May 2025 Thumb

Thumb Electric Cooperative

May/June 2025

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

RESTORING POWER, REBUILDING TOGETHER TEC Directors on Wolverine Board

Meet Your Director Candidates

Annual Meeting— Is June 7

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT1

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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

3

Co-op Power

How TEC’s Board Representation Strengthens Member Voices

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS HURON COUNTY Randall Dhyse, Treasurer District 1 • 989-658-6013 Craig Osentoski, Director District 2 • 989-658-6003 Erica Weidman, Director District 3 • 989-658-6004 SANILAC COUNTY Kim Nunn, Vice President District 1 • 989-658-6005 Mike Briolat, Secretary District 2 • 989-658-6006 Duane Kursinsky, Director District 3 • 989-658-6007 TUSCOLA COUNTY Louis Wenzlaff, Director District 1 • 989-658-6008 Jonathan Findlay, President District 2 • 989-658-6010 Matt Sommer, Director District 3 • 989-658-6012 Brad Essenmacher, General Manager Marketing and Communications: Mitch Hirn, CCC, mhirn@tecmi.coop

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

HURON

TUSCOLA

SANILAC

Thumb Electric Cooperative (TEC) is proud to be a cooperative, owned by and operated for the benefit of our members. That’s why our transition to Wolverine Power Cooperative (Wolverine) as a memberowner in January 2025 is a natural fit—one that strengthens our ability to deliver reliable, cost-effective energy while ensuring our members have a voice in their power supply.

For years, TEC members have experienced the advantages of cooperative membership, from local decision-making to reinvestment in our communities. Now, by moving from an investor-owned utility (IOU) generation supplier to Wolverine— a cooperative generation supplier— TEC benefits from the same memberfocused model at every level of our power supply. Instead of answering to shareholders, Wolverine’s structure ensures that decisions prioritize reliability, affordability, and longterm sustainability for its members, including TEC. A key part of this transition is TEC’s representation on Wolverine’s board of directors. We are pleased to share that two of our directors, Kim Nunn (Sanilac County—District 1) and Craig Osentoski (Huron County—District 2), have joined Wolverine’s board, ensuring that TEC members have a direct voice in shaping policies and investments that impact their electric service. Their leadership helps guide Wolverine’s strategic direction alongside representatives from its other distribution member cooperatives: Cherryland Electric tecmi.coop

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MAY 2025

Cooperative, Great Lakes Energy, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Midwest Energy & Communications, and Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op. Together, these cooperatives work to maintain a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable power supply for all members.

As part of Wolverine, TEC gains greater influence over infrastructure investments, energy innovations, and policy decisions that directly affect our members. With energy regulations evolving and Michigan increasing its focus on renewable energy, TEC now has a stronger platform to advocate for solutions that enhance reliability and affordability. Wolverine’s diverse energy mix—including natural gas generation, wind and solar power, and its future partnership with the Palisades nuclear plant—ensures that our members benefit from a resilient and forward-thinking power strategy.

The cooperative model thrives on collaboration, and TEC’s membership in Wolverine reinforces our shared commitment to local decision-making, transparency, and community-driven progress. With Nunn and Osentoski representing TEC on Wolverine’s board, we are well-positioned to help shape the future of energy for our members while ensuring they continue to receive reliable, competitively priced electricity.

As longtime advocates for cooperative principles, Nunn and Osentoski bring valuable perspectives to Wolverine’s board. Learn more about their backgrounds, their vision for TEC’s future, and what this new role means for our members.

/thumbelectric

@thumbelectric

Q&A with Wolverine Power Cooperative’s New Board Directors:

Kim Nunn & Craig Osentoski Q: What does it mean for Thumb Electric Cooperative (TEC) to have representation on Wolverine’s board?

Kim Nunn: Having two directors from TEC on Wolverine’s board makes sure our members’ voices are heard at the highest level. Unlike IOUs (investor-owned utilities), where customers have no representation, electric cooperatives give members a say in decisions that impact them. It’s an important responsibility, and I’m honored to serve.

Craig Osentoski: It’s about keeping Thumb members informed and making sure their needs are considered.

We bring firsthand knowledge of our community, and we can bring concerns directly to Wolverine’s leadership. That local connection is what makes cooperatives different.

Q: Kim, you’ve served on the Thumb board for 38 years. What changes have you seen during that time?

Kim Nunn: When I first joined, TEC was strictly an electricity provider.

Since then, we’ve expanded. Now, with fiber broadband, we've grown in ways we never could have imagined years ago. The biggest shift has been how cooperatives continue to change to improve rural living. With fiber, for example, what once seemed impossible—high-speed internet for rural homes—is now a reality.

Q: Craig, you’ve been on the Thumb board for four years. What do you and Kim bring to Wolverine as a team?

Craig Osentoski: We have a great balance. Kim brings nearly four decades of experience; I'm the new guy. But this is a new role for both of us, so we’re learning together. What we both believe strongly in is the power of listening. We’ve only had a few Wolverine board meetings so far, but it’s clear that this board is smart, capable, and passionate about serving the members.

Kim Nunn: The members. Their trust and support over the years mean everything. Representation matters— it’s about making sure their voices are heard and that we’re always looking to improve rural living.

Q: What drew you to serve on TEC’s board and expand that to representing Thumb on the Wolverine board?

Kim Nunn: I have been married to my wife, Cindy, for 46 years, have two children, and three grandchildren.

Family is very important to me and their support has been great. It’s allowed me to do this work for as long as I have.

Kim Nunn: My dad served on community boards—I could see that it was important to not only be part of a community, but to serve it.

Craig Osentoski: I’ve always been interested in problem-solving and making things run better. I first got involved after hearing a misconception in the community about TEC and a cable company—it made me realize how important it is to be informed and engaged. My interactions with TEC on that issue revealed it was so well-run, I knew I wanted to help them succeed. My great-grandfather was on the first TEC board of directors, so it’s definitely in the family blood.

Q: Kim, as you approach four decades of board service, what keeps you motivated?

Q: You both mention how your families’ support has been critical to your board service—what does that mean to you?

Craig Osentoski: My wife, Kelly Jo, and I have two children and one grandchild that are so important to us. Kelly Jo was school board president for several years and I saw how hard she worked to help others. Now it’s my turn to serve.

Q: Anything you’d like to say to Thumb members?

Kim Nunn: Thank you for your support over the past 38 years. It’s an honor to continue representing you.

Craig Osentoski: We’re here to listen and serve. If you have questions or concerns, reach out—we want to hear from you.

Power Supply Cost Recovery (PSCR) Quarter 1 Year

Month

Max Authorized

Actual Factor Billed—Rate's IEH, ES, TOD, GS-TOD

Actual Factor Billed— All other rates

2025

January

-$0.00200

$0.00000

-$0.00200

2025

February

$0.04000

$0.02000

$0.01740

2025

March

$0.04000

$0.02000

$0.01740

2025

April

$0.04000

2025

May

$0.04000

2025

June

$0.04000

2025

July

$0.04000

2025

August

$0.04000

2025

September

$0.04000

2025

October

$0.04000

2025

November

$0.04000

2025

December

$0.04000

*For all rates and tariffs, please see our website tecmi.coop. ** PSCR factors starting in February reflect changes in power supply costs starting in 2025 due in part to the State of Michigan’s new energy law. For further information on PSCR, see the article on page 5 of the March/April Country Lines issue.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

5

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

7

Power Supply Electricity use is rapidly increasing across the country, with peak national demand set to skyrocket by an estimated 38 gigawatts over the next four years. New capacity, from both fossil fuels and renewables, will need to be built (along with new transmission, energy storage, and demand management), but there are large differences between the various generation types. Here’s how much of each would be required to meet the need.

Firm Power Fossil Fuel Plants

50 75

average-sized coal plants (750 MW each) average gas plants (500 MW each)

38

average nuclear or large hydro plants (1 GW each)

Solar

127,000,000

solar panels* (300 W each)

At ~6 acres per megawatt, this would require 228,000 acres (or 356 square miles) of land.

Wind

15,000

modern wind turbines* (3.5 MW each)

*Intermittency and low capacity factor for solar (15-30%) and wind (30-40%) means peak generation will not always coincide with peak demand. Facilities would need to be significantly overbuilt and large amounts of battery storage would be needed to preserve round-the-clock reliability.

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MAY 2025

Sources: NRECA and Grid Strategies; Design: Jerry Mosemak, Jen Wheeler, Riva Cho

Nuclear and Hydropower

Intermittent Power

MI CO-OP Photo Contest

MICHIGAN’S FARMLANDS MOST VOTES

1. MOST VOTES Peaceful oasis in Akron.

Tiffany Cantrell 2. Beautiful night on the farm. Kathryn Volmering 3. Enjoying a beautiful summer day, making hay!

April Taylor 4. Happy moos.

Annette Decker

1

2

5. Helping pick strawberries.

Carol Harmon 6. Farm in Lapeer, MI. Regina Green

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

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

Submit your best photo and encourage friends to vote! The photo with the most votes will be featured in Country Lines, along with other favorites, in the July/August issue.

Enter Your Photos And Win A Bill Credit! To enter the contest, visit tecmi.coop/ photo-contest. Enter your picture, cast your vote, and encourage others to vote for you as well. If your photo is printed in Country Lines during 2025, you will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of four $50 credits on your December 2025 bill.

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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.

10 MAY 2025

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

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

MEET THE DIRECTOR CANDIDATES Huron County – District 1

Sanilac County – District 1

Tuscola County – District 1

Randall Dhyse (Incumbent)

Kim Nunn (Incumbent)

Louis Wenzlaff (Incumbent)

Randy Dhyse owns and operates a crop and livestock operation in northern Huron County, in partnership with his brother.

He has been a member of Thumb Electric Cooperative since 1987.

Kim Nunn was born and raised in the Croswell area and has been a Thumb Electric Cooperative member since 1978.

Kim graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He has been involved with agriculture over the last 40 years.

Louis Wenzlaff is retired from Sanilac Medical Facility in Sandusky after serving 23 years as administrator. Previous to that, he was the chief executive officer of the Kingston State Bank for 22 years. He still is a part-time farmer with his two sons.

Randy has lived in Huron County his entire life, except for time spent attending Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 45 years and have three sons and four grandchildren.

Randy has served on Thumb Electric’s board of directors since 1999, and he currently serves as board treasurer. He is a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Kinde, where he also serves as the church treasurer.

As a TEC board member, Randy has strived to stay informed and understand the many issues that affect TEC as your energy provider. Representing the needs of co-op members and continuing to have Thumb Electric as a viable and reliable source of electricity and fiber internet will be Randy’s goals.

Kim has served on TEC’s board of directors since 1987 and is currently the vice president. He is the president of Thumb Energy Services Corporation, and he is also on the Wolverine Power board of directors.

Kim is a member of the Croswell United Methodist Church. He is retired from the Croswell fair board after 35 years. He is also a director on the Mid Thumb Bowling Association.

Kim and his wife, Cindy, have been married for 46 years and have two children, Andrea (married to Wally) and Brandon (married to Kristina). They have three special grandchildren, Clare, Haydn, and Blake.

“As a board member, it is very important to keep your members in mind when making board decisions and to always keep an adequate supply of electricity available,” said Kim. “Keeping up with changing technology is also very important. Fiberto-the-Home internet has been a very big project for us, but it is something that is very much needed in the rural areas for our members.” Keeping the lights on will always be a high priority for Kim.

Raised in the Kingston area, Louis has been a member of Thumb Electric since 1958. He has served on TEC’s board of directors since 1977. Louis is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a business degree.

He is a member of Kingston Global Methodist Church and previously served on the Kingston Community School Board for 32 years. Louis and his wife, Sharon, have five children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

As a board member, his goals are to help ensure the co-op runs efficiently, reliable service is provided to all members at a competitive price, the cooperative has an adequate and reliable power supply, the infrastructure is kept updated and reliable, and employees are working safely and are meeting or exceeding the members’ needs. He looks forward to broadband high-speed internet being available to all co-op members so the families can have the latest technology available.

TEC received no other petition requests for the 2025 board of directors seats. If you would like to run as a candidate in the 2026 election, watch for upcoming notifications in Country Lines magazine or call our office for details on how to do so.

12 MAY 2025

FUEL MIX REPORT

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

Holiday Office Closings

COMPARISON OF FUEL SOURCES USED

Memorial Day, Monday, May 26

Fuel source

Independence Day, Friday, July 4

Line crews are available 24/7 for outage response. Please call 800-327-0166.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

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

Coal

0%

24.145%

Oil

0%

0.442%

Gas

85%

38.770%

Hydroelectric

0%

0.591%

Nuclear

0%

24.869%

Renewable Fuels

15%

11.183%

Biofuel

0%

0.673%

Biomass

15%

0.306%

Solar

0%

1.878%

Solid Waste Incineration

0%

0.138%

Wind

0%

7.863%

Wood

0%

0.325%

The Annual Meeting of the members of Thumb Electric Cooperative of Michigan will be held at the Thumb Octagon Barn, 6948 Richie Road, Gagetown, Michigan, at 10 a.m. on June 7, 2025, to take action on the following matters:

YOUR CO-OP’S FUEL MIX

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

2. The election of one director from Huron County – District 1, one director from Sanilac County – District 1, and one director from Tuscola County – District 1 to the board of directors of the cooperative.

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

Dated: April 15, 2025 MIKE BRIOLAT, Secretary

REGIONAL AVERAGE FUEL MIX

ACCESS TO RULES AND RATES Please be advised that the following information is available to Thumb Electric Cooperative 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 contacting Thumb Electric Cooperative at 800-327-0166.

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

Your co-op

Sulfur Dioxide

0.25

0.85

Carbon Dioxide

897

1,060.2

Oxides of Nitrogen

0.23

0.70

0

0.0060

High-Level Nuclear Waste

Regional average*

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

The fuel mix data presented by Thumb Electric is the data from CMS Energy, which supplied nearly all of Thumb Electric’s purchase power through 12/31/24.

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

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

THUMB ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE OF MICHIGAN 86TH ANNUAL MEETING The Eighty-Sixth Annual Meeting of Thumb Electric of Michigan was held at the Thumb Octagon Barn in Gagetown, Tuscola County, Michigan, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, pursuant to call and notice thereof given to each member of the Cooperative and pursuant to the laws of the State of Michigan.

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

President Findlay introduced the members of the Cooperative’s Board of Directors and Board Officers as follows: • Jonathan Findlay, President, Tuscola County • K im Nunn, Vice-President, Sanilac County • Randall Dhyse, Treasurer, Huron County • Michael Briolat, Secretary, Sanilac County • Matt Sommer, Tuscola County • Erica Peruski, Huron County • Craig Osentoski, Huron County General Manager Brad Essenmacher and Cooperative Attorney Kyle O’Mara were also introduced. Directors Duane Kursinsky of Sanilac County and Louis Wenzlaff of Tuscola County were not present.

The reading of the Notice of the Meeting and Affidavit of Mailing thereof to all the Cooperative members within the time prescribed by the Cooperative Bylaws was dispensed with; it having been published in Country Lines. A copy of the Notice and Affidavit is attached to these minutes and incorporated herein.

The President reported that the members of the Cooperative present in person had been checked by the registration of names of the members and the names of the members who had submitted mail-in or electronic ballots had been duly recorded. He declared that based upon said records, a quorum of the members was present in accordance with the Bylaws of the Cooperative.

The President also reported that members of the Cooperative were present at the meeting in person, by mail-in ballot, and by electronic ballot, all of said members being named and described as to their county of residence and as to their method of

16 MAY 2025

attendance. The report of ballots submitted in advance of the meeting were ordered filed in the records of the Cooperative.

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

The Treasurer’s Report to the Eighty-Sixth Annual Meeting was not read since a copy of same had been mailed to each of the members. There being no amendments thereto or questions upon the matters contained therein, upon motion duly made, seconded and carried, the report was approved as presented.

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

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

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

The next order of business was the election of three Directors, one each from Huron County District 2, Sanilac County District 2, and Tuscola County District 2.

The director positions are for three-year terms each.

The following attendees were appointed as Inspectors of the Election, all of whom were sworn to the faithful performance of

their duties by the Cooperative’s Attorney, Kyle T. O’Mara, who is also a notary public: • Allan Gillespie • Elwin Koth • Elwin Richardson Kyle O’Mara advised the meeting that each of the incumbent directors with expiring terms submitted valid nominating petitions to appear on the ballot. No challengers submitted petitions. Each candidate was then introduced and invited to address the members for up to five minutes.

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

Kyle O’Mara turned the meeting back over to President Findlay.

The President then asked if there was any old business to address. There being none; he asked for new business. There being none, he announced several legislative guest speakers. Each legislator and/or their representative were invited to address the members for up to five minutes.

Following the presentations of the legislators, Kyle O’Mara announced the results of the tabulation of votes, including in-person, mail-in, and electronic ballots, which were as follows: • H uron County – District 2: Craig Osentoski (Incumbent) – 326 votes • Sanilac County - District 2: Mike Briolat (Incumbent) – 316 votes • Tuscola County – District 2: Jonathan Findlay (Incumbent) – 328 votes The elected Directors were declared to be Craig Osentoski from Huron County – District 2, Mike Briolat from Sanilac County – District 2, and Jonathan Findlay from Tuscola County – District 2.

There being no other business before the Board, on motion made and unanimously carried, the Annual Meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. The members were released to enjoy lunch and the provided entertainment.

MIKE BRIOLAT, Secretary APPROVED BY:JONATHAN FINDLAY, President

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!

FINANCIAL STATEMENT BALANCE SHEETS Thumb Electric Cooperative: Dec. 31, 2024, & 2023

ASSETS

2024

2023 Accrued expenses

177,612

184,911,162

Deferred revenue

37,692

72,290

Customer deposits

180,664

178,488

Electric Plant In service—at cost

$

219,800,482

$

Under construction

17,140,806

17,925,288

Total plant

236,941,288

202,836,450

Other

Less accumulated depreciation

63,277,389

58,849,083

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

173,663,899

143,987,367

Deferred Credits

PLANT—NET Other Assets and Investments Nonutility property

70,729

75,281

Investments in associated organizations

3,049,646

2,884,238

Energy loans receivable

35,056

35,437

Special funds

769,537

1,376,680

3,924,968

4,371,636

TOTAL OTHER ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS Current Assets Cash and temporary cash investments

1,341,225

1,202,788

Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $688,989 and $652,133 in 2024 and 2023, respectively

4,203,767

3,376,691

Materials and supplies

10,369,621

12,935,300

Prepaid expenses

407,922

420,626

Other

25,432

24,913

16,347,967 $ 193,936,834

EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES

Patronage capital

326,925

319,245

$ 193,936,834

$ 166,319,321

2024

2023

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Operating Revenues Electric sales

$

26,389,522

$

2024 $

195,000 31,728,022

24,527,326

10,152,728

Other sales

2,100,055

9,069,072 1,933,113

38,642,305

35,529,511

Operating Expenses 10,885,110

55,263

63,729

Cost of wireless sales

821,082

88,798

Transmission

173,596

141,449

Distribution—operations

1,535,882

1,279,947

Distribution—maintenance

2,627,609

2,822,259

17,960,318

Customer accounts

1,249,275

1,567,963

166,319,321

Customer service

230,499

252,545

Sales

11,460

17,069

Administrative and general

2,394,461

2,138,420

Depreciation and amortization

5,913,857

4,932,249

Taxes—property

1,245,286

1,237,680

Fiber

4,745,088

3,567,187

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

32,265,851

28,994,405

Operating Margins Before Fixed Charges

6,376,454

6,535,106

Interest on long-term debt

3,840,667

2,971,927

Other interest

1,364,085

1,510,557

2023 $

$

Fiber sales

11,262,493

192,790 29,645,399

Other equities

5,739,485

5,400,772

TOTAL EQUITIES

37,662,507

35,238,961

Long-Term Liabilities Long-term debt, net of current maturities

213,479 31,180,107

Generation

Equities Memberships

691,358 39,461,234

Cost of power

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS

TOTAL EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES

190,491

Fixed Charges 115,851,971

98,382,355

-0

500,000

TOTAL FIXED CHARGES

5,204,752

4,482,484

634,197

698,653

116,486,168

99,581,008

Operating Margins After Fixed Charges

1,171,702

2,052,622

Current maturities of long-term debt

3,788,047

3,351,219

Net Operating Margins

Note payable—line of credit

26,210,000

16,985,000

Nonoperating Margins

Purchased power

1,128,624

998,698

Nonutility

1,083,437

Other

Deferred revenue Deferred tax liability TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Current Liabilities

Capital Credits

531,675

785,298

1,703,377

2,837,920

Interest income

630,918

648,725

Other

67,129

57,515

1,749,694

TOTAL NONOPERATING MARGINS

698,047

706,240

4,185,869

5,703,221

Net Margins Before Income Taxes

2,401,424

3,544,160

925,235

864,818

Income Taxes (Benefit) of Subsidiary

(86,447)

1,052,696

872,709

NET MARGINS

Accounts payable:

Accrued property taxes Accrued payroll and related items

$

2,487,871

198,274 $

3,345,886

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

Thumb Electric Cooperative tecmi.coop facebook.com/thumbelectric

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.