May 2025 Cherryland

Cherryland Electric Cooperative

May 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

RESTORING POWER, REBUILDING TOGETHER The Incredible Birthday Party Project

Your Vote. Your Voice.

The Cooperative Way

Happy Birthday, Willie Wiredhand

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT1

Lasting is believing.

When you pay good money for something, you think it should last.

We agree. Especially when it’s your family’s comfort.

The lifespan of even the most expensive conventional a/c is just 15-18 years. With a WaterFurnace geothermal unit, you can expect a lifespan of 25 years—sometimes even more. Plus, the life expectancy of the underground infrastructure is at least double that.

Longer unit life means less cost to you and less waste in our landfills. And that makes WaterFurnace the better choice.

Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES

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

Holland G.H.P. Systems Inc. (616) 396-5833 ghpsystems-inc.com

Portage Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com

Berrien Springs WaterFurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeo thermal.com

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

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

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

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

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

Three Rivers Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com

Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com Filion/Bad Axe Air-O-Dynamic Htg & Clg (989) 582-0137 aod-hvac.com Grand Rapids Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsgeothermal-mi.com

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

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

visit us at waterfurnace.com/mi

Alger Delta Electric: up to $2,000 Cherryland Electric: up to $2,500 Cloverland: up to $6,275 Great Lakes Energy: up to $5,000 Homeworks/Tri-County Electric: up to $4,750 Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op: up to $4,750 Thumb Electric: up to $2,000

The Reliable Renewable is a trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc 1. ENERGY STAR rated units qualify for 30% through 2030 and 26% through 2032 and 22% through 2033.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

Contents countrylines.com

May 2025 Vol. 45, No. 5 /michigancountrylines

/michigancountrylines

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark EDITOR: Christine Dorr GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Michigan Country Lines, USPS591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.

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

POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. ASSOCIATION OFFICERS: Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; John Kran, president and CEO. 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 $4.43 per year, paid as part of members’ electric bills. The current magazine cost is 56 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.

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MI CO-OP Community RECIPE CONTEST

See details on page 10. Best Potato Dishes, due July 1.

Win a $100 bill credit!

GUEST COLUMN

Share your fondest memories and stories.

Win $200 for stories published!

MYSTERY PHOTO

See details on page 18.

Win a $100 bill credit!

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

14

6 CELEBRATING THE

MAGICAL NORTHERN MICHIGAN MOREL SEASON An annual springtime festival in Boyne City offers foraging, feasting, and festivities.

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN

Mushroom Masterpieces: Savor the earthy goodness of these mushroom recipes.

14 RESTORING POWER,

REBUILDING TOGETHER After a historic ice storm, co-ops and communities rallied to restore power— and hope—across Northern Michigan.

18 NO BARRIERS WARRIORS Applications now being accepted for No Barriers outdoor adventures.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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CO-OP NEWS Cherryland’s 87th Annual Meeting Scheduled for June 12 LEELANAU BENZIE

GRAND TRAVERSE

MANISTEE

WEXFORD

KALKASKA

Cherryland’s 87th Annual Meeting will take place Thursday, June 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Incredible Mo’s in Grawn. For more information about this year’s event, refer to this issue’s cover wrap and find updates and details on our website and social media.

Vote in Cherryland’s Election BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gabe Schneider, President 517-449-6453 gschneider@cherrylandelectric.coop Valarie Handy, Senior Vice President 231-392-4705 vhandy@cherrylandelectric.coop Melinda Lautner, Secretary 231-947-2509 mlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop Tom Van Pelt, Treasurer 231-386-5234 tvanpelt@cherrylandelectric.coop David Schweitzer, Director 231-883-5860 dschweitzer@cherrylandelectric.coop Terry Lautner, Director 231-883-6455 tlautner@cherrylandelectric.coop Dean Adams, Director 231-642-0014 dadams@cherrylandelectric.coop CEO Rachel Johnson CO-OP EDITORS: Courtney Doyle: cdoyle@cherrylandelectric.coop Bailey Watson: bwatson@cherrylandelectric.coop OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS 231-486-9200 or 1-800-442-8616 (Mich.)

ADDRESS P.O. Box 298, Grawn, MI 49637 PAY STATION Cherryland Electric Cooperative office 5930 U.S. 31 South, Grawn MI, 49637 Cherryland Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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MAY 2025

Vote in the 2025 Cherryland Election, and you could win a $100 bill credit!

Vote on SmartHub, by mail, or in person during our 87th Annual Meeting on June 12. For more information about voting, check the back of this issue or visit our website. This year, members will choose two at-large directors and one Benzie/ Wexford/Manistee County director. You can read about the candidates in the annual report at the center of this issue of Michigan Country Lines.

Cherryland Office Closings and Summer Hours The Cherryland office will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of

Memorial Day. Normal business hours resume Tuesday, May 27.

Later this summer, your cooperative will resume summer office hours. From June 2 through Aug. 29, the cooperative office will be open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

These extended hours are intended to increase operational efficiency in the field and provide a larger window of time for members to take advantage of our in-person member services.

The office will be closed on Sept. 1 in observance of Labor Day. Traditional office hours (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.) will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Additional reminders and more information about the scheduling change will be shared in Michigan Country Lines, on social media, and via email.

During office closures, line crews are always on call to respond to any outages or emergencies. You can report an outage by texting OUT to 800-442-8616, logging into SmartHub, or calling us at 231-486-9200.

Your Board In Action: March 2025 • The board of directors reviewed and approved the 2024 audited financials.

• The board of directors heard an update regarding the progress of purchasing land on Rennie School Road for future facilities.

• The communications and member relations manager gave an update regarding the energy waste reduction plan. The initial analysis shows that meeting the mandate using the rules outlined by the state will be more expensive than Cherryland’s current rebate program. The cooperative continues to work through potential options and solutions.

• The board of directors voted and approved an amendment to the cooperative’s billing rules, which includes the addition of a Winter Protection Program. As Cherryland begins to disconnect year-round due to changes in MEAP legislation, this program will provide options for at-risk members.

cherrylandelectric.coop

/cherrylandelectriccoop

@cherrylandec

YOUR VOTE. YOUR VOICE. THE COOPERATIVE WAY.

By Rachel Johnson, Cherryland CEO

I still remember the first time I voted.

It wasn’t in a presidential election or even for a local government seat. It was a student council election in middle school. My classmates and I filed into the cafeteria, where ballot boxes sat on a lunch table. Clutching my tiny paper ballot, I carefully checked a name, folded it up, and slipped it into the box. That moment was exhilarating. I had a say. I had a voice.

That early taste of democracy stuck with me. Later, I ran for student council myself—and won. But before I ever put my name on a ballot, I was first empowered by the act of voting.

That’s the power of engagement. When we participate, we shape the future.

That’s why your voice matters in our cooperative’s upcoming board elections. As a member of Cherryland Electric Cooperative, you’re not just a customer—you’re an owner. And owners have a say in who leads them.

Voting in the Cherryland board election is easy and convenient. The election opens May 1 and early voting runs through June 11 at noon. During that time, members can vote online by logging into SmartHub, through a link that was emailed to the email on your account, or by mailing in the ballot included in this month’s magazine. You can even vote in person at our Annual Meeting on June 12 between 4 and 5:30 p.m.

Each year, between 8 and 12% of our membership votes.

That number should be higher. The cooperative model thrives when members are involved. When you vote, you help ensure that the leadership reflects the values and priorities of our community.

We are working on several exciting initiatives, including the continuing modernization of our distribution electric grid with new technologies. We are also managing several challenges and risks on your behalf, including cybersecurity and grid reliability threats, legislative and regulatory complexities, and most importantly, rising costs that impact what you pay for electricity. Your vote influences the direction of the cooperative and the decisions that impact us all.

In the annual report, you’ll find bios for the candidates running in this year’s election. You can also find them on our website.

Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. It’s an invitation—to participate, to engage, and to make a difference. I hope you’ll take that invitation and cast your vote in this year’s board election. Let’s make our cooperative stronger together.

To hear more, listen to the Co-op Energy Talk Podcast

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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DISCOVERING MICHIGAN’S MAGIC Cassondra Wanders Adventure Series

Celebrating the Magical Northern Michigan Morel Season Every spring, a charming lakeside Michigan town gathers to celebrate the marvelous morel mushrooms. For more than 60 years, those merry for morels have traveled far and wide to Boyne City, Michigan, for the National Morel Mushroom Festival.

Held annually on the weekend after Mother’s Day, the National Morel Mushroom Festival is a one-of-akind event, drawing hundreds of mushroom hunters and food lovers from all corners of the country.

During this four-day, fungi-filled celebration, festivalgoers come to indulge in nature’s delectable treat and be immersed in the magic of the morel season.

Recognized for their nutty, earthy flavor and honeycomb-like appearance, morel mushrooms are rare and highly sought-after. The

mushroom’s fleeting season usually lasts from mid-April to mid-May. Michigan’s climate, with its mix of hardwood forests and rich soil, provides the ideal conditions for morels to thrive.

The morel’s mystique makes it a prized find among foragers, and competitive mushroom hunts are a popular annual tradition of the National Morel Mushroom Festival. Participants venture into nearby forests, armed with baskets and a little luck, in search of these elusive fungi. Given an allotted amount of time to hunt morels, the person who finds the most is awarded a prize.

Savor the Flavor: A Culinary Celebration of Morels During the festival’s premiere event, Taste of Morels, local chefs not only showcase their creativity but also compete for the top-three winning morel-infused dishes. Boyne City restaurants and food vendors rise to the occasion, crafting this rare and flavorful mushroom in a variety of intriguing ways.

The largest concentration of morel mushroom cooking in the world takes place at the National Morel Mushroom Festival. From morel-

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MAY 2025

stuffed ravioli to creamy morel soups and savory morel stroganoff, food is at the heart of the festival.

Another signature sellout festival event is Morel Wine & Dine, held at the Beach House Restaurant on Deer Lake. This is a must-visit experience to savor scenic lake views alongside morel-inspired hors d’oeuvres plates, each paired with fine wines.

Art, Music, and Morel Magic: A Festival of Creativity & Entertainment Beyond its culinary delights, the festival comes alive with nightly entertainment and vibrant daytime activities. As the sun sets, live music takes center stage, with local bands and regional talent bringing high-energy performances to the Motherload Bash—perfect for dancing the night away.

By day, visitors can stroll through rows of canopy tents filled with handcrafted goods, morel-themed art, and unique souvenirs at the arts & crafts show.

Artisans and vendors showcase their work, while live demonstrations, fresh mushrooms, and morel-infused teas tempt curious taste-testers.

Festivalgoers can snack their way through an array of delicious options, from crowd-pleasing burgers and food truck favorites to international flavors and indulgent desserts.

For those looking to get creative, Duncan Studios hosts Painting in the Park, offering guided painting sessions where participants can craft and take home their own morelinspired masterpiece. Adults can also join a Paint & Sip event, enjoying a complimentary glass of wine or beer while following step-by-step instructions to create Michiganthemed morel art.

Aspiring foragers can attend a free morel hunting seminar, where experts share tips on identifying, harvesting, and preparing these prized mushrooms while teaching the difference between true morels and potentially poisonous look-alikes for safe foraging.

Families will love the festival’s classic carnival experience, featuring thrilling rides, competitive midway games, and all the nostalgic fair food favorites. Whether you’re looking for adventure, creativity, or a chance to indulge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

The National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City is more than just a celebration of a seasonal delicacy—it’s a testament to smalltown hospitality and a community’s love for nature, food, and togetherness.

Whether you come for the gourmet dishes, exploring the woods in search of morels, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, you embark on an unforgettable adventure.

Boyne City’s 65th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival is Thursday, May 15, through Sunday, May 18, 2025. More information and a full schedule of events can be found at bcmorelfestival.com or on their Facebook page.

Scan the QR code to watch a video of our visit to the National Morel Mushroom Festival

Cassondra Scott is a content creator, writer, and social media influencer at Cassondra Wanders— sharing small businesses and sights to see all over the state of Michigan. /cassondrawanders

/cassondra.wanders

@cassondrawanders

@cassondrawanders

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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E I

WIREDH

A

N

S

WI

D’

LL

YOU‘RE INVITED TO

BIRTHDAY PARTY June

4 PM to 8 PM

2025

Incredible Mo’s 1355 Silver Lake Crossings Blvd., Grawn, MI 49637

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Scan for more information about Cherryland’s 87th Annual Meeting

The Cherry On Top:

The Incredible Birthday Party Project On any given weekend, when you walk into Incredible Mo’s, you’ll be surrounded by the dinging of arcade game bells, the clanking of bowling balls, and the tune of a few different renditions of “Happy Birthday.”

However, something you can’t hear is the extra magic behind every birthday party hosted at Incredible Mo’s.

This magic comes from The Incredible Birthday Party Project (TIBPP), a program started by Incredible Mo’s owner Chris Mohrhardt back in 2013.

For every five birthday parties hosted at Incredible Mo’s, one is donated to a child in need. Incredible Mo’s partners with community groups such as Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, and Michael’s Place. Together they make sure all kids, no matter their circumstances, get the chance to feel special and celebrated on their birthday.

The ripple effect of TIBPP doesn’t stop in the Traverse City area. Thanks to the team at Incredible Mo’s, many other family fun centers nationwide have adopted similar programs based on this idea of giving back to the kids in their communities.

Commitment to community is a core part of who we are at Cherryland Electric Cooperative. We’re proud to serve members like Incredible Mo’s, who share our same passion for making our community a better place.

The next time you head into Incredible Mo’s, take a second to look at the smiles all around you, especially those at the birthday tables. Every party in that space is doing something great for the community, whether the party is one of the five that will offset the cost of a free party or the party is celebrating a child who might not have had a birthday celebration otherwise. The magic at those parties is truly incredible.

You’re Invited!

Join us for Willie Wiredhand’s 75th Birthday Party on June 12, 2025, at Incredible Mo’s!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Kitchen

MUSHROOM MASTERPIECES Explore creative and flavorful ways to cook with mushrooms.

WINNING RECIPE!

CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS Amanda Herbert, Midwest Energy & Communications

2 (8-ounce packs) fresh mushrooms ³⁄4 cup melted butter 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach 1 cup crab meat 12 ounces cream cheese ¹⁄2 teaspoon garlic salt ¹⁄2 teaspoon lemon pepper 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce ¹⁄2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce ³⁄4 teaspoon white wine Preheat oven to 350 F. Take stems out of mushrooms, rinse, then place in 13x9-inch baking dish. Mix all ingredients together.

Top mushrooms with mix. Bake immediately for 15 minutes, then broil till golden brown.

Serve and enjoy.

RECIPE CONTEST

Win a $100 energy bill credit!

Best Potato Dishes, 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.

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MOREL MUSHROOM MOUSSE Tamara Elhart, Great Lakes Energy 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature ¹⁄4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, room temperature ³⁄4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 tablespoon butter ¹⁄4 cup finely chopped onion ¹⁄2 cup chopped fresh morel mushrooms 2 tablespoons Marsala wine Using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, and white pepper. Mix until cream cheese and butter are fluffy. Melt another tablespoon of butter in small skillet over medium heat.

Add onions and sauté until onions are tender. Add mushrooms and sauté for 1 minute. Add Marsala wine to the skillet and allow juices to reduce to about 2 tablespoons of liquid. Remove from stove and allow mushroom mixture to cool completely.

Add mushroom mixture into cream cheese mixture and blend using electric mixture until fluffy and combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Remove and allow mousse to come to room temperature—serve with crackers.

STUFFED MUSHROOMS Debra Buback, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op 1 pound large whole white mushrooms 1 tablespoon butter ¹⁄2 cup finely chopped onion ¹⁄2 cup finely chopped green pepper 1 (5-ounce jar) Kraft Old English cheese spread 1 tablespoon Frank’s hot sauce, optional or to taste.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Wipe mushrooms clean, do not wash.

Remove stems and finely chop (I use a mini food processor to finely chop stems and veggies). In medium sauté pan, melt butter on medium heat, and add stems, onions, and green pepper. Sauté until soft and most of the liquid is cooked off.

Add cheese spread. Stir and mix well until cheese is melted.

Add Frank’s hot sauce, if using. Turn heat to low, and stuff mushrooms. Fill each as much as possible. Place on a sheet pan and bake about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

SULPHUR SHELF SNACK (AKA – CHICKEN OF THE WOODS) Kim Ison, Midwest Energy & Communications 1 tablespoon chopped onion 2 tablespoons of butter 2 cups cleaned sulphur shelf mushrooms, cut into bite-size pieces ³⁄4 cup chicken broth 1 clove of finely chopped garlic ¹⁄4 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons chopped parsley Sauté the onion in butter for 1 minute, add mushrooms, and stir until the butter is absorbed. Add the broth and cook for 15 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.

Add the garlic, sour cream, and salt. Stir over low until well blended. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve with crackers or toast rounds. Serve immediately.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 11

WILLIE WIREDHAND’S 75 YEARS of Promoting Rural Electric Cooperatives 1951 The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) officially adopted Willie Wiredhand as the national mascot of rural electric cooperatives.

1950 Willie Wiredhand was created by artist Andrew McLay.

1956 NRECA launched the program known as “Willie Wiredhand Dealers.” Through this program, local businesses who partnered with cooperatives could use Willie’s image to market products that used “dependable” co-op power.

12 MAY 2025

1952 Willie became the face of rural electrification.

Co-ops used him in advertising, outreach, and community events.

1957 NRECA won a court of appeals ruling, citing Willie Wiredhand did not infringe on the Reddy Kilowatt trademark.

1958

1960’s

Willie Wiredhand was front and center for the “Minutemen for Rural Electrification” campaign, focused on getting members to rally around co-op friendly legislation, which drew the support of Senator John F. Kennedy.

Willie Wiredhand continued to garner support for electric utilities and was featured in many marketing campaigns including The Willie Wiredhand Serenaders, a family band who hosted a local TV show in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri sponsored by local co-ops.

1967 & 1968 Willie Wiredhand made it to the pages of two comic books titled “Cousin Johnny Discovers Power in Rural America” and “It’s Annual Meeting Time for the Davis Family.”

2000 After some years out of the spotlight, Willie Wiredhand turned 50 and he made a comeback as a figure of rural electric cooperatives.

2025 Willie Wiredhand continues to be the mascot who “keeps plugging away” as we celebrate his 75th birthday at Cherryland’s 87th Annual Meeting.

Sources include: cooperative.com, indianaconnection.org, and wikipedia.org MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

RESTORING POWER, REBUILDING TOGETHER

By Emily Haines Lloyd

Ice can be beautiful— but not when it brings disaster to a region.

In Northern Michigan, beauty turned brutal in hours. What began as a quiet snowfall late on March 28 quickly escalated into a catastrophic ice storm, coating counties at the tip of the mitten in a thick, glassy shell.

Trees snapped under the weight of more than an inch of ice, power lines were pulled down like string, and thousands of electric poles splintered or collapsed under the strain.

Nearly 100,000 cooperative member homes and businesses lost power—many for far longer than expected.

This storm was one of the most challenging Michigan co-ops had ever faced. The damage wasn’t just widespread—it was layered and difficult to access. Heavy ice brought down trees and power lines, while relentless waves of snow, wind, and freezing rain made conditions too difficult and dangerous for crews to begin restoration work until day three. Downed lines were buried beneath tangled debris, and poles had snapped in remote, hard-to-reach areas. Great Lakes Energy (GLE), which typically replaces around 800 poles per year, replaced that many within the first three days once restoration could begin. Crews worked around the clock in brutal conditions, pushing through exhaustion and emotional strain, knowing thousands were still without power, heat, internet, and water.

Photo by Jeremy Bassett

Meteorologists called it a “generational” storm—comparable to a multi-day Category 5 hurricane. After the first wave, 99% of Presque Isle Electric & Gas (PIE&G) members had lost power— something that had never happened in the co-op’s 88-year history.

“We call this storm ‘unprecedented,’ because it is,” said Allan Berg, PIE&G CEO. “No other network in our state has been completely taken down like this. But our restoration work is also setting records.”

In a unique show of cross-functional mutual aid, not just lineworkers—but engineers, IT and administrative staff, vegetation management teams, logistics coordinators, and communicators— joined the effort. The situation called for everyone.

Despite the scope of damage, progress was steady. By April 14, most electric outages had been restored, with remaining pockets on track for rebuild and restoration in the days ahead.

The work now shifts to fiber network restoration alongside continued recovery of the electric system, including debris removal over thousands of miles of infrastructure.

But even amid crisis, the storm revealed something extraordinary: the strength and heart of the community.

Every Michigan co-op sent support, and others came from across the

country. Mutual aid crews worked side by side with local teams, sharing tools, resources, and long days. Their dedication was nothing short of heroic.

The Cooperative Difference

Community members stepped up, too.

Great Lakes Energy and Presque Isle Electric & Gas set up “Storm Camp” at the Otsego County Fairgrounds outside Gaylord. Staffed by volunteers, the site provided bunkhouses, meals, and laundry for a capacity of 1,200 field crews. Neighbors opened their homes. Businesses donated supplies.

Across Northern Michigan, people came together—not because they had to, but because that’s who we are.

While Northern Michigan battled ice, Southern Michigan was also hit hard. On March 30, 2025, severe thunderstorms tore through Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC)’s service area, bringing 80 mph winds and two tornadoes.

The storm snapped 140 poles and knocked out power to over 10,000 members at the peak—the largest storm the co-op had faced in at least 30 years.

"It's been amazing to see our team, but also contractors, families, mutual aid workers from across the country, volunteers from other co-ops, and our community—all show up to get power restored,” said Shaun Lamp, GLE CEO. “When you see people show up for one another, it’s humbling.”

MEC crews worked tirelessly through ongoing storms to restore service. Everyone—from lineworkers to dispatchers to warehouse teams—came together to get the lights back on.

Yes, ice can be beautiful—but its beauty fades when it freezes life in place. What lasts longer is the spirit of the people who faced it together: neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming friends, and a region proving that even in the harshest conditions, we endure—and we power on.

Follow the day-by-day restoration story at meca.coop/outage-center.

Then, they packed up and headed north.

Once their own system was restored, MEC crews joined mutual aid efforts to help storm-ravaged communities in Northern Michigan.

That’s the cooperative difference.

We don’t just serve—we show up.

Local teams. National reach. A shared commitment to keeping the lights on—together.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15

FUEL MIX REPORT

The fuel mix characteristics of Cherryland Electric Cooperative as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12-month period ending 12/31/24.

COMPARISON OF FUEL SOURCES USED Fuel source

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

Coal

16.679%

24.145%

Oil

0.264%

0.442%

Gas

24.569%

38.770%

Hydroelectric

0.415%

0.591%

Nuclear

41.889%

24.869%

Renewable Fuels

16.184%

11.183%

Biofuel

0.392%

0.673%

Biomass

0.143%

0.306%

Solar

1.721%

1.878%

Solid Waste Incineration

0.145%

0.138%

Wind

13.606%

7.863%

Wood

0.177%

0.325%

NOTE: Biomass excludes wood; solid waste incineration includes landfill gas; and wind includes a long-term renewable purchase power contract in Wolverine’s mix.

YOUR CO-OP’S FUEL MIX

REGIONAL AVERAGE FUEL MIX

EMISSIONS AND WASTE COMPARISON lbs/MWh Type of emission/waste

Your co-op

Regional average*

Sulfur Dioxide

0.52

0.85

Carbon Dioxide

675.0

1,060.2

Oxides of Nitrogen

0.40

0.70

High-Level Nuclear Waste

0.0101

0.0060

* Regional average information was obtained from the MPSC website and is for the 12-month period ending 12/31/24.

Cherryland purchases 100% of its electricity from Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc., which provided this fuel mix and environmental data.

16 MAY 2025

Cooperative Support:

Northern Michigan’s Ice Storm On Saturday, March 29, an ice storm hit Northern Michigan hard, knocking out power for tens of thousands. Cherryland's members made it through with just a few minor outages, but our cooperative neighbors weren't as fortunate.

This storm resulted in the most extensive restoration effort Michigan electric cooperatives have tackled in over 80 years. When the call for help came, Cherryland was right there to support our cooperative family. Everyone from linemen to engineers, drone operators, and communications staff lent a hand. Their dedication proves that together, we are stronger than any storm.

MI CO-OP Photo Contest

MICHIGAN’S FARMLANDS MOST VOTES

1. MOST VOTES Megan Scott– “When the pot of gold can be found at Amnesty Freedom Farm, one of Michigan’s Farmlands!”

2. Scott Hedberg–“Fall farmstead in Leelanau County” 3. Michael McCann–“My girls met the boyfriend and they are not impressed” 4. Amy Hernandez–“Apple harvest time on the Leelanau Peninsula” 5. Stacey Korycki–“Sunflowers”

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6. Mindy Garvin–“A beautiful end to a busy day”

Enter to win up to $200 off your energy bill!

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Submit Your “Michigan’s Waterfalls” Photos By May 25!

Submit your best photo and encourage your friends to vote!

The photo receiving the most votes in our Facebook contest will be printed in an issue of Country Lines, along with some of our other favorites. Our May theme is Michigan’s Waterfalls!

Photos can be submitted through May 25 to be featured in our July/August issue.

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit! To enter the contest, visit cherrylandelectric.coop/ photo-contest or visit facebook. com/cherrylandelectriccoop for a link to the current 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 2025, you will be entered to win a credit of up to $200 on your December 2025 bill.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

2025

NO BARRIERS ADVENTURES FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISABILITIES—APPLY BY MAY 15 FOR IN-PERSON EXPEDITIONS & EXPERIENCES TAKING PLACE JUNE-SEPTEMBER No Barriers Programs Serve: • • • •

Apply by May 15 to be considered!

People with disabilities Veterans with disabilities Youth with disabilities & their families Family caregivers

In-person programs run from June to September

Michigan electric cooperatives believe there should be “No Barriers” for people affected by disabilities. That’s the name and idea behind CoBank’s No Barriers initiative. Michigan cooperatives are seeking affected adults, veterans*, youth, and caregivers from our local community to participate in No Barriers’ multi-day basecamp experiences and backcountry experiences, where participants will learn to overcome challenges and leave ready to elevate their lives and communities.

Full and partial scholarship opportunities for qualified applicants** *Must have VA disability rating to be eligible. **Fundraising required for those who do not qualify for a scholarship.

Learn more & apply: nobarriersusa.org Contact us: info@nobarriersusa.org 970-484-3633, ext. 201

Don’t miss this chance to embark on an unforgettable journey.

Apply today!

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 25 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community.

March 2025 WINNER! Our Mystery Photo winner is Daryl Feldpausch, a HomeWorks Tri-County Cooperative member who correctly identified the photo as the Scott Sunken Garden in Lansing, Michigan.

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

18 MAY 2025

The Affordable Geothermal System for Rural Homeowners

Add a Well-Connect to your existing furnace in one day and heat & cool for half the cost for decades.

Financing, 30% Tax Credit, and Rebates Available SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE 1-833-GEOWELL wellconnectgeo.com

cherrylandelectric.coop

REMEMBER TO

VOTE!

Pre-voting in the 2025 Cherryland Electric Cooperative election is open now until June 11!

Visit our website to learn more.