March 2019

March/April 2019

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Ontonagon County Rural Electrification Association

Thank A Lineworker On April 8 Take Charge: Behind The Wheel Of An Electric Vehicle

SPOTLIGHT ON

co-op entrepreneurs

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In This Issue March 2019 || Vol. 39, No. 3

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

michigancountrylines FEATURED PHOTO FROM

#micoopcommunity

countrylines.com

facebook.com/michigancountrylines

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Executive Editor: Casey Clark

page 18

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

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

POSTMASTER: SEND ALL UAA TO CFS. Association officers are Robert Kran, Great Lakes Energy, chairman; Mark Kappler, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric, vice chairman; and Eric Baker, Wolverine Power Cooperative, secretarytreasurer. Craig Borr is president and CEO. CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR: Michigan Country Lines 201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com countrylines.com

michigancountrylines icy pier on the lake

ON THE COVER Ryan and Brianne Rademacher, members of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, are the innovators of growing camelina to create a superior cooking oil. Read more about their business and other entrepreneurial members starting on page 6.

: @tpmann4msu

18 MI CO-OP COMMUNITY Follow Us On Instagram!

Come share in the splendor of rural Michigan with us @michigancountrylines.

Guess Our New Mystery Photo And Win A $50 Bill Credit!

Photo by Mandy Wheeler

6 & 10 FEATURE Spotlight On Co-op Entrepreneurs

Read about fellow entrepreneurial movers and shakers from co-op territory in this special issue.

14 MI CO-OP KITCHEN Weeknight Dinners

Easy On Time, Big On Flavor

By Christin McKamey & Our Readers

Win $150 for stories published!

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

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

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.

ATTENTION READERS: The publisher of Michigan Country Lines magazine is working with NRECA Market Research Services, a reputable public opinion research company, to conduct a confidential survey for Michigan’s electric cooperatives. If NRECA Market Research Services contacts you by phone or email, please be assured they are not selling anything. The short, confidential survey will help your co-op serve you better. Thank you for your time and help with this survey.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

3

KEWEENAW

HOUGHTON

ONTONAGON BARAGA

500 J.K. Paul Street Ontonagon, MI 49953

Web: ontonagon.coop Phone: 906-884-4151 Toll-free: 800-562-7128 After hours: 866-639-6098

Ontonagon’s linemen are (L to R): Brad Hanson, David Brown, Justin Sironen, Brady Erickson, Luke Jouppe, Nels Erickson and Gilbert Martinez

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS Calvin Koski, President Aura District 906-524-6988 cgkoski@up.net

George Rajala, Vice-President Chassell/Keweenaw Bay District 906-370-0416 rajgeo50@yahoo.com James Moore, Director, Secretary/Treasurer Boston District 906-482-0465 district7.keweenaw@gmail.com Wayne Heikkinen, Director Pelkie/Herman/Aura District 906-353-6496 mustipuppy@gmail.com Paul Koski, Director Ewen/Trout Creek/Lake Mine District 906-988-2593 pkoski@jamadots.com Frances Wiideman, Director Green/Firesteel/Toivola District 906-288-3203 fwiideman@alphacomm.net William Hodges Lake Linden District 906-934-3743 mistermich52@gmail.com

PERSONNEL

Debbie Miles, General Manager Fay Hauswirth, Billing Clerk Bill Tucker, Line Superintendent

OTHER INFORMATION

Date of Incorporation: Sept. 30, 1937 Fiscal year-end: Dec. 31 countrylines.com/coops/ontonagon Ontonagon County REA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Join us on Facebook. facebook.com/OntonagonCountyREA

4 MARCH 2019

Lives On The Line Debbie Miles, General Manager

Every year, we take the time to thank our extraordinary lineworkers who dedicate their lives to keeping the lights on in our local communities. Seven lineworkers maintain over 950 miles of line in Ontonagon REA’s service territory, and without them, our world would be dark.

We depend on our entire staff to keep Ontonagon’s operations running smoothly, but on April 8, 2019, we honor all lineworkers who often find themselves in dangerous and challenging situations—so our lives may be a little bit brighter and safer every day. These brave men and women repair damaged lines and maintain critical infrastructure for our communities.

Without their hard work and commitment to the job, our co-op would not thrive. No matter the time—day or night, weekday or weekend—if the lights go out, so do they.

Perhaps you have seen them raising their bucket trucks in howling winds and torrential rains, or freezing, icy conditions. They work around the clock, near high-voltage power lines, until electricity is restored to every member in our co-op community. In addition to aiding members in our local service territory, lineworkers are always willing and eager to volunteer when a neighboring community, county or state is in need after a major outage occurs.

Our lineworkers are brave, committed and critical to our success. We hope you will join us in thanking the many lineworkers—both locally and around the world—that light our lives. Remember, your power works because they do!

Our lineworkers are brave, committed and critical to our success.

Three District Openings On Co-op Board The Ontonagon County Rural Electrification Association is comprised of seven districts with directors elected for three-year terms. This year the term will expire for the director representing District-1: Green/Firesteel/Toivola.

The incumbent for District 1 is Frances Wiideman. There is also a seat open for District-3: Pelkie/Herman/Aura. The incumbent for District 3 is Wayne Heikkinen. And District-5: Chassell/Keweenaw Bay has an open seat. The incumbent for District 5 is George Rajala.

If you are interested in running for these open positions on the board of directors, you must call or stop by the co-op’s office to request a nominating petition. A petition must be returned to Ontonagon’s office by Monday, May 6. Due to a change in co-op bylaws enacted at the 2002 Annual Meeting, nominating petitions will no longer be sent to each member residing in these districts.

In order to be valid, a nominating petition requires the signature of five active members of the co-op that receive electric service in that district (husband and wife are considered one member so either may sign, but not both).

The member who is being nominated must also sign the petition.

Ballots will be mailed to each member of the district 30 days before the Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 15. All ballots must be returned to the co-op office no later than noon on Monday, June 10. Ballots will be counted and results shared at the Annual Meeting.

Ontonagon Welcomes David Brown

Voting Districts District 1: Green, Firesteel, Toivola . . . . . . . . . . . (611 members) District 2: Ewen, Trout Creek, Lake Mine . . . . . . (740 members) District 3: Pelkie, Herman, Aura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (628 members) District 4: Aura. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (680 members) District 5: Chassell, Keweenaw Bay. . . . . . . . . . . (677 members) District 6: Boston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (726 members) District 7: Lake Linden (new district). . . . . . . . . . (784 members) Copper Harbor

Boston

Lake Linden

Houghton Toivola

Chassell

Ontonagon Firesteel Green

Pelkie

Keweenaw Bay

L’Anse

Aura

Lake Mine

Bruce Crossing Ewen

Herman

Trout Creek

Ontonagon’s newest lineman is Utah native David Brown, who began working for the co-op in December. Brown met fellow Ontonagon lineman Justin Sironen when they worked together in North Dakota. When a lineman position at Ontonagon opened, Justin called his friend and Brown applied for the job. Having previously done contracting in various locations throughout the United States for the last few years, Brown said, “I was ready to call someplace home and not be living out of a suitcase on the road anymore.”

Brown is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and trail riding with his wife, Katherine. And how does he like the Upper Peninsula? “I absolutely love it so far,” he said with a wide grin.

According to Line Superintendent Bill Tucker, “David is pretty laid back but has proven to be a great fit at our L’Anse outpost.

His crew leader has been pleased with his work ethic and ‘get it done’ attitude. He has wholeheartedly thrown himself into our annual inventory process, and that is probably the assignment lineman are the least fond of. We believe that David will be with us for a long time to come.”

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

5

SPOTLIGHT ON

co-op entrepreneurs Michigan Country Lines is proud to feature entrepreneurial movers and shakers from co-op territory in this special issue. Read on to meet pioneers, innovators and leaders who are making their mark on the world.

There is so much more to tell!

Visit countrylines.com to read the full version of each entrepreneur’s story.

6 MARCH 2019

Ryan & Brianne Rademacher Bare Essential Oil

HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative Members bareessentialoils.com Husband and wife team Ryan and Brianne Rademacher proudly farm land that’s been in Ryan’s family for three generations, delivering oil straight from the family farm to your table. The idea for their business, Bare Essential Oil, came about when Ryan discovered camelina in April 2017.

After researching the seed, Ryan believed he could use camelina to create superior, healthy cooking oil.

The Rademachers planted a crop of camelina on their farm that spring and were blessed with a fantastic harvest.

The next challenge, however, was processing the camelina into cooking oil. “As luck would have it,” said Brianne, “we found a couple in northern Michigan that grow and press their own canola oil.”

The new friends allowed the Rademachers to use the facility to create their very first batch of oil. Today, their camelina oil can be purchased through bareessentialoils.com and at select stores throughout Michigan.

“We’re very happy with our final product,” said Ryan.

“It has rich vitamin E content and one of the highest smoke points of any oil. It offers a light, nutty flavor to any culinary creation.”

Check out bareessentialoils.com to order, and then use it to make their pumpkin energy ball recipe on page 15.

Judith Kimball & Ilona Stroupe

Harold Kociba

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op Members presqueisleneedleworks.com

Thumb Electric Cooperative Member dizzydaisywinery.com

Presque Isle Needleworks

Judith Kimball and Ilona Stroupe discovered a mutual fondness for lighthouses and needlework as teenagers.

As the years passed and their friendship grew, the duo combined those interests to form Presque Isle Needleworks. “We love lighthouses,” Ilona said. “In 1983, we decided to create a cross-stitch kit of our local lighthouse.”

One pattern led to the next and, since then, they have designed at least one new lighthouse pattern each year, later adding two pattern books for stitchers who have their own supplies. Judy and Ilona do all the work in assembling their cross-stitch kits—from cutting the fabric to intricately designing the artwork.

In addition to their cross-stitch kits, they expanded the business to include quilt square patterns of lighthouses.

Because lighthouse preservation is so important to the owners, a portion of each sale goes directly to support Michigan lighthouses.

Dizzy Daisy Winery & Vineyard

Harold Kociba began growing grapes as a retirement project in 2006. It didn’t take long, however, before Harold realized retirement wasn’t in his future.

As a third-generation farmer, Harold attended several seminars through the Michigan Wine Council before deciding to switch from raising cows to growing grapes. That’s when Dizzy Daisy Winery & Vineyard was born.

Using the same skills and attributes that saw him through dairy farming, Harold got to work. He learned all he could about wine making—solving crises with weather, soil conditions, early frosts and unpredictable markets.

“It’s a challenge, just like growing or raising anything else,” said Harold. “That’s just part of being a farmer—trying to outfox Mother Nature on a daily basis.”

Today, Harold and his team at Dizzy Daisy offer more than 75 wines. The team gets creative as new blends come from unpredictable weather or supply shortages—from their dry red Marechal Foch to their most popular Bad Axe Passion, which features a white blend with mango and passion fruit. The winery continues to diversify as they now make and sell hard cider.

David Gill

Marquette Brewing Cooperative Alger Delta Cooperative Member marquettebrewing.com

Michigan will see its “first ever” cooperatively-owned brewery open its doors this summer in Marquette. Final architectural plans for the Marquette Brewing Cooperative (MBC) are currently in the works and, if all goes according to plan, craft beer will soon be flowing at 501 S. Lake Street.

“We plan to have 10–12 beers on tap at all times,” said David Gill, president of the Marquette Homebrewers Club and the founder of MBC. “We’ll constantly rotate the selection, so there will always be something new.”

Being an owner of a brewery in Marquette has broad appeal. The MBC already has over 280 member-owners, but David hopes to see membership doubled in time for their summer grand opening. Member-owners are entitled to all the benefits of ownership, including voting rights and a share in patronage dividends.

“Our member-owners will also have access to workshops, tastings, seminars, and ‘brew-your-own beer’ events,” explained David. Lifetime individual memberships are available for $99 at MarquetteBrewing.com, and a “preferred shares” program is available for those wanting to invest more.

“Craft beer is a passion for each of us,” David concluded.

“We have a dedicated core of brewers ready to serve the community with a diverse, holistic craft beer experience.”

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

7

Light Your Home For Less With ENERGY STAR LEDs Installing LED light bulbs in your home is a quick and easy way to save energy. Look for the ENERGY STAR label for the best quality and longest product life. By replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR® LEDs, you can save up to $75 each year.

Did You Know?

• For an LED light bulb to bear the ENERGY STAR label, it must pass rigorous testing to ensure maximum energy savings and performance.

• LEDs are the size of a fleck of pepper.

• The white light for LEDs is typically a mix of red, green, and blue LEDs. • LEDs contain no mercury and can easily be disposed of.

• LEDs emit very little energy as wasted heat. In comparison, incandescent bulbs release 90 percent and CFLs release 80 percent of their energy as heat.

Choosing The Right LED Bulb Brightness

• Look for lumens, instead of watts, to determine brightness. Replace a 60W bulb with an LED bulb with about 800 lumens for comparable brightness.

Color

• The color of an LED bulb is typically shown on a sliding scale between Warm and Cool. This measure is actually a temperature on the Kelvin scale (K), where lower K emits warmer, yellower light, and higher K produces cooler, bluer light.

REBATES NOW AVAILABLE

Visit michigan-energy.org or call 877-296-4319 for additional energy-saving information and incentives.

LIGHT YOUR HOME FOR LESS!

Brighten world THEIR

Replace your home’s five most frequently used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR® LEDs and save up to $75 per year.

ENERGY STAR lighting provides: • Significant energy savings • Highest quality and performance • Wide range of colors and brightness • Dimmable lighting and motion sensing capabilities

IN-STORE SAVINGS NOW AVAILABLE AT SELECT RETAILERS! michigan-energy.org P H O N E : 877.296.4319 ONLINE:

Energy Optimization programs and incentives are applicable to Michigan electric service locations only. Other restrictions may apply. For a complete list of participating utilities, visit michigan-energy.org.

Photo Contest Food & Drinks 1. With the early temperatures below freezing and the early snowfall this year, we had to hurry and pick the apples before they froze. We have 50-plus apple trees in the orchards around the farm, so apple picking can be quite a huge task! Many have frozen on the trees, but the deer, birds, and small mammals were happy! They feasted all fall and well into the winter months. By Jeanne Houle Peters, Calumet 2. O ur granddaughter, Hallie, was visiting from New Orleans.

We picked Thimble berries and then made jam. By Sharon Faustin, Trout Creek 3. Dog versus woman: Zoe begs for food from grandma. It’s a stare down while watching Christmas Vacation. By Ted Gagnon, Lanse 4. Grandpa helps grandson, Alec, make raisin oatmeal cookies.

By Sandra Kiefer, Mass City

1

3 2

Submit A Photo & Win A Bill Credit!

Ontonagon REA members whose photos we print in Michigan Country Lines will be entered in a drawing.

One lucky member will win a credit up to $200 on their December 2019 energy bill!

Enter to win a

$200

energy bill credit!

Our upcoming topics and deadlines are: • Spring Flowers——due March 20 (May/June issue) • Four-Legged Friends——due May 20 (July/August issue) To submit photos, and for details and instructions, go to http://bit.ly/countrylines

4

We look forward to seeing your best photos!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

9

SPOTLIGHT ON

co-op entrepreneurs (continued)

Michigan Country Lines is proud to feature entrepreneurial movers and shakers from co-op territory in this special issue. Read on to meet pioneers, innovators and leaders who are making their mark on the world.

There is so much more to tell!

Visit countrylines.com to read the full version of each entrepreneur’s story.

10 MARCH 2019

Kendall Rose The Revel Rose

Cherryland Electric Cooperative Member therevelrose.com Three years ago Kendall Rose moved to northern Michigan as an outdoor recreation planner for the National Park Service. When federal budget cuts derailed her career, Kendall realized she could combine her passion for the great outdoors with her skills as an event planner. So, in 2017, The Revel Rose, an environmentally-friendly event planning company, was born.

From month of coordination to full-service wedding planning, The Revel Rose handles everything from traditional weddings with 200 guests to destination elopements and intimate weddings. What sets this company apart, however, is Kendall’s vision to weave environmental stewardship (along with her eye for detail) into events by giving clients the chance to plan a minimal waste wedding.

“I think it’s important to preserve and protect the places that make Michigan an enjoyable destination,” Kendall said.

A minimal waste event means hiring preferred vendors who value “low-waste event planning, products, and processes,” Kendall explained. This includes farm to table caterers who utilize locally grown food and on-site services that recycle or compost the majority of event waste.

The response has been terrific. “My clients are my biggest cheerleaders,” Kendall concluded.

Edna & Brad Yonker

Leonda Kessinger Shroyer

Ontonagon County REA Members Facebook.com/NonesuchGallery

Midwest Energy & Communications Member etsy.com/shop/JunqueGypsy

Junque Gypsy

Nonesuch Gallery

Located in a 1920-era building, Nonesuch Gallery is Ontonagon’s “not to be missed” shop, featuring all things quirky and artistic.

Owned and run by artists Edna and Brad Yonker, the gallery features two levels for visitors to browse. Many of the items for sale are

handmade by local artists.

Partners in life and work, Edna and Brad have created a masterpiece with their gallery. The main floor showcases Edna’s award-winning quilt-art and other textiles, plus furniture, home décor and jewelry, along with local coffee, mixes and lotions.

Customers can even find Michigan-grown blueberry products.

The downstairs floor of Nonesuch features Brad’s handmade guitars, many of which are handcrafted from local wood, alongside an assortment of new and used instruments.

Before opening Nonesuch Gallery in 2001, Edna worked as an award-winning hand quilter. Her “Living A Dream” quilt, featured in the documentary “Quilting in the ‘90s” for the Library of Congress Folk Life Center, can be viewed on permanent display at the gallery.

“Owning the gallery is so fun because we get to meet so many interesting people,” Edna said. “I love that.”

Nonesuch Gallery is located at 638 River Street in Ontonagon.

Leonda Kessinger Shroyer spent hours as a child exploring flea markets with her grandparents.

This early fascination with vintage memorabilia stayed with her as she later taught English and drama for Decatur Public Schools.

“During my 30 years of teaching, I scoured thrift shops for stage props, costumes and classroom items,” Leonda explained. “Once retired, I turned my treasure hunting hobby into a self-supporting business.”

Her venture, Junque Gypsy, began 10 years ago as an online shop on Etsy. While some boutiques promote the latest trends, Shroyer sparks nostalgia in customers as she finds, restores and resells vintage toys, holiday decor, jewelry, handbags and linens.

Popular-selling items on her Etsy shop include vintage luggage, and even 1970-era Tupperware, which are “best sellers” since “things aren’t made like they used to be,” Leonda said.

Junque Gypsy has caught the eye of curators domestically and internationally. In 2014, the prop master for the television show “Mike and Molly” bought a 1950s folk art figure for the show.

A curator from Switzerland once bought a cake topper for a museum display on baptism customs. Others just love Junque Gypsy’s wares for the memories they evoke.

“Basically, I sell nostalgia,” Leonda concluded. “That makes me happy.”

Connie McDermott 4C’s Cookies & More

Great Lakes Energy Cooperative Member 4cscookies.com Connie McDermott’s cookie business is anything but cookie cutter. It all started four years ago when her daughter, Carly, was attending basic training with the Michigan National Guard. “Every week I would make a variety of cookies to send to my daughter,” Connie said.

The cookies received rave reviews—not only from Carly, but also from the friends in her unit. When Connie realized others were enjoying the treats, she baked and sent enough to be shared. That’s when she knew she had to pursue cookie baking.

For the next six months Connie logged countless hours, finally perfecting her recipes. “I named my business 4C’s Cookies because my mother-in-law used to refer to our family as the 4 C’s,” Connie explained. “My name is Connie, my husband is Curt, and our daughters are Casey and Carly.” Her determination along with assistance from local resources, including The Starting Block (recipient of a Great Lakes Energy People Fund Grant), has helped her business grow.

Today, there are 10 flavors of 4C’s Cookies sold in 16 locations across Michigan. The largest order comes from Bridge Street Market, a Meijer affiliate store in Grand Rapids.

While she’s very happy with how well the business has done, Connie has even bigger plans. “I’d like to add online sales, find a distributor and open a storefront bakery,” she remarked. “My dream is to focus my full-time energy on cookies!”

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

11

TAKE CHARGE Behind The Wheel Of An Electric Vehicle

?

Is an EV right for you?

Calculate the overall cost of EV ownership, customize it to your personal circumstances, and compare it to conventional vehicles.

countrylines.com/ev

12 MARCH 2019

H

ow would you like to bid farewell to the gas station and pocket a portion of the money you used to spend on filling up your tank? While it almost sounds too good to be true, electric vehicles (also known as electric cars or EVs) make it possible. The next time you’re in the market for a new car, consider the benefits of climbing into the driver’s seat of an EV.

LESS EXPENSIVE TO DRIVE You may be surprised to learn that driving a 2019 EV in Michigan can be up to three times cheaper than driving a gas-powered vehicle. This savings is possible because EVs have much lower fuel costs than conventional gasoline vehicles. Considering the average U.S. household spends nearly one-fifth of its total family budget on transportation, savings at the fuel pump can quickly add up. In 2017, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that the average American household spent nearly $2,000 a year on gasoline. Imagine having extra funds to afford that family vacation, complete a home remodeling project, or even just beef up your savings account? The simple step of not draining your bank account each week at the gas pump may help you fast track your financial goals.

eGALLON COST COMPARISON

What is an eGallon?

It is the cost of fueling a vehicle with electricity, compared to a similar vehicle that runs on gasoline.

MICHIGAN Regular gasoline

2 08

Electric eGallon

1 4 0

Source: energy.gov/maps/egallon

LESS MAINTENANCE Gas-powered automobiles require replacing parts that go bad over time. Electric vehicles are different because they do not require as many components to operate.

For instance, electric motors only have one moving part while engines in traditional automobiles contain dozens.

A perk appreciated by EV drivers is that you can roll past

3,000 miles without having to think about getting an oil change. EVs don’t require oil changes—ever. They also don’t require cooling system flushes, transmission servicing and replacing the air filter, spark plugs, and drive belts.

Regular service visits are typically limited to rotating the tires and checking brake pads and other components. Less maintenance equals more money in your bank account with less time spent at the service station or auto repair shop.

GOING THE DISTANCE EVs have come a long way (and can now, literally, go a long way!) since they were first introduced to the U.S. consumer market. For example, Chevrolet advertises its 2019 Chevy Bolt EV with a range of 238 miles. Yes, that’s right! The Chevrolet Bolt can now drive 238 miles before needing to be charged. With the Bolt’s MSRP starting at $36,620, electric vehicles are truly becoming the affordable transportation of the future.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY Most EVs can be charged by plugging into a standard 120 V outlet, but many owners opt to install a specialized 240 V charging system in their garage for a faster charge.

With no tailpipe emissions, EVs produce zero pollution except for emissions created in producing the electricity used to charge them. With a renewable energy portfolio of nearly 20 percent, Michigan electric co-ops are the state’s renewable energy leaders. Switching to an EV and charging on co-op power lines is a way to reduce your carbon footprint significantly.

TAX INCENTIVES AVAILABLE While the operating costs of EVs are substantially lower, EVs can be more expensive to purchase than their conventional counterparts—although this up-front cost continues to decline as U.S. demand for electric vehicles rises. The good news is that the federal government offers limited tax credits up to $7,500 to EV buyers that can lower the up-front costs. Visit countrylines.com/ev to find specific tax credit amounts for individual vehicles.

Check out pages 16–17 to meet two co-op members who are also electric vehicle owners, and learn why they enjoy their EVs. Be on the lookout for more EV articles in future issues of Michigan Country Lines.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

Easy Weeknight Dinners When you’re short on time, these easy meals are big on flavor.

Photos—Robert Bruce Photography

Winning Recipe!

Lasagna Stew

Rachel Cultice, Midwest Energy & Communications 1 1 1 4 2 8 1 • 1

pound ground beef tablespoon garlic, minced (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce cups broth (beef, chicken or vegetable) tablespoons dried parsley lasagna noodles, broken into 4 pieces each cup mozzarella cheese, shredded salt and pepper cup ricotta cheese

Brown ground beef in large pot. Add garlic and stir 2 minutes. Pour the marinara sauce, broth and parsley into the pot and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and add noodles and mozzarella. Let cook, occasionally stirring about 15 minutes or until noodles are done to your liking. Salt and pepper to taste. Dish the stew into eight bowls and add a scoop of ricotta to the top of each. Serve immediately.

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

14 MARCH 2019

15 Minute Creamy Fettuccini Donna Smith, HomeWorks Tri-County

8 ounces fettuccini noodles (or any variation of pasta) 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese ½ cup butter ½ cup milk Optional ingredients: crushed garlic or garlic powder to taste, cooked or grilled chicken, shrimp, smoked salmon, broccoli, etc.

Cook fettuccini according to package directions. In a large saucepan over low heat, stir together the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, butter and milk. Stir frequently until smooth. Add cooked fettuccini and toss lightly. Double or triple ingredients as desired for larger parties.

Chicken Enchilada Bake

FEATURED GUEST CHEF

Jessica Burns, Thumb Electric

1 Rotisserie chicken 1 can enchilada sauce (mild or hot spice per your preference) 1 package Spanish rice 1 (15-ounce) can black beans 1 (15-ounce) can corn 1 (15-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes, optional • shredded fiesta blend cheese, divided • sour cream • Chipotle Tabasco sauce • sliced avocado/guacamole, optional Preheat oven to 350 F. Shred the rotisserie chicken. Cook the Spanish rice according to package directions. Mix the chicken, corn,

Ryan and Brianne Rademacher, owners of Bare Essential Oil, offer these quick, healthy no-bake pumpkin energy balls that taste like cookies but are good for you!

black beans, tomatoes, enchilada sauce and half the cheese. In a 9x13 pan, evenly spread the Spanish rice. Next, add the rotisserie chicken mixture and top with remaining half of the shredded cheese. Bake until bubbly.

Serve and garnish with listed condiments.

Ravioli With Roasted Pepper Cream Michele Smith, Ontonagon REA

1 (24—26 ounce) package frozen cheese or meat ravioli 1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, cut into bite-size pieces, reserve liquid ½ cup chicken stock 1 cup whipping cream ¾—1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Cook ravioli in boiling water about 7 minutes until floating and tender. Drain, set aside and keep warm. In a medium saucepan, combine peppers, reserved liquid and chicken stock. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to 2 tablespoons. Stir in whipping cream.

Pumpkin Energy Balls Bring back to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until starting to thicken. Add Parmesan cheese and cook, stirring constantly until cheese has melted and sauce has thickened. Place ravioli on four plates, spoon sauce over ravioli and serve.

Delicious Vegetables: due April 1 Festive Desserts: due May 1 Submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a $50 bill credit and have your recipe featured in Country Lines with a photo and a video.

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

Enter to win a

$50

energy bill credit!

¾ 1 ½ 1¼ ¼ 3

cup creamy peanut butter tsp camelina oil cup pumpkin puree cups old-fashioned oats cup chia seeds Tbsp honey

Put the ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Cover the bowl and put in the refrigerator for 2 hours; this will make them easier to roll.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and roll the mixture into 12—14 balls.

Chill for 2 more hours and enjoy!

Read the full story about Ryan and Brianne Rademacher and Bare Essential Oil on page 6 and visit micoopkitchen.com to find this recipe and others.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15

The Driving Force Plug Into Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles remain a hot topic in 2019, as the purchase and use of EVs has fast-tracked in popularity across the country. In rural Michigan, electric co-ops are keeping a close eye on the EV industry and can serve as a good resource if you have questions about purchasing one this year. Meet two co-op members on these pages who drive electric vehicles themselves, and learn how this shift in transportation has made financial and environmental sense for them.

Jim MacInnes

CEO, Crystal Mountain Chairperson, Michigan Utilities Consumer Participation Board Electric Vehicle: 2017 Tesla Model S 100D As the Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of a ski resort, I can tell you that global warming is, simply put, bad for business. Widespread adoption of vehicle electrification represents one of our best opportunities to mitigate these effects while also generating significant savings.

“ Michigan’s utilities and cooperatives are well positioned to help lead the charge and benefit from investing in and incentivizing EVs.”

We’ve long advocated for EVs and their tremendous environmental and economic potential. Crystal was the first northern Michigan resort to offer complimentary charging stations—we now have five. My first electric vehicle was the Chevy Volt which is now one of our security vehicles. Today, I drive a Tesla and Crystal Mountain is part of its Destination Driving Program. Our EV chargers have attracted new guests to the resort, including at least a half dozen electric vehicles on display during Memorial Day Weekend’s Michigan Beer & Brat Festival.

For a start, electric vehicles are way more energy efficient and have a lot fewer moving parts. This makes them mechanically simpler and less subject to breakdown. They have software that can be updated over the internet. So, rather than becoming obsolete, they will improve over time—much like your phone.

Michigan’s utilities and cooperatives are well positioned to help lead the charge and benefit from investing in and incentivizing EVs and their charging infrastructure while also saving money for ratepayers. We are extremely proud of our partner in Cherryland Electric Cooperative. Their commitment to a 56 percent carbon-free energy portfolio is vital to a sustainable energy and environmental future.

Do you drive an electric vehicle?

Please email editor@countrylines.com with your contact information (name, email, phone number, electric co-op) and a brief testimonial outlining your personal experience driving an EV. Someone from the magazine may call or email you to interview you and possibly feature your story in an upcoming article.

16 MARCH 2019

“ We found that the Bolt’s maximum mileage range of 238 miles per charge would more than meet our needs.”

Mark Kappler

Fuel Mix Report

General Manager, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative Electric Vehicle: 2017 Chevy Bolt

The fuel mix characteristics of Ontonagon REA as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12-month period ending 12/31/18

I recently made the decision to purchase an electric vehicle for personal use. Before choosing to go electric, my wife and I carefully considered several factors, including what our primary use of the vehicle would be.

But once we did the research and weighed the pros and cons, all signs pointed towards the Chevy Bolt.

Comparison Of Fuel Sources Used

As we analyzed the way we used our existing small car, for short trips to the grocery store, to work and school, to events at Michigan State, etc., we found that the Bolt’s maximum mileage range of 238 miles per charge would more than meet our needs. We worked it out and realized the lower operating costs of the vehicle would result in a cost savings for us. After that, the decision was easy.

Probably the biggest misconception regarding electric vehicles is the range anxiety that can come from not understanding how people use their current vehicles.

Studies have shown that most people use their vehicles for shorter trips most of the time. My wife and I have a small SUV that we use for long trips and more carrying capacity, but for short trips, which make up the majority of our driving, we use our electric car exclusively.

Regional average fuel mix used Your co-op’s fuel mix

Fuel Source Coal

55.9%

47.7%

Oil

0.0%

0.6%

Gas

34.7%

18.1%

Hydroelectric

3.4%

0.8%

Nuclear

3.1%

26.7%

Renewable Fuels

3.0%

6.1%

Biofuel

0.0%

0.8%

Biomass

0.0%

0.5%

Solar

0.0%

0.1%

Solid Waste Incineration

0.0%

0.1%

Wind

3.0%

4.1%

Wood

0.0%

0.5%

NOTE: Biomass above excludes wood; solid waste incineration includes landfill gas.

Your Co-op’s Fuel Mix

As a new EV-owner, I would encourage any co-op member purchasing a new vehicle to consider an electric vehicle.

Statement Of Non-Discrimination In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http:// www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Regional Average Fuel Mix

Emissions And Waste Comparison lbs/MWh

Type Of Emission/Waste

Your Regional Co-op Average*

Sulfur Dioxide

0.5

7.6

Carbon Dioxide

1,481

2,170

0.5

2.0

Oxides of Nitrogen High-level Nuclear Waste

0.0000 0.0083

* Regional average information was obtained from MPSC website and is for the 12-month period ending 12/31/18. Figures for Ontonagon County REA are based on those of its principle power suppliers, Wisconsin Public Service and WE Energies.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

MI CO-OP Community

Guess this photo and enter to win a

$50

energy bill credit!

Where In Michigan Is This?

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

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

Our Mystery Photo Contest winner from the January issue is Brenda Nowak, a Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op member, who correctly identified the photo as Aloha State Park dock overlooking Mullet Lake. The dock has been a part of the Village of Aloha, State Park area, since at least 1912—as evidenced by photos from the book “Aloha & Aloha, Now and Then” written by the Aloha Historical Society.

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

January 2019

18 MARCH 2019

Follow Michigan Country Lines On Instagram Follow us on our new Instagram account @michigancountrylines, where we celebrate the energy of rural Michigan.

Marvel at Michigan’s majestic beauty, learn about new places to visit and experience rural Michigan life through the eyes of your fellow co-op members.

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Your Photos With Us

Help us capture the energy of rural Michigan. Tag your photos with #micoopcommunity and they could be featured on our Instagram account. Your photo could even be chosen to print as the featured photo in our magazine. Get to snapping, we can’t wait to see what you share!

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(989) 356-2113

NOW AVAILABLE AT Learn More SELECT STORES 989-356-2113 wellconnectsaves.com wellconnectsaves.com

Ontonagon County Rural Electrification Association ontonagon.coop facebook.com/OntonagonCountyREA

Save The Date - June 15

TING E E M L A U N N A ’S P -O O C R U O Y D N ATTE Chassell, MI 49916 High School, 41585 Hwy US 41, assell

Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m., Ch

ployees The board of directors and em to join of your electric co-op invite you on ng eti them at the 2019 Annual Me l. This June 15 at Chassell High Schoo ghbors is a chance to visit with your nei sevenand friends from throughout our pate in county service area and partici r about your co-op’s affairs. You will hea past year, the state of the co-op over the ure. as well as our vision for the fut

op • Updates on co-op affairs by copresident and general manager • Director election results ial • Update on your co-op’s financ health

• Drawing for cash prizes ch will • Continental breakfast and lun be served