May 2025 HomeWorks

HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative

May 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

RESTORING POWER, REBUILDING TOGETHER Tips For Electrical Safety Month

Refer A Friend To HomeWorks Connect & Earn $65

What Is 1 Megawatt Of Power?

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

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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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During Electrical Safety Month And Always, Let’s Think Safety First

By Jeffery Erridge, Safety & Loss Prevention Specialist OSCEOLA

CLARE

MECOSTA ISABELLA

MONTCALM GRATIOT

IONIA

BARRY

SAGINAW

CLINTON

EATON

INGHAM

JACKSON

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

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

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MAY 2025

At HomeWorks, we recognize Electrical Safety Month every May, but we also know the importance of practicing safety year-round. From our Co-op crews to you— the members we serve—we know that everyone has a part to play in prioritizing safety.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, thousands of people in the U.S. are critically injured or electrocuted as a result of electrical fires and accidents in their own homes. Most of these accidents are preventable.

Electricity is a necessity, and it powers our daily lives. But we know first-hand how dangerous electricity can be because we work with it 365 days a year.

To us at HomeWorks, safety is much more than a catchphrase—it’s our first thought and focus in everything we do. It has to be in order for us to keep our Co-op employees safe and to help keep you and all members of our community safe around the electricity and other products we provide. That’s why you’ll see the Co-op hosting safety presentations at community events and in schools throughout the year—to demonstrate the dangers of electricity.

Electricity is so embedded into our lives today that we don’t even think about it most of the time. That’s why we must work hard to keep electrical safety top of mind. In recognition of Electrical Safety Month, I’d like to pass along a few simple but important electrical safety tips for your home.

• Frayed wires pose a serious safety hazard. Power cords can become homeworks.org

damaged or frayed from age, heavy use, or excessive current flow through the wiring. If cords become frayed or cut, replace them because they could cause a shock when handled.

• Avoid overloading circuits. Circuits can only cope with a limited amount of electricity. Overload happens when you draw more electricity than a circuit can safely handle— by having too many devices running on one circuit.

• Label circuit breakers to understand the circuits in your home. Contact a qualified electrician if your home is more than 40 years old and you need to install multiple large appliances that consume large amounts of electricity.

• Use extension cords properly. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord, and don’t exceed the wattage of the cord. Extension cords should not be used as permanent solutions. If you need additional outlets, contact a licensed electrician for help.

I encourage you to talk with your kids about playing it safe around electricity, too, and use the fun word search on the following page to teach them how to check for potential electrical hazards around the house.

Our mission is to provide you with reliable services that enhance your quality of life. Our top priority, though, is to keep our community safe around the products we provide. For additional electrical safety tips or if you would like to discuss the possibility of HomeWorks providing a safety demonstration at your school or upcoming community event, visit HomeWorks.org/safety.

/homeworks.org

tricoenergy@homeworks.org

ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH WORD SEARCH May is Electrical Safety Month!

Read the safety tips below, then find and circle all the bolded words in the puzzle.

E J E Q L V T S O K F A B T T L S R Y S D E D D E H N Y X J E D A M A G E D B I J L G E V C N V J L H W M E B U R I T O T S C N K R W C D M S Q A N A R B M Z D G D S R R N R I Q I I J Z O F Y D F O C O D O L F C S C Y K R Z D O V N U V I D A Z U T O E F Q M T T B R B Q L K Y C K X A P N L A E J B W K I M W A Q A L E Z R N L Y E E Z K T A L M T A I G P X I D D R A Z A H S Y S R F J J I J E F E B A S P K L V M Z H L M E L E C T R O N I C S S N W T

WORD BANK: • Do not use any electrical cords that feel warm to the touch or are damaged in any way.

• Remind parents or adults in your home to test smoke alarms every month.

Alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.

• Do not overload electrical outlets. Overloading creates a potential fire hazard.

• Keep all liquids away from electronics, including TVs, computers, and gaming consoles.

• Do not run electrical cords under rugs or carpet. This creates a fire risk.

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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Spring Into Summer By Swapping Your Lawn Equipment Enjoy a more convenient and healthier spring and summer when you upgrade your lawn and landscaping equipment to electric versions! In addition to the many benefits of making the switch, HomeWorks residential members can take advantage of rebates for qualifying efficient products.

HomeWorks Energy Optimization Rebates up to $300

Convenient Charging

PRODUCT

QUALIFICATIONS

With electric lawn equipment, you can avoid fuel spills and enjoy the convenience of simply plugging in at home to recharge. Spend more time relaxing in your landscaped backyard and less time lugging gas canisters back and forth.

Electric WalkBehind Mower

Electric push or self-propelled walkbehind lawn mower. Battery-electric cordless. Must be charged within HomeWorks service territory. Limit 1.

$50

Quieter Operation

Electric Riding Lawn Mower

$300

No combustion motor means electric lawn equipment creates less noise pollution, something both you and your neighbors can appreciate.

Battery-electric riding lawn mower. Must be charged within HomeWorks service territory. Limit 1.

Electric String Trimmer

Battery-electric cordless. Limit 1.

$40

Electric Leaf Blower

Battery-electric cordless. Limit 1.

$40

Electric Chainsaw

Battery-electric cordless. Limit 1.

$40

Single-Stage Electric Snow Blower

Battery-electric cordless. Limit 1.

$50

Two-Stage Electric Snow Blower

Battery-electric cordless. Two-stage or dual-stage. Limit 1.

$200

Reduced Maintenance You don’t have to worry about regularly changing the oil or air filters in electric lawn equipment, nor the messy job of draining fuel for the winter.

Easier Maneuvering The lack of a motor makes electric lawn equipment lighter than gas-powered versions, and therefore easier to maneuver.

Zero Emissions According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), garden equipment engines produce up to 5% of

the nation’s air pollution. Since electric landscaping equipment does not utilize a combustion engine, there are zero emissions released.

REBATE

Cash rebates for electric lawn mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws (and snow blowers!) are available from the HomeWorks Energy Optimization program. For full details and information on how to apply, visit homeworks.org/eo or call 877-296-4319.

Electrify Your Lawn Care Enjoy quiet, convenience, and improved air quality when you make the switch to electric versions of your home lawn care equipment.

REBATES AVAILABLE FROM $40 - $300 homeworks.org/eo • 877-296-4319 Tri-County Electric Cooperative HomeWorks Energy Optimization programs and rebates are applicable to HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative electric service locations only. Rebate applies to qualified items purchased and installed between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Other restrictions may apply. For complete program details, visit homeworks.org/eo.

MI CO-OP Snap Shot

MICHIGAN’S FARMLANDS MOST VOTES

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1. MOST VOTES Patiently waiting for planting season #FarmLife #ReadyToWork. Holly Moeggenberg, Elwell 2. Misty morning in the field of soybeans. Debra Cook, Mt. Pleasant 3. Thank you, American farmers.

JoLynn Steffes, Edmore 4. Sunrise on the farm. Gail Weber, Fowler 5. Potato farm. Shanda Reichert, Blanchard 6. Admiring the country farmland views on a summer evening walk. Tamra Henning, Mt. Pleasant 7. Sunrise on the farm. Timothy Rasmussen, Lakeview 8. The old-fashioned way. Jennifer Lucas, Blanchard 9. Christmas tree farmland. Melissa Dutcher, Weidman 10. Rainbow over hayfield after the storm. Rita Wernette, Lake

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Enter to win a $100 energy bill credit!

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

Each month, HomeWorks members are able to submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo receiving the most votes is published here, along with some other selections from that month. Photos can be submitted through May 25 to be featured in our July/Aug. issue.

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

Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you, too. If your photo is published in Country Lines during 2025, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of four $100 credits on your December 2025 HomeWorks bill!

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

Loving Your HomeWorks Connect Internet?

You Could Earn a FREE MONTH*!

REFER YOUR NEIGHBOR TO SIGN UP FOR HOMEWORKS CONNECT

AND WE’LL CREDIT YOU BOTH $65!

We’re looking to expand our network, and we’re asking our members to help! If you’re happy with HomeWorks Connect’s high-speed fiber internet service at your home or business, share your happiness with your neighbors.

Here’s how it works: 1) Have your friend or neighbor mention your name when they sign up for HomeWorks Connect’s internet service at Join.HomeWorksConnect.org or by calling 800-668-8413.

2) You and your friend will both receive a free month of our Essential Experience package—or a $65 bill credit if you’re subscribed to a higher level of service—once their service is installed.

There’s no limit to how many referrals you can make! If you sign up 12 friends in 2025, you could have FREE INTERNET at the Essential Experience level for a whole year! So, tell those that you know—HomeWorks Connect is the way to go! *You and your friend will receive a $65 bill credit on your next bill, which will pay for one month of service on the Essential Experience plan, or will go toward your total bill if you subscribe to a higher level of service.

Help Your Neighbors Become Connectors Today!

Have them visit Join.HomeWorksConnect.org or call 800-668-8413 and be sure they mention your name!

This service is not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Your Board In Action

FUEL MIX REPORT

Meeting in Portland on March 24, your board of directors: •

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In a special open member meeting, unanimously elected for the Cooperative to participate in the Michigan Public Service Commission’s Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) at the state-mandated surcharge of $1.25 per meter per month for the 2025-26 heating season, to allow HomeWorks members to be eligible for any state or federal lowincome assistance.

Approved allocation of 2024 margins to HomeWorks members based on their patronage, including $2,329,782 for Tri-County Electric Cooperative and $2,398,144 for Wolverine Power Cooperative.

Unanimously approved staff’s recommendation to delay consideration of a general capital credit retirement until the fourth quarter of 2025.

•

Authorized an estate capital credit retirement of $54,081 to member estates, discounted to present value.

•

Approved management’s recommendation to use a portion of the 2019 unclaimed capital credits funds for the following donations: $50,000 to the Tri-County Electric People Fund; $8,000 to the HomeWorks college scholarship program; and $12,000 to three charitable organizations in the Co-op’s service area ($3,500 to the Wheatland Township Library; $3,500 to The Diaper Alliance in Midland; and $5,000 to the Michigan Center for 21st Century Teaching & Learning for its IM Kids 3rd Meal program).

•

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•

• •

•

Approved the retirement of the remaining balance of $110,406 of unclaimed capital credits from 2019 to donated capital.

Established a board redistricting committee and appointed directors Jake Borton, Luke Pohl, and Theresa Sopocy to the committee, with Director Pohl to serve as chair.

Accepted the Co-op’s annual audit report from a representative of Eide Bailly, LLP, a third-party CPA firm.

The fuel mix characteristics of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12-month period ended 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%

Discussed and accepted Board policies 401 – Assignment of Capital Credits, 403 – Long-Range Financial Management Plan, and 404 – Retirement of Capital Credits, as revised.

Biomass

0.143%

0.306%

Solar

1.721%

1.878%

Solid Waste Incineration

0.145%

0.138%

Wind

13.606%

7.863%

Learned there were 75 new members in February.

Wood

0.177%

0.325%

Reviewed the results of the Co-op’s recent cybersecurity penetration test.

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

Time Set Aside for Members to Comment Before Cooperative Board Meetings The first 15 minutes of every board meeting are available for members who wish to address the board of directors on any subject. The next meetings are scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 19 and June 23 at Portland. Members who wish to have items considered on the board agenda should call 517-647-7554 at least a week in advance of the meeting.

YOUR CO-OP’S FUEL MIX

REGIONAL AVERAGE FUEL MIX

Notice To Members Of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative March 24, 2025, Open Member Meeting Results The HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative Board of Directors, at a special open meeting held March 24, 2025, in accordance with P.A. 167 and P.A. 95, unanimously elected for the Co-op to opt into the Michigan Public Service Commission’s Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) at the state-mandated surcharge of $1.25 per meter per month for the 2025-26 heating season, to allow HomeWorks members to be eligible for any state or federal low income assistance.

For specific details of any HomeWorks tariffs or fees, please visit HomeWorks.org or call 800-562-8232.

Access To Rules And Rates As a member-customer (member) of HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative (Cooperative), the following information is available to you from the Cooperative, upon request: 1. Complete rate schedules; 2. Clear and concise explanation of all rates that the member may be eligible to receive; and 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.

For more information, visit homeworks.org or call 800-562-8232.

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.

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

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

If you have HomeWorks Connect, don't forget to call MISS DIG before digging to avoid damages to your fiber lines.

Michigan’s free & easy utility notification system.

For your safety and for the protection of underground utility lines, always follow these steps before starting any digging project: 1. C ontact MISS DIG at 811 or missdig.org.

2. W ait three business days for utility owners to mark their lines.

3. Respect the marks.

4. Dig with care.

Visit missdig.org for more information.

16 MAY 2025

What Is 1 MW?

Exploding demand for electricity, lingering supply chain challenges, and short-sighted public policy aimed at rapidly eliminating fossil fuels from power generation have forced large portions of the United States to confront unprecedented power shortages and soaring costs. This series of infographics looks at the most critical elements at play in this time of transition for our industry and our society. This month, we examine the familiar measurement of 1 megawatt and how much power is needed to supply common facilities in our communities.

Big Box Store 1 MW will power a typical large retail store.

Factory Facilities with heavy machinery can draw 1 MW of power.

Office Building 1 MW can power several medium-sized office buildings.

Hospital 1 MW will power a small hospital.

Power Plant Typical outputs: Coal: 500 MW to 1 GW Gas: 50 MW to 1 GW Nuclear: 500 MW to 1.5 GW 1 MW is 1 million watts of power.

School 0.5 MW will power a medium-sized public school.

Source: NRECA; Design: Jerry Mosemak

EV Charging 1 MW would power about 138 Level 2 chargers simultaneously.

Data Center 1 MW will power one small data center.

Other facilities that can draw up to 1 MW of power: • High-speed rail • Large farms • Wastewater treatment • Stadiums

Residential 1 MW can power 750 to 1,000 homes.

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

HomeWorks.org homeworks.org facebook.com/homeworks.org facebook.com/homeworks.org Report Outages: 1-800-848-9333

Don’t Forget To Attend Your Virtual District Meeting 2025 Meeting Dates: District 1: Monday, May 5 District 2: Tuesday, May 6 District 3: Wednesday, May 7 District 4: Thursday, May 8 District 5: Monday, May 12 District 6: Tuesday, May 13 District 7: Wednesday, May 14 Learn more about your Co-op, plus be entered to win big prizes just for logging on! We can’t wait to “see” you there!

HomeWorks.org/districtmeetings