JulyAug 2026 HomeWorks

HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative

July/August 2026

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

Taking the Long Way Around Have You Taken Our Co-op Road Trip Yet? HomeWorks Connect Survey Results 2026 Park Party Fun!

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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When It Comes To My Family’s Broadband Needs,

HomeWorks Connect Delivers

By Chris O’Neill, President/CEO

OSCEOLA

CLARE

MECOSTA ISABELLA

MONTCALM GRATIOT

IONIA

BARRY

SAGINAW

CLINTON

EATON

INGHAM

JACKSON

Portland office/Mail payments to: 7973 E. Grand River Ave. Portland, MI 48875 Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday Blanchard office: 3681 Costabella Ave. Blanchard, MI 49310 Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday Night deposit box available at both locations.

Electric bill/account questions: 517-647-7554 or 1-800-562-8232 Pay by phone, anytime: 1-844-963-2875 Service questions/outages: 517-647-7554 or 1-800-848-9333 (24 hours for emergency calls) Tri-County Propane: 1-877-574-2740 HomeWorks Connect 1-800-668-8413 BOARD OF DIRECTORS District 1 — John Lord, Vice-Chairman 2276 Plains Rd., Leslie, MI 49251 517-974-2518 • jlord@homeworks.org District 2 — Jim Stebbins 7139 Peddler Lake Rd., Clarksville, MI 48815 517-930-8132 • jstebbins@homeworks.org District 3 — Luke Pohl, Chairman 15560 W. Hanses Rd., Westphalia, MI 48894 989-292-0427 • lpohl@homeworks.org District 4 — Jake Borton 7543 E. Edgar Rd., Vestaburg, MI 48891 989-506-3404 • jborton@homeworks.org District 5 — Theresa Sopocy 6996 E. Wilson Rd., Bannister, MI 48807 989-292-0295 • tsopocy@homeworks.org District 6 — Dave Livermore 8060 W. Airline Rd., Weidman, MI 48893 989-289-3019 • dlivermore@homeworks.org District 7 — Shirley Sprague, Secretary-Treasurer 15563 45th Ave., Barryton, MI 49305 989-382-7535 • ssprague@homeworks.org Editor: Charly Markwart, CCC cmarkwart@homeworks.org

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During my tenure at HomeWorks, one of the Co-op’s strategic achievements I am most proud of so far is the evolution of our HomeWorks Connect fiber internet business. The seed for our internet service was planted in much the same fashion as our electric Co-op was founded: Our rural members expressed that they were underserved when it came to vital broadband services and requested that we step in to help. We answered that call, and today, HomeWorks Connect serves nearly 14,000 subscribers and growing across rural mid-Michigan with reliable high-speed fiber internet service that matches and exceeds the service available to our urban neighbors.

The thing that makes me most proud of our internet service, though, is the way we have gone about it. In true Co-op fashion, we put the needs of our subscribers first. We provide a reliable network with top-notch customer service, and we don’t play any pricing games.

As you’ll see on page 16 of this issue, those characteristics shined through in the results of our recent HomeWorks Connect customer satisfaction survey, which show that our subscribers are highly satisfied with our service.

I’m so glad our subscribers feel the same way about HomeWorks Connect as I do. As a subscriber myself, here are my top reasons for choosing our internet service for my household: 1. Reliability: You already count on us for reliable electric service, and our commitment to providing you with reliable internet service is no different.

As a HomeWorks Connect customer, I never worry that my internet service will go down during my son’s school

homeworks.org

project (or during that crucial edgeof-your-seat moment in our latest Netflix binge, for that matter). In part, that’s because fiber optic cable is much more resistant to weatherrelated interruptions and interference from electronic or radio signals than traditional cable internet.

2. True High Speeds: Many providers advertise “high-speed internet,” but I can tell you for certain that HomeWorks Connect actually delivers on that promise. I notice the difference daily, when files that used to take me over 20 minutes to download come through in seconds.

It doesn’t even matter if my kids and my wife and I are all on different devices at the same time; the speeds consistently hold up for us.

3. No Pricing Games: As I mentioned before, another benefit of getting your internet service from your trusted electric Cooperative is that you know we won’t play games with your price.

We’ve only adjusted our rates once since HomeWorks Connect was founded in 2018, and that adjustment included a significant speed increase for added value.

4. Top-Notch Customer Service: Lastly, as the results of our subscriber survey show, you can rely on us to provide unmatched customer service. If my family ever has an issue or a question about our internet service, we have the peace of mind of knowing we can call the 24/7 HomeWorks Connect tech support line to get an immediate answer from a knowledgeable representative.

The bottom line is that when it comes to my family’s internet needs, HomeWorks Connect delivers. If you’re not subscribed yet, I hope you’ll give us a call today to see what our high-speed internet service can do for you.

/homeworks.org

tricoenergy@homeworks.org

d n a , e m i t r e it’s summ

D A R O E N P O H E T

u o Y g n i l l a C s I Answer the call with a HomeWorks Road Trip! We’ve loved watching our members enjoy discovering new sites throughout our service footprint so far this summer! Are you up for the fun challenge? All you have to do is hit the road and check out the beauty and adventure right here within the Co-op’s service footprint, and earn some great prizes along the way!

Visit HomeWorks.org/RoadTrip for a downloadable map, full entry details, and a list of other great stops along your route!

HOW IT WORKS:

VISIT stops on our map

SNAP a selfie at each stop

SUBMIT COMPLETE your pic and we’ll the circuit send you a stamp to win big!

• Collect all 8 stamps by Labor Day and you’ll receive a $100 bill credit, a Road Trip Prize Pack, and entry into our Grand Prize Raffle for the chance to win 1 year of free internet!

Scan To Enter!

• Each stamp you earn gets you an entry into our weekly raffles for other cool prizes!

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 HomeWorks, 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 HomeWorks 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.

HomeWorks 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 homeworks.org/eo HomeWorks.org facebook.com/homeworks.org

MI CO-OP Snap Shot

CUTE PETS MOST VOTES

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1. MOST VOTES Looks like an angel, acts like a tornado, sleeps like a rock. Dodge the weimaraner winning over hearts no matter his state of consciousness since 2023.

Melyssa Babbitt, Eagle 2. “The Gentlest Hello in the Barn.” Norah, an orphaned GSD, instinctively took to watching over my flock of sheep. Ramona Okkema, Blanchard 3. I love car rides! Laura Crawford, Stanton 4. Just here for the belly rubs!!

Kim Gulick, Lakeview 5. Bean and Moo. Jessica Snyder, Barryton 6. A kitten named Rudy.

Marian Chapin, Mecosta 7. Christmas kitty! JoAnn Collins, Mason 8. Professional heart thief. Amateur stick collector. Tina Hengesbach, Portland 9. Lazy days? Krystin Moore, Portland 10. Munchkin Rick, Senior Nap Analyst.

Kristina Rousseau, Stanwood

Enter to win a $100 energy bill credit!

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Submit Your “Iconic Landmarks” Photos By July 25! Each month, HomeWorks members are able to submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo receiving the most votes is published here, along with some other selections from that month.

Our July theme is Iconic Landmarks (Near and Far)! Photos can be submitted through July 25 to be featured in our September issue.

To enter the contest, visit HomeWorks.org/photocontest.

Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you, too. If your photo is published in Country Lines during 2026, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of four $100 credits on your December 2026 HomeWorks bill!

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

Park Party Fun!

Thank you to all of our members who attended a HomeWorks Park Party this summer! As always, we really enjoyed the opportunity to engage with so many of you and your families during these fun afternoons at your local parks. We’ll see you again next summer!

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Your Board In Action Meeting in Portland on May 18, your board of directors: • Held the Annual Meeting of the shareholders of Tri-Co Services, Inc., the Cooperative’s subsidiary.

• Re-elected the Tri-County Board of Directors to the board of Tri-Co Services, Inc., and retained the current slate of Tri-Co officers for another term: Luke Pohl as chairperson, John Lord as vice-chairperson, and Shirley Sprague as secretary/treasurer.

• Reviewed an annual electric rate comparison showing that HomeWorks’ electric rates are in line with or below other Michigan co-ops and our neighboring investor-owned utility.

• Appointed Director Shirley Sprague as the Co-op’s 2026 voting delegate for the National Cooperative Services Corporation (NCSC).

• Received an update on the Co-op’s annual slate of member engagement events, including planning for the 2026 summer Park Parties.

• Reviewed the results of the Co-op’s 2026 director elections, in which incumbent District 2 Director Jim Stebbins and incumbent District 4 Director Jake Borton were re-elected to the board for the next three-year term.

• Learned there were 95 new members in April.

• Acknowledged the April safety report, listing employee training as well as minor employee and public incidents involving electric, propane, or fiber optic.

Time Set Aside for Members to Comment Before Cooperative Board Meetings The first 15 minutes of every board meeting are available for members who wish to address the board of directors on any subject. The next meetings are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on July 27 at the Wolverine Power Cooperative headquarters in Cadillac and 9 a.m. on Aug. 24 in Portland.

Members who wish to have items considered on the board agenda should call 517-647-7554 at least a week in advance of the meeting.

Tri-County People Fund Supports Local Organizations And Families In Their Time Of Need Meeting remotely on June 4, our People Fund board made three grants totaling $8,700, including: • $5,000 to Feeding America of West Michigan in Kentwood, to provide food items for the organization’s mobile food pantry; • $2,500 to the Community Christian Action Group of Eaton Rapids, to purchase food gift cards for clients in need; and • $1,200 to Pregnancy Services of Ionia County, to purchase an annual subscription for training courses.

How to Apply for a Tri-County Electric People Fund Grant The Tri-County Electric People Fund provides grants to individuals and organizations in the Co-op’s service area for food, shelter, clothing, health, and other humane needs, or for programs or services that benefit a significant segment of a community. Write to 7973 E. Grand River Ave., Portland, MI 48875 for an application form and grant guidelines, or visit the People Fund page at HomeWorks.org.

Note: Applications must be received by July 8 for the July meeting or by Aug. 19 for the August meeting.

Information for All Customers of Homeworks Tri-County Electric Your Cooperative offers a Tri-County Electric People Fund program, which is funded through the voluntary rounding up of your monthly utility bill to the next whole dollar amount. An all-volunteer board of directors appointed by the member-elected board of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative is charged with distributing the funds throughout the Cooperative’s service area. Grants support charitable efforts in and around the communities we serve.

Funds from the People Fund have been distributed to educational programs, fire departments, medical emergency groups, recreational organizations, senior organizations, numerous local charities, and many local families and individuals. A copy of the People Fund’s annual report detailing contributions is available and was highlighted in our March issue of Country Lines magazine.

All grants made are also listed on our website at HomeWorks.org.

Your participation in the Tri-County Electric People Fund is VOLUNTARY. If you are participating and decide at any time that you wish to discontinue participation in the People Fund, please just let us know, and we will remove your account.

If you are participating, your monthly bill is rounded up to the next whole dollar amount. If your bill is $78.42, it would be rounded up to $79. The 58 cents would then be contributed

by HomeWorks on your behalf to the People Fund, to be used as explained above. A customer’s average annual contribution is approximately $6. Your annual contribution to the People Fund is tax-deductible and is reported on your monthly statement in January of the following year.

For additional information regarding the Tri-County Electric People Fund, you can contact the program administrator at 517-647-1272.

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.”

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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

2026 HOMEWORKS CONNECT SUBSCRIBER SURVEY RESULTS

Conducted & compiled by

As an internet provider created by a member-owned electric cooperative, the only goal of HomeWorks Connect is to effectively meet the broadband needs of our rural customers. In January 2026, we sent out our second customer satisfaction survey to a randomly selected group of HomeWorks Connect subscribers to gauge how well we are meeting their expectations.

Here are some of the highlights of the survey results:

9 out of 10

subscribers report being “SATISFIED” or “VERY SATISFIED” with our overall performance as an internet service provider “As a member-owner of the Co-op, I feel we are the best option!”

- Anonymous

of subscribers believe we have % friendly & courteous employees

95

of subscribers believe we provide % reliable fiber internet services

92

9 out of 10

of subscribers believe we restore % service quickly after an outage

94

of subscribers believe HomeWorks % Connect is an “ideal internet provider”

89

subscribers would recommend HomeWorks Connect to a friend

American Customer Satisfaction Index Score

90

HomeWorks Connect

68

76

Fiber Internet Services Providers

Non-fiber Internet Service Providers

Compared to publicly measured ISPs in the ACSI® survey of customers rating their own ISP. Results based on data provided by HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, collected in Compared to publicly measured ISPs in the ACSI® survey of customers rating their own ISP. Results based on data provided by HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, January and February ACSI regulate the survey or sample size. collected in January and2026.

February 2026.

ACSIdid did notnot regulate the survey administration or sampleadministration size. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org."

ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org.

16 JULY/AUGUST 2026

The ACSI® is the only national cross-industry measure of customer satisfaction in the United States. Using this score, we rank higher than the national average for fiber internet service providers by 14 points and higher than the national average for non-fiber internet service providers (such as cable or satellite internet providers) by over 20 points!

Thank you to each and every subscriber who took the time to fill out our 2026 survey. We appreciate the insight you provided and will work to become an even better provider because of it!

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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.

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