WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY
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
Allendale
Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com
Berrien Springs WaterFurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeo thermal.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
Holland G.H.P. Systems Inc. (616)396-5833 ghpsystems-inc.com
Indian River M&M Plmb & Htg (231)238-7201 mm-plumbing.com
Lansing Candor Mechanical (517)920-0890 candormechanical.com
Michigan Center Comfort 1/Air Serv of Southern Michigan (517)764-1500 airserv.com/southernmichigan/
Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989)772-4822 waltonheating.com
Portage Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com
Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517)647-6906 esiheating.com
Sunfield
Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com
Three Rivers Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com
Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231)943-1000 geofurnace.com
CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES
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
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.
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.
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
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.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Howard Bowersox, Chair, District 8 219-670-0977
hbowersox@glenergy.com
Janet Andersen, Vice Chair, District 6 231-690-4622 jandersen@glenergy.com
Paul Byl, Secretary, District 7 231-742-2643 pbyl@glenergy.com
Dale Farrier, Treasurer, District 5 231-564-0853 dfarrier@glenergy.com
Mark Carson, District 2 231-675-0561 mcarson@glenergy.com
David Coveyou, Director, District 1 231-347-4056 dcoveyou@glenergy.com
Richard Evans, Director, District 3 231-883-3146 revans@glenergy.com
John LaForge, Director, District 9 269-623-2284 jlaforge@glenergy.com
Mary O’Connell, Director, District 4 517-974-5797 moconnell@glenergy.com
PRESIDENT/CEO: Shaun Lamp 888-485-2537
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Brett Streby 231-487-1389 • bstreby@glenergy.com
BOYNE CITY HEADQUARTERS 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712
Call center hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. M–F Phone: 888-485-2537
Email: glenergy@glenergy.com
TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: Call 888-485-2537 or login to your account at gtlakes.com or the GLE mobile app.
Change of Address: 888-485-2537, ext. 8924
An Unprecedented Storm Response
By Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO
The first weeks of April have shown me a lot about the adaptability, fortitude, and resiliency of our employees, our members, and the communities we serve.
Following the ice storms that caused massive damage to the infrastructure in the northern portions of our service area and left tens of thousands of our members without power and fiber internet service, we’ve frequently used the word “unprecedented.”
Although it’s a word that sometimes is overused, it’s really the best way to describe so much about what happened and how we responded.
Never before have we experienced this level of damage to our infrastructure or this amount of prolonged impact on our members, our employees, and the community.
It has truly been a time full of firsts. I’d like to share a few of them with you.
We’ve responded to major storms in the past, but nothing on this scale. In addition to our dedicated crews and field managers, we had help from other cooperatives and contract crews from all over the country. With more than 1,600 field staff working long hours, there weren’t nearly enough hotel rooms in the area to house them all. So, for the first time in our history, we established a Storm Camp in partnership with our neighboring co-op, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Cooperative, at the Otsego County Fairgrounds. The camp not only
provided food, lodging, and laundry services for field crews, but it also helped free up area hotel rooms for members who were without power.
The scope of this response also prompted other firsts, such as establishing an emergency operations center at our Boyne City headquarters and bringing tanker trucks to staging areas to expedite vehicle fueling. We also brought staff from other co-ops into areas other than operations, including our dispatch, warehouse, and communications departments, to assist with all of the work.
Many of our staff took on other behind-the-scenes tasks outside of their usual roles. It was truly an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to ensure member calls were answered, materials were readily available to field crews, and field crews from outside our area were guided to the right locations, among many other tasks. The dedication and teamwork displayed were truly remarkable.
Finally, the level of support—both in words and deeds—that we have received from our members, employees and their families, contractors, other co-ops, and the community in the wake of these storms is nothing short of unprecedented. For this, I and the GLE board of directors extend our heartfelt thanks!
While the impacts of these storms will be felt here at GLE and within our communities for a long time to come, so will our sense of pride in being part of a cooperative and community that is able to respond in troubled times with grit, determination, and caring.
Ice Storm 2025
66,708 Members restored:
3,115 Poles replaced: Time to replace one pole: 4-8 hours
Line and Tree Personnel:
1,519
Vehicles and equipment used: 1,100
Gallons of fuel:
86,517 Recovery Efforts Ongoing
*The above data was current as of April 17
Beds at Storm Camp:
1,100
Outage calls handled by member services:
18,667
Minimum time spent on pole replacement alone: 3,115 X 4 hours = 12,460 work hours that equals 1.42 years
Miles of line affected: 4,316 that’s farther than the distance from Boyne City to Milan, Italy
Meals for field crews: 6,500+ includes 1,300 pounds of fruit and 9,500 beef jerky sticks.
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-fi lled 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 fl eeting 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 fi nd 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 fi nds the most is awarded a prize.
Savor the Flavor:
stuffed ravioli to creamy morel soups and savory morel stroganoff, food is at the heart of the festival.
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-
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 fi ne 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.
NOMINATE A NONPROFIT FOR A GRANT
One of the many ways Great Lakes Energy seeks to empower its members is by giving them a direct say in how grants from one of our community outreach programs are distributed. From May 5–23, GLE is encouraging members to nominate a nonprofit organization that is making a difference in their communities to be considered for one of three $10,000 grants offered through the Community Grant Giveaway program.
Members can visit gtlakes.com/community-grant-giveaway through 5 p.m. on May 23 to nominate a deserving nonprofit 501(c)3 group in their area. Organizations are not required to receive electric service from GLE to be eligible for a Community Grant Giveaway nomination. After the nominating period closes, GLE staff will review the submissions and create a list of finalists for the cooperative’s north, central, and south regions.
Then, from June 9–20 members may return to the same site to vote on which organizations among the finalists from their area will receive one of the three $10,000 grants. One vote is allowed per member.
Completing a nomination and voting only takes a few minutes and gives GLE members an opportunity to help guide how this program makes a difference in their communities.
May 5–23 NONPROFITS SELECTED May 24–June 8 ONLINE VOTING June 9–20
Visit gtlakes.com/community-grant-giveaway to see a full list of the 2024 winners and finalists, see complete rules for the program, and nominate the local nonprofit that is most meaningful to you. GRANTS AWARDED Mid-July ONLINE NOMINATIONS
In the past four years, $78,000 in grants has been awarded through the Community Grant Giveaway program, which is made possible through a partnership between GLE and one of its lenders, CoBank.
MICHIGAN’S FARMLANDS
1. MOST VOTES Wildflowers and cattle, Corri Riebow, Paris
2. The next generation, Victoria Eilers, New Era
3. Country roads and morning gold, Jodi Lytle, Fife Lake
4. Making hay while the sun shines, Kathy Winter, Petoskey
5. Home sweet home: a view from the fields, Vegas Seguin, Pierson
6. Let the sun shine down on me, Debbie Andrews, Reed City
Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit!
Submit Your “Michigan’s Waterfalls” Photos By May 25 Each month, members can submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo with the most votes is published here, along with other selections.
Our May theme is Michigan’s Waterfalls. Photos can be submitted by May 25 to be featured in the July/Aug. issue.
How To Enter: Enter the contest at gtlakes.com/ photocontest/. Make sure to vote and encourage others to vote for you, too. The photo receiving the most votes will be printed in an issue of Michigan Country Lines along with other favorites. All photos printed in the magazine in 2025 will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 bill credit in December 2025.
MUSHROOM MASTERPIECES
Explore creative and flavorful ways to cook with mushrooms.
RECIPE CONTEST Win a $100 energy bill credit!
WINNING RECIPE!
CRAB STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Amanda Herbert, Midwest Energy & Communications
2 (8-ounce packs) fresh mushrooms
³⁄4 cup melted butter
1 cup fi nely 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.
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
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 fi nely 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 fi nely chopped onion
¹⁄2 cup fi nely 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 fi nely chop (I use a mini food processor to fi nely 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 fi nely 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.
Building Community Connections
As your member-owned not-for-profit electric cooperative, Great Lakes Energy understands the important role we play in empowering you. Although our primary focus is providing you with the reliable electric and internet services you depend on, we also strive to connect with our members and the community in many other meaningful ways.
SCHOLARSHIPS
GLE offers scholarships of $1,000–$2,500 for students pursuing careers in electrical engineering, information technology, or electrical linework.
Austin Hinkley, of Stanwood, was a 2024 recipient of a $2,500 scholarship from GLE. He is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at the University of Michigan and plans to work in the energy industry.
“As the oldest of three children, my parents must also help support my two siblings behind me in paying for college. Thanks to this scholarship, I will have less worry about financing my college education,” he said.
CLASSROOM GRANTS YOUTH TOUR
Each year, we offer grants worth up to $2,000 to schools that educate children of GLE members to fund innovative programs, particularly those involving technology or equipment that will enrich students’ education. Since the program began in 2012, GLE has funded 222 projects, and it will award up to $30,000 in total grants for the 2025-26 school year.
One of the 2024 grant recipients was Pentwater Public Schools, which received a $599 classroom grant to pay for a hydroponics growing system for the secondgrade classroom.
GLE sends four high school sophomores or juniors to Washington, D.C., each year to participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. This all-expenses-paid trip gives students the chance to learn about leadership, civic engagement, and the cooperative spirit. Participants explore monuments and museums, meet with a member of Congress, and make lifelong friends with other students from across the country.
Reflecting on his trip, David Wahl, a 2024 Youth Tour participant from Gaylord, said, “I would have given anything to stay there with my newfound friends and continue to soak in all the history and culture of our nation’s capital.”
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Electrical Safety Checklist
Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets. If you need to use an extension cord for a long period of time, consider having an electrician install a new outlet where needed.
FUEL MIX REPORT
The fuel mix characteristics of Great Lakes Energy Cooperative as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12-month period ending 12/31/24.
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X
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Never use electrical equipment near water, and unplug small kitchen and bathroom appliances when not in use.
Make sure all outdoor outlets and those in bathrooms, kitchens, and other locations where moisture may be nearby are ground fault circuit interrupter outlets.
X Do not overload outlets or power strips.
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In households with young children, use safety caps for all unused outlets. X X
Be aware of outlets or switches that feel warm. If you notice this or you are having recurring problems with blowing fuses, tripped circuit breakers, or flickering lights, call an electrician for help.
Watch out for electrical cords that are damaged, and make sure they aren’t pinched by furniture, windows, or doors.
Be sure to sign up for outage notifications so you can be prepared and safe when an outage happens.
Do not approach or interact with our lineworkers while they are engaged in outage restoration work. Scan this QR code with your smart phone to watch a video with more storm-related safety tips.
ACCESS TO RULES AND RATES
Please be advised that the following information is available to Great Lakes Energy members:
1. Complete rate schedules;
2. Clear and concise explanation of all rates that the member may be eligible to receive;
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 visiting gtlakes.com or contacting Great Lakes Energy at 1-888-485-2537.
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 diffi cult to access. Heavy ice brought down trees and power lines, while relentless waves of snow, wind, and freezing rain made conditions too diffi cult 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 fi rst 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.
Meteorologists called it a “generational” storm—comparable to a multi-day Category 5 hurricane. After the fi rst 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 fi ber 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.
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 fi eld 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.
"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.”
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.
The Cooperative Difference
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.
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.
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.
Photo by Jeremy Bassett
Advanced Metering Project Continues
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, Great Lakes Energy is in the midst of a multi-year project to replace all of the electric meters in our distribution system with the next generation of high-tech devices. This project, which began in late 2022 following many months of research and testing, will enhance the service for our members for many years to come.
These meter replacements are necessary to keep our electrical distribution infrastructure up to date and ready to meet the challenges of a modern grid. The meters that GLE has been using for many years are nearing the end of their life expectancy and are being phased out or discontinued in favor of newer technologies.
While the old meters communicate with our headquarters using outdated technology, the new meters use a system similar to that used in cell phones.
Beyond the practical need for replacement, the new meters offer many other benefits:
• Usage data is broken down into 15-minute increments that will further help members evaluate and adjust their energy usage.
• Automatic outage notification means the new meters will provide us faster, more precise notifications when your power is out.
• More precise outage data will help expedite restoration efforts.
• Alarms for high and low voltage and other abnormalities, which will allow problems to be resolved faster.
• High-temperature alarms automatically disconnect power, which may prevent damage to your home and/or its systems.
• Capability for future rate and billing options.
A major project
Great Lakes Energy has more than 130,000 electric meters in its system. So far, we’ve replaced about 14,000 meters. We are planning to replace about 35,000 meters in 2025 and about 40,000 in each of the following two years. During this same three-year period, we will be replacing infrastructure on nearly 300 miles of power lines, installing dozens of smart grid devices, and clearing vegetation along roughly 4,200 miles of power line rights-of-way.
All of this work is taking place to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our members.
A storm story
Although not yet fully deployed, the new meters that are already active in our system showed their value during the recent ice storms that caused extensive damage across the northern portions of our operations team had better information about the extent of outages and progress of restoration thanks to the meters’ advanced features.
New
Advanced Meters
Q
HOW DO THE NEW METERS WORK?
A: Each meter is equipped with a small, low-power radio transmitter that emits a signal for a few seconds once per hour, securely transmitting usage and other data to a nearby antenna, which then sends the data to GLE’s servers using fiber or cellular.
Q
WHO WILL BE REPLACING THE METERS?
A: Most of the meter replacements will be done by a contractor GLE has partnered with to expedite the changeover process and keep our crews available for regular maintenance, new construction, and outage restoration work as needed.
Q
WILL I RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION BEFORE MY METER IS REPLACED?
A: Yes, you will receive an automated phone call to the contact phone number listed on your account notifying you that your meter change will take place within the next 30 days. You can verify that your account contact information is correct and make updates through your GLE online account, the GLE mobile app, or by calling (888)-485-2537 and speaking with a member service representative. Contractors, who will have identification with them, will knock on members’ doors when they arrive to replace your meter.
Q DO I NEED TO BE HOME WHEN THE METER IS CHANGED?
A: No. As long as your meter is safely accessible, you do not need to be present when it is replaced.
Q WILL POWER BE DISCONNECTED WHEN THE METER IS CHANGED?
A: Yes. Your electric service will be interrupted for a short time while your meter is replaced. Typically, this interruption lasts five minutes or less.
Q WHERE WILL THESE METERS BE INSTALLED THIS YEAR?
A: In 2025, crews will target members in our Boyne, Petoskey, Wayland, Newaygo, and Hart service areas.
Modernization efforts such as these new meters are yet another way GLE works to ensure the best service and value for its members.
More information on the metering upgrade is available online at gtlakes.com/faq/.
NO BARRIERS 2025
No Barriers Programs Serve:
• People with disabilities
• Veterans with disabilities
• Youth with disabilities & their families
• Family caregivers
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.
Apply by May 15 to be considered!
In-person programs run from June to September
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!
Where In Michigan Is This?
March 2025 WINNER!
Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September, and November/December.
/greatlakesenergy
To the lineworkers, employees, mutual aid crews, emergency responders, volunteers, and supportive community members—thank you.
In the aftermath of one of the most severe ice storms our region has ever faced, the strength, skill, and unwavering dedication of our teams lit the way forward. Line by line, pole by pole, they worked around the clock in the harshest conditions to restore power, hope, and connection.
To the communities and volunteers who opened their doors, offered meals, provided shelter, and cheered our crews on—your kindness and generosity reminded us that even in the coldest storms, we are never alone.
This storm tested us all, but it also revealed something powerful: the heart of a community that comes together, shows up, and stands strong in the face of adversity. From all of us—thank you for your resilience, your support, and for reminding us what