May 2023 TEC

May/June 2023

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Thumb Electric Cooperative

America’s Only

NICKEL MINE IS IN THE UPPER PENINSULA

Bike Photo Contest

Meet Your Board of Director Candidates

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

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

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Berrien Springs Waterfurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeo thermal.com Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com Clifford Orton Refrig & Htg (989) 761-7691 sanduskygeothermal.com Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheating cooling.com

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Contents countrylines.com

/michigancountrylines

May 2023 Vol. 43, No. 5 /michigancountrylines

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark EDITOR: Christine Dorr

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird

RECIPE EDITOR: Christin McKamey COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd

PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association

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

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

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

CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR: Michigan Country Lines 201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please

notify your electric cooperative.

See page 4 for contact information.

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

Michigan Country Lines, Your Communications Partner For more than 40 years, our co-op members have received Michigan Country Lines because it is the most effective and economical way to share information. Michigan Country Lines keeps members up-to-date about everything going on within their electric co-op. Issues contain news about co-op services, director elections, member meetings, and management decisions that members need to know about as owners of the co-op. The magazine also includes legal notices that would otherwise have to be placed in local media at a substantial cost. Sending Michigan Country Lines helps the co-op fulfill one of its essential principles—to educate and communicate openly with its members. The board of directors authorizes the co-op to subscribe to Michigan Country Lines on behalf of each member at an average cost of $4.15 per year, paid as part of members’ electric bills. The current magazine cost is 52 cents per copy. Michigan Country Lines is published, at cost, by the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association in Lansing. As always, we welcome your comments at editor@meca.coop.

#micoopcommunity Instagram contest winner

Weathered and wonderful @lexannrebecca (LexAnn De Weerd)

6 CASTING FOR RECOVERY An unconventional, but life-changing, retreat helps women fish their way toward healing from breast cancer.

10 MY CO-OP KITCHEN

MI Co-op Community

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

Instagram Contest

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

Breakfast for Dinner: Change up your routine and delight your taste buds.

Win $100 for photos published!

14 AMERICA'S ONLY

See details on page 10. Chocolate due July 1.

NICKEL MINE IS IN THE UPPER PENINSULA From stainless steel to EVs, Eagle Mine meets the ever-rising demand for nickel—in a sustainable and responsible way.

18 GUEST COLUMN

Reflections on Our Pond: A GLE member recalls how a tiny body of water had a huge impact on her family.

Recipe Contest

Win a $100 bill credit!

Guest Column

Share your fondest memories and stories.

Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.

Win $200 for stories published!

Mystery Photo

See details on page 18.

Win a $100 bill credit!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

3

Holiday Office Closings

tecmi.coop /thumbelectric

Memorial Day, Monday, May 29

@thumbelectric

Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4 Line crews are available for 24/7 outage response. Please call 800-327-0166.

THUMB ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE 2231 Main Street Ubly, MI 48475-0157 1-800-327-0166 or 989-658-8571 E-mail: tec@tecmi.coop

BOARD OF DIRECTORS HURON COUNTY Randall Dhyse, Treasurer District 1 • 989-658-6013 Craig Osentoski, Director District 2 • 989-658-6003 Erica Peruski, Director District 3 • 989-658-6004 SANILAC COUNTY Kim Nunn, Vice President District 1 • 989-658-6005 Mike Briolat, Secretary District 2 • 989-658-6006

Duane Kursinsky, Director District 3 • 989-658-6007 TUSCOLA COUNTY Louis Wenzlaff, Director District 1 • 989-658-6008

Jonathan Findlay, President District 2 • 989-658-6010 Matt Sommer, Director District 3 • 989-658-6012

Brad Essenmacher, General Manager

250 Mbps for *

$

77

.50

per month

$

*

1 Gig for

117

.50

per month

PAYMENT STATIONS Huron County Bad Axe—Northstar Bank Pigeon—Northstar Bank Tuscola County Akron—Northstar Bank Caro—Northstar Bank Mayville—Mayville State Bank Millington—Mayville State Bank Thumb Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

To preregister, register, or get more information, go to tecmi.coop/fiber or scan the QR code with your phone’s camera. *Pricing based on discounts offered by TEC Fiber to TEC members. All TEC members who are also signed up for paperless billing on their electric accounts will receive a discount of $5 per month. An additional discount of $2.50 per month is offered to any customer who prepays their monthly fees 12 months in advance. Prices before discounts are $85 for 250 Mbps and $125 for 1 Gig.

HURON

TUSCOLA

SANILAC

Your Clear Advantage for Internet Service

4 MAY 2023

Notice Of Annual Membership Meeting The Annual Meeting of the members of Thumb Electric Coopera­tive of Michigan will be held at the Thumb Octagon Barn, 6948 Richie Road, Gagetown, Michigan, at 10:00 a.m. on June 10, 2023, to take action on the following matters:

Fuel Mix Report The fuel mix characteristics of Thumb Electric Cooperative as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12-month period ended 12/31/22.

1. The reports on officers, directors, and committees.

2. The election of one director from Huron County—District 3, one director from Sanilac County—District 3, and one director from Tuscola County—District 3 to the Board of Directors of the Cooperative.

3. Provide the Bylaw revision results.

4. All other business which may rightfully come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

Dated: April 18, 2023 MIKE BRIOLAT, Secretary

Nominating Committee Report The report of the 2023 Nominating Committee, which met in Ubly, Michigan, at 10:30 a.m. on April 4, 2023, to select nominees for the position of Director of Thumb Electric Cooperative.

Nominees for one director position from Huron County—District 3, Sanilac County—District 3, and Tuscola County—District 3 are as follows:

Comparison Of Fuel Sources Used Fuel source

Your co-op’s fuel mix

Regional average fuel mix

Coal

0%

32.237%

Oil

0%

0.385%

Gas

85%

30.632%

Hydroelectric

0%

0.753%

Nuclear

0%

28.581%

Renewable Fuels

15%

7.413%

Biofuel

0%

0.731%

Biomass

15%

0.469%

Solar

0%

0.188%

Solid Waste Incineration

0%

0.013%

Wind

0%

5.562%

Wood

0%

0.450%

Your Co-op’s Fuel Mix

Huron County—District 3: Erica Peruski—Incumbent Director Sanilac County—District 3: Duane Kursinsky—Incumbent Director Tuscola County—District 3: Matt Sommer—Incumbent Director Gary Kitchen* These names shall be placed on the Annual Meeting ballot in accordance with Article III, Section 3, of the Cooperative Bylaws.

Dated: April 4, 2023

Regional Average Fuel Mix

WAYNE SAYERS, VICE CHAIRPERSON * NOTE: Gary Kitchen was selected as a candidate for the director position, but declined the nomination.

Access To Rules And Rates Please be advised that the following information is available to Thumb Electric Cooperative members:

Emissions And Waste Comparison lbs/MWh

Type of emission/waste

Your co-op

Regional average*

1. Complete rate schedules;

Sulfur Dioxide

0.25

1.25

Carbon Dioxide

897

1,248

2. Clear and concise explanation of all rates that the member may be eligible to receive;

Oxides of Nitrogen

0.23

0.91

High-Level Nuclear Waste

0

0.006

3. Assistance from the cooperative in determining the most appropriate rate for a member when the member is eligible to receive service under more than one rate; 4. Clear and concise explanation of the member’s actual energy use for each billing period during the last 12 months.

The information can be obtained by contacting Thumb Electric Cooperative at 800-327-0166.

*Regional average information was obtained from the MPSC website and is for the 12-month period ended 12/31/22.

The fuel mix data presented by Thumb Electric is the data from CMS Energy, which supplies nearly all of Thumb Electric’s purchased power.

Casting for Recovery Michigan An unconventional, but life-changing, retreat helps women fish their way toward healing from breast cancer

By Yvette Pecha

I

n late August, 14 women who have been afflicted with breast cancer will gather at the beautiful Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan, on the Pere Marquette River for a weekend of camaraderie, discussion, medical and psychological guidance, and, surprisingly enough, fly fishing. It’s all part of a Casting for Recovery (CfR) retreat, where participants get a few days to set aside worries about their diagnosis, doctor appointments, and fear of the future, and come away from their respite equipped with powerful tools that enable them to face challenges moving forward.

Casting for Recovery is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1996 in Vermont. It was created by a breast cancer reconstructive surgeon and a professional fly fisher, with the idea to take the healing power of nature and combine it with the casting motions of fly fishing. These motions closely mimic those that are prescribed to breast cancer patients after radiation or surgery to help them increase mobility in the arms and upper body.

Karen O’Briant, the co-coordinator of the CfR Michigan program, and a Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member, came upon the organization in an unfortunate manner—she

6

MAY 2023

was diagnosed with breast cancer herself in 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic. “Normally, when you go through chemo, you can take someone with you for support,” she said. “But I had to go through it by myself.”

O’Briant, who said she was not big on support groups at the time, found herself looking for some comfort. One day in her surgeon’s office, she was discussing her hobby of fly fishing with a nurse, and the nurse told her there was a group that offered a fly fishing retreat for breast cancer patients. After investigating and discovering CfR, O’Briant applied for the 2021 retreat and got in as an alternate. The experience meant so much to her that she jumped at the chance to work for the organization, where she now helps arrange and fundraise for the annual retreat.

CfR retreats run for two and a half days. They are totally free for the women in attendance, who are chosen through a drawing of applicant names, and all of the fishing equipment, food, and lodging is provided. The guided fly fishing excursion occurs on the last day of the retreat. In preparation for that, the women learn about things like tying fishing knots, casting, bugs they’ll find on the water, the flow of the river, etc. When not in educational sessions, the women participate in discussions with each other and

“ We all laughed and cried. I hadn’t really been able to talk to others about it because they didn’t understand. The emotions you go through are healing, and you can find inspiration and hope from the other women. I’ve made lifelong friends.”

the volunteer medical and psychological facilitators. The conversations help in two ways—the women get to talk about their own experiences and feel the catharsis that comes with opening up, while also benefitting from hearing the stories of people who are going through the same thing they are. Reflecting on her own experience, O’Briant said, “We all laughed and cried. I hadn’t really been able to talk to others about it because they didn’t understand.

The emotions you go through are healing, and you can find inspiration and hope from the other women. I’ve made lifelong friends.” After two days of learning, talking, and eating the meals provided by the Pere Marquette Bistro in Reed City—which O’Briant says is amazing—the women are ready to hit the river. Each participant pairs up with one of the volunteer river helpers, who are all experienced anglers, and the groups are assigned to particular stations (with accommodations given to those who need them).

Whether they catch anything or not, the experience is transformative. “It’s so tranquil just being there and listening to the water,” O’Briant said. The day concludes with a lunch and a graduation ceremony, where women take pictures with their helpers, and receive a certificate and a lanyard.

CfR is still accepting applications for this year’s retreat.

O’Briant said she strongly recommends that you apply if you are a woman who has or has had breast cancer. “There is no experience like it,” she said. “It totally changed my outlook on cancer and treatments, and it gave me hope for the future.”

FAST FACTS • Retreats are appropriate for women in all stages of treatment and recovery, and are open to women of all ages.

• There are 40+ retreats nationwide, and CfR has inspired similar programs in six countries outside the U.S. • To date, CfR has helped over 10,000 women with breast cancer.

CfR relies on the support of more than 1,800 volunteers nationwide, including medical and psychosocial professionals, fly fishing instructors, and alumnae. It also relies heavily on fundraising.

If you would like to donate money or your time, visit castingforrecovery.org and click on “Ways to Help.”

Support the Michigan program by directing your donation to the secure online form at castingforrecovery.org/program/ and choose Michigan or use this QR code.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

7

Look Up for Fiber Lines

T

humb Electric would like to remind all members who do farm work to look up for utility lines before entering and exiting your fields. In the past, we have sent this reminder out regarding electric lines and the dangers they present. However, you may have noticed that many of our poles now have fiber lines attached to them as well. Although fiber lines do not carry electricity, they can still be dangerous. Unlike electric lines, fiber cables are designed to stretch a significant distance before they break. If they come into contact with large farm equipment and get pulled hard enough, the tension created could be enough to break utility poles or even pull them out of the ground. This can result in a tremendous amount of damage to the utility equipment and the farm equipment.

Additionally, this can pose a significant risk to the farmer’s safety, especially if electric lines get damaged.

As you can see in the graphic below, the fiber lines are significantly lower on utility poles than the electric lines.

All lines must meet minimum clearance standards per the

NESC Minimum Clearance 8 MAY 2023

National Electric Safety Code (NESC). If you see a line that you do not feel meets minimum clearance, please let us know, and we will investigate. We encourage all farmers to take a few seconds to ensure there is enough clearance to avoid serious damage and possible injury. As always, if you have any questions, please call the TEC office at 989-6588571, and we will be happy to assist you.

Bikes

PHOTO CONTEST

1

4

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

Submit Your “Camping” Photos by May 20!

Submit your “Camping” photos by May 20 for the July/August issue! Submit your best photo and encourage your friends to vote! The photo receiving the most votes will be printed in an issue of Country Lines along with some of our other favorites.

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit!

To enter the contest, visit tecmi.coop/photo-contest. Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you as well. If your photo is printed in Country Lines during 2023, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of four $50 credits on your December 2023 bill.

2

3

5

6 MOST VOTES

1. Great-grandma showing how it’s done.

Kristen Daniels 2. Picking lilacs. Diana Kish 3. B iking in style and comfort with the pet taxi. Richard Marlin 4. Dirt bikes are life! Tricia Barnes 5. Mackinac Island and bridge. Shelli Gordon 6. Me and my Shadow. Annette Decker

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Recipes

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

BREAKFAST FOR DINNER Fun to eat morning and night.

WINNING RECIPE! FLAVORFUL COMFORT QUICHE Ann Utter, Presque Isle

1 pound mild pork sausage (or substitute w/ small cubes of cooked ham) 12 eggs 2 cups (16 ounces) small curd cottage cheese 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or pepper jack cheese) 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free) ½ cup butter or margarine, melted 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms, optional ¾ cup onion, finely chopped 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained • grated Parmesan cheese

Recipe Contest Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Chocolate recipes due July 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.

10 MAY 2023

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook sausage (if using) until no longer pink; drain. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, cheeses, flour, butter, and baking powder.

Stir in mushrooms, onion, chilies, and sausage (or ham). Transfer to two greased 9-inch round baking dishes (dishes will be quite full). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Makes two quiches (6–8 servings each). Divide recipe ingredients in half to make one quiche.

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

BACON BREAKFAST PIZZA Deanne Quain, Great Lakes Energy

1 (13.8-ounce) tube refrigerated pizza crust 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 6 large eggs 2 tablespoons water 6–8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 400 F. Unroll and press dough onto the bottom and ½ inch up

the sides of a 15x10x1-inch pan. Prick thoroughly with a fork, then brush with 1 tablespoon oil. Bake until lightly browned, 7–8 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk egg and water. In a nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add eggs and scramble over medium heat until thickened, slowly moving the eggs around until softly scrambled and fluffy. Spoon over crust and sprinkle with bacon and cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5–7 minutes.

MEXICAN EGG SAUSAGE ENCHILADAS FOR DINNER Janet Cather, Midwest Energy

1 pound ground pork, browned (I use chorizo, but you can use plain/ Italian too) 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheddar cheese, divided 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas (I use whole wheat) 6 large eggs 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice (I use unsweetened soy milk) 1 tablespoon flour • favorite jarred salsa • diced green onions, for topping, optional Optional Serving Sides: • sour cream • hash browns/tater tots • Mexican street corn • additional salsa Spray 9x13 metal pan with cooking spray (if using glass, cooking time may vary).

Combine browned sausage with 1 cup cheese and diced green chiles. Place ¹⁄ 8

(around ½ cup+) of the mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish. In another large bowl, whisk/beat the eggs, heavy cream, milk, and flour (note: it’s best to first shake the flour with a portion of the milk in a small lidded container, around 4 ounces, to ensure the flour is blended in). Pour egg mixture evenly over the tortillas in the pan. Cover the dish and place in fridge for 6+ hours (this allows the tortillas time to absorb the egg mixture and prevent it from being too runny). Preheat the oven to 350 F when ready to bake. Remove cover from the dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup cheese over the tortillas. Bake covered with foil for 40–45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes. Remove dish from oven and spread as much salsa as you want on top of the tortillas. You can add the diced green onions at this point too.

Serve with remaining salsa along with any other chosen sides. Enjoy! Note: I prep this recipe around 10 a.m. for a 7 p.m. dinner.

Or, you can prep the night before for a hearty breakfast.

BACON AND SAUSAGE GRAVY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE Jack Schonert, Great Lakes Energy

1 pound bacon, divided 1 pound ground sausage, divided 1 (8-count) can biscuits 1 cup finely chopped onion 2 cups grated cheese, divided 6 eggs 3¹⁄ ³ cups milk, divided ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon nutmeg ½ cup flour ¹⁄ 8 -¼ teaspoon salt ¹⁄ 8 -¼ teaspoon black pepper • Optional: mushrooms, diced red or green bell pepper, red pepper flakes Preheat oven to 350 F. Fry the bacon and sausage; drain grease. Cut or crumble the

bacon into pieces and place both together back into a big frying pan or saucepan.

Grease sides and bottom of 9x13 pan. Cut biscuits into quarters and place in bottom of the pan. Layer a quarter of both the bacon and sausage over the biscuits; sprinkle with onion and 1 cup cheese. Whisk eggs in a bowl; stir in ¹⁄ ³ cup milk and nutmeg. Pour evenly over the biscuits. To the remaining ¾ of sausage and bacon, add flour, salt, and pepper (and optional ingredients), and remaining 3 cups milk. Cook over medium heat until bubbly and thickened. Pour over biscuits and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake for 45 minutes.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

11

Your Vote Matters!

Meet The Director Candidates

HURON COUNTY DISTRICT 3 Erica Peruski (Incumbent)

Erica Peruski was born and raised in Bad Axe and graduated from Bad Axe High School in 2010. In 2011, she received a cosmetology license from the Huron Area Tech Center (HATC). Erica has been a licensed cosmetologist in the beauty industry for over 12 years.

She is currently a stylist and has been the owner of New Wave Hair Studio in Bad Axe since 2016, where she employs eight stylists.

Additionally, Erica enjoys being involved with the HATC. She is on the Advisory Board and holds lectures for cosmetology classes.

Erica has been a TEC member since March 2021. She has one daughter named Leni, who is 3 years old. When she is not

working, Erica enjoys spending time with friends and family, going on vacation, and attending games and concerts.

Erica says, “I have really enjoyed being on the board for the last several months and getting to know the ins and outs of the Thumb Electric Cooperative. I’m looking forward to being instrumental in the betterment and progress of the co-op.

Keeping up with the latest technologies and representing the needs of the members will always remain the top priority.”

SANILAC COUNTY DISTRICT 3 Duane Kursinsky (Incumbent)

Raised in the Deckerville area, Duane is the owner and operator of the Sandusky D.Q. Grill & Chill Restaurant. He has been with Dairy Queen for 52 years and has been a Thumb Electric member since 1994.

Duane is a member and past chairperson of Peace Lutheran Church and has also served as vice chairperson. He also serves on the Sanilac County 4-H board, is a member of the Motor City Organ Society and Sandusky Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of several snowmobile clubs.

Duane and his wife, Wanda, will celebrate their 56th anniversary this year. They have three sons—Curt, Steve, and Ryan—and eight grandchildren.

If re-elected, Duane would like to continue looking for new forms of energy and ways to keep TEC’s electric rates competitive for members while maintaining the excellent service we all enjoy. He feels it has been a real honor serving TEC members with the present board of directors.

TUSCOLA COUNTY DISTRICT 3 Matt Sommer (Incumbent)

Matt Sommer has worked as a Technical Solutions Architect for Cisco Systems since 2010. Currently, he covers a region including MN, IL, MI, OH, and KY, helping large enterprises collaborate more effectively via phone, web, and video conferencing solutions.

Matt was born and raised in Reese. His wife, Laura, is from Frankenmuth, and they now live in Millington, where they have been TEC members for the last three years. They have four children: Kaylei, Katie, Allison, and Jason.

Matt is a member of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, where he volunteers by running house sound for the Contemporary Connect Worship Service. He is also an active member of the Rotary Club participating regularly in community volunteerism.

12 MAY 2023

Matt has also received Credentialed Cooperative Director certification from NRECA after completing five courses on topics including Strategic Planning, Financial Decision Making, and Director Duties and liabilities. Additionally, if re-elected, he plans to pursue his Board Leadership certificate over his next three-year term. He has already completed two requirements towards this including Cybersecurity: The Board’s Oversight Role.

“My career experience as a Network Architect will help me provide valuable insight on the board as Thumb Electric transitions from providing affordable, reliable electrical service to additionally providing much-needed broadband internet to the cooperative’s members.”

Your Vote Matters!

Members To Vote On

New Bylaw Amendments

Adoption of a new Bylaw amendment to the existing Bylaws shall be voted on in person at the Annual Meeting, by mail-in ballot, or online. See this issue’s cover wrap for ballot and details.

The proposed change to your electric cooperative’s Bylaws are below. Please review them and remember to vote. If adopted by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the board of directors and ratified by a majority vote of the members present at the next Annual Meeting, the existing language of Article III, Section 3, of the TEC Bylaws would be repealed in its entirety and replaced with the below-cited language.

ARTICLE III DIRECTORS SECTION 3. Nominations.

PROPOSED CHANGE It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to appoint, not less than sixty (60) days nor more than one hundredtwenty (120) days before the date of a meeting of the members at which directors are to be elected, a committee on nominations consisting of nine (9) members no more than three (3) of whom shall be residents of any county. The spouse of a member may be appointed to the committee, provided said spouse receives a proxy to do so from the member. No officer or member of the Board of Directors shall be appointed to a member of such committee. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Cooperative at least fifty (50) days before the meeting a list of nominations for directors, but any fifteen (15) or more members may make other nominations in writing over their signatures not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the meeting and the Secretary shall post the same at the same place where the list of nominations made by the committee is posted. The Secretary shall mail with the notice of the meeting a statement of the number of directors to be elected and showing separately the nominations made by petitions, if any.

Nothing contained herein shall, however, prevent additional nominations to be made from the floor at the meeting of the members. Notwithstanding anything in this section contained failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall not affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any election of directors.

Except as otherwise provided for herein, all nominations for directors shall be made by the filing of a nominating petition in the form prescribed by the Board. Petition forms shall be printed and available at the Cooperative’s main office, and copies shall be furnished to any member in good standing upon request. To be eligible for nomination, a candidate must meet the qualifications for the office of director as set forth in these Bylaws. Members requesting a petition form shall be provided with information describing those qualifications and other requirements of a director position.

Nominating petitions shall be signed by not less than fifteen (15) members of the Cooperative in good standing from the county which the candidate seeks to represent. No signature shall be obtained before January 1 of the calendar year in which the election is to take place. Signatures provided by joint members shall be deemed to be one signature.

Nominating petitions shall be submitted at the Cooperative’s main office not later than 4:00 p.m. on the last business day of March immediately preceding the Annual Meeting at which such election is to take place.

The Secretary shall mail with the notice of the meeting a statement of the number of directors to be elected and the names and addresses of the candidates properly nominated. In the event that no qualified candidate has been nominated as provided herein, the incumbent Board at its first meeting or within sixty (60) days thereafter shall elect, by a majority vote, sufficient directors to fill any vacancies. Directors thus elected shall serve until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors have been elected. Notwithstanding anything in this section, failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section shall not affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any election of directors.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

America’s Only

NICKEL MINE IS IN THE UPPER PENINSULA

By Emily Haines Lloyd

N

ot many business models begin with an ending in mind. But that’s how Eagle Mine in western Marquette County started its business activity.

“With the last 10 years or so, that’s what sustainable mining means,” said External Communications Manager Matt Johnson of Lundin Mining Co., which owns Eagle Mine.

“You design a mine for closure. Before you even open, you have to prepare to close it responsibly.”

Eagle Mine is the only active nickel mine in the United States right now, with a concentration on unearthing an ore body that hopes to produce enough nickel to meet the ever-rising global demand.

Nickel doesn’t have the same cachet as gold and silver, but it is an absolute necessity in the production of things like stainless steel products. Consider your favorite kitchen upgrade with a stainless refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher. Each of those appliances benefits from the antimicrobial, anti-rust, and anti-corrosion attributes of stainless steel, but the nickel makes them even stronger and more resistant to wear and tear.

In fact, there is an even greater demand for nickel these days as we see energy-efficient electric vehicles hitting the scene. Nickel is a mineral that helps increase energy storage in lithium-ion batteries, boosting the range electric cars can drive on a single charge.

14 MAY 2023

“At this point in our country’s production history, we need minerals, and those minerals need to be mined. But we’re going to make sure it’s done sustainably, responsibly, and transparently.”

—Matt Johnson, External Communications Manager

“There is no electric vehicle battery without nickel,” notes Johnson. “In 2017, about 3% of nickel went into the EV industry. In the next 10 years, we’re looking at closer to 40%.”

“We are leaders in mining best practices,” said Johnson.

“We need to balance meeting the demand with making sure our impact is as limited as possible.”

It’s a complex cycle of electric vehicles helping to reduce emissions and the impact on the climate, and encouraging additional production of environmentally friendly cars.

However, mining is at the heart of that production stream.

While nickel could be mined and purchased from other countries, many of them have much looser rules and guidelines regulating them. There are big benefits to having a U.S.-based mine that holds itself to the highest environmental and social standards.

While Eagle Mine is identifying the environmental impacts, they also concern themselves with community impact. They hold local forums every six months to engage in folks’ questions and concerns and ensure they are responding in kind.

“Part of our company’s mission is to fund and partner with groups to delve deeper into the research, create bestpractice critical material development, and create a new stream for critical minerals for batteries,” said Johnson.

“The increased demand for nickel is nearly 100 times what it was just a decade ago. So, we need to increase our level of responsibility to make sure we are helping to solve problems, not create more.”

Eagle Mine has developed many relationships to help create better systems for solving those problems. They’ve partnered with Michigan Technological University to develop new research technologies that create sustainable processes in order to supply critical minerals for battery manufacturing, as well as to make a concentrated effort to improve battery recycling. These efforts are necessary, but are also just the beginning to meet the ever-increasing demand for metal in new products and technologies.

“Constructive dialogue is critical to what we do. We don’t have all the answers, because we can’t know all the questions.

We listen and respond seriously to the community,” said Johnson. “We don’t just have a responsibility to the community while the mine is open, we need to make sure we don’t have a negative impact once it closes as well.”

Right now it looks like the mine could close sometime in the next four years, unless bigger ore stores are discovered.

For now, Eagle Mine is keeping the nickel coming with the help of their nearly 400 employees to meet the needs of the electric vehicle industry and cleaner transportation.

“At this point in our country’s production history, we need minerals, and those minerals need to be mined,” said Johnson. “But we’re going to make sure it’s done sustainably, responsibly, and transparently.”

For more information: eaglemine.com

/lundineaglemine

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

15

Your Vote Matters!

Your Vote Matters!

Thumb Electric Cooperative Of Michigan:

84th Annual Meeting Of The Members

The Eighty-Fourth Annual Meeting of Thumb Electric of Michigan was held at the Thumb Octagon Barn in Gagetown, Tuscola County, Michigan, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2022, pursuant to the call and notice thereof given to each member of the Cooperative and pursuant to the laws of the State of Michigan.

The meeting was called to order by Jonathan Findlay, President of the Cooperative, who presided. Kyle O’Mara, Attorney for the Cooperative, acted as recording secretary of the meeting and kept the minutes thereof.

President Findlay introduced the members of the Cooperative’s Board of Directors and Board Officers as follows: Jonathan Findlay, President Tuscola County; Kim Nunn, Vice-President Sanilac County; Randall Dhyse, Treasurer/Acting Secretary Huron County; Matt Sommer Tuscola County; Michael Briolat Sanilac County; Louis Wenzlaff Tuscola County; Craig Osentoski Huron County Also introduced were General Manager Dallas Braun and Kyle O’Mara, Attorney for the Cooperative. President Findlay advised the meeting that Director Duane Kursinsky of Sanilac County was absent. The reading of the Notice of the Meeting and Affidavit of Mailing thereof to all the Cooperative members within the time prescribed by the Cooperative Bylaws was dispensed with; it having been published in Country Lines. A copy of the Notice and Affidavit is attached to these minutes and incorporated herein.

The President reported that the members of the Cooperative present in person had been checked by the registration of names of the members and the names of the members who had submitted mail-in or electronic ballots had been duly recorded.

He declared that based upon said records, a quorum of the members was present in accordance with the Bylaws of the Cooperative.

The President also reported that members of the Cooperative were present at the meeting in person, by mail-in ballot, and by electronic ballot, all of said members being named and described as to their county of residence and as to their method of attendance. The report of ballots submitted in advance of the meeting were ordered filed in the records of the Cooperative.

The minutes of the Eighty-Third Annual Meeting of the Members were not read since a copy of the same had been mailed to each of the members. There being no additions or corrections to those minutes, upon motion duly made, seconded, and carried, said minutes were approved as drafted.

The Treasurer’s Report to the Eighty-Fourth Annual Meeting was not read since a copy of the same had been mailed to each of the members. Due to the final audit of 2021 Financials have to yet be completed as a result of two non-ordinary transactions Air Advantage purchase and propane sale, the 2021 financials will be made available for approval at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

President Findlay then introduced the Cooperative’s General Manager, Dallas Braun.

Manager Braun thanked the Cooperative employees for all their labors and efforts over the past year. He then reported on the Cooperative’s financial status, rates, member services, marketing activities, tree trimming, energy shortages, and TEC’s ongoing rollout of broadband internet service. In closing, Manager Braun thanked the members for their interest in their Cooperative and for their support.

After questions and answers of the General Manager’s Report, the meeting was returned to President Findlay, and upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the General Manager’s Report was approved as presented.

President Findlay then gave the President’s Report explaining growth of the Cooperative’s equity while maintaining competitive rates, the acquisition of AirAdvantage, the Cooperatives divestment of its propane business, tree trimming, and TEC’s ongoing rollout of broadband internet service. Upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the President’s Report was approved as presented.

The next order of business was the election of four Directors, three of them representing District 1, and an additional election in Tuscola County District 3

16 MAY 2023

pursuant to a Director resignation following last year’s annual meeting. Three director positions are for three-year terms each. One director position is for a one-year term.

The ballot also included the approval of amendments to Article VIII, Sections 2, 3, and 4 of the TEC Bylaws. The amendments had previously been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors but, pursuant to the Bylaws, require ratification by the members. The text of the proposed amendments had previously been provided to the members in Country Lines.

The following attendees were appointed as Inspectors of the Election, all of whom were sworn to the faithful performance of their duties by the Cooperative’s Attorney, Kyle O’Mara, who is also a notary public: Elaine Glaza, Huron County; Barbara Godlewski, Sanilac County; Charles Witkovsky, Tuscola County The Nominating Committee Report was published in Country Lines. The Committee nominated the following for Directorships: Huron County—District 1: Randall Dhyse (Incumbent); Sanilac County— District 1: Kim Nunn (Incumbent), John Peck; Tuscola County—District 1: Louis Wenzlaff (Incumbent), Stefanie Bruce; Tuscola County—District 3: Matt Sommer (Incumbent), Brian Becker Kyle O’Mara entertained further nominations from the floor for each Directorship in each county. There being no such nominations from the floor, upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the nominations were closed. Each candidate was then introduced and invited to address the members for up to five minutes.

Kyle O’Mara then requested the members to vote upon their ballots for the respective Directorships. The Inspectors of the Election were requested to collect and tabulate the ballots.

Kyle O’Mara turned the meeting back over to President Findlay. The President then asked if there was any old business to address. There being none; he asked for new business. There being none; he invited Doug Snitgen of MECA to introduce several legislators in attendance. Each legislator and/or their representative was invited to address the members for up to five minutes.

Following the presentations of the legislators, Kyle O’Mara announced the results of the tabulation of votes, including in-person, mail-in, and electronic ballots, which were as follows: Huron County—District 1: Randall Dhyse (Incumbent) – 380 votes Sanilac County—District 1: Kim Nunn (Incumbent) – 277 votes; John Peck – 139 votes Tuscola County—District 1: Louis Wenzlaff (Incumbent) – 262 votes; Stefanie Bruce – 136 votes Tuscola County—District 3: Matt Sommer (Incumbent) – 257 votes, Brian Becker – 134 votes The elected Directors were declared to be Randall Dhyse from Huron County—District 1, Kim Nunn from Sanilac County—District 1, and Louis Wenzlaff from Tuscola County—District 1, and Matt Sommer from Tuscola County—District 3.

Kyle O’Mara also announced the results of the tabulation of votes regarding the abovereference Bylaw amendments, which were as follows: Yes: 392 votes; No: 43 votes The Bylaw Amendments were declared adopted. There being no other business before the Board, on motion made and unanimously carried, the Annual Meeting was adjourned at noon. The members were released to enjoy lunch and the provided entertainment.

RANDALL DHYSE, Acting Secretary

Your Vote Matters!

Financial Statement Balance Sheets Thumb Electric Cooperative: Dec. 31, 2022, & 2021

ASSETS ELECTRIC PLANT In service—at cost Under construction Total electric plant Less accumulated depreciation ELECTRIC PLANT—NET OTHER ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS Nonutility property Investments in associated organizations Energy loans receivable Special funds TOTAL OTHER ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and temporary cash investments

$

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $629,622 and $652,588 in 2022 and 2021, respectively Unbilled revenue Nonutility receivables Materials and supplies Prepaid expenses Deferred tax asset Current assets from discontinued operations Other TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS

$

2022

2021

155,208,017 $ 21,081,602 176,289,619 55,358,194 120,931,425

149,890,035 4,919,169 154,809,204 52,271,432 102,537,772

79,838

84,391

2,866,682

1,755,641

48,280 1,372,624

81,502 1,788,962

4,367,424

3,710,496

889,139

2,979,751

5,699,093

2,771,276

-0 1,565 11,111,376 325,051 1,591

18,928 2,629,418 7,203,146 301,892 -0

163

596,293

16,881 18,044,859 143,343,708 $

12,006 16,512,710 122,760,978

EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES EQUITIES Memberships Patronage capital Other equities TOTAL EQUITIES LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Long-term debt, net of current Deferred revenue Deferred tax liability TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturities of long-term debt Note payable—line of credit Accounts payable: Purchased power Nonutility Other Accrued property taxes

$

190,495 $ 27,081,198 4,717,184 31,988,877

188,025 25,665,617 4,089,604 29,443,244

85,358,907 500,000 501,966 86,360,873

63,110,985 625,000 375,174 64,111,159

2,822,404 11,825,952

2,808,252 16,105,000

1,051,799 3,678,460 2,737,359 817,696

1,129,773 1,382,401 5,026,380 817,132

EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)

Accrued payroll and vacation Deferred revenue Customer deposits Current liabilities from discontinued operations Other TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES DEFERRED CREDITS TOTAL EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES OPERATING REVENUES Electric sales Fiber sales Other sales OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of power Generation Cost of wireless sales Transmission Distribution—operations Distribution—maintenance Customer accounts Customer service Sales Administrative and general Depreciation and amortization Taxes—property Fiber TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES OPERATING MARGINS BEFORE FIXED CHARGES FIXED CHARGES Interest on long-term debt Other interest TOTAL FIXED CHARGES OPERATING MARGINS AFTER FIXED CHARGES CAPITAL CREDITS NET OPERATING MARGINS NONOPERATING MARGINS Interest income Other TOTAL NONOPERATING MARGINS NET MARGINS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES INCOME (LOSS) FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS INCOME TAXES OF SUBSIDIARY NET MARGINS

2022

$

2021

986,277 14,919 175,839

588,819 -0 155,791

300

143,867

591,425 24,702,430 291,528

795,677 28,953,092 253,483

143,343,708

$

$

$

122,760,978

23,844,902 $ 7,915,240 1,085,533 32,845,675

23,728,609 186,724 418,565 24,333,898

11,130,788 44,254 189,484 128,440 1,012,516 2,991,119 1,632,623 261,961 8,970 2,234,157 4,555,513 1,064,594 2,505,940 27,760,359

10,933,136 45,861 10,360 113,190 867,831 2,655,381 759,568 335,287 10,303 1,372,804 2,978,832 1,073,407 448,137 21,604,097

5,085,316

2,729,801

3,042,041 207,167 3,249,208

1,537,620 60,056 1,597,676

1,836,108

1,132,125

637,706 2,473,814

93,527 1,225,652

636,416 56,982 693,398

73,425 (848,037) (774,612)

3,167,212

451,040

(10,591)

2,560,853

120,381 3,036,240

$

382,272 2,629,621

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

MI CO-OP Guest Column

Reflections On Our Pond

By Kathy Fila, a Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member

ur 24-year-old son came over today with youthful enthusiasm and energy, claiming he would get the pond ready to skate on. Last year, to my delight, he and his girlfriend (now his wife) did the same thing.

O

Why is this a moment? It blesses me to my core. For over 20 years, my husband and I spent many winter afternoons using shovels to clear the pond so the kids could skate after school. It became my aerobic exercise for the day. What a treat it was to have our little sanctuary of winter fun, and now as we approach our senior years, our youngest son is taking it over and continuing the tradition—albeit in a different manner. Rather than shoveling, he tows the snowblower, mounted on the snow scoop, and pulls them both behind the snowmobile to take down to the pond.

After removing the snow, he cuts a hole in the pond and spreads a fresh sheen of ice over its entirety with fivegallon buckets.

That pond has such precious memories. The children and I have had picnics on its shore in the spring before the mosquitoes hatch. One Father’s Day, we spent the day crafting a log raft. We have “fished” for leaves in the surrounding swamp. There have been turtle-catching days, especially for the elusive old man snapper. There was even a campout that my husband had with the two older boys in a tent on the pond’s shore while spring peepers and bullfrogs hammered in their ears. He didn’t get any sleep that night.

Many children have shared the joys of our little slice of nature as the kids have brought friends to share in the fun. My oldest son had the “best night of his life” and the “worst night of his life” on that pond within a span of 20 minutes. What started as an exciting night of potential hockey with brooms and a block of wood for a puck was quickly terminated shortly after we stepped onto the ice.

Not only were we going to skate by the light of the moon, but stepping onto the ice made the loudest crack I’d ever heard. Images of being swallowed up in the dark, murky water took over my mind and ended our adventure—Ahh— the disappointments of youth.

There have even been a few magical winters when the swamp froze along with the pond. My daughter and youngest son would skate with me throughout the woods, circling trees and bushes in what felt like a magical fairyland. My husband and I bought this 12-acre parcel 25 years ago. That pond and its surrounding swamp have been our little escape from the world’s hubbub. It has felt like our own special ecosystem that has welcomed various birds and wildlife and given us a peaceful reminder of the beauty of God’s creation. The kids have all grown and have homes of their own now, but the memories remain. And now it’s time for me to go as my youngest has returned with the announcement, “The pond’s ready to skate on, Ma.” Let me grab my skates and head on down!

About The Author: Kathy is a retired physical therapist. She enjoys many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, camping, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing with her husband and friends. She and her husband are beginning the grandparent stage of their lives with two beautiful granddaughters.

Mystery Photo

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Where In Michigan Is This?

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

Guest Column

Win $200 for stories published!

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

March 2023 Winner!

Our Mystery Photo winner is Brian Soop, a Cherryland Electric Cooperative member, who correctly identified the photo as the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit.

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

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Digging into an Outdoor Project?

Before you dig, dial 811 or visit www.call811.com to protect underground utilities. Careless digging poses a threat to people, pipelines, and underground facilities. Contact 811 first and help keep our community safe.