Time is running out to take advantage of a 30% tax credit for geothermal You may not realize it, but right beneath your feet is an almost unlimited reservoir of stored solar energy. A WaterFurnace geothermal system taps into this free and renewable resource to provide savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling, and hot water—with a comfort you have to experience to believe. Right now, you can save thousands on installation, thanks to a 30% federal tax credit. But don’t wait—this credit ends on Dec 31, 2025. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn more!
Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com
Sunfield
Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com
Three Rivers
Bel Aire Htg & Clg 1-888-235-2473 belaire.com
Traverse City Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com
CO-OP REBATE INCENTIVES
Alger Delta Electric: up to $2,000
Cherryland Electric: up to $2,500
Cloverland: up to $6,275
Great Lakes Energy: up to $5,000
Homeworks/Tri-County Electric: up to $4,750
Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op: up to $4,750
Thumb Electric: up to $2,000
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark
EDITOR: Christine Dorr
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird
RECIPE EDITOR: Christin Russman
COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd
PUBLISHER:
Michigan Electric Cooperative Association
Michigan Country Lines, 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: 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.
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. 2025. 13. Extent and nature of circulation:
MI CO-OP Community
RECIPE CONTEST
See details on page 10.
Chocolate, Reimagined due Dec. 1, Global Comfort Food due Jan. 1, Rice Dishes due Feb. 1.
Win a $100 bill credit!
GUEST COLUMN
Share your fondest memories and stories.
Win $200 for stories published!
MYSTERY PHOTO
See details on page 18. Win a $100 bill credit!
To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community
6 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Helping to keep the lights on for the 25-26 heating season.
10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN
Holiday Mains: The heart of the holiday table.
14 HARVESTING A DREAM: KORSON’S TREE FARMS HEADS TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Generations of grit and growth earn the Korson family a place in history.
18 SHOP MEMBER EXCLUSIVES
Discover unique gifts from your co-op community—order the ‘Best of Michigan Country Lines Cookbook’ for holiday giving, and enjoy member pricing on the beautiful ‘Birds Doing Stuff’ 2026 calendar by Steve Jessmore.
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
Tim Jenkins
586-306-2141 • d3director@algerdelta.com
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 Fax: 906-428-3840 • admin@algerdelta.com algerdelta.com
OFFICE HOURS
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. (EST)
We’re Ready for Storm Season. Are You?
By Mike Furmanski, General Manager
Winter is just around the corner and along with all of the fun winter events and activities, these are also the months that make conditions perfect for dangerous storms. These potential weather events can cause destruction to our electrical system, but I want you to know that Alger Delta crews are ready and standing by to respond should power outages occur in our area.
When major storms knock out power, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they get to work on any downed lines. I would encourage you to also practice safety and preparedness to protect your family during major storms and outages.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness, but you can visit www.ready.gov for additional resources.
• Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of nonperishable food, such as canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water, and other essentials (e.g., diapers and toiletries).
• Confirm that you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies including towelettes, soap, and hand sanitizer.
• Ensure your first aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages, and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current.
• Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener, and a portable, battery-powered radio or TV.
• Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location.
In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers, and other sensitive electronics. This will help prevent overloading the circuits during power restoration. That said, do leave one light on so you will know when power is restored. If you plan to use a small generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely. During the outage, please check Alger Delta’s Facebook page for power restoration updates. After the storm, avoid downed power lines and allow crews to safely perform their jobs, including those that might be on your property.
Advance planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and can lessen the impact of the storm’s effects. Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings and go to Alger Delta’s Facebook page to stay abreast of power restoration efforts and other important co-op news and information.
I hope we don’t experience severe storms this winter, but we can never predict Mother Nature’s plans. At Alger Delta, we recommend that you act today because there is power in planning. From our co-op family to yours, we hope you have a safe and wonderful winter.
Distribution Department Updates
Alger Delta Electric Cooperative is pleased to announce that apprentice lineman Riley Corrigan has achieved Journeyman Lineman Status. Riley, who began working for the co-op in 2022, recently completed 7,000 hours of fieldwork training and testing through the Joint Michigan Apprentice Program (JMAP) to attain his certification. Congratulations, Riley, and we wish you continued success in your new position!
EWR Rates Notice
As required by Public Act 229 of 2023, Alger Delta will be administering an Energy Waste Reduction program starting in January 2026. We will offer energy-saving rebates and programs. This will require us to collect money from our members to fund these rebates and programs. At the Sept. 24, 2025, board of directors meeting, the following rates and charges were approved. These rates and charges will be assessed starting with the January 2026 bills.
Residential—$0.0038/kWh
Small Commercial—$2.58 per meter per month
Large Commercial and Industrial—$172.32 per meter per month
Important Notice
Alger Delta will be discussing a new rate class for electric vehicle charging stations at the Dec. 17, 2025, meeting. This meeting will be at our main office at 426 N. 9th St., Gladstone, MI 49837 starting at 1 p.m.
Happy Holidays
Alger Delta will be closed on the following dates in observance of these upcoming holidays:
Thanksgiving: Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28
Christmas: Thursday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Dec. 26
New Year’s Day: Thursday, Jan. 1
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 06/30/25.
Energy Assistance Programs 2025-2026 Season
Winter Protection Plan
Contact: Local Utility Company
Add
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.
Home Heating Credit
Contact: Michigan Dept. of Treasury
You can apply for a Home Heating Credit for the 2025 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 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.
Standing Up for Michigan’s Co-op Members
Statewide Effort
Reaches the White House
By John Kran, President & CEO, Michigan Electric Cooperative Association
When Michigan’s electric cooperatives faced one of the most destructive ice storms in state history last March, line crews braved freezing rain, fallen trees, and impassable roads to rebuild miles of damaged power lines and restore service to tens of thousands of homes The storm caused more than $300 million in damage across rural Michigan, with the most severe impacts in Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op’s and Great Lakes Energy’s service territories.
Because electric cooperatives are not-for-profi t and member-owned, every dollar spent on storm recovery ultimately affects local families, farmers, and small businesses. Without federal help, those costs fall directly on the people the co-ops serve.
Progress Achieved
After months of unified advocacy, President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration on July 22, unlocking emergency funds to help rural communities recover. We’re grateful to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan’s bipartisan congressional delegation, and state legislative leaders for coming together to support co-op communities.
That approval was a critical fi rst step, but it didn’t go far enough. The declaration covered emergency cleanup, but not the long-term rebuilding aid known as Category F (Utilities) funding.
Why Category F Matters
Category F assistance helps utilities rebuild permanently after disasters by repairing poles, wires, and substations so systems are stronger for the future. Without it, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op and Great Lakes Energy will face lasting fi nancial strain from the storm’s damage.
To put the challenge in perspective:
• Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op faced about $150 million in recovery costs, roughly $4,500 per member.
• Great Lakes Energy’s initial storm rebuilding and recovery cost was about $155 million, or 40 times its annual storm budget.
These fi gures refl ect the storm’s extraordinary impact on northern Michigan and why continued federal support is essential to full recovery.
“Michigan’s electric cooperatives acted quickly, restored power safely, and stood by their communities in a time of crisis. Now, we’re asking Washington to stand by them.”
A Unified Grassroots Response
To help secure full recovery support, the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA) partnered with the cooperatives and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) to mobilize the Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP) platform. Together, we launched the Michigan Ice Storm Petition, urging the White House and FEMA to approve Category F funding for Michigan’s co-ops.
The petition focused on the hardest-hit areas served by Presque Isle and Great Lakes and gathered nearly 12,500 signatures from co-op members and advocates statewide. We recently delivered those signatures to the White House, ensuring that Michigan’s rural voices were heard at the highest level.
The Power of Cooperation
This effort shows what makes electric cooperatives unique. Working through MECA and NRECA, Michigan’s co-ops speak with one strong, unifi ed voice representing rural homes, farms, and businesses across the state and nation.
Michigan’s electric cooperatives acted quickly, restored power safely, and stood by their communities in a time of crisis. Now, we’re asking Washington to stand by them.
Alger Delta Represented at Youth Tour 2025
For the last 57 years, approximately 1,800 students from at least 44 states have participated in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program. This five-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., held each June, is a high-energy, interactive experience and is designed to help young people grow as leaders. Together with students from across the country, the selected Michigan students learn about co-ops, leadership, history, and the importance of civic engagement.
This year, Alger Delta chose Joseph Augustyn of Traunik, Michigan, to represent the cooperative at the 2025 Youth Tour. The 17-year-old senior attends Superior Central High School in Eben Junction and is the son of Allan and Terry Augustyn. Joseph participates in track and cross country and was chosen last year to participate in Michigan Youth in Government.
Joseph applied for Youth Tour because of his interest in history. “I’m very interested in the history of the United States. I wanted to see all of the historical monuments and learn more about our nation’s history,” he said.
Joseph flew to Washington, D.C., on June 18 along with Alger Delta’s other Youth Tour candidate, Hope Brunngraeber. Once there, he joined other Youth Tour participants in visiting historical landmarks, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Ford’s Theater, the Natural History Museum, and the Washington Monument. For Joseph, the highlight of the trip was George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. “It was very meaningful for me to be able to view our nation’s first president’s home and grounds,” he said.
Joseph plans to apply to Michigan Technological University and pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Alger Delta is proud to have sponsored Joseph on this unforgettable journey and proud of the way he represented the Upper Peninsula. Congratulations, Joseph—and best wishes for all your future endeavors!
Alger Delta Contributes to Tri-County Safe Harbor
In collaboration with CoBank and WPPI Energy, Alger Delta Electric Cooperative recently made a $7,500 donation to TriCounty Safe Harbor. Tri-County Safe Harbor provides safe shelter and help for domestic and sexual abuse survivors. Services are free and confidential to men, women, and children. They are located in Escanaba, Michigan, with two outreach offices in Menominee and Manistique, Michigan.
Pictured are Melissa O’Neill, program manager/interim director, and Mike Furmanski, general manager of Alger Delta Electric Cooperative.
PET PERSONALITIES
1. “One day, buddy, we’ll drive that thing.” said the dog, Archie. Amanda Bishop
2. Those eyes! Pure love... for hard-boiled eggs. Jeanne Kennedy
3. Fun on the water. Kendall Fladung
4. You caught me at a calm moment. Burt Terri
5. Pups at play. Christy Herrild
6. Daisy wears a daisy!
Cassidy Gillman
7. The cat did it! Judith Rybinsky
8. Ellie in autumn. Ginny Dunn
9. Best friends Jax and Bob. Monica Merryman
10. Ole is a blueberry-picking dog. He doesn’t put them in a pail, but in his tummy. Paul Petersen
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 2026 will be entered in a drawing. Four lucky members will win a $50 energy bill credit on their December 2026 bills!
Upcoming Photo Topics and Deadlines:
Seasonal Beauty, due Nov. 25 (Jan./Feb. issue)
Sunrise to Sunset, due Jan. 25 (March/April issue)
Birds, due March 25 (May/June issue)
To submit photos, go to http://bit.ly/countrylines
We look forward to seeing your best photos!
HOLIDAY MAINS
The Heart of the Holiday Table
RECIPE CONTEST Win a $100 energy bill credit! Chocolate, Reimagined due Dec. 1, Global Comfort Food due Jan. 1, Rice Dishes 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!
SIRLOIN TIPS WITH MUSHROOMS
Terry Baxter, Great Lakes Energy
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1¼ pounds sirloin steak, cubed
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
¾ pound fresh mushrooms, sliced (about 4 cups)
¹⁄3 cup beef broth
¹⁄3 cup dry red wine or water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon cornstarch
½ cup whipping cream
• chopped parsley, for garnish
Preheat oven to 300 F. In a wide skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter and the oil. Add the meat, brown slightly, then add garlic and stir. When meat pieces are browned (but not cooked through), transfer to a casserole dish with a lid. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Sauté the mushrooms for 1–2 minutes, then add to the meat mixture. Cover. Bake slowly for 45–50 minutes until the meat is tender. Meanwhile, add the broth, wine or water, and soy sauce to the pan in which the meat was browned. Boil, stirring up the brownings until reduced to about half. In a small bowl, blend the mustard, cornstarch, and cream until smooth. Add to the pan, stir, and boil sauce until thick. When the meat has fi nished cooking, transfer only the juice from the meat into the sauce. Stir and bring to a boil, while whisking, until smooth and thick. Add the meat to the sauce and stir in. Sprinkle with parsley. This can be served over white rice or wide egg noodles. Makes 4 servings.
Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos
BAKED SALMON
Ann Pihlaja, Ontonagon REA
4 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, minced
2–3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided
1 salmon fi llet (1½–2½ pounds), deboned
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1–2 tablespoons minced parsley, divided
• cooking spray, optional
Preheat oven to 450 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil that overlaps the sides of the pan. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook on medium heat for about 3 minutes or until the onions are softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring. Remove from
heat and stir in half the lemon juice. Cool slightly. Place the salmon, skin side down, diagonally to fi t across the aluminum foil, making sure it is completely deboned. (Note: If you don’t add cooking spray to the foil, the salmon comes off the foil without the skin.) Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the butter mixture over the salmon covering the entire surface. Sprinkle with half of the minced parsley. Roast in the oven for 12–17 minutes, depending on how thick the salmon is. The best way to check for doneness is to use a fork to gently prick the salmon, and if it flakes easily, it’s ready. Either use several spatulas to take the salmon off the baking sheet in one piece, or cut it into sections. Squeeze the remaining half of the lemon juice over the fish and sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve immediately.
SUPERB SPINACH LASAGNA ROLLUPS
Deb Finedell, Great Lakes Energy
8 lasagna noodles
1¾ cups ricotta cheese
2 cups cottage cheese
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded & divided
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded & divided
3 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
3 cups spaghetti sauce, divided
• fresh parsley, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water to al dente, then
drain and cool. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta and cottage cheese, 1½ cups Monterey Jack, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, spinach, garlic, and salt and pepper. Spread half of the sauce into the bottom of a 9-inch broiler-safe baking dish. Lay the lasagna noodles evenly on a large cutting board or fl at surface. Spread the fi lling mixture evenly onto each noodle. Gently roll up each noodle lengthwise and place seam side down in the baking dish. Drizzle rollups with remaining sauce and top with remaining cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 1–2 minutes, or until the cheese is dark golden brown. Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW
Ruth Armbrustmacher, HomeWorks Tri-County
2 pounds beef stew meat (such as chuck roast), cut into 1-inch cubes
¼ cup fl our
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, chopped
1½ cups beef broth
3 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
1 (10-ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
Place beef in a slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix together the fl our, salt, and black pepper. Pour over meat, and stir to coat it evenly. Add the garlic powder, bay leaf, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, and diced potatoes to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 10–12 hours. To thicken, in a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the cold water until smooth. Add to the slow cooker and stir. Add the thawed mixed vegetables to the slow cooker. Stir and serve.
A Lineworker’s Timeline
RESTORING A POWER OUTAGE
By Brandon Keesee,
“How long is it going to take?” Those are familiar words to all who work in the electric industry. It’s a phrase I’ve been asked thousands of times in my career. I’ve been asked by phone, through car windows, from front porches, sidewalks, bicycles, and gas pumps, as well as at diners. I’m pretty sure children in car seats have even asked me. It’s the first thing people think when the lights go out. It doesn’t take long to sit in the dark and realize how dependent we are on electricity and how much it makes our lives better and easier.
As a lineworker, it’s always a good feeling to help people get those lights back on. I can remember times when I’ve been on storm or extended outages re-energizing neighborhoods and heard people in their homes cheering as their lights came on for the first time in days. No matter how tired I am or how long I’ve been working, that feeling will always make it worthwhile.
But what does it take to get those lights back on? Why does it sometimes take so long? Most people will never get to experience or witness the work that goes into ending outages. Hopefully, after reading this, you will have a better understanding of the process and the work that Alger Delta line crews are doing to restore your power.
The electricity you use travels a great distance and undergoes several steps to reach your home. It starts with a power plant. Power plants use fuel to produce power. That fuel could be natural gas, diesel, coal, hydro, wind, solar, or nuclear. A power plant typically produces voltages of less than 30,000 volts. That voltage needs to be “stepped up” so it can travel long distances. That process starts next door in the power plant’s substation and switchyard. In the substation, a transformer steps up the voltage to 345,000 volts, or sometimes higher, and sends it out on transmission lines to another substation.
At the next substation, the electricity begins to move closer to its destination. Here we start stepping the voltage down. In this second substation, a transformer will step down the voltage to 69,000 volts and send it to smaller local substations.
These local substations are the final substation before the electricity reaches your home. Here, it is stepped down again, this time with a transformer, to the 7,200 or 14,400
volts that can then be delivered to the poles outside your home. Once it arrives outside your home, it is stepped down a final time, yes, by another transformer. This final transformer will step the voltage down to 120/240 volts that operate all the devices that power your life.
What I just described is hundreds of miles of line and thousands of poles. That’s a lot of exposure for something to happen and cause an outage. Just like your home, our system has breakers. Our breakers help us reduce the exposure of the line and allow us to split our system into sections. Doing so helps limit the size of the outages and will enable us to keep as many people on as possible. Breakers also help to protect equipment on the line. Ever wonder why your lights blink a few times before going off? That’s the breaker. They operate a few times, trying to give the fault a chance to clear the line before they open for good.
lineworker with SEMO Electric Cooperative in Missouri, and Alger Delta’s foremen, Brandon Lind and Jon Conger
Now that the lights have blinked, your breaker has opened, and the power is off. So, what happens?
THE OUTAGE BEGINS:
6:35 P.M.
YOUR LOCAL LINEWORKER GETS A PHONE CALL.
When I answer the phone, I’m told that we have an outage. My first question is ”What is the map location?“ Our system is divided into separate maps, and each account has a corresponding map location. This question will help me determine roughly where the outage is located on the system. They will also let me know if it is an individual outage or if there are several members reporting an outage. The next thing I do is to go to my iPad and check the outage tracker that shows all reported outages on a map. From there, I can
7:45 P.M. ARRIVAL AND LINE INSPECTION
I often see people outside when their power is off, sitting on their porch or working in the yard. Sometimes I drive by several times. I often wonder what they are thinking when they see me driving by multiple times. Do they think I’m just driving around? Do they wonder why I’m not getting their power back on? But that’s exactly what I’m doing. The first time you see me, I’m most likely driving to the breaker. I need to go to the breaker to verify that it’s open. The second time you see me drive by, I’m visually checking the line to see what may have caused the outage. Checking the line can take some time. It’s one of the more time-consuming steps we take, but also one of the most important parts of restoring an outage. We can’t just simply flip a switch and restore the power. That can be dangerous for many reasons. The outage could have been caused by a downed line in someone’s yard or equipment failure. Re-energizing the line under those two examples would be very dangerous to the public and could cause more damage, and just extend the outage longer. Therefore, it’s essential to visually inspect the line before attempting to use the breaker. Several things can cause an outage. A few examples of things I’m looking for are fallen trees, tree limbs, old line repairs that have failed, car accidents, lightning, animals, and equipment failure.
Another factor that can add time to inspecting the line is terrain. We try to put poles along the road, but that can’t always be accomplished. Electric co-op lines go where they are needed, and that might be in extremely remote places. While poles and lines that run along the road can be inspected and repaired faster, terrain and direction of the line sometimes require us to run the line off-road. If it’s not along the road, the line must be checked on foot. If it’s dark, that can make this job even more difficult and time-consuming, regardless of where it’s located. When a line isn’t along the road, it may require special equipment such as a four-wheeler, side-by-side, or track buckets. Some of our lines cross lakes, valleys, and swamps.
(Continued on page 16.)
HEADING TOWARD THE OUTAGE:
Dream
Korson’s Tree Farms Heads to the White House
By Emily Haines Lloyd
For the Korson family of Montcalm County, life has always been measured by the seasons. Spring brings planting, summer calls for trimming, fall demands harvest, and winter delivers the reward—families gathered around Christmas trees that took a decade or more to grow. This year, that steady cycle of farm work has blossomed into a once-in-a-lifetime honor: One of their evergreens will soon stand tall in the White House Blue Room as the official Christmas tree of the United States. The Korsons earned this honor by winning a National Christmas Tree Association contest.
“This is our Super Bowl,” says Great Lakes Energy member Rex Korson, who now runs the farm his parents started back in 1973. “You don’t get here overnight. It’s years of work, of always asking yourself how to get better.”
A Family Business Built on Determination
The roots of Korson’s Tree Farms run deep. What began with Rex’s father Wayne, an accountant who turned to trees when steady work proved hard to fi nd, has grown into a 1,000acre operation that produces tens of thousands of trees and wreaths each year. Over the decades, Wayne, Rex, and now the next generation have poured themselves into the farm. Their journey refl ects what farming in Michigan means: resilience when times are lean and pride when the hard work pays off.
Rex’s children, including his oldest son, Jack, who recently finished his MBA
Photos by Cory Smith, DN Photo
Jack Korson uses a telescoping measuring stick to check the height of the tree that was selected as the official 2025 White House Christmas Tree.
and joined the farm full time, represent the future of that legacy. Like so many family farms, the torch is being passed along, one growing season at a time.
While the Korson name is on the farm, Rex and his wife Jessica are quick to point out they don’t do this alone. The employees who shear, haul, irrigate, and harvest year after year are part of the family.
“We couldn’t do any of this without our crews,” Jessica said. “They give their full effort, and we couldn’t ask for better. They’re not just employees; they’re part of the Korson story.”
Competing With Heart
Christmas tree competitions aren’t new to the Korsons. Over the years, they’ve supplied trees for the Michigan Governor’s Mansion and even the vice president’s home. But the White House stage is the pinnacle, the place every grower dreams of. It didn’t
come easily. The family has entered the national competition six times before fi nally taking home the Grand Champion title.
Winning requires more than luck. It’s generations of knowledge, an eye for detail, and the kind of gumption that pushes a farmer to rise before dawn and stay out until dark.
“Each year we think ‘how can we improve?’” said Jessica. “You don’t settle. You just keep pushing yourself to be better.”
A Win for Michigan, a Win for Farmers
When news broke that Korson’s Tree Farms had fi nally claimed the crown, their hometown and the Michigan farming community rejoiced. Neighbors stopped by with congratulations. Calls poured in from fellow growers across the state. For Rex and Jessica, it wasn’t about
“
“Each year we think ‘how can we improve?’ You don’t settle. You just keep pushing yourself to be better.”
politics or spotlight. It was about representing Michigan farmers— the people who work hard, act as stewards, and ask for little more than the chance to keep their land thriving for the next generation.
After all, Michigan ranks third in the nation in Christmas tree production and grows more varieties than any other state. The Korsons’ win shines a national light on that strength and on the thousands of families who make their living in agriculture.
Heading to Washington
The head White House usher and grounds superintendent visited the farm to select the exact tree—an 18-foot evergreen tall enough to replace the Blue Room’s chandelier. In November, just before Thanksgiving, the Korson family will stand on the White House lawn as the First Lady accepts their tree, delivered by horsedrawn carriage.
It is the fruit of decades of labor, a once-in-a-lifetime dream rooted in patience, tenacity, and family. However, deep roots don’t stop growing. For the Korsons, this honor is not a fi nish line but a reminder that with determination and care, even a once-in-a-lifetime moment can grow again—perhaps into twice in a lifetime. Perhaps even more.
Rex and Jessica Korson, owners of Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney Township, place a red, white, and blue ribbon on the tree that was ultimately selected.
From left, Rex Korson and his father, Wayne Korson, measure the width of a tree as Dale Haney, the chief groundskeeper of the White House, works to select the official 2025 White House Christmas Tree.
THE PROCESS OF REPAIRS:
8:30 P.M.
OUTAGE CAUSE LOCATED, BUT SAFETY CONCERNS MUST BE ADDRESSED FIRST.
Once we identify the cause of the outage, safety steps must be taken before we can begin the work. These safety procedures add time, but they are vital. It’s how we survive in a dangerous job. It’s how we ensure lineworkers are protected and everyone goes home to their families. The most important thing we have to do is isolate and ground the line. This is an important step for many reasons. One reason is to protect from backfeed. Lineworkers always try to be aware of their surroundings. An important thing to listen for and be aware of is home generators. The transformer on your pole that drops the voltage down can also work in reverse. Your home generator, if installed incorrectly, could backfeed through your transformer and put primary voltage back on the line. To protect lineworkers, we install grounds as close to the work location as we can on both sides of the work. These grounds connect the neutral wire to all primary wires, making them all the same ”grounded potential” and safe to work on. The final safety step is the briefing. During the safety briefing, the job plan is discussed and explained, hazards are identified, and everyone is made aware of the grounds, their location, and the location of the breaker.
9 P.M.
ALL SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE. WE CAN BEGIN THE WORK.
Let’s say, for this outage, it was a tree. A 50-foot-tall oak tree fell through the line. It’s off the road, but we got lucky—it broke a crossarm, but the pole is good. The wire isn’t broken either, but it is currently under the oak tree. We need to cut down the tree and free the wire. This will take some time. Anyone who has cut up a downed tree will understand the danger. You have to be careful and pay attention to the tree and how it’s sitting on the ground. Downed trees can shift and roll as they are being cut. And here you also have power lines under tension, pinned down by the tree, adding an extra layer of danger. Special care and awareness must be used to remove this tree. Sometimes, the power lines must be tied down so that they can be raised in a more controlled manner once the tree is cut. While we work to clear the tree from the line, new material is on the way. We are going to need a crossarm, crossarm braces, new insulators, bolts, and ties to tie in the wire.
10:30 P.M.
THE TREE HAS BEEN CLEARED, AND THE MATERIAL HAS ARRIVED.
As I mentioned, the pole is off the road, so that means we can’t get a bucket truck to it. We will have to climb the pole. One of our lineworkers will put on his belt and hooks and climb to the top of the pole. He’ll bring all the tools he’ll need with him. One thing he will take with him is a handline. It’s a rope in a pulley that’s long enough to go from the top of the pole to the ground in a loop. This will be used to lift material and other objects to the lineworker that were too heavy or awkward to take up in his belt. Once he gets to the top of the pole, he will get to work. He’ll start by removing all the broken material. He’ll also inspect the top of the pole for damage we couldn’t see from the ground. Once he has it cleaned up, we will start sending up material on the handline. He should have taken the crossarm bolt with him when he climbed and installed it in the pole. The lineworker on the ground should have already put everything on the crossarm. Next, the lineworker on the ground will tie the crossarm onto the handline in a way that will allow the lineworker on the pole to just guide the arm onto the bolt as it’s being lifted up. Once the new crossarm is on the pole and all the bolts are tightened, the wire will be lifted up, also with the handline, and placed on the arm. The wire ties will be sent up, again on the handline, and the lineworker will tie in the wire. After completing all the work in the air, the lineworker will send down the handline and climb down. Once down, he’ll remove his belt and hooks and pack them away. The lineworker on the ground will now be “making up the handline,” which means he is getting it ready to store until it’s needed again. We’ll all carry the tools that we used back to the truck and get them packed away. Lastly, we will remove our grounds.
11:45 P.M.
REPAIRS COMPLETE.
Now, if you still happen to be on your porch, you will see me drive by a third time. This is good news because you are about to get your power restored. I’m heading for the breaker. Once I get to the breaker, I’ll call dispatch and get clearance to re-energize. I’ll let them know who is with me and if they are in the clear. They will check to make sure no one else is working on the line and then give me clearance to try the breaker. At this time, I will close the breaker, and your power will be restored.
12:05 A.M.
POWER RESTORED. OUTAGE OVER.
Keep in mind this is just one scenario; not every outage is the same. Each outage varies in time for restoration. This example outage took around five and a half hours to restore. If the tree had broken a pole, it would have been even longer.
1 A.M.
LINEWORKER RETURNS HOME, SAFE AND SOUND.
We work for you, our neighbors.
We’ve become so dependent on electricity that every outage, whether it is a short outage or an extended one, can be stressful for those without power. The longer the outages last, the more stressful and irritating they can become. I hope that I’ve provided a better understanding of the restoration process so you have an idea of what’s happening while you wait. Just know that your co-op line crews are doing their best to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible.
Alger Delta and its employees are members of your community. We live in the same neighborhoods. We shop at the same stores. Our kids go to the same schools. If your lights are off, there is a good chance ours are off, too. We will always be committed to serving our members and communities by providing safe and reliable electricity—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
‘Birds Doing Stuff’ 2026 Calendar by Steve Jessmore
After last year’s feature, we’re thrilled to share Steve Jessmore’s fifth “Birds Doing Stuff” calendar—a collection that celebrates birds being, well, birds. From powerful raptors to playful ducks and the fragile Great Lakes piping plovers, each image offers a glimpse into their world—a reminder of how much life and wonder surround us when we take the time to look.
Jessmore, a five-time Michigan Photographer of the Year and multi-year National Audubon Photography Award winner, uses his lens to connect people with the birds and habitats that surround them—often right in their own backyards.
As a thank-you to readers, enjoy 20% off any order through Dec. 10, 2025, using code COOP20 at stevejessmore.com
Calendars, notecards, and fi ne-art prints are available online— perfect gifts for bird and nature lovers alike.
Cooking For A Cause
Make this holiday season special by ordering your copies and sharing the gift of community and care. Each purchase supports two deserving Michigan charities: Feeding America Local Food Banks and Cooperative Family Fund.
Where In Michigan Is This?
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
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.
SEPTEMBER 2025 WINNER! Our Mystery Photo winner is Gay Kellner, an Alger Delta Cooperative member who correctly identified the photo as the 32-foot-long Steel Sturgeon statue in Indian River, Michigan.
