/August 2026 Vol. 46, No. 7
/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; John Kran, president and CEO.
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CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR: Michigan Country Lines 201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com
MI CO-OP Community
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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6 DIGGING INTO THE RICH
RECIPE CONTEST
HISTORY OF MICHIGAN’S KEWEENAW PENINSULA The majestic land of the Keweenaw captivates visitors with natural beauty and hidden riches below the surface.
GUEST COLUMN
10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN
MYSTERY PHOTO
14 TAKING THE LONG
See details on page 10. Autumn Comfort Foods, due Aug. 1; Heirloom Recipes, due Sept. 1. Win a $100 bill credit! See details on page 18. Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published! See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!
To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
Chill Out! No Cook: Summer made simple.
WAY AROUND More than an endurance event, the Mackinac Island Swim is rooted in joy, connection, and community.
18 GUEST COLUMN
A Farmers Market Tradition.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
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Your Voice, Your Co-op By Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Howard Bowersox, Chair, District 8 219-670-0977 hbowersox@glenergy.com Janet Andersen, Vice Chair, District 6 231-690-4622 jandersen@glenergy.com Paul Byl, Secretary, District 7 231-742-2643 pbyl@glenergy.com Dale Farrier, Treasurer, District 5 231-564-0853 dfarrier@glenergy.com Mark Carson, Director, District 2 231-675-0561 mcarson@glenergy.com David Coveyou, Director, District 1 231-347-4056 dcoveyou@glenergy.com Richard Evans, Director, District 3 231-883-3146 revans@glenergy.com John LaForge, Director, District 9 269-623-2284 jlaforge@glenergy.com Mary O’Connell, Director, District 4 517-974-5797 moconnell@glenergy.com PRESIDENT/CEO: Shaun Lamp 888-485-2537 BOYNE CITY HEADQUARTERS 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712 Call center hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. M–F Phone: 888-485-2537 Email: glenergy@glenergy.com TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: Call 888-485-2537 or login to your account at gtlakes.com or the GLE mobile app.
Change of Address: 888-485-2537, ext. 8924 Great Lakes Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
At Great Lakes Energy, being a member means more than receiving reliable power. It means having a voice in how our co-op is guided and how decisions are made. Membership brings a level of ownership and participation that ensures your perspective helps shape the future of the organization. As a member-owned electric cooperative, GLE is governed by a board of directors elected from and by the membership. These directors are your neighbors, bringing local perspective and community understanding to each decision. That’s the cooperative difference in action. Each year, members in three of our nine voting districts elect a representative to serve a three-year term on the board. Every membership carries one vote, ensuring fairness and equality across our entire co-op, whether you represent a household or a business.
JULY/AUGUST 2026
We have also worked to make participation in voting easier. Three years ago, we introduced online voting alongside traditional mail-in ballots. In the first year, about half of the votes were cast online. Over the past two years, that number has grown to two-thirds. This year, elections will take place in districts 3, 4, and 5. Members in those districts can learn more about their respective candidates in this issue of Country Lines. Other members will have the opportunity to vote in 2027 or 2028. Members in voting districts will find their ballots and instructions on the cover wrap included with this issue. Voting is administered securely by Survey Balloting Systems. Please submit your vote by 5 p.m. on Aug. 20. If voting by mail, allow enough time for delivery by the deadline. When you participate, you help shape the future of our co-op and the communities we share.
Why does this matter? Because board decisions influence everything from electric rates to long-term investments in infrastructure and technology. When you participate, you help ensure your co-op reflects the priorities of the communities we serve. That member voice is just as important beyond our local communities. Recently, I traveled to Washington, D.C., alongside Board Treasurer Dale Farrier and Director of Broadband Operations Taylar Sides for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Legislative Conference. Together, we shared our members’ perspectives with policymakers and advocated for reliable, affordable, and resilient energy. You can read more about that work on the next page. Strong advocacy begins with engaged members. Your participation here at home gtlakes.com
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strengthens the voice we carry when we represent you at the state and national level.
1 EMMET Beaver Island
CHEBOYGAN
2 CHARLEVOIX OTSEGO
ANTRIM
3 GRAND TRAVERSE
MANISTEE
WEXFORD
MONTMORENCY
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KALKASKA
CRAWFORD
OSCODA
5 MISSAUKEE
6 MASON
LAKE
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OCEANA
CLARE
OSCEOLA
MECOSTA
NEWAYGO
7 MUSKEGON
MONTCALM
9 KENT
OTTAWA
ALLEGAN
BARRY
Districts By County – 2026 Election District 3 – Antrim County District 4 – Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, and Otsego counties District 5 – Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties
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/jointruestream
Advocating For Our Members On A National Level In late April 2026, more than 1,500 electric cooperative leaders from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) annual Legislative Conference, bringing a unified rural voice to the nation’s capital at a pivotal moment for the energy industry. Among those attending were Great Lakes Energy CEO Shaun Lamp, Board Treasurer Dale Farrier, and Director of Broadband Operations Taylar Sides, who joined peers in carrying the priorities of their members straight to Capitol Hill. As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, advocacy is central to GLE’s mission, and the delegation used the conference to engage directly with policymakers on issues affecting rural communities like those GLE serves.
The conference combined policy briefings, agency insights, and direct meetings with members of Congress and federal officials. Attendees emphasized the urgent need for “smart energy policies” that ensure reliable, affordable, and resilient electricity as demand accelerates. Co-op leaders rallied around a focused legislative agenda, highlighting the need to streamline federal permitting processes to speed infrastructure projects, reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to deliver faster disaster assistance, reduce wildfire risks through improved land management, and strengthen the Rural Utilities Service electric loan program, which provides low-cost loans and loan guarantees to build, upgrade, and modernize rural electric infrastructure. Federal agency leaders reinforced these priorities
during conference sessions, pointing to billions of dollars in grid investment opportunities and the growing urgency to expand generation and transmission capacity to meet rising energy needs nationwide. For GLE’s team and others, the most impactful moments came during faceto-face meetings with lawmakers. These conversations translated national policy into local impact, giving legislators a clearer understanding of how regulatory decisions, infrastructure investment, and disaster response directly affect GLE members and other rural Americans. The message throughout the week was clear: When electric cooperatives speak with one voice, rural communities are heard. For Great Lakes Energy, the work does not end in Washington. Your co-op remains dedicated to advocating for you, our members, whenever and wherever possible. It’s just one of the many ways we pursue our ongoing mission to enrich our members’ lives with safe, reliable service.
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DISCOVERING MICHIGAN’S MAGIC Cassondra Wanders Adventure Series
Digging Into the Rich History of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula By Cassondra Scott
huge influx of immigrants from Finland, Cornwall, and other regions, creating a unique cultural identity and helping shape the area’s diverse population. This can be seen today in bilingual street signs, architecture, museums, and foods like the famous pasty. Rising production costs, violent miner strikes, and the Great Depression brought job loss and population decline and ultimately led to the fall of the mining industry. Without the mines, the economy began to collapse. Many towns vanished, leaving behind ghost towns, industrial relics, and remnants of a bygone era. Today, the Keweenaw National Historical Park preserves 20 heritage sites that offer tours into the past— showcasing the impact the mining downturn left on the communities and landscape for generations. Some of these sites include:
Forming the northernmost tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a striking shark fin-shaped area of land stands along the shore of by Lake Superior. Isolated by geography and refined by a geology so unique, there is nowhere else in the world quite like the Keweenaw Peninsula.
To really understand the whole picture, we have to go back a billion years to the Mesoproterozoic Era. This period of forming and shifting of Earth’s continents is when a midcontinent rift formed. Volcanic activity left behind nearly pure copper lava, producing the only strata on Earth with large-scale recoverable native copper at 97%. For over 7,000 years, Lake Superior Indigenous people and their ancestors
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mined and traded this copper, using it to make tools, beads, and ornaments. As European settlers arrived, the Ojibwa shared their knowledge of copper resources and by the 1840s, “copper fever” had struck. In 1842, the U.S. gained title to the Keweenaw Peninsula and opened it to commercial mining, which continued to dominate the economy until the 1960s. Industrialization attracted a
• Once one of the nation’s largest copper producers, the village of Calumet gives a first-hand glimpse of what life was like in a mining town during the 19th century. Landmarks include Calumet Visitor Center, Coppertown Mining Museum, and Calumet Theater. • Quincy Mine, nicknamed “Old Reliable” for being one of the largest copper producers in the UP, is open year-round for tours. Free self-guided tours are available above ground, while the full tour takes visitors on a cog-rail tram to descend 360 feet below ground and walk through the massive hoist house. • From mid-May to October, Delaware Mine offers self-guided underground tours to explore at your own pace. Walk 110 feet below ground to Shaft No. 1. See copper veins on the walls, ruins of stone buildings, antique engines, and mining equipment.
The “Gateway to the Keweenaw” begins in Houghton, the largest city in Copper Country. Directly across the Portage Canal sits the rolling hills and red brick cityscape of Hancock. Connecting the two cities is the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, the world’s heaviest and widest double-decked, vertical-lift bridge. The 25-mile partially man-made Keweenaw Waterway bisects the Keweenaw Peninsula. It serves as a vital transport route, also offering cruises and boat tours. Everything to the north is known as Copper Island, because it’s technically surrounded completely by water.
monks. These men of peace have been serving up savory heavenly treats, jams, and jellies since 1983. Copper Harbor is a harmonious blend of old America sprinkled with parks, beaches, waterfalls, shipwrecks, and lighthouses. It’s a popular destination for hiking, mountain biking, and camping. It’s also home to Fort Wilkins State Park, an 1844-era frontier fort with 11 original buildings to tour. Established to keep peace and manage civil unrest during the early copper rush, the fort remained open for only three years, as the harsh winters proved to be nearly unbearable for soldiers
to survive. By 1870, the Army had permanently abandoned the facility. A wildly majestic place that seems to magically transport visitors back in time, the Keweenaw Peninsula offers natural beauty as far as the eye can see and an even greater treasure just beneath the surface. Shaped by Indigenous influence, European exploration, and a century-long mining boom, it remains one of Michigan’s richest regions in both history and landscape.
Scan the QR code to watch a video of Cassondra’s adventures to the Keweenaw Peninsula.
The drive from Houghton to Copper Harbor, the very northern point of the peninsula, is a little less than 50 miles. The mountainous, rugged drive makes for an easy day trip. You’ll traverse Brockway Mountain, Keweenaw’s best-known summit, which towers 735 feet above the lake below. Take a pilgrimage to the Jampot in Eagle Harbor, a bakery, candy, and coffee shop run by Catholic Byzantine
Cassondra Scott is a content creator, writer, and social media influencer at Cassondra Wanders—sharing small businesses and sights to see all over the state of Michigan.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
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School-Year Savings Start at Home with ENERGY STAR Appliances Back-to-school season brings busy schedules, packed lunches, endless laundry, and appliances working overtime. If you’re looking for ways to manage energy use while keeping up with the season, ENERGY STAR ® certified appliances are a smart solution.
standard models, helping lower energy use with every load while still delivering excellent cleaning performance.
ENERGY STAR® appliances are designed to use less energy without sacrificing performance, and with appliance rebates from Great Lakes Energy, upgrading can save even more.
Dry More Efficiently with an ENERGY STAR® Heat Pump Clothes Dryer
Keep It Clean with an ENERGY STAR® Clothes Washer From school clothes to sports uniforms, laundry piles up quickly during the school year. Traditional washers can use a large amount of water and energy, especially with frequent hot-water cycles. An ENERGY STAR® certified clothes washer uses less water and energy than
Plus, you can receive a $25 rebate on an ENERGY STAR® certified clothes washer to help keep laundry day efficient and affordable.
During the school year, dryers often run nonstop with uniforms, towels, and weekend catch-up loads. Traditional electric dryers can use significant energy and add extra heat to your home. ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump dryers use advanced technology that recycles warm air instead of constantly venting heated air outside. This process uses significantly less energy, is gentler on clothing, and helps reduce heat buildup in your laundry space.
With a $50 rebate available, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® heat pump dryer can deliver long-term savings for busy households.
Chill Out with an ENERGY STAR® Refrigerator Back-to-school season also means your refrigerator is working harder to keep lunches, snacks, and quick dinners fresh. Since refrigerators run around the clock, choosing an energyefficient model can make a noticeable difference in household energy use. ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators are designed to use less energy while maintaining reliable cooling performance. You may also qualify for available rebates when upgrading to a qualifying model. Learn more about ENERGY STAR® appliance rebates from Great Lakes Energy and start the school year with smart savings at home.
SAVINGS THAT MAKE THE GRADE Upgrade your appliances and get money back on your energy bill. Every appliance comes with two price tags— the purchase price and the operating cost. ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances help reduce the operating cost by reducing energy use without sacrificing performance. Great Lakes Energy is offering rebates on qualified appliances to help you save on the purchase price. Now that’s smart savings!
Back to School Back to Savings
Scan the QR code to view eligible rebates or visit gtlakes.com/energy-wise/
GLE Photo Contest
CUTE PETS MOST VOTES
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1. MOST VOTES Meowdy, partners!, Brittney Johnson, Hesperia 2. The beautiful Zelda!, Anna Devries, Wayland 3. Just chillin’ on my vacay, Joel Dubiel, Fife Lake 4. Merry Grinch-mas from our mini-Dachshunds, Charlie, Nahla and Remi, Angela Beadle, Custer 5. The force is strong with Obi!, Mark Dunn, Alanson 6. Sitting pretty, Beth Pipe, Baldwin
Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit! Submit Your Iconic Landmarks Photos By July 25 for the September issue!
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Each month, members can submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo with the most votes is published here, along with other selections. How To Enter: Enter the contest at gtlakes.com/ photocontest/. Make sure to vote and encourage others to vote for you, too. The photo receiving the most votes will be printed in an issue of Michigan Country Lines along with other favorites. All photos printed in the magazine in 2026 will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 bill credit in December 2026.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
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MI CO-OP Kitchen
CHILL OUT! NO COOK Summer made simple.
SESAME CHICKEN CRUNCH SALAD
WINNING RECIPE!
Katie Grzesiak, Great Lakes Energy Dressing: 1 tablespoon sugar ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper ¾ teaspoon ground ginger ⅓ cup neutral oil (such as canola or avocado oil) 1½ tablespoons sesame oil 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) 2 tablespoons soy sauce, or tamari (for gluten-free) Salad: 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (about 4–5 cups) or 6 cooked chicken breasts, seasoned and shredded 1 small head Napa cabbage, shredded (about 5 cups) or 2 heads romaine lettuce, shredded 1–2 carrots, shredded 4 green onions, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons toasted sliced or slivered almonds 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds 1 (3-ounce) can fried rice noodles (Asian-style crunchy noodles, such as La Choy) In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, black pepper, ground ginger, neutral oil, sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce until well combined. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cabbage/lettuce, carrots, green onions, almonds, sesame seeds, and fried rice noodles. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat and combine. Serve immediately. If you expect leftovers, allow the chicken to cool completely before adding it to the salad and serve the rice noodles separately to keep them from becoming soggy.
Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos
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HAM-N-CHEESE BALL
CHOCOLATE PEANUT CLUSTERS
Julie Stellema, Alger Delta 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 teaspoon onion powder 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried parsley ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon seasoning salt 3 tablespoons finely chopped ham, optional 1 cup bacon bits, optional
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, seasoning salt, and ham, if using. Stir well until combined. Form the mixture into a ball, cover, and chill in the refrigerator until firm. When ready to serve, spread the bacon bits on a plate and roll the cheese ball in the bacon until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with crackers.
Bill & Mary Jo Williams, Great Lakes Energy 1 (6-ounce) bag Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 (10-ounce) bag Reese’s Peanut Butter Morsels
1 can (10–12 ounces) Planters Spanish Peanuts (use only Spanish peanuts for best results)
Combine the semi-sweet chocolate morsels and peanut butter morsels in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Stir in the Spanish peanuts until evenly coated. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto wax paper or parchment paper. Let the candy harden at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then leave on the counter for at least 1 hour before storing in a tin or airtight container. Makes approximately 45–50 clusters. The recipe can easily be doubled.
GRAPE SALAD
SEVEN-LAYER TACO DIP
Rhonda DeBolt, Cherryland Electric
Linda Gowman, Presque Isle
4 pounds seedless green grapes, or a combination of green and red grapes 8 ounces sour cream 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 ounces chopped pecans 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Remove the grape stems and rinse the grapes in vinegar water, then allow them to dry completely. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in the grapes, then mix in most of the pecans and brown sugar, reserving a small amount to sprinkle over the top before serving. Cover and refrigerate overnight if possible, allowing the sugar to fully dissolve and the flavors to blend.
RECIPE CONTEST
1 (15-ounce) can refried beans 5 tablespoons mayonnaise 5 tablespoons sour cream 2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 bunch green onions, chopped (green tops only) ½ can black olives, drained and sliced 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Layer the ingredients in the order listed in a shallow serving dish, glass pie plate, or 8x8-inch baking dish, beginning with the refried beans and ending with the shredded cheddar cheese. Serve chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips and salsa.
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Autumn Comfort Foods, due Aug. 1; Heirloom Recipes, 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.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 11
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES DISTRICT 4 — CRAWFORD, MONTMORENCY, OSCODA, AND OTSEGO COUNTIES Why are you seeking a board seat? To serve Northern Michigan, a community I have known and loved all my teenage and adult life. My wife Cathy (of 40 years) and I have raised our family in Northern Michigan. We are now watching our grandchildren being raised here. This is a chance to give back and help preserve what is special about this area while providing necessary services to keep people and families thriving and wanting to stay and play in this area. Do you have energy industry experience, including work as a Great Lakes Energy employee, electric utility contractor, or at another energy service provider?
Ed Hunt Occupation • Architect/Construction Manager • Cooperative member for 24 years
Involved in commercial building design and construction all my career (41 years), I have experience in requesting and coordinating new or upgraded power for developments and building projects with Great Lakes Energy and other electric service providers throughout Northern Michigan.
Why are you seeking a board seat? Being a 25-year resident of Crawford County and a customer of Great Lakes Energy, my family and I have enjoyed exemplary electrical service. Continuation of Great Lakes services in our community is of utmost importance. Working with like-minded people, being a helping hand, and learning to serve the company and customers is why I am seeking a Great Lakes Energy board seat. Do you have energy industry experience, including work as a Great Lakes Energy employee, electric utility contractor, or at another energy service provider? No.
Constance (Connie) Keene-Meyer Occupation • Business Owner/Property Manager • Cooperative member for 25 years
12 JULY/AUGUST 2026
Please list any organizations that you belong to or volunteer work that you participate in: • Michigan Department of Education Out of School Time grant advisory board • Volunteer at Love INC • North Central Michigan Community Foundation volunteer • Maple Forest Township Trustee • C.O.O.R Career Tech. Parent Advisor • 4H volunteer
Please list any organizations that you belong to or volunteer work that you participate in: As a member of Gaylord E-Free Church for 36 years, I have been involved in various leadership positions, including church chairman, and elder board chairman. I have also been a board member and board chairman of The Promise FM radio station. I am currently serving on the Otsego Career Access Network Leadership Team and am the secretary/treasurer for our HOA board. List other qualifications and relevant information: I am educated as an architect with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from LTU. I am a licensed architect in the State of Ohio with over 40 years of experience in the design and construction industry. I am the President/Manager of Integrity Construction Services, LLC, a construction management and design/build company for commercial construction throughout Northern Michigan.
List other qualifications and relevant information: Experience: 30 years of owning and managing a property holding company, Three J Properties, which specializes in housing units, raw land, and utility leases. Business projects gave me experience with electric companies and the environmental protocols needed for successful project completion. During the process, I have worked closely with the local electric companies, including Great Lakes Energy, to ensure safe standards for these housing units. As Crawford County Library Director, I have worked with construction and utility companies to update and renovate the Devereaux Memorial Library and Frederic Community Library. During the renovation, I worked closely with contractors, electricians, and energy providers to relocate overhead wiring and easements for guy wires. The experience I have gained from serving on many boards and committees, along with the professional experience listed above, makes me well qualified for this seat on the Great Lakes Energy Board.
Why are you seeking a board seat?
This experience has given me a strong understanding of infrastructure, legal and regulatory environments, and customer service.
The role of a board member is to represent the interests of the membership through strong governance of the cooperative. This includes ensuring that Great Lakes Energy remains true to its mission while operating responsibly and effectively.
Please list any organizations that you belong to or volunteer work that you participate in: I have served on numerous nonprofit boards and industry boards representing the cable and telecommunications sectors at both local and state levels.
As your current board representative, I come to each meeting well prepared. I ask thoughtful questions and approach decisions with care and deliberation— especially when addressing complex matters involving fiduciary oversight, strategic direction, and legal or regulatory considerations. Do you have energy industry experience, including work as a Great Lakes Energy employee, electric utility contractor, or at another energy service provider?
Mary O’Connell Occupation • Retired—Government Affairs Regional Director in the telecommunications and cable Industry • Great Lakes Energy Board member for 2 years • Cooperative member for 2.75 years
EMMET
Beaver Island
Currently, I volunteer with a hospice organization, tutor adults in literacy, and serve as secretary of my homeowners’ association board.
CHEBOYGAN CHARLEVOIX ANTRIM
OTSEGO
MONTMORENCY
Although I am now retired, my career spans decades of work with several Fortune 500 companies where I held senior management roles in government relations in cable, telecommunications, wireless, and broadband industries.
List other qualifications and relevant information: It would be impossible to not acknowledge the impact of the 2025 ice storm. This experience reinforces the importance of resilient infrastructure, thoughtful planning, and responsive leadership. I remain committed to helping guide decisions that support recovery today and strengthen our system for the future.
VOTE! As a member and owner of an electric
cooperative, you decide who will represent you on the Great Lakes Energy Cooperative Board of Directors.
4 GRAND TRAVERSE
KALKASKA CRAWFORD
OSCODA
Great Lakes Energy Cooperative
MANISTEE
MASON
WEXFORD MISSAUKEE
OSCEOLA
LAKE
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
CLARE
gtlakes.com
VOTE OCEANA
/greatlakesenergy
OFFICIAL MAIL-IN BALLOT DISTRICT 4 2026 Great Lakes Energy Board of Directors Election
MECOSTA
(3-Year Term)
04
Director Candidates
NEWAYGO
Ed Hunt Constance (Connie) Keene-Meyer
Your Voice. Your Board. Your Co-op.
Return by Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
Mary O’Connell (incumbent) 04
The undersigned acknowledges the receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting, dated July 6, 2026.
MONTCALM
MUSKEGON
Inside Cover: PETITION STATEMENT Your notice of our Annual Meeting and Nominations.
Pages 12–13: CANDIDATE INFO Information regarding your director candidates for District 4.
Back Cover: OFFICIAL BALLOT Your official ballot is on the back cover.Please Ballotssee are due Aug. 20. instructions for mailing on the other side of this page.
OFFICIAL BALLOT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISTRICT 4: HOW TO VOTE: Members have the option to vote by mail or online.
WHO MAY USE: Anyone who is a member of Great Lakes Energy Cooperative at the time the mail-in ballot is submitted, whether or not the member plans to attend the Annual Meeting of the members. Either co-signer of a joint membership may sign the ballot, but only one ballot may be cast per joint membership. A person receiving electric service at more than one premise shall sign only one ballot.
KENT
BY MAIL: Mark this ballot once for the open director position for the district, print and sign your name, and use this self-mailing page to send it. Read about the candidates on pages 12 and 13 inside this magazine. Only signed ballots are valid and can be counted, so be sure to sign the ballot in the space indicated above. Please do not include anything other than the ballot. Mail-in ballots must be received by Aug. 20, 2026, at Survey & Ballot Systems, 7653 Anagram Dr., Eden Prairie, MN 55344-7311. Please allow extra time for mailing, as the U.S. Postal Service may experience delays.
OTTAWA
ALLEGAN
Member Name (Please Print) Member Signature (Required)
ONLINE: To access the login page of the official GLE election, please log in to your GLE online account or type directvote.net/GLEC into the address bar located at the top of your internet screen. On the right side of this page is your Member Number and your Election Passcode. Use both of these numbers to log in. Once registered, follow the online voting instructions. Online voting begins July 6, 2026, and ends 5 p.m. Eastern time, Aug. 20, 2026. Do not mail your ballot if you plan to vote online.
See the back cover to cast your ballot for one candidate in District 4.* * Director candidates are not selected by GLE management, but by members who choose to run for the board and meet the eligibility requirements. Visit gtlakes.com to learn more.
BARRY
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13
British Landing
TAKING THE LONG WAY AROUND By Emily Haines Lloyd Grand Hotel
Fort Mackinac
Arch Rock
SWIM START
M
ost Mackinac Island visitors take the familiar route, walking its streets, pedaling its perimeter, or settling into a horse-drawn carriage. But on one August morning each year, before the first rush of day-trippers arrives, hundreds of swimmers cross the straits with a different plan entirely. They step off early ferries wrapped in neoprene and nerves and head toward the shoreline to do something equal parts daunting and delightful: swim 8.2 miles around Mackinac Island. From the outside, the Mackinac Island Swim can look like a test of endurance alone, the kind of event soaked in competitiveness and bragging rights. And, yes, it is a serious challenge. But that’s only part of the story.
More Than an Endurance Event Talk to Event Director Jon Vos, and a different picture comes into focus. “Endurance events can become all about the competition,” Vos says. “From day one, we wanted it to be about the experience, the people, and just enjoying this thing we love to do with others who love it, too.” 14 JULY/AUGUST 2026
FINISH LINE
That philosophy shapes everything about the day. Yes, swimmers are timed, but mostly so organizers can track who is safely in and out of the water. There are no podiums at the finish line and no pressure to outperform. In fact, the only “trophies” handed out come from the local bakery, appropriately called Humble Pies. What you do see and feel are the people cheering each other on, taking in the crystal-clear water, and embracing the rare chance to experience Mackinac in an entirely unique way.
A Challenge Shared One of the most unique aspects of the swim is how connected it feels. Mackinac’s bike path traces the shoreline, making it unusually spectator-friendly. Friends and family can follow along from land, turning the entire route into a moving cheering section. Aid stations become gathering places. Visitors become invested in strangers. “People make it their own,” Vos says. “You see families out there, relay teams, people coming back year after year. It becomes part of their story.”
Even when conditions have been tough with cold water, wind, and waves, the response is often the same: “That was awful…see you next year.”
How It Began Like many good ideas, the Mackinac Island Swim started with a simple question. In the wake of COVID, when events were canceled and plans disrupted, a small group of swimmers found themselves still heading north, still eager for connection and adventure. Someone floated the idea: What if they went to Mackinac Island and swam around it? It was a little bold. Totally impractical. And immediately exciting. With help from local swimmers and organizers, the idea quickly came together. The first year drew a whopping 250 swimmers. Last year there were over 400, with solo swimmers, relay teams, and support crews taking part. What has stayed constant is the intent behind it. From the beginning, Vos wanted the swim to feel different from
MACKINAW ISLAND SWIM August 9, 2026 For more information, visit swimaroundmac.com
the ultra-competitive atmosphere often found in endurance sports: Less swagger. More shared experience.
A Community Effort Pulling off an 8.2-mile swim around an island is no small feat. It requires coordination with ferry operators, local boat captains, lifeguards, island paramedics, the Coast Guard, and city leaders. Around 70 people are involved each year, including a core planning team and dozens of volunteers. But that effort reflects something more than logistics. The event has become part of the community itself.
Through its partnership with the Mackinac Women’s Club, the swim has helped raise roughly $100,000 to support local initiatives.
Where Bravery Meets Joy When the swimmers come ashore, they’re usually tired, sometimes shivering, but always smiling. Yes, it takes endurance. Yes, it takes bravery. But what people remember is the joy. The cheers from shore. The stories traded afterward. The feeling of having done something hard, beautiful, and just a little bit crazy. Together.
As swimmers come out of the water smiling ear to ear, it’s clear this was never really about who finished first or beat their personal best. It was about taking the long way around to see both Mackinac and themselves differently. And to carry home a story that only the water could give them. MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15
Performance Under Pressure
GLE achieves 2025 benchmark successes despite historic storm
In a year that included the most destructive weather event in its history, Great Lakes Energy rose to the challenges it faced in 2025 with resiliency and an unwavering commitment to our members. Despite the unprecedented March 2025 ice storm that devastated the northern portions of our service area, the cooperative met six of
nine performance standards in its 2025 annual report to the Michigan Public Service Commission, further underscoring its operational strength and a member-first mindset. GLE’s strongest performance came in critical areas that directly impact members’ day-to-day service: percent of meters read, timely new service installations, and outage restoration times during normal and “gray sky” conditions. These high marks reflect the cooperative’s consistent focus on efficiency and reliability, even as it navigated extraordinary circumstances. The ice storm was a catastrophic event that caused widespread damage across large portions of our system, including transmission outages beyond GLE’s control. More than 66,000 members lost power because of the storm, and in the hardest-hit areas, restoration efforts lasted for many days. The storm destroyed more than 3,000 utility poles and severely damaged other infrastructure.
16 JULY/AUGUST 2026
The three MPSC benchmarks GLE did not meet for 2025 were directly tied to storm-related impacts. GLE is using this information as a catalyst for improvement through a comprehensive plan designed to strengthen its system for the future. At the heart of this plan is a significant investment in system hardening. This includes replacing poles, converting overhead distribution lines to underground, as feasible. The plan also includes expanding our vegetation management efforts and enhancing our storm-response efforts by expanding contractor partnerships, staging materials in advance, and refining mobilization protocols. Together, these initiatives represent a long-term commitment to reliability, safety, and service excellence. While the 2025 ice storm tested the system like never before, it also highlighted GLE’s dedication and adaptability, proving that even in the toughest conditions, the cooperative remains focused on powering its members’ lives.
30,000 Truestreamers And Growing In May, GLE marked another major milestone, surpassing 30,000 Truestream subscribers.
That’s more than 30,000 homes, businesses, farms, and families now connected to fast, reliable fiber internet, many of them in places where such fast, reliable internet service was only a dream before Truestream. For many members, Truestream isn’t just faster internet. It’s access to telehealth, remote work opportunities, online education, staying connected with loved ones, and so much more. Reaching 30,000 connections represents more than a milestone; it’s a clear sign that GLE’s commitment to expanding life-changing fiber internet across our service territory is working and exemplifies our commitment to meeting our members’ needs.
Beyond Truestream GLE’s investment in our fiber-optic network is doing far more than just delivering high-speed internet. It’s helping us build a smarter, more resilient electric grid designed for decades of reliable service. By linking substations, line equipment, and control systems with ultra-fast, twoway communication, the fiber network allows operators to detect outages instantly, isolate problems, and reroute power more efficiently, reducing both the frequency and duration of disruptions.
and voice services available to more than 8,000 GLE members in 23 areas within our Scottville, Wayland, Boyne, Waters, and Kalkaska service districts.
To learn more about Truestream, including our latest construction updates and the availability of service in your area, visit
truestreamfiber.com
We have made significant progress on our 2026 construction plan, which includes making Truestream internet
TRUESTREAM MILESTONES
MAY 2026
30,000
DECEMBER 2023
SUBSCRIBERS
20,000
SUBSCRIBERS
OCTOBER 2018
FIRST
TRUESTREAMER CONNECTED
TRUESTREAM BY THE NUMBERS (AS OF JUNE 1)
66%
TOTAL FIBER NETWORK BUILD COMPLETE
2,037
TRUESTREAMERS ADDED SINCE JAN. 1
30,471 SUBSCRIBERS
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17
Where In Michigan Is This?
MI CO-OP Guest Column
A Farmers Market Tradition By Kelsee Nemetz, A Cherryland Electric Cooperative member
MYSTERY PHOTO Win a $100 energy bill credit! Identify the correct location of the photo above by July 25 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community.
MAY 2026 WINNER! Our Mystery Photo winner is Christian Kleber, a Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op member who correctly identified the photo as Gertz Village Square in downtown Millersburg, Mich. Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/ August, September, and November/December.
18 JULY/AUGUST 2026
A family tradition is something that moves us closer to those we love. They provide an opportunity for bonding and create lifelong memories. These family traditions were exactly what we were looking to create for our new little brood. We moved from my daughter’s and my birthplace of Grand Rapids when she was 3, and landed in my husband’s hometown of Traverse City. Moving from a bigger city to a smaller beach town was a bit jolting. Everything was now much closer to us, no longer needing a trek across the highway just to get groceries. And that newfound shorter driving radius included a ton of little pop-up farmers markets. I have always loved the idea of a farmers market. However, traveling to the markets in Grand Rapids always proved stressful. Traffic was usually a nightmare, and when you arrived...it was a coin flip if you would find a decent parking space. I noticed that all changed when we moved up north. With everything much more spread out and spacious, I experienced a lot less stress just getting around town. We began by visiting the Sara Hardy
market in downtown Traverse City, and then expanded our search to the Interlochen Farmer’s market. Now, opening weekend is a bit of a ritual. My daughter loves riding in our wagon and looking around at the jewelry and baked goods stalls, always appreciating a good cookie. My favorite stop lately has been the Cheese Lady’s stand. There’s a special feeling that comes with strolling the market on a finally warm and sunny mid-morning, and it has now become our treasured spring tradition. Creating and keeping family traditions looks different everywhere you go. For our family, it’s a sunny stroll through a local farmers market on warm weekends. Maybe it’s the weather, finally getting out of the house and doing an outdoor activity after months of stagnation. Maybe it’s the togetherness of it all and the joy of browsing local treasures with the ones you love the most. Or maybe it’s creating those lasting memories, the ones that my daughter will take on to adulthood. One day, maybe she will take her own children to her town’s farmers markets. Just like her mom used to take her.
GUEST COLUMN Win $200 for stories published!
Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.
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gtlakes.com
/greatlakesenergy
All members have a vote.
Together, they work in harmony. Every GLE member has a say in electing a board member. It’s up to you, the member, to vote or run for election. Power to the people, from the people. Doesn’t that sound good? Learn more about your Great Lakes Energy Board of Directors and the election process at gtlakes.com
Power. Purpose. You.