THERE’S A TREASURE IN YOUR BACKYARD
You may not realize it, but your home is sitting on a free and renewable supply of energy
A WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system taps into the stored solar energy in your own backyard to provide savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling, and hot water.
That’s money in the bank and a smart investment in your family’s comfort—and with a 30% federal tax credit1 available, now is a great time to contact your local WaterFurnace dealer to learn how to tap into your buried treasure.
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
Clifford Orton Refrig & Htg (989)761-7691 sanduskygeothermal.com
Filion/Bad Axe
Air-O-Dynamic Htg. & Clg. (989)582-0137
Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231)873-2665 adamsheating cooling.com
Indian River M&M Plmb & Htg (231)238-7201 mm-plumbing.com
Lansing Candor Mechanical (517)920-0890 candormechanical.com
Lowell Arctic Inc. Htg. & Clg. (616)897-4213 heatingcoolingonline.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
Muskegon Adams Htg & Clg (231)873-2665 adamsheatingcooling.com
Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517)647-6906 esiheating.com
Sunfield
Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517)886-1138 mwphonline.com
Traverse City D&W Mechanical (231)941-1251 dwmechanical.com
Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231)943-1000 geofurnace.com
CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES
Al g e r Delta Electric: up to $2,000
C h erryland Electric: up to $2,500
Cloverland: up to $6,275
Great Lakes Energy: up to $5,000
H omeworks/Tri-County Electric: up to $4,750
Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op: up to $4,750
Thumb Electric: up to $2,000
Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives
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, USPS-591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.
Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta, Cherryland, Great Lakes, HomeWorks Tri-County, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Thumb electric cooperatives by their boards of directors.
Postmaster: Send all UAA to CFS.
Association Officers: Tom Sobeck, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Chris O’Neill , HomeWorks Tri-County Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; Craig Borr , president and CEO.
CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR:
Michigan Country Lines
201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933
248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please notify your electric cooperative. See page 4 for contact information.
The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
(Required by U.S.C. 3685) 1. Publication: Michigan Country Lines. 2. Publication No.: 591-710. 3. Filing date: 10/1/24. 4. Issue frequency: monthly, except Aug. and Dec. 5. No. of issues published annually: 10. 6. Complete mailing address of office of publication: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Ste. 900, Lansing, MI 48933. 7. Complete mailing address of headquarters of publisher: 201 Townsend St., Ste. 900, Lansing, MI 48933. 8. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher, editors, and executive editor: Craig Borr, Christine Dorr, Casey Clark, 201 Townsend St., Ste. 900, Lansing, MI 48933. 9. Owner: Michigan Electric Cooperative Assoc., 201 Townsend St., Ste. 900, Lansing, MI 48933. 10. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1% or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None. 11. Tax status: has not been changed 12. Issue date for circulation data: Sept. 2024. 13. Extent and nature of circulation:
7 BEST OF MICHIGAN
COUNTRY LINES COOKBOOK
This compilation of our co-op members' most delicious recipes makes a great gift.
10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN
Holiday Treats: These festive desserts will bring joy to your taste buds.
14 ROGERS CITY ROCKS:
WORLD’S
LARGEST OPEN PIT QUARRY
The Carmeuse Calcite Quarry is a global giant in a small town.
18 GUEST COLUMN
A Thrice-Worn Dress: how frugality and a GLE member's costume-making skills resulted in a perfect wedding gown.
MI Co-op Community
To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
Recipe Contest
See details on page 10. Sauces & Marinades due Dec. 1; Best No-Bake Recipes due Jan. 1; Smoothies & Shakes due Feb. 1. Win a $100 bill credit!
Guest Column
Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.
Win $200 for stories published!
Mystery Photo
See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!
/greatlakesenergy
gtlakes.com /jointruestream
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
Great Lakes Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Concern For Community Knows No Season
Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO
look forward to the holiday season each year for many reasons, the top among them being the focus on the needs of others.
This sentiment is especially meaningful because it’s an extension of something we strive to make a year-round focus at GLE: concern for the communities we serve.
Although these efforts take many forms, I’d like to highlight three examples of ways GLE responds to the needs of our members and the community.
In 2018, Great Lakes Energy’s board of directors took the bold step of addressing a critical unmet need affecting a large percentage of our members: access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet service. Today, more than 23,500 GLE members are using GLE’s Truestream for work, education, telehealth services, entertainment, staying connected with loved ones, and so much more. Many members have told us the addition of this service has been “life-changing” for them.
We’ve added more than 3,000 members to that number in just the first nine months of 2024 and we look forward to adding many more in the next few years.
Our employees are passionate about serving others because they know the important role their work plays in our members' daily lives. That same spirit also inspires many of them to volunteer their time and talents in many ways that make a meaningful difference in the community.
To celebrate and encourage these efforts, in 2023 GLE rolled out a new program named “Energy of Giving.” This program allows employees to log their volunteer hours and share volunteer opportunities they know of in the area. We’ve also used the program as a catalyst for donation drives for numerous causes.
The efforts highlighted in the program’s first year are impressive. From Aug. 1, 2023, through July 30, 2024, GLE employees logged nearly 3,000 volunteer hours through the Energy of Giving program.
That’s the equivalent of nearly a year and a half of 40-hour work weeks. Employees have already logged more than 435 hours in the first two months of the program’s second year.
The People Fund is one of my favorite ways GLE helps fulfill community needs because it is a true partnership with our members. At the end of this year, we will celebrate the People Fund’s 25th anniversary. In that time, thanks to the generosity of our members who agree to have their monthly bill rounded up each month, the People Fund has awarded more than $4.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that are making a difference in our 26-county service area.
I’m proud to be part of an organization that makes meeting the needs of its members and the community a year-round priority.
We’ll take a closer look at the impact the People Fund has had during the past 25 years and share more about our 2025 Truestream construction plans in the January edition of Country Lines.
Historic Farms Honored
Two family farms served by Great Lakes Energy were recently recognized by the Michigan Centennial Farm Program.
The Mary Ellen Kniss Farm, which was founded on July 16, 1908, near Kalkaska, was certified as a “Centennial Farm” on Aug. 24, 2024. Eric and Joan Dunham currently own the farm.
The Jan DeRoo Farm, which was founded on Dec. 6, 1894, near Zeeland, was certified as a “Centennial Farm” on Sept. 30, 2024. Roger and Kristi DeRoo currently own the farm.
Great Lakes Energy is a sponsor of the Michigan Centennial Farm Program that honors Great Lakes Energy members and other Michigan residents whose farms have been owned and operated by the same family for 100 years for centennial farms and 150 years for sesquicentennial farms. Once a farm is certified, the owners receive a certificate as well as a display marker for their farm. GLE members can request an application or receive more information about the program by contacting The Historical Society of Michigan at (517) 324-1828, or by visiting the organization’s website, www.centennialfarms.org.
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 6/30/24.
Energy Assistance Programs 2024-2025 Season
Winter Protection Plan
Contact: Local Utility Company
Add $7,710 for each additional household member.
The Winter Protection Plan (WPP) protects enrolled seniors and low-income customers from service shut-offs and high utility bill payments during the winter months. If you are eligible, your utility service will remain on (or restored with the WPP) from Nov. 1 through March 31, if you:
• pay at least 7% of your estimated annual bill each month, and
• make equal monthly payments between the date you apply and the start of the next heating season on any past-due bills.
When the protection period ends (March 31), you must begin to pay the full monthly bill, plus part of the amount you owe from the winter months when you did not pay the full bill. Participation does not relieve customers from the responsibility of paying for electricity and natural gas usage, but does prevent shut-off during winter months. You qualify for the plan if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
• are age 65 or older,
• receive Dept. of Health and Human Services cash assistance, including SSI,
• receive Food Assistance,
• receive Medicaid, or
• household income is at or below the 150% of poverty level shown in the Income Guidelines chart above.
Senior citizen customers who participate in the WPP are not required to make specific payments to ensure that their service will not be shut off between Nov. 1 and March 31. Service for seniors can be restored without any payments.
Note: All customers 65+ are eligible regardless of income. Customers are responsible for all electricity and natural gas used. At the end of the protection period, participants must make arrangements with their utility company to pay off any money owed before the next heating season.
Home Heating Credit
Contact: Michigan Dept. of Treasury
Add $5,654 for each exemption over 8.
You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for the 2023 tax year if you meet the income guidelines listed above (110% of poverty level) or you qualify based on alternate guidelines including household income, exemptions, and heating costs. Additional exemptions are available for seniors, disabled claimants, or claimants with 5% or more of their income from unemployment compensation.
If you qualify, you may receive assistance to help pay for your winter heating bills. Forms are available mid-to-late January, wherever tax forms are provided or from the Michigan Dept. of Treasury (517-636-4486 or michigan.gov/treasury). The Home Heating Credit claim form must be filed with the Michigan Dept. of Treasury no later than Sept. 30 each year.
State Emergency Relief Program (SER)
Contact: Local Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), michigan.gov/mdhhs
You do not have to be a DHHS client to apply for help with a past-due bill, shut-off notice, or the need for deliverable fuel through the SER. This program, available Nov. 1–May 31, provides most of its utility assistance during this crisis season. However, limited assistance is available outside the crisis season.
If you receive a DHHS cash grant, you may use part of it toward heat and electric bills. Apply online at the MI Bridges website: Michigan.gov/mibridges.
Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program
Contact: Local Community Action Agency
You may be able to receive help with weatherizing your home to reduce energy use if you meet low-income eligibility guidelines (200% of poverty guidelines) or if you participate in the Dept. of Health and Human Services Family Independence Program or receive SSI. Weatherization may include caulking, weather-stripping, and insulation. Contact your local Community Action Agency for details. Visit mcaaa.org to find one in your area.
United Way
Contact: Call 2-1-1 or UWmich.org/2-1-1
2-1-1 is a free phone service operating 24 hours daily to provide information about help that may be available in a particular area with utilities and other needs. Dial 2-1-1 or visit mi211.org to find available services.
Medical Emergency Protection
Contact: Local Utility Company
You are protected from service shut-off for nonpayment of your natural gas and/or electric bill for up to 21 days, possibly extending to 63 days, if you have a proven medical emergency. You must provide written proof from a doctor or a public health or social services official that a medical condition exists. Contact your gas or electric utility for details.
Shut-off Protection For Military Active Duty
Contact: Local Utility Company
If you or your spouse has been called into active military duty, you may apply for shut-off protection from your electric or natural gas service for up to 90 days. You may request extensions. You must still pay, but contact your utility company and they will help you set up a payment plan.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund Emergency Grant Program
Contact: MI Veterans Trust Fund
The Trust Fund provides temporary assistance to veterans and their families facing a financial emergency or hardship, including the need for energy assistance. Contact the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund at 800-642-4838 or michiganveterans.com.
MI Energy Assistance Program
Contact: Utility or 2-1-1 in late November: 2-1-1 or https://mi211.org/
The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) includes services that will enable participants to become self-sufficient, including assisting participants in paying their energy bills on time, budgeting for and contributing to their ability to provide for energy expenses, and being energy efficient. Shut-off protection is provided Nov. 1–April 15 for all residential customers. The MEAP is supported by the state’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund (LIEAF). An electric utility that chooses not to collect for the LIEAF shall not shut off service to customers for nonpayment between Nov. 1 and April 15. For a list of electric providers that opt out of collecting the LIEAF, go to michigan.gov/energygrants.
GIVE THE GIFT OF MMM...
A decade of award-winning recipes from Michigan Country Lines.
COOKING FOR A CAUSE
Support two deserving Michigan charities with every purchase of this cookbook:
Feeding America Local Food Banks: Helping ensure that no one in our community goes without nutritious meals.
Cooperative Family Fund: Providing essential assistance to children of electric cooperative employees who have lost a parent while they were actively employed.
Make this holiday season special by ordering your copies today and sharing the gift of community and care.
Order now in time for the holidays! Please allow 7–10 days for shipping.
GLE Employees Know The Energy Of Giving
As the backbone of your electric cooperative, Great Lakes Energy employees are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of our members and the communities we serve. They do this not only by providing reliable, affordable electric, fiber internet, and telephone service but also by fostering the cooperative’s many community outreach efforts.
However, for many of our employees, the same drive that motivates them to pursue the cooperative principle of “concern for community” on the job also spills over into their personal lives.
From coaching youth sports teams to serving on nonprofit boards, our employees generously give their time and talents to make a positive impact. Whether volunteering at local schools, food banks, community service organizations, or in countless other ways, their dedication to making a difference is inspiring.
While this spirit of volunteerism is nothing new among our staff, in August of 2023, GLE launched the “Energy of Giving” program to recognize and celebrate these contributions. This initiative encourages employees to log their volunteer hours and share local volunteering opportunities with their colleagues so they, too, can get involved.
The Energy of Giving program has also been used as a catalyst for employee fundraising efforts, collection drives, and other projects such as participation in the Emmet County Road Commission’s Adopt-A-Road roadside clean-up program.
The results of the program’s first year were impressive: GLE employees logged nearly 3,000 volunteer hours. That’s the equivalent of about a year and a half of 40-hour workweeks.
At the end of the first year, GLE staff members also had the opportunity to select a fellow employee as
Help Shape the Future of Our Community!
“Volunteer of the Year” from among the program’s participants.
We are pleased to share that our employees selected Bridget Moul, who works in our payroll department at our Boyne City headquarters, for this honor.
Bridget volunteers with Safe Families for Children, Genesis Church, Manna Food Project, and “Clear the List”— Boyne City Teachers.
As part of this honor, Bridget will be the custodian of a traveling trophy that will be passed along to each year’s Volunteer of the Year winner. She also had the opportunity to choose a charity for a donation to be made in her name.
We’re proud of our employees’ contributions to the community, both through their work at GLE and their dedication to volunteerism. Their commitment to making a positive impact is a testament to the cooperative spirit that drives our organization.
Wolverine Power Cooperative, our power supplier, is developing a community benefits plan to create programs that support Great Lakes Energy members and the communities we serve. You’re invited to share your thoughts by visiting wolverinepowercooperative.com/CBP. Complete a brief survey by Nov. 17 to be entered into a drawing to win $200 or register to attend a community meeting. Share Your Input for a Chance to Win $200
Enter to win a $200 energy bill credit!
Submit Your “Musical Moments” Photos By Nov. 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 Nov./Dec. theme is Musical Moments. Photos can be submitted by Nov. 25 to be featured in the February 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 2024 will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 bill credit in December 2024. MOST VOTES!
2. Hello, fall, Bonnie Roth, Newaygo
3. Hydrangea wreath, Denise Chapel, Gaylord
4. God bless America, Beth Pipe, Baldwin
5. Happy hunting Christmas wreath, Darla Drake, Reed City
6. Welcome, Melissa Grondsma, Hart 1. Gratitude for sacrifice, Tracy Patton, Gaylord
HOLIDAY TREATS
Delightful recipes to sweeten the season.
Recipe Contest
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Sauces & Marinades due Dec. 1; Best No-Bake Recipes due Jan. 1; Smoothies & Shakes due Feb. 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
WINNING RECIPE!
CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALL
Patricia Davio, Great Lakes Energy
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
¾ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (10-ounce) box Teddy Grahams or graham crackers/sticks
¾ cup chopped walnuts
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add in the sugars and beat until well incorporated. Mix in the chocolate chips until combined. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. One hour before serving, remove from the refrigerator and shape into a ball. Roll in the chopped walnuts. Note: recipe is still delicious without the nuts if allergies are a concern. Serve with the Teddy Grahams or graham crackers/sticks on the side. Optional: you can also add a few drops of raspberry preserves to make it a chocolate/raspberry cheese ball, or you can use a combination of chips, such as white chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch, etc.
Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos
BAKLAVA
Karmen Nash, HomeWorks Tri-County Electric
1 cup sugar
1 cup honey
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
2 cinnamon sticks
¹⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
¹⁄8 teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon rose water, optional
1 pound mixed nuts (pistachios, walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.), finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt (none if salted butter is used)
¼ cup brown sugar
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
1 pound phyllo pastry sheets, thawed according to package instructions
Combine the sugar, honey, water, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, cloves, cardamom, and rose water (if using) in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until sugar has dissolved (15–20 minutes). Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until syrup is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and lemon zest and set syrup aside to cool. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chopped nuts, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar; stir well. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat a 9x13-inch or 10x15-inch baking dish with melted butter. Position rack in center of oven
CRANBERRY NUT COFFEE CAKE
¼ cup brown sugar
Janice Harvey, Great Lakes Energy
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups buttermilk biscuit mix
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
²⁄ ³ cup water
²⁄ ³ cup whole berry cranberry sauce
Icing:
½ cup confectioners’ (powdered) sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon warm water
and preheat oven to 350 F. Lay the phyllo sheets on a clean cutting board. Measure; if the sheets are approximately the same size as the baking dish you are using, proceed from here. If they are larger than your baking dish, use a sharp knife to cut approximately the same size as your baking dish. Cover sheets with plastic wrap and a lightly damp kitchen towel, as phyllo dries out very quickly if left uncovered. Uncover and recover without getting phyllo dough damp while you work. Place 2 sheets of phyllo in the bottom of buttered baking dish; lightly brush the entire top with melted butter. Place 2 sheets and butter the top. Place another 2 sheets and butter the top for a total of 6 phyllo layers. Spread at least ½ cup nut mixture evenly over buttered phyllo sheets. Repeat with 6 more sheets of phyllo, buttering every other layer, and topping with another ½ cup nut mixture until nut mixture is used up. Layer any remaining phyllo on top, buttering between each sheet, until all phyllo has been used. Use a sharp knife to make 4 cuts lengthwise through the layered phyllo at 1½ -inch intervals. Then cut diagonally across the strips at 1½ -inch intervals to form 36 diamond shapes. Bake the baklava until golden brown, uncovered, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Using a ladle or small measuring cup, slowly drizzle syrup over warm baklava. Allow to stand several hours before serving.
Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix brown sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon, then set aside. Combine biscuit mix, sugar, egg, and water and beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Spread in greased 9x9-inch pan and sprinkle with nut mixture. Also spoon cranberry sauce over top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. To make icing, blend all icing ingredients, adding a few more drops of water, if necessary, for a drizzling consistency. While warm, drizzle cake with icing. Enjoy!
PISTACHIO ALMOND COOKIES
Deb Finedell, Great Lakes Energy
1 cup butter, softened
¾ cup sugar
1 egg yolk, slightly beaten
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup ground almonds
½ cup finely chopped pistachios
• pinch of salt
Add the butter and sugar to a medium bowl and mix well. Beat in the egg yolk and almond extract. Sift together the flour and a pinch of salt into the mixture. Add the ground almonds. Stir until thoroughly combined. Halve the dough. Shape into balls and wrap in
plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator for 30–60 minutes. Note: Refrigerating chills the butter and will prevent the cookies from spreading flat in the oven. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll out dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper to about ¹⁄ 8 -inch thick. Sprinkle the pistachios over the dough and roll lightly with a rolling pin. Cut into pieces or use cookie cutters to create shapes. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheets for 5–10 minutes. Enjoy!
Finding Beauty In Hesperia Is A Walk In The Park
Taking a walk through Hesperia’s Webster Park during the holiday season has long been a festive affair, but thanks, in part, to a recent grant from Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund and a dozen artists, a walk through the park during the community’s annual community holiday kickoff celebration will be a bit more festive this year.
In 2023, Hesperia Beautification, a volunteer nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to improving the appearance of the village of Hesperia and inspiring community pride since 1988, received a $700 People Fund grant to help pay for costs associated with a holidaythemed story walk public art exhibit.
Hesperia Beautification President Sara Kraley explained the group’s plan is for the exhibit to be part of an annual holiday event in Webster Park, located in the heart of Hesperia. Twelve area artists have volunteered their time and talents to create original artwork using various media to illustrate 12 sections of a Christmas story.
And what better story would there be to go with a Christmas-themed project than the beloved Christmas poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” or as it is more commonly known, “T’was the Night Before Christmas”?
The Christmas story walk will be an added attraction to the already popular annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony that takes place in Webster Park on the last Friday in November.
Sara explained that the holiday lighting event, which has officially been taking place for the past seven years, grew out of humble beginnings. She said many years ago, as an extension of its longstanding mission to spruce up the community, Hesperia Beautification members started putting up a few lights in Webster Park for the Christmas season. As the years went by, more and more lights went up in the park for the holidays. After a few years, the local fire department and the village’s department of public works got involved in the decorating. Eventually, these decorating efforts evolved into the Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lighting Ceremony.
The event, which has grown in scope and popularity since its inception, now involves much more than officially turning on all the holiday lights for the season. Several community service organizations set up booths in the park where they give away hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies, and other goodies. Hesperia Beautification also has a booth in the park during the event where group members give away commemorative ornaments unique to each year’s event. Sara said the ornaments have become so popular as a collector’s item in the community that a line forms to pick them up and it doesn’t take long for the supply to be exhausted.
Other highlights of the event include a chance to visit with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who arrive on a horse-drawn wagon, live music, food trucks, Christmas caroling, wagon rides, photo op spots, a light show, costumed characters, and fireworks to top off the evening.
“People come from as far away as Ludington and Grand Haven,” Sara said. “It’s very much like something out of a Hallmark movie.”
The holiday story walk art exhibit will not only add to the many attractions that make up the lighting event in the park, but it will carry on through the whole Christmas season. That’s because there will actually be two versions of the story walk.
Sara said to avoid the chance of the original artwork being damaged by the weather, the exhibit in the park will have a large photo of each artwork at its respective station. The original artwork will be on display in a companion exhibit in the Hesperia Community Library, which is right next to the park. Although the outdoor story walk will only be on display in the park on the night of the lighting event, the indoor version will remain on display in the library throughout the holiday season.
The 2024 Christmas Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 29.
In addition to the Holiday Lighting Ceremony, some of Hesperia Beautification’s many other community enhancement efforts include coordinating an annual community clean-up event, assisting in maintaining the appearance of parks and recreation areas, planting and maintaining small pocket gardens throughout the city, and planting and maintaining hanging baskets and large containers of flowers placed along the village streets.
The group also recently spearheaded a campaign to raise the final $40,000 needed to pay for the construction of a new pavilion in Vida Weaver Park.
To Volunteer or Donate
Sara said the organization always needs more volunteers, especially for watering and weeding flowers in the summer. Anyone interested in volunteering with the organization may contact Eileen Homan at (231) 854-1197 or via email at eh13jakyb@gmail.com.
Anyone who is interested in supporting Hesperia Beautification’s efforts financially may send a check payable to “Hesperia Beautification” to:
Gail Tilley, Treasurer
Hesperia Beautification 258 S. Comstock Ave. Fremont, MI 49412
Since its inception in 1999, the People Fund has awarded more than $4.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that serve GLE’s 26-county service area. Grants are funded by participating GLE members who agree to have their monthly electric bill rounded up to the next whole dollar. To learn more about the People Fund, including how to sign up, how nonprofit organizations can apply for a grant, and a list of recent grant recipients, visit gtlakes.com/people-fund.
ROGERS CITY ROCKS
WORLD’S LARGEST OPEN PIT QUARRY
By Emily Haines Lloyd | Photography by Tyler Leipprandt, Michigan Sky Media
The list of natural and manmade wonders that can be seen from space isn’t a long one. The Grand Canyon or Great Barrier Reef may come to mind. Others might think of the Pyramids of Giza or Dubai’s Palm Islands. And while Rogers City, Michigan, home to about 3,000 residents along Lake Huron, may not strike the same familiar chord, its world record-holding Carmeuse Calcite Quarry has put it on the map. Or rather–the globe.
A QUARRY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS
The largest open pit quarry in the world, Carmeuse Calcite Quarry (usually just referred to as “Calcite”) stretches four miles long and one and a half miles wide and spans an astonishing 8,000 acres. This massive operation, visible even from space, is a critical source of high-calcium limestone—a vital ingredient in products and processes we encounter daily.
The steel in our cars? Limestone.
The cement in our roads? Limestone.
The antacid you take after too many hot wings? Limestone.
FROM LOCAL LANDMARK TO GLOBAL ICON
Founded in 1910 by the Michigan Limestone & Chemical Company, the quarry began operations in 1912. Over a century later, now owned and operated by Belgium-based Carmeuse, it remains an essential part of the global limestone supply chain, producing about 10 million tons of material each year. Carmeuse is a member of Wolverine Power Marketing Cooperative.
“If we keep mining Calcite Quarry correctly,” said Carmeuse Site Operations Manager Scott Grulke, “this mine will keep producing for another 120 years.”
Calcite’s impact extends far beyond Rogers City. Its limestone has played a pivotal role in the construction of major infrastructure projects, such as the Mackinac Bridge and the interstate highway system. During World War I and II, the quarry’s output was crucial to produce steel, helping to build warships and other military hardware.
Despite its global significance, Calcite has never lost its connection to the local community. Generations of Rogers City residents have worked at the quarry, with many families counting multiple generations of miners among their ranks. The quarry is not just a place of work; it’s a part of the town’s identity.
“Historically, Calcite has been a big part of the community,” said Grulke. “We want to make sure that continues.”
A TOURIST ATTRACTION WITH DEEP COMMUNITY ROOTS
In addition to its industrial importance, the Carmeuse Calcite Quarry has become a popular tourist attraction. The viewing area, originally established in 1949, was a response to growing public interest. The attraction quickly gained popularity, and by 1951, over 37,000 visitors had come to see the quarry.
Today, the quarry remains a draw for sightseers. The “Quarry View” site, located just south of Rogers City, offers a glimpse into the immense scale of the operation. Visitors can watch as 150-ton trucks haul limestone across the quarry, their size dwarfing anything else in view.
A LASTING LEGACY
As it approaches its 112th year of operation, the Carmeuse Calcite Quarry remains a powerful example of how a small town can have global influence. With its limestone used in everything from road construction to sugar production to pharmaceuticals, Rogers City’s Calcite proves that even the smallest places can have massive impact.
Visit rogerscity.com/harbor-view to learn more and plan a visit.
No Ducts Needed
Energy Wise Offers Savings On Innovative Home Heating and Cooling Solutions
In 2022, Lawrence and Cheryle Banek followed their daughter to Gaylord to be close to their grandkids. They purchased a home and became GLE members. Everything was great, except for one problem: an apartment-like living space above the garage had no ductwork.
Cheryle was at a loss for how they could use the space without being able to heat or cool it. Then one day, their daughter commented that out east, mini-split units are commonly used.
With a solution in mind, Cheryle called JP Heating of Northern Michigan in Gaylord. The owner came and checked out the space and explained how a mini-split works, how they heat and cool the space for pennies, and that there’s no need for ductwork.
Even though Cheryle had never heard of a mini-split, the contractor informed her that they had installed thousands of them. She also learned that her friends in Ohio, who owned a summer cottage with no ductwork, got a minisplit and made it a year-round residence. Concerned that it would be obtrusive, Lawrence and Cheryle decided on the smallest Daikin mini-split system and had it installed in July 2023.
“Installation was very quick, taking only a day. It’s unobtrusive and so quiet. It’s just wonderful!” Cheryle said.
Lawrence and Cheryle paid the contractor approximately $6,000 for the mini-split system and installation. The contractor explained that GLE’s Energy Wise program offers rebates for mini-splits and even applied for the rebate on the Baneks’ behalf. Cheryle was impressed with the contractor’s initiative and the efficiency of the process as they received their $1,500 refund quickly.
With the mini-split installed, the room is now comfortably functional as a guest room for out-of-town guests and Cheryle’s TV room.
“The mini-split resolved our issue because it wasn’t a usable space the way it was. Now, the space is usable, adding value to our home,” Cheryle said. “It’s like we added a private third bedroom, which future owners could use as a mother-in-law apartment or room rental.”
She added: “If you look around, it’s amazing how many people have mini-splits. I never realized until we got one. It’s so quiet and works so well, and I don’t see any change in our energy bill. We love it and can’t say enough nice things about it.”
Mini-split heat pumps, or ductless heat pumps, are an alternative to a radiator or baseboard heating and a replacement for window units for cooling. No ductwork is needed. Instead, one or more head units are mounted on an interior wall or ceiling, with an accompanying unit outside.
To learn more about all of the energy-efficiency rebates available through GLE’s Energy Wise program, visit gtlakes.com/energy-wise/.
Truestream Continues To
Mark Milestones
GLE is excited to share the great strides we have made in the first nine months of 2024 as we continue to expand the reach of our life-changing Truestream fiber internet service to an ever-growing number of our members.
Here are some highlights of the accomplishments and behind-thescenes work taking place to make this growth happen.
What’s Next?
More growth is on the horizon for 2025 as progress continues in the areas where work began in 2024 and we move into new areas in the new year. More information on our 2025 construction plans will be released later this year. Look for updates in the January issue of Country Lines, in email communications, and at truestreamfiber.com
Many Miles: The Truestream network can’t grow without building many miles of fiber trunkline that will ultimately bring internet service to our members’ doorsteps. Our construction crews have installed 877 miles of fiber trunkline so far this year. That’s more than three times the distance from the Mackinac Bridge to the Indiana border.
Phone calls: It takes a great deal of coordination among our team and with our members to keep our Truestream network growing. Our Truestream Service Representatives play a critical role in that effort. Since Jan. 1, this team has handled more than 27,000 inbound and outbound phone calls.
Installations: Once the backbone of the fiber network is built, drops have to be designed and installed, and then comes the best part: the final installation. In the first nine months of 2024, our crews installed nearly 3,700 new Truestream services. On average, our crews install close to 20 new services each workday.
Subscribers: Thanks to the hard work of our team during the past six years, as of mid-October, the total number of Truestream subscribers had grown to more than 23,600. More than 3,600 of those subscribers have been added in the past year.
Halfway there! As of Sept. 30, our complete network build-out progress stood at 47%. That’s up from 41% a year ago.
Mystery
Photo
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Where In Michigan Is This?
Identify the correct location of the photo above by Nov. 27 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community
September 2024 Winner! Our Mystery Photo winner is Pamela Bown, a HomeWorks Tri-County Electric member, who correctly identified the photo as the Water Maiden statue in Pentwater, Michigan.
Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/ August, September, and November/December.
A A Thrice-Worn Dress
By Laura Payne, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member
refreshing trend has begun in the world of weddings. Brides are not always looking for the newest and most expensive things to surround themselves with on their big day.
My aunt wore a lovely lace and tulle gown for her big day, and her oldest daughter decided she would escape the cost and hassle of finding a new wedding dress and would instead wear her mother’s wedding gown, as it fit her very nicely. But frugality runs deep in the family, so when the youngest daughter began planning her wedding, the dress now had a chance to serve not two but three brides. However, the youngest daughter wanted the dress altered to make it her own.
If you sew enough Halloween costumes, family members will eventually view you as a seamstress—even if you’re not. Thus, I was tasked with altering a 30-year-old wedding gown. I was excited, but I won’t lie—that first cut into my aunt’s beloved wedding dress was nothing short of terrifying. What if I couldn’t figure out what to do? What if I made a mistake and destroyed my cousin’s chances of wearing the dress altogether? But I was boldly determined to help my cousin create the gown of her dreams.
After staring at the dress on a dress form for weeks, I finally put a scissor blade on the cloth, and the creative process began. Finally, after several days of work, second-guessing myself more than once, and a few mistakes that had to be corrected, the dress was ready for my aunt’s youngest daughter to take her own trip down the aisle—a trip this dress now knew quite well. The wedding dress now qualified as “something old...something new... something borrowed...”
Guest Column Win $200 for stories published!
Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.
gtlakes.com
facebook.com/greatlakesenergy
•
•
•
•
