Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association
November/December 2026
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
D N A L R E D N O W A WINTER ’s r e n n o r B t a r a e Y 36 1 Days a Life Well Lived
Conserving Gaylord’s Elk Population
Students Apply Now for Youth Tour 2027
THERE’S A TREASURE BENEATH YOUR FEET 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. Plus, with the groundbreaking variable speed 7 Series that operates at exactly the level needed in any heating or cooling situation, you’ll get the ultimate comfort, performance, and savings. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn how to tap into your buried treasure. YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS Allendale Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com
Grand Rapids Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1 (888) 235-2473 belaire.com
Berrien Springs WaterFurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeothermal.com
Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsgeothermal-mi.com
Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com
Holland G.H.P. Systems Inc. (616) 396-5833 ghpsystems-inc.com
Cadillac Wilder Htg & Clg (231) 645-4822 Wilderheatingandcooling.com
Indian River M&M Plmb & Htg (231) 238-7201 mm-plumbing.com
Filion/Bad Axe Air-O-Dynamic Htg & Clg (989) 582-0137 aod-hvac.com
Lansing Candor Mechanical (517) 920-0890 candormechanical.com
Gaylord Family Plmb & Htg (989) 732-8099 familyplumbingandheating.com
Manistique Hoholik Enterprise Inc. (906) 286.0572 bhoholik@gmail.com
WaterFurnace is a registered trademark of WaterFurnace International, Inc.
Michigan Center Comfort 1/Aire Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southern-michigan
Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989) 772-4822 waltonheating.com Muskegon TMC Mechanical LLC (231) 865-1114 tmcmechanicalllc.com
Sunfield Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com Three Rivers Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1 (888) 235-2473 belaire.com Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com
Portage Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1 (888) 235-2473 belaire.com
CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES
Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com
$500–$2,250 may be available through your co-op.
Sparta West Michigan Geothermal (616) 887-1290 westmigeothermal.com
visit us at waterfurnace.com/mi
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark
Contents countrylines.com
November/December 2026 Vol. 46, No. 10
/michigancountrylines
/michigancountrylines
EDITOR: Christine Dorr GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd, Chris Lewis 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.
6
POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. ASSOCIATION OFFICERS: Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks Tri-County 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.
10
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: 10/1/25. 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. 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: John Kran, 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. 2026. 13. Extent and nature of circulation: Actual # of copies of single issues Avg # of copies each issue during published nearest to filing date preceding 12 mo. A) Total No. of copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246,919 . . . . . . . . . . .246,921 B) Paid and requested circulation . . . . . . 246,070 . . . . . . . . . . .246,199 C) Total paid and requested circulation . 246,070 . . . . . . . . . . .246,199 D) 1) Free distribution by mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 2) Free distribution outside mail . . . . . . . . . 849 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 722 E) Total free distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 831 F) Total distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247,925 . . . . . . . . . . .247,030 G) Copies not distributed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 H) Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247,925 . . . . . . . . . . .247,030 I) Percent paid and/or requested circ. . . . . 99.7% . . . . . . . . . . . . 99.9% 16. Publication of statement of ownership: November 2026 17. Signature and title of editor: Christine Dorr, editor
MI CO-OP Community RECIPE CONTEST
See details on page 10. Favorite Side Dishes due Dec. 1; Air Fryer Favorites due Jan. 1; Sheet Pan Meals due Feb. 1. Win a $100 bill credit!
GUEST COLUMN
See details on page 18. Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published!
MYSTERY PHOTO
See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!
14
6 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Helping to keep the lights on for the 26-27 heating season.
10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN
Heirloom Recipes: Made with memories.
14 A WINTER WONDERLAND— 361 DAYS A YEAR Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland remains the world’s largest Christmas store.
18 GUEST COLUMN To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
Memories Made in a Little Neighborhood: A Cloverland member looks back at childhood's simple pleasures.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
3
The Season of Giving By Mike Furmanski, General Manager BOARD OF DIRECTORS District 1—Big Bay Darryl Small 906-345-9369 • d1director@algerdelta.com District 2—Harvey/Deerton Karen Alholm 906-249-1095 • d2director@algerdelta.com District 3—Grand Marais Vacant District 4—Cedar River/Palestine Bill Wotruba 414-507-9787 • d4director@algerdelta.com District 5—Gourley/LaBranche/Cornell/Harris Steve Wery 906-295-1255 • d5director@algerdelta.com District 6—Nathan/White Rapids Jesse Betters 715-923-4946 • d6director@algerdelta.com District 7—Stonington/Rapid River Kirk Bruno 906-399-1432 • d7director@algerdelta.com District 8—Nahma/Isabella Don Johnson 906-280-0867 • d8director@algerdelta.com District 9—Hiawatha/Maple Ridge Stephen Dausey 906-202-3899 • d9director@algerdelta.com GENERAL MANAGER: Mike Furmanski mfurmanski@algerdelta.com HEADQUARTERS: 426 N. 9th St, Gladstone, MI 49837 906-428-4141 • 800-562-0950 admin@algerdelta.com algerdelta.com
1 3
7
8
5
Over the years, we’ve faced challenges together, and every time, our co-op family has stepped up. We’ve come together to support those in need, to keep our community strong, and to build something better for the future. That spirit of generosity is never more evident than during the holiday season. We’re proud to support students through the Youth Tour program, where we send some of our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., to see democracy in action and dream big about their futures. That’s giving in the most meaningful way—by investing in tomorrow’s leaders. In 2026, Alger Delta was pleased to sponsor youth trips for Payton Latvala and Avaya Tiernan, who are featured on page five of this issue. Each year, Alger Delta also provides $1,000 scholarships to noteworthy local students to help them with their academic endeavors. The 2026 recipients were Alexa Whaley, Cassandra Engel, and Sarah Labs.
You’ll also find our team out in the community beyond work—coaching youth sports, volunteering at local events, serving on nonprofit boards, and partnering with our chamber of commerce to keep our local economy strong. Because when you’re part of a co-op, giving back isn’t a requirement—it’s just what you do.
Alger Delta Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
9
You’ve probably heard us talk about our concern for community. It’s not just a nice phrase—it’s one of the core principles that makes electric cooperatives like ours different from other utilities. We’re not just here to keep the lights on (though of course, we’re always working hard to do that). We’re here to make life better for the people we serve—our members, our neighbors, and our friends.
We proudly provide sponsorship to various organizations in the communities that we serve. Some of these include Bay Cliff Health Camp, Tri County Safe Harbor, Adopt a Highway, Youth in Agriculture, the U.P. State Fair, and others.
OFFICE HOURS Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (EST)
2
As the holiday season approaches and the air turns crisp, we’re reminded that this truly is the season of giving. It’s a time for gratitude, generosity, and looking out for one another—and at Alger Delta Electric, that’s something we take to heart year-round.
While the holiday season is a festive time, we understand these can be tough times for many. If you need advice on saving energy to reduce your energy bills, want to explore payment plan options, or you simply have questions—please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help, not just during the holiday season, but all year long. At Alger Delta Electric Cooperative, we believe concern for community is more than a value—it’s the heart of who we are. And during this season of giving, we’re especially grateful to be part of such a caring, generous community. From all of us at Alger Delta, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, safe, and bright holiday season.
6 4
algerdelta.com
4
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
/algerdeltaelectric
Alger Delta Represented at
YOUTH TOUR 2026 For 58 years, the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program has provided high school students from across the country with an opportunity to experience Washington, D.C., while developing their leadership skills and learning about civic engagement. Each June, approximately 1,800 students from at least 44 states participate in the five-day, allexpenses-paid program. Rising high school juniors and seniors are selected through an application and interview process and sponsored by their local electric cooperatives. Once in Washington, students from across the country come together to learn about electric cooperatives, leadership, American history, and the importance of being engaged citizens. This year, Alger Delta selected Payton Latvala of Rapid River and Avaya Tiernan of Gladstone to represent the cooperative on the 2026 Youth Tour. Payton is a senior at Mid-Peninsula High School and has a 4.0 GPA. She is the daughter of Sarah and Chris Latvala. She plays on the school’s volleyball, softball, and golf teams, is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, and is a representative on student council. Payton volunteers in the community and also works part time at the Perkins Store. One of Alger Delta’s 2025 Youth Tour recipients, Hope Brunngraeber, encouraged Payton to apply. “She said it was the experience of a lifetime and it was. I am so glad that I applied,” Payton said. Payton enjoyed visiting and all of the traditional D.C. monuments, but Mount Vernon was her favorite. “It was both humbling and fascinating to be walking around at George Washington’s home and learn more about him,” she said. “It
was also impressive to see how well everything had been preserved for future generations to enjoy.”
and civic responsibility as I prepare for adulthood,” she said.
Payton’s plans after graduating are to become a registered nurse. “I am going to attend Bay College for my first two years and then transfer. Eventually, I hope to become a nurse practitioner.”
One of the most moving experiences for Avaya was visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “It was sad but walking through it made me feel many deep emotions about what I was seeing and reading. It was really profound,” she said.
Avaya Tiernan, 17, is the daughter of Troy and Amanda Tiernan. A senior at Gladstone Area High School, she is an honor roll student, cheerleader, and member of the school’s golf team.
After high school, Avaya plans to attend Bay College for two years before transferring to a four-year college to become a cosmetic dermatologist.
Her interest in history made the experience especially meaningful. “I genuinely enjoy history and learning about how our government and country were built. Visiting places like the monuments, memorials, and historical sites allowed me to experience what I’ve learned about in school in a real and meaningful way. As I’m going into my senior year, this trip helped me better understand American history
Alger Delta is proud to have sponsored Payton and Avaya on this unforgettable journey. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn made them wonderful representatives of the cooperative and the Upper Peninsula. Congratulations, Payton and Avaya—and best wishes for all your future endeavors!
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
5
Energy Assistance Programs 2026-2027 Season Winter Protection Plan
State Emergency Relief Program (SER)
Contact: Local Utility Company
Contact: Local Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), michigan.gov/mdhhs
Income Guidelines 2026–2027 # in Household
150% Poverty Guide Maximum Income
# in Household
150% Poverty Guide Maximum Income
1
$23,940
5
$58,020
2
32,460
6
66,540
3
40,980
7
75,060
4
49,500
8
83,580
Add $8,520 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 it 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.
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.
Home Heating Credit
Contact: Michigan Dept. of Treasury # Exemp.
Max. Income
# Exemp.
Max. Income
0–1
$17,556
5
$42,548
2
23,804
6
48,796
3
30,052
7
55,044
4
36,300
8
61,292
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.
Add $6,248 for each exemption over 8. You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for the 2026 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.
MI Energy Assistance Program
Contact: Utility or 2-1-1 in late November: 2-1-1 or 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.
Dial 2-1-1 for more information on heating and other human services programs. 6
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Birds Doing Stuff 2027 Calendar, New Book by Steve Jessmore I’m excited to share two new projects that celebrate birds simply being birds—my sixth Birds Doing Stuff® calendar and my first coffee table book, "The Splendor Next Door: An Invitation to Discover Birds and Nature Close to Home." From powerful raptors to playful ducks and endangered Great Lakes piping plovers, each photograph captures authentic moments in the lives of birds and the habitats they call home. "The Splendor Next Door" grew from more than 250 mornings spent on a boardwalk at Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. By returning to the same place day after day, I discovered that
extraordinary wildlife and meaningful connections with nature can be found close to home. The result is a handsome hardcover book containing 129 bird-centric color photos. As a five-time Michigan Photographer of the Year and three-time National Audubon Photography Award winner, I use my camera to inspire appreciation for birds and the wild places that surround us. As a thank-you to co-op members, enjoy 15% off any order through Dec. 11 with code COOP15 at stevejessmore.com. Calendars, books, notecards, and fineart prints make meaningful gifts for bird and nature lovers.
The Recipe for Holiday Cheer COOKING FOR A CAUSE Make this holiday season special by ordering copies of our Country Lines cookbook and sharing the gift of community and care. Each purchase supports two deserving Michigan charities: Feeding America Local Food Banks and Cooperative Family Fund.
Order now in time for the holidays! Just scan the QR code or go to amazon.com and search “Michigan Country Lines Cookbook.” Please allow 7–10 days for shipping.
FUEL MIX REPORT
The fuel mix characteristics of Alger Delta Co-op Electric Association as required by Public Act 141 of 2000 for the 12-month period ending 06/30/26.
COMPARISON OF FUEL SOURCES USED Fuel source
Your co-op’s Regional average fuel mix fuel mix
Coal
36.0%
60.4%
Oil
0%
0.7%
Gas
18.9%
8.9%
Happy Holidays Holiday Office Closings
Nuclear
21.2%
24.6%
Renewable Fuels
23.9%
4.9%
Hydroelectric
1.2%
0.5%
Biofuel
0.0%
0.7%
Biomass
0.0%
0.4%
Solar
4.2%
0.1%
Christmas Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25
Solid Waste Incineration
0.0%
0.0%
New Year’s Friday, Jan. 1
Wind
18.5%
3.2%
Wood
0.0%
0.5%
Alger Delta will be closed on the following dates in observance of these upcoming holidays: Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27
NOTE: Biomass excludes wood; solid waste incineration includes landfill gas.
YOUR CO-OP’S FUEL MIX
‘Tis the Season For Energy Savings
REGIONAL AVERAGE FUEL MIX
EMISSIONS AND WASTE COMPARISON lbs/MWh Type of emission/waste
Your co-op
Regional average*
Sulfur Dioxide
0.3
7.6
Carbon Dioxide
1,173
2,170
Oxides of Nitrogen
3.1
2.0
0.0000
0.0083
High-Level Nuclear Waste
* Regional average information was obtained from the MPSC website and is for the 12-month period ending 12/31/25. Alger Delta purchases 100% of its electricity from WPPI Energy, which provided this fuel mix and environmental data.
8
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Keep your home cozy this holiday season with smart comfort and energy savings! BENEFITS OF A SMART THERMOSTAT: • Auto adjusts to save energy • Easy control from your phone • Energy savings all winter long
Holiday deals are already great; pair them with a $50 rebate from Alger Delta on the purchase of a smart thermostat and it really is the season for savings.
Scan the QR code to view eligible rebates or visit algerdelta.com/energy-waste-reduction-rebates-residential
MI CO-OP Photo Contest
TREASURED TRADITIONS
1
2 1. M ichigan mushroom hunting in spring. Connie Tingley 2. B aptism In Grand Marais Harbor. Paul Petersen
3
3. C herished winter tradition of the first sled pull. Kahla Osterhout
Submit a photo & win a $50 energy bill credit! Submit Your Photos & Win A Bill Credit! Alger Delta members whose photos we print in Michigan Country Lines during 2027 will be entered in a drawing. Four lucky members will win a $50 energy bill credit on their December 2027 bills! Upcoming Photo Topics and Deadlines: • Weather Wonders, due Nov. 25 (Jan./Feb. issue) • Wildflowers & Blooms, due Jan. 25 (March/April issue) • Michigan Wildlife, due March 25 (May/June issue) To submit photos, go to http://bit.ly/countrylines. We look forward to seeing your best photos!
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES
9
MI CO-OP Kitchen
HEIRLOOM RECIPES Made with memories.
WINNING RECIPE! STUFFED GREEN PEPPERS Kathleen Atwater, Cherryland Electric 5–6 small green bell peppers 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1¼ pounds ground beef 1 cup cooked instant white rice 1 egg 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 2 (10.75-ounce) cans Campbell’s condensed tomato soup • water, as directed on soup cans Preheat oven to 350°F. Wash the peppers and cut around the stems to remove the tops. Remove the seeds and membranes and rinse the insides. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender and translucent. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, sautéed onion, cooked rice, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until combined. Spoon the beef mixture evenly into the peppers. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright and close together in a roasting pan or baking dish. In a large bowl, combine the condensed tomato soup with the amount of water directed on the cans and stir until smooth. Pour the tomato soup over the peppers. Cover and bake for 2 hours, or until the peppers are tender and the filling reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. The tomato soup will cook down and thicken into a gravy as the peppers bake. Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables, if desired, spooning the tomato gravy over the peppers and potatoes. Note: This is a treasured family recipe that I never tire of making. I always think of my dad, who did the cooking when we were growing up. I especially love the smell as it cooks in the oven; it reminds me of walking into the house from outside when I was a kid. Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos
RECIPE CONTEST
Win a $100 energy bill credit!
Favorite Side Dishes due Dec. 1; Air Fryer Favorites due Jan. 1; Sheet Pan Meals 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.
10 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
BOURBON STEAK MARINADE Phil Ehardt, Great Lakes Energy 1 cup bourbon or whiskey ½ cup vegetable oil ¼ cup soy sauce 4–5 cloves garlic, minced 2–3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced or grated 2–3 pounds steak In a medium bowl, whisk together the bourbon, vegetable oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Place steak in a resealable plastic bag or covered container and pour the marinade over the meat, turning to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for more flavor. Remove the steak from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. Cook the steak as desired.
KAPUSTA (KIELBASA, SAUERKRAUT & POTATOES) Cynthia Hodges, Ontonagon REA ½ pound bacon, cut into small pieces 4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 1 large onion, diced 1 pound kielbasa (smoked or fresh, or ½ pound each), cut into 2-inch pieces 1 (32-ounce) jar sauerkraut, drained, juice reserved • water, as needed In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and reserve the drippings in the skillet. Place the potatoes in the bottom of a slow cooker and top with the cooked bacon. Add the onion to the reserved bacon drippings and sauté until tender. Pour the onion and bacon drippings over the potatoes. Add the kielbasa and top with the sauerkraut. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. If the mixture becomes dry during cooking, add some of the reserved sauerkraut juice for additional tanginess or water for a milder flavor. Serve warm. Note: This is our Polish family’s heirloom recipe. It’s served at every holiday meal, family party, or anytime we have a crowd to feed.
EASY SLOW COOKER CREAMY POTATO SOUP Ronda Judge, Homeworks Tri-County 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen diced hash brown potatoes 1 (32-ounce) carton chicken broth 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened and cubed 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 small package real bacon bits • salt and black pepper, to taste Add the frozen potatoes, chicken broth, cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, salt, and black pepper to a large slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 6–7 hours or on low for 8–10 hours, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the soup is creamy. Stir well before serving. Note: This soup is also delicious the next day, after the flavors have had time to meld.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 11
A Life Well Lived At 98, WWII veteran Bill Lipford could still remember the waves, the whales, the war—and the winding road that brought him home to Thunder Lake. By Yvonne Whitman
At 98 years old, Bill Lipford had a memory that seemed to operate on its own special clock. Ask him about yesterday, and he might have to think about it. Ask him about an event that happened more than 70 years ago, and the details came rushing back. “Anything you do when you’re in the service, you remember,” he said. “I can tell you things in the service a lot better than I can something that happened this morning.” That memory carried him back to a farm boyhood in Tennessee, a teenage fascination with the Navy, and a two-year military career that took him farther from home than he could have imagined. Lipford was born June 9, 1928, in Blytheville, Arkansas, one of five children. His father had moved the family there from Tennessee after taking a job connected to a new plywood mill. When Bill was 3, the family returned to Tennessee, where he grew up on the family farm. While farming was a way of life, Bill knew early on that it wasn’t the life he wanted. “You’re always behind,” he said of farm work. “You never get caught up.”
12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Instead, he dreamed of the Navy. His inspiration was an uncle who had served in the Navy during World War II. When his uncle came home from overseas, he brought stories of distant places—and gifts from China, including silk kimonos for family members. “I just got fascinated with that,” Bill remembered. “I decided that’s what I wanted to do.” There was only one problem: Bill was too young. At 16, he told his parents he intended to enlist. They weren’t convinced. They told him he’d probably change his mind before he was old enough. He didn’t. One day, Bill told his parents he was going to a friend’s house. Instead, he got on a bus and headed to the recruitment center in Nashville. But there was yet another obstacle at hand—Bill didn’t have a birth certificate. Two days after he was born, the county courthouse containing the records had burned. Bill thought he was home free. He made it through most of the physical before a doctor finally asked for his birthday. Without hesitation, Bill blurted out his real birth date. “I told
him,” Bill said. “I didn’t think about it.” The doctor closed his book, and said, “You’ve got to have a birth certificate and a letter from your parents. Come back with both when you are 17.” Fortunately, Arkansas law required births to be reported promptly, and officials were able to locate the record. Bill returned home, waited three months until he turned 17, and enlisted with his parents’ signatures. Soon, he was on his way to Navy boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland. Nine weeks later, he was headed for his first ship, the USS Albemarle. The young sailor quickly learned that the Navy could be an adventure, but it could also be terrifying. Bill was a deckhand, and during one voyage, the ship encountered a hurricane in the Atlantic. Massive waves battered the vessel, and sailors sleeping in hammocks were given ropes so they could tie themselves in. “The waves were 60 feet high during the worst of it,” he recalled. Later, while entering the Panama Canal, a tremendous wave slammed the ship against the end of the dock.
The impact tore a roughly 13-foot hole in the vessel, flooding some compartments. Sailors worked to contain the flooding, using mattresses and whatever else they could find to block the water while pumps worked nonstop to keep up. “We worked round the clock in shifts,” he remembered. Underwater Navy divers were able to make temporary repairs that allowed the ship to slowly continue through the canal and into the Pacific, bound for San Francisco for final repairs. The journey took more than three weeks. Along the way, something unexpected joined them. “One day a pod of whales appeared. They traveled right alongside the ship all the way to San Francisco Bay. It was almost as if they were escorting us. It was quite a thrill for a farm boy from Tennessee,” he recalled with a grin. Life aboard the ship also came with its own remedies. Before Bill enlisted, his uncle had given him one simple piece of advice: If he started feeling seasick, eat celery. So, whenever he visited the ship’s mess hall, Bill would request a stick of celery. “I took his advice and it
worked great. I never got seasick the whole time I was in the Navy.” Bill’s Navy service eventually took him to the Philippines, where he worked at a prisoner-of-war camp helping process Japanese prisoners who surrendered after the war. The experience left him with one of his most vivid memories. During patrols, Japanese soldiers would sometimes approach carrying a white flag. They would surrender their weapons and be escorted back to camp, where the first thing they wanted was food. The prisoners were desperately hungry. Some were so weak that Bill said they could barely walk. He remarked, “They were starving and very skinny. They found our food unusual, but they ate everything we gave them.” Bill remembered one older prisoner in particular. At the camp dining area, there were always boxes of fruit, and Bill would often sneak an extra piece of fruit and toss it to the prisoner. One day, the man called Bill over and gave him a small Japanese camera. Cameras weren’t permitted, so Bill wasn’t sure what to do with it. But he kept it. More than seven decades later, the story remained with him. And the camera now remains with Bill’s great-granddaughter, a professional photographer. After two years in the Navy, Bill returned to the United States. At 19, his life was only beginning. He moved to Flint, Michigan, where he found work at Buick and eventually became a supervisor in the automotive industry. He married Nancy, a young woman he’d met at an amusement park, and together they built a family with three children.
Bill in his woodworking shop
Family vacations were spent in Michigan’s Upper
“ Life teaches you how to live it—if you live long enough.” —Tony Bennett
Peninsula, where they rented a cabin on Thunder Lake. Bill and his family loved the U.P., and eventually they built a home there and moved to Thunder Lake, where Bill lived for the next 50 years. Bill’s sweetheart, Nancy, passed away in 2015. The farm boy from Tennessee had traveled across oceans, weathered a hurricane, survived a damaged ship, witnessed the aftermath of war, and returned home to build a family and a life beside a northern Michigan lake. When asked what he attributed his longevity to, his answer came quickly—“I had a good life.” Perhaps that was Bill’s greatest story of all—not simply that he lived to 98, but that he had filled those years with family, adventure, service, work, and a lifetime of memories worth keeping. And he made sure those memories were not lost. As we recognize National Veterans and Military Families Month this November, Bill’s story is a reminder of the stories carried quietly by the veterans among us. If you know a veteran, take a moment to ask about their experiences. Listen to their stories. Thank them for their service. Some stories have waited more than 70 years to be told.
Author’s note: My interview with Bill was conducted on Sept. 4, 2026, at his Thunder Lake home. Sadly, Bill passed away just nine days later, on Sept. 13, 2026. I was honored to have the opportunity to meet him, hear his stories, and share his memories with our readers.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13
R E T N I AW D N A L R E D N WO
Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland Remains the World’s Largest Christmas Store By Chris Lewis
A
s is often the case with familyowned businesses, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland had very humble beginnings. Wally and Irene Bronner created the store, and his father, Herman, a stonemason, and his crew hand-built it. As it began focusing on Christmas decorations (in addition to signs), the little store soon expanded, relocated, and grew into what is now known as the world's largest Christmas store.
Steady Growth, Constant Evolutions Before it was ever Michigan’s go-to destination for everything related to Christmas, Bronner’s began in a rather unusual way. In 1951—while painting signs and working on other projects for Frankenmuth and mid-Michigan 14 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
businesses—Wally Bronner received an order for 24 lamppost Christmas decorations. This order ignited a passion within him, as he decided to focus on Christmas décor, along with signs, from then on. As Bronner’s passion for Christmas increased, so did his business, leading him to open a store on East Tuscola Street in 1954. The business continued to expand as he added a lineup of Christmas gifts and home decorations in 1960. Within five years, he was directly importing Christmas decorations from Europe, too. Consequently, by 1966, he had no choice but to convert the nearby former Frankenmuth Bank building into Bronner’s Tannenbaum Shop, his second store.
“While the stores continued to grow, a third location, Bronner’s Bavarian Corner, opened in the former Hubinger Grocery Store in 1971,” explained Maria Sutorik, vice president of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, and Wally’s and Irene’s daughter. Despite Bronner’s three locations, the lines kept getting longer. To serve everyone efficiently and consistently, Bronner decided to consolidate his three businesses into one location. So, in 1977, he opened Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, a 45-acre complex that has welcomed millions of people ever since. Over the years, the business has steadily evolved. In 1984, its screenprinting division (once a primary focus) was sold, allowing Bronner to
dedicate himself solely to Christmas decorations. Eight years later, Bronner’s Silent Night Memorial Chapel was opened. It is a replica of St. Nicholas Church, the Austria-based chapel where "Silent Night" was first sung in 1818. “Since then, it’s been open daily during store hours for visitation and meditation,” Sutorik said.
A Store for All Generations For nearly 50 years, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland has been a store for all generations—not only for customers, but for employees as well. After all, Wally Bronner’s children assisted him with the business in some capacity for decades. Since his passing in 2008, they have owned and operated the business.
instead, looking at more than 50,000 trims and gifts, including roughly 8,000 ornament styles. Open 361 days a year (as it’s closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day), the store is anticipating nearly 50,000 customers during the threeday weekend after Thanksgiving. Thousands more will be shopping online, too. As Sutorik looks ahead, she believes Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland’s
friendly, exemplary service, warm environment, and wide array of items will steadily draw customers for many generations to come. “Bronner’s offers the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touch of Christmas,” she said. “It brings the full Christmas experience to everyone—and will continue to do so for years to come.” To learn more or plan your visit to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, go to bronners.com.
Additionally, Bronner’s grandson, also an owner, serves as catalog and product development manager. In every sense of the word, Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland is a family business, first and foremost. Therefore, it’s not only overseen by a tight-knit family unit, but it also focuses on treating every customer like family. “Our emphasis on exemplary customer service and memorymaking experiences prevails today,” Sutorik said. To ensure the store provides “memory-making experiences” to guests of all ages it offers three main decoration themes: religious, toyland, and traditional. “Bronner’s appeals to people of all generations,” Sutorik added. “For example, mom used to come with grandma and Aunt Susie and the kids. So now, the kids are bringing their kids.” She continued, “My father always said, ‘It doesn’t cost anything to get in, and what it costs to get out is up to you.’” With this in mind, customers can simply explore the premises, including Silent Night Memorial Chapel, or they can just enjoy light meals and refreshments at Bronner’s Season’s Eatings snack area. Of course, many choose to explore the entire store
Chris Lewis is a freelance writer based in Northern Michigan. For more information, please visit chrislewiswrites.com or email him at lewis.christopherm@gmail.com.
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 15
Conserving Gaylord’s Elk Population
G
was interested in not only conserving hundreds of acres of land, but the city’s natural wildlife, too. So, he shared a concept with his fellow city council members: to create an elk park, while also using land that had been vacant for over 10 years.
aylord is renowned for a variety of activities, events, and offerings. The annual Alpenfest. Endless golf courses. A gorgeous downtown. But arguably, nothing is more popular than its elk. Yes, elk. In fact, the animal is so well recognized that it’s become Gaylord’s official mascot.
“Originally, when the park first opened, the elk were viewed on Grandview Boulevard, which was the only viewing area until 2025,” said Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “The addition of the new viewing platform enhances a tradition that’s set to steadily increase in popularity.”
A Growing Tradition Simply put, there’s no better place to see the Alpine Village’s elk collection than Elk View Park. Located less than five minutes from downtown Gaylord, the park has increased considerably—both in attendance and in total herd count—since it was opened in the late 1980s. At that time, the park only had three elk, which were donated by Project Nature, a former nature center.
By Chris Lewis
Today, the park has more than 50 elk, each of which is free to roam throughout the 108-acre property. Thousands upon thousands of people, many of whom are from other states and countries, visit the park annually now, proving just how popular it’s become not only in Michigan, but across the world. Founded by Gaylord’s longest sitting city council member, Patrick Mankowski, the park began as an idea. Mankowski
16 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Beachnau’s prediction concerning the elk park’s continuous rise in popularity is due to various factors. First, elk viewing is an activity that families, Gaylord residents, and visitors have relished for generations on the 45th parallel. Second, since Gaylord is located right off of I-75, it’s an easy stop for drivers who are visiting from downstate or the Upper Peninsula. Finally, elk viewing at the park is not only free, but it can be enjoyed by people of all ages as well.
The City’s Elk View Park Has Become a Prime Destination for Elk Sightings
“Aside from elk becoming Gaylord’s official mascot, the park’s popularity is apparent in another main way,” Beachnau added. “According to a tourism survey in 2017,
“ It’s not every day that people can witness these majestic animals up close. But in Gaylord, you can do exactly that every day.”
60% of Gaylord visitors participated in elk viewing.” This percentage may be even higher now, as the park now has a live video feed that enables people to view the elk from anywhere in the world (that has Internet access, that is). Not to mention, the Gaylord Tourism Bureau has some social media channels that have further connected people across the globe. “Our elk cam received over 122,000 views in its first month,” said Christy Walcott, director of marketing and communications for the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “We now have a 24/7 live feed streaming on YouTube, along with the cam, which is always available on our website.”
Enhancements for the Future Over the past 25 years, a variety of changes have occurred at (and nearby) Elk View Park. First, another park was created in 2001. Known as Aspen Park, it provides neighboring biking and walking trails. Second, the adjacent Gaylord Disc Golf Course
opened in 2014. Both areas have views of the elk park, and you may even hear elk bugling during the fall. Furthermore, the aforementioned new elk viewing platform, which, was established in 2025, is located just down the road from Elk View Park’s original viewing area. The new viewing platform is universally accessible, and the park also has bathrooms, a gas fire pit, and a playground. “In addition to the new viewing platform, a paved pathway was recently added to the south ends of the park’s fence,” Beachnau said. “Extending into Aspen Park, the pathway offers visitors even more viewing options. And, of course, the new live feed is improving viewers’ experiences considerably.” Although there is no bad time of the year to visit or view the live feed, there are a few months that especially stand out. In late May and early June, calves are born. Meanwhile, in late September and early October, bulls begin to bugle (a mating call during the rut), crash their antlers together, and fight over cows.
“It’s not every day that people can witness these majestic animals up close,” Beachnau emphasized. “But in Gaylord, you can do exactly that every day.”
For more information, scan the QR code or visit gaylordmichigan.net
MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17
Where In Michigan Is This?
MI CO-OP Guest Column
Memories Made in a Little Neighborhood By Linda Livermore, a Cloverland Electric Cooperative member
MYSTERY PHOTO Win a $100 energy bill credit! Identify the correct location of the photo above by Nov. 25 and be entered into a drawing to win a $100 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community.
SEPTEMBER 2026 WINNER! Our Mystery Photo winner is George Sever, an Ontonagon REA member who correctly identified the photo as the statue in downtown Flushing, Michigan, at Cornwell Park. Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September, and November/December.
18 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026
Like all young girls, I was no exception. Living in St. Ignace, in what was known as the third ward, also called Vide-Puche, French for “empty pockets,” the neighborhood was filled with kids my age and was a fun place to grow up. Playing dress-up, building snow forts, going to the local theatre, holding hands for the first time with a classmate you had a crush on—life was good in the 1950s. The big two-story brick schoolhouse was a place of safety, learning, friendship, and memories to carry into old age. I was afraid that, starting kindergarten, I would forever be known as a “kindergarten baby.” I was made to stay after school because, for the life of me, I could not make the number eight. I could not understand why a circle on top of a circle was not good enough. Moving through the grades, there were only six; each one held a special memory, from learning to do the Virginia reel with precision to decorating your very own valentine box and hoping it
would be full, to a field trip across the road to the woods to gather materials to make a wooden flute. Thanks, Mr. Hagen. But, for me, the very best times were in the winter when the sandlot/playground would be flooded to make a perfect skating rink so that during recess and after school and in the evenings and sometimes all day Saturdays, we could ice skate to our hearts, content. As a young girl, I would lace up the skates and glide (I thought) like an Olympic skater. If I closed my eyes and still was upright, I could picture myself with my skirt gently lifted as I skated to the music coming from the warming shack and see myself standing on the podium receiving the gold medal, hanging tightly to the bouquet of flowers given to the winner. That dream never became a reality, but lots of dreams don’t, and the memory has lasted into old age. Linda is retired from the 92nd District Court in St. Ignace. She has written a column for the St. Ignace News for the last 35+ years.
GUEST COLUMN Win $200 for stories published!
Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $200 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.
LOWER YOUR HEATING & COOLING COSTS. PERMANENTLY. Simply add a Well-Connect to your home.
HEAT FOR AS LOW AS
COOL FOR AS LOW AS
ALL WINTER
ALL SUMMER
$600
$50
WHY WELL-CONNECT?
TWICE AS EFFICIENT
INVENTED IN AND
AS AN AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP
70° AIR
50° WATER
Leverages Your Existing Well
Already have a well? You're halfway there! Well-Connect turns your well into a clean energy source.
MADE IN MICHIGAN
95° AIR
38° WATER
Quick Installation
Well-Connect is simply added to your existing heating system.
Hybrid Geothermal
The Most Efficient Dual Fuel System
EXISTING FURNACE
Unlike dual fuel air source systems, Well-Connect maintains 400% efficiency year-round, saving you much more money.
After available incentives, your energy savings can pay for the system. Geothermal Made Affordable
833-436-9355 wellconnectgeo.com
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE No Home Visit Required for a Free Estimate
/algerdeltaelectric
800-562-0950
How will you
MAKE YOUR MARK? *
June 16 – 22, 2027!*
An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. What Is Youth Tour?
How To Apply
•
Explore Washington, D.C., through historic monuments, world-class museums, and visits with elected officials.
•
Applicants must be between the ages of 15–17 years old on June 12, 2027.
•
Build leadership skills and discover how you can make your mark on the future.
•
•
Connect with students from across the country and form friendships that last a lifetime, all sponsored by Alger Delta Electric Cooperative.
You and your parents, guardian, or grandparents must be served by Alger Delta Electric Cooperative.
•
To apply, scan the QR code below or visit cooperativeyouthtour.com!
•
Deadline to apply is Jan. 6, 2027.
*Dates subject to change; for the most accurate information, visit: cooperativeyouthtour.com
Learn more: cooperativeyouthtour.com mi.coop.youth.tour
MAKE MARK! YOUR