October 2022 GLE

October 2022

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Great Lakes Energy Cooperative

HORSEPOWER A look inside Grand Hotel Stables

Meet GLE’s Newest Board Member

Pathways Program Offers A Helping Hand

Making A Difference In Your Community

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Contents countrylines.com

/michigancountrylines

October 2022 Vol. 42, No. 9 /michigancountrylines

#micoopcommunity Instagram contest winner

A star-filled sky in a frame of trees @glenrobertsonphoto (Glen Robertson)

Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Casey Clark EDITOR: Christine Dorr

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Karreen Bird

RECIPE EDITOR: Christin McKamey COPY EDITOR: Yvette Pecha CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Emily Haines Lloyd

PUBLISHER: Michigan Electric Cooperative Association Michigan Country Lines, USPS-591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, with periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Mich., and additional offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, 201 Townsend St., Suite 900, Lansing, MI 48933.

Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta, Cherryland, Great Lakes, HomeWorks Tri-County, Midwest Energy & Communications, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Thumb electric cooperatives by their boards of directors.

Postmaster: Send all UAA to CFS. Association Officers: Tom Sobeck, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, chairman; Gabe Schneider, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Chris O’Neill, HomeWorks TriCounty Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; Craig Borr, president and CEO.

6 SCHOONER HURON JEWEL

CONTACT US/LETTERS TO EDITOR: Michigan Country Lines 201 Townsend St., Suite 900 Lansing, MI 48933 248-534-7358 editor@countrylines.com

10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN

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.

Hugh and Julie Covert inspire others while living the dream.

Baked Goods: Comforting recipes straight from your oven.

14 HORSEPOWER

A look inside Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel Stables.

MI Co-op Community

To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community

Instagram Contest

Use #micoopcommunity for a chance to be featured here and on our Instagram account.

Recipe Contest

See details on page 10.

Win a $50 bill credit!

18 GUEST COLUMN Hunting with Dad: The embarrassment of Gari Nowland’s first hunt was quickly replaced by her father’s love and pride.

Guest Column

See details on page 18.

Win $150 for stories published!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

3

Focusing On You:

October is National Co-op Month

gtlakes.com

Shaun Lamp, Great Lakes Energy President/CEO

/greatlakesenergy /jointruestream BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Howard Bowersox, Chairman, District 8 219-670-0977 hbowersox@glenergy.com Mark Carson, Vice Chairman, District 2 231-675-0561 mcarson@glenergy.com Paul Byl, Secretary, District 7 231-861-5911 pbyl@glenergy.com

Dale Farrier, Treasurer, District 5 231-564-0853 dfarrier@glenergy.com

Janet Andersen, Director, District 6 231-690-4622 jandersen@glenergy.com David Coveyou, Director, District 1 231-347-4056 dcoveyou@glenergy.com Richard Evans, Director, District 3 231-883-3146 revans@glenergy.com John LaForge, Director, District 9 269-623-2284 jlaforge@glenergy.com

Shelly Pinkelman, Director, District 4 989-390-6222 spinkelman@glenergy.com PRESIDENT/CEO: Shaun Lamp 888-485-2537 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Brett Streby 231-487-1389 • bstreby@glenergy.com BOYNE CITY HEADQUARTERS 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712

Hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. M–F Phone: 888-485-2537 Email: glenergy@glenergy.com TO REPORT AN OUTAGE: Call 888-485-2537 or login to your account at gtlakes.com.

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all is a busy time, and October is a particularly eventful month with school, community, and sports activities in full swing. It’s also when cooperatives of all kinds across the country celebrate National Co-op Month.

When I say Great Lakes Energy (GLE) celebrates Co-op Month, it really means we are celebrating you, our members.

Our core business purpose is to serve as your electricity provider, but the larger mission of the co-op is to help make our corner of the world a better place. In fact, “Concern for Community” is one of seven guiding principles that all co-ops share.

That’s been Great Lakes Energy’s focus since a group of farmers banded together to bring electric service to unserved rural areas of western Michigan 85 years ago, and it continues to be our focus today.

In much the same way our electric lines run through our service area, our concern for community flows through all our decisions—because being a co-op means being a responsible partner and good neighbor.

Great Lakes Energy works to help our community thrive through initiatives led by our employees and a board of directors that’s comprised of people who live in the communities we serve. Because of these many local ties, we understand our communities’ unique needs and strive to help meet them. One of the best examples of this is our ongoing effort to bring high-speed internet service to our members through our Truestream network. This project is a direct response to calls we heard from members about an important unmet need in our service area.

We’re proud to support local youth through our classroom grants and scholarship program. With your help, our People Fund program has provided more than $4 million in support for many community and charitable organizations across our service area since its inception in 1999.

As your trusted energy partner, we know that saving energy and money is important to you. That’s why we have numerous programs in place to help, including our new Energy Wise program.

We want to empower you to manage energy use at home. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to create an online account and download the GLE mobile app.

Both will allow you to conveniently monitor and manage your energy use.

We also know that some members may struggle to pay their electric bill from time to time. We’re here to help. We offer multiple payment options such as Budget Billing, FlexPay, and our Pathways Program, which you can read more about later in this issue. If you have questions about your energy bill or are having difficulty paying your balance, please call us so we can help.

For all these reasons and more, I am proud to lead a team that works hard to continue GLE’s legacy of focusing on meeting the needs of our members and their communities.

Change of Address: 888-485-2537, ext. 8924 Great Lakes Energy is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

4 OCTOBER 2022

“Our core business purpose is to serve as your electricity provider, but the larger mission of the co-op is to help make our corner of the world a better place.”

Classroom Grant Applications Due Nov. 5 o you know of a new, innovative school program in your area that could use a little bit of funding help? If so, we hope you’ll encourage officials at the school to apply for a GLE classroom grant.

Applications for the 2022–23 school year are due at our office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4.

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Teachers or administrators of K-12 public or private schools with children of GLE members enrolled may apply for a classroom grant worth up to $2,000 each. The school does not need to have its electricity supplied by GLE to be eligible.

GLE has awarded more than $143,000 in classroom grants to 168 projects since the program began in 2012.

Scholarships and classroom grants are just two of the many ways GLE fulfills one of its guiding cooperative principles of community involvement.

Additional grant information, including a list of the most recent grant recipients, can be found online at gtlakes.com/youth-programs/. If you have any further questions about the grant program, please email glenergy@glenergy.com or call (888) 485-2537, ext. 8957.

C L E V E R H O M E I M P R OV E M E N T (A N D S AV I N G S ) W I T H A

S M A R T T H E R M O S TAT Today’s latest generation of smart thermostats can sense when your home is occupied and adjust temperature settings automatically. That means energy normally used in heating or cooling an empty home can be saved, netting you a lower monthly energy bill. To further sweeten the deal, GLE’s Energy Wise program incentivizes the installation of a smart, occupancy-sensing thermostat with a $75 rebate.

To qualify for the Energy Wise rebate, the smart thermostat must have Wi-Fi connectivity with occupancy-sensing capabilities and must control a system that has air conditioning or electric heat.

Call 888-476-9534 or visit gtlakes.com/energy-wise today!

*To learn more about eligibility for this rebate, and all of the additional incentives offered through GLE’s Energy Wise program, visit gtlakes.com/energy-wise.

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or anyone who has considered moving to an island to pursue a passion for sailing, take inspiration from Hugh and Julie Covert.

After making a “bucket list” on New Year’s Eve in 2010 and pondering it for a couple of years, the couple transformed their dreams into reality.

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Julie met Hugh in Baltimore in 2009, and describes the encounter as “essentially love at first sight.”

Shortly thereafter, she learned to love sailing as much as he did. Hugh spent 20 years captaining tall ships on both the East and West Coasts, through the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Bahamas. When skippering a schooner in Traverse City, he searched for property to support his dream of having a place where he could moor a sailboat in his backyard. He had purchased a property in 2003 and built a house on Shelter Island, a small island just off Drummond Island.

In 2010, they moved to Shelter Island and began to fulfill their dream of building their own schooner. Great timing and happenstance supported their dream when Julie learned the local paper, the Drummond Island Digest, was for sale. Purchasing the paper in 2014 aligned with her writing and photography interests, plus the paper would serve as a tool for communicating progress on the schooner’s construction.

“I kept hoping someone would bring a tall ship to Drummond Island,” says Hugh. “Then I decided it could be me.”

By the time the couple moved to Shelter Island, Hugh had built seven 6

OCTOBER 2022

The Drummond Island tall ship on a day sail.

boats. Sailing since age 4, Hugh had both sailing and engineering in his genes. The Coverts knew the logistics of getting materials and volunteers to Shelter Island would be challenging, whereas Drummond Island would allow friends and neighbors to view progress as they constructed the schooner. They purchased property on Drummond Island, then built a structure that included a 30-by-72-foot workshop and an insulated room to keep epoxy glue and paint warm, plus power to run a chop saw and drills.

For two and a half years, the couple worked seven days a week to construct their own schooner.

They were assisted by more than 50 volunteers (both residents and seasonal visitors) who swept floors, painted the hull, or donated trees for

the project. Julie reported progress in a monthly blog.

Constructed of 18 types of wood and epoxy, the 78-foot Schooner Huron Jewel yields sleeping quarters for Captain Hugh, First Mate Julie, two deckhands, and six passengers.

Its name reflects its birthplace and Hugh and Julie’s initials. Cedar trees harvested from Drummond Island formed the gaff and boom. The Schooner Huron Jewel was christened with 15-year-old rum amid a crowd of island residents in 2018, then set sail for the start of many adventures as the Drummond Island Tall Ship Company.

The location for Drummond Island Tall Ships offers an ideal vantage point for all the excursions they offer aboard the Huron Jewel. The

Flag: United States

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IC ECIF ATIO

Each season, Hugh and Julie also provide the opportunity for two deckhands to learn to sail the waters surrounding Drummond Island and Canada’s North Channel. To train deckhands trying to gain experience to work on bigger schooners as Hugh did, they’ll take deckhands with no experience but enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn.

Hugh believes that writing down dreams is essential versus just talking about them. “You have to actually do it. You have to make it happen and there’s no time better than the present,” he says.

After the pandemic gave them time to reflect on what is important, Hugh and Julie were even more motivated to encourage others to follow their dreams. They set out on a ninemonth voyage this past August to sail from their homeport through the Great Lakes to the St. Lawrence Seaway, then south along the eastern seaboard. They plan to participate in

the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and Annapolis Sailboat Show, and most importantly, at each port of call, they will encourage people to live their dreams. They’ll continue south for the winter spreading their message, and return to Drummond Island in Spring 2023. On their “dream inspiration tour” of over 8,000 nautical miles, their mission is to share their story with thousands of people to inspire others to live their dreams.

Sailing with the Coverts and crew is a relaxing yet adventurous experience.

It’s also as interactive as you wish.

Passengers can assist with raising and lowering sails and even taking the wheel under Captain Hugh’s watchful eye. The Schooner Huron Jewel is allowing the Coverts to live out their motto, “sailing the dream,” while sharing their experience with passengers with great delight.

For the blog, more photos, and schedule, visit: ditallship.com.

HU

island’s surroundings are a labyrinth of channels, inlets, and harbors.

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Rig: Gaff rigged Model: Schooner Homeport: Drummond Island, Michigan Waters: Great Lakes Season: June–September Built: Drummond Island, Michigan Designer: Hugh Covert Length: 60 ft. on deck, 78 ft. overall Beam: 14 ft. 8 in.

Draft: 4 ft. 4 in. with centerboard raised; 9 ft. with board lowered Rig Height: 60 ft.

Sail Area: 1,700 sq. ft.

Displacement: 40,000 lbs.

Spar Material: Wood Hull: Wood, epoxy, and fiberglass cloth Power: Twin 100 hp Yanmar diesels Hull Speed: Estimated 10.3– 14 knots Passengers: Six passengers plus crew; sleeps six plus crew comfortably Crew: Sails with two crew Ownership: Drummond Island Tall Ship Company

/DITallShip

Left: First Mate Julie Covert and Captain Hugh launched the Drummond Island Tall Ship Company in 2018 with sailing trips on their handcrafted Schooner Huron Jewel.

Right: First Mate Julie Covert and deck hands raising the sails.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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A Service State Of Mind Meet Janet Andersen, GLE’s newest board member

M

ost days, Janet Andersen hits the ground running at 3:30 a.m.

That might sound crazy to some people, but for Janet, who was raised on the Mason County dairy farm that has been in her family since 1878, getting an early start on a busy day is just how things are done.

“Everything the cooperative does, and everything they stand for, is about community and the members,” Janet said. “The whole cooperative model appeals to me. The board is made up of members making decisions for the members, and we all have a stake in those decisions.”

“Everything the cooperative does, and everything they stand for, is about community and the members.”

Janet, a lifelong Ludington area resident, was recently elected to the District 6 seat on the Great Lakes Energy Board of Directors, replacing Bob Kran, who retired from the board. She was unopposed in the election.

Janet was honored when Bob called her earlier this year to encourage her to run for the board seat he would be vacating.

It was an honor for many reasons, she said, but especially because of the important role the cooperative has played in her family’s history. In fact, Janet recalls her father reminiscing about being kept home from school on the day crews brought electric service to the family farm.

Janet fondly remembers going to the cooperative’s annual meeting at a local high school. Coincidentally, she recently found an envelope with $3 still sealed inside that she was given for helping in a door prize drawing at an annual meeting when she was a child.

She said serving on the board also appealed to her because the cooperative’s culture mirrors many of her own values.

8 OCTOBER 2022

And although Janet might be new to the GLE board, serving on boards and attending related meetings are far from new to her.

She has served on the Mason County Board of Commissioners for the past 10 years and, in 2019, was named that board’s first-ever female chairperson. She’ll be running unopposed for re-election to her seat later this year. Through her service on the county board, she also serves on numerous county-level committees. She’s also a county planning commission member and serves the community in several other capacities.

But service to the community is in Janet’s blood. Her father served on the county board of commissioners for 20 years and his township board for another 20.

And if all those meetings and community activities don’t keep her busy enough, Janet has been employed as the manager of Orchard Market near Ludington for the past 44 seasons.

After just a short time on the board, Janet said she’d been impressed with the organization and is excited to help lead GLE in the years ahead. She’s particularly excited about Truestream and the difference its fiber internet service makes in members’ lives.

GREAT LAKES ENERGY

PHOTO

CONTEST

Feathers 1. The loon—Maria Isabel Dabrowski, Branch 2. Wild geese—Sheila Melke, Charlevoix 3. Hangin’ with the lories!—Allen Kalchik, Boyne Falls 4. Blue bird and apple blossoms—Linda Huismann, Luther 5. First impressions—Meghan Akers, Montague 6. Real-life Snow White—Tim Vanhorssen, Zeeland

MOST VOTES!

Enter to win a

$200

energy bill credit!

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Submit Your “Outdoor Adventures” Photos By Oct. 20!

Each month, members can submit photos on our website for our photo contest. The photo with the most votes is published here along with other selections.

Our October theme is Outdoor Adventures. Photos can be submitted by Oct. 20 to be featured in the January 2023 issue.

How To Enter: Enter the contest at gtlakes.com/photocontest/. Make sure to vote and

encourage others to vote for you, too. The photo receiving the most votes will be printed in an issue of Michigan Country Lines along with other favorites. All photos printed in the magazine in 2023 will be entered to win a $200 bill credit in December 2023.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

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MI CO-OP Recipes

Photos by Robert Bruce Photography || Recipes Submitted by MCL Readers and Tested by Recipe Editor Christin McKamey

BAKED GOODS Comforting recipes straight from your oven.

WINNING RECIPE! VEGGIE PIZZA

Crystal Carr, Midwest Energy 2 8 ½ 2 1 ¼ ¼ ½ ½ 2 ½

RECIPE CONTEST Win a

$50

energy bill credit!

10 OCTOBER 2022

Healthy Living due Nov. 1 National Cherry Month due Dec. 1 Submit your favorite recipe for a chance to win a $50 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.

cans crescent rolls ounces cream cheese, room temperature cup sour cream tablespoons Miracle Whip or mayonnaise package dry ranch dressing mix teaspoon garlic salt teaspoon garlic powder cup broccoli florets, finely chopped cup cauliflower florets, finely chopped medium carrots, finely chopped cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Preheat oven to 375 F. In an ungreased 9x13 pan, lay crescent rolls flat. Press the dough on the bottom and sides of the pan to form a crust.

Bake for 10 minutes. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, Miracle Whip/ mayo, ranch dressing mix, garlic salt, and garlic powder until well combined. Spread over crust evenly. Arrange broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and tomatoes evenly over cream cheese layer.

Serve immediately or refrigerate 1–2 hours before serving.

Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos

SHARON’S CARROT CAKE

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE NUT SQUARES

Sharon Tylenda, Great Lakes Energy

2 1½ 2 1½ 2 2 ¾ ¾ 4 2 1

cups flour teaspoons baking soda teaspoons baking powder teaspoons salt teaspoons cinnamon cups sugar cup buttermilk cup canola oil eggs cups raw grated carrots (8½ -ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained ½ cup chopped nuts 1 (3½ -ounce) bag flaked coconut

Frosting: 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature ¼ cup butter, softened to room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla 1 pound powdered sugar Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Add sugar, buttermilk, canola oil, and eggs.

Mix well. Add carrots, pineapple, nuts, and coconut. Mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake 20 minutes. Turn temperature down to 275 F and bake approximately 45 minutes longer until cake tester comes out clean. Be careful not to under or overbake. Let cake cool to room temperature. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla at low speed until fluffy. Add powdered sugar gradually until light and fluffy. Spread on cake. This cake is delicious, and is even better the next day.

Amy Gutowski, Great Lakes Energy

1 (4-ounce) package regular saltine crackers 1 stick butter 1 stick margarine 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans Preheat oven 350 F. Line the bottom of a cookie sheet with saltines, salty side up.

Place butter and margarine in a saucepan over low heat and stir until melted. Add the brown sugar and stir until ingredients are well blended and a sauce-like consistency.

Pour the brown sugar syrup evenly over the crackers, smoothing with a wooden spoon.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE

BLUEBERRY COBBLER

Cindy Thome, Alger Delta

½ ½ 1¾ 2 1 2½ 4 ½ 1 ½ ½

cup butter cup vegetable oil cup sugar beaten eggs teaspoon vanilla cups flour tablespoons cocoa powder teaspoon baking powder teaspoon baking soda teaspoon cinnamon teaspoon ground cloves

Frosting: ½ cup soft butter

½ cup soft cream cheese 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups powdered sugar Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. In a large bowl, mix together all cake ingredients until combined. Pour into the pan. Bake for 40–45 minutes. Cool completely before frosting. To make the frosting, in a small bowl, combine all of the frosting ingredients and beat in a mixer for 2 minutes. Frost the cake and enjoy.

Place in oven 6 to 8 minutes (mixture will bubble on top of saltines and form a toffee layer underneath). Remove cookie sheet from the oven; realign the saltines with a wooden spoon (they get out of line as they bubble). Pour chocolate chips evenly over saltines and put back in oven for 2 minutes to melt. Remove from oven and quickly spread melted chocolate chips as if you were frosting a cake. Sprinkle evenly with nuts and place in freezer for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from freezer and cut into squares with a sharp knife. Cover with foil or store in a container in the refrigerator or freezer.

Makes 30 squares.

Cheryl Dillenbeck, Great Lakes Energy 2 1 1½ ½ 1 2 ½ ¾ 1

cups fresh or frozen blueberries tablespoon lemon juice cups sugar, divided cup butter, cubed cup flour teaspoons baking powder teaspoon salt cup milk egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine berries with the lemon juice and ½ cup of the sugar.

Bring to a boil, take off from heat and set

aside. Add butter to a 11x7 baking dish and melt in the oven. When melted, remove from oven. In a smaller bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and lightly beaten egg.

Pour this batter over the melted butter in the baking dish. Pour the blueberry mixture next, but don’t stir. Bake 40–45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. I love this recipe because I can use fresh or frozen berries.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

11

Pathways Program Offers A Helping Hand A long life’s road, we all run into some rough patches from time to time. When those bumps in the road come in the form of tough financial times, it’s reassuring to have someone help get you back on track.

Great Lakes Energy (GLE) offers many ways to help members who struggle to pay their electric bill, such as Budget Billing, FlexPay, and the Winter Protection Plan.

Many other options are also available through state and local assistance programs.

Since 2019, GLE has also offered its members a helping hand through tough financial times with the Pathways Program, an affordable payment program administered by TrueNorth Community Services, a GLE trusted partner.

The program allows qualifying GLE members struggling to pay their electric bills to access federal funds in the Michigan Energy Assistance Program that will pay for half of a qualified member’s electric bill for two years—up to a cumulative maximum of $3,500 per grant year.

What’s different about the Pathways Program, GLE Remittance Supervisor Jami Cutter explained, is it is much more comprehensive than just offering members help in paying their bills.

A bridge to self-sufficiency “Help paying the member’s electric bill is part of a broader effort to help the member get on more solid financial footing,” Jami said. In addition to the bill payment assistance, the program offers enrolled members a selfsufficiency coach who will help them with: 12 OCTOBER 2022

• • • • • •

Budgeting and financial planning Connecting with local resources Home energy efficiency and waste reduction Financial literacy education Long- and short-term budgeting and financial advice Job and education guidance

Timing matters The registration window for the 2022–23 Pathways Program opens on Oct. 1. Jami, along with the rest of the GLE remittance and member services staff, is encouraging members who are now or may soon be facing a financial situation affecting their ability to pay their electric bill to consider applying for the Pathways Program sooner than later.

This is especially important, Jami notes, because there is a limited pool of Michigan Energy Assistance Program money available each year, and the pool is shared among multiple utilities throughout the state.

Once the money allocated for a particular year has been depleted, no more applications are accepted until the following year.

Jami said several GLE members who had been referred to the program in the past were unable to participate because funds for the year had already been depleted.

“Often this happens in March or April, right around the time winter protection programs are ending, which is especially bad timing,” Jami said.

She added that GLE has authorized the Pathways Program for up to 500 members, but last year, only about 150 were able to take advantage of the program before the pool of available money for the program was exhausted at the time they applied.

Making a difference for members When GLE members are struggling to pay their electric bills, their most common point of contact is GLE’s member services team. GLE Call Center Supervisor Jami Schultz said the Pathways Program is a valuable tool in the team’s arsenal of resources to offer members facing financial hardships.

Jami explained that although employees love to hear directly from members about their success with the Pathways Program, often the best evidence of the program’s success is that the member is no longer regularly in contact with the call center because they are behind on their bill or facing a shut-off notice.

In one example of how the Pathways Program helped a GLE family, a TrueNorth staff member reports:

“We worked closely with a household to provide Self-Sufficiency Services as well as an enrollment into Pathways. This household is very grateful for Pathways and the services provided. While enrolled in Pathways, they were able to keep current on their Great Lakes Energy bill as well as keep current on all other bills, which is something they had not been successful at in the past. The household has now graduated from the program and are doing well. They said that they recommend Pathways to anyone they run into that is having difficulty with their bills.”

In another example, a Pathways Program participant said:

“I am an elderly lady who has struggled with finances since my husband passed away. Losing his income was very hard, and I was lost. I found TrueNorth, and they told me about their Pathways Program through Great Lakes Energy. I just couldn’t believe it! It was a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

I pay ALL my bills on time now and make full payments! Thank you all so much!”

Both Jami Cutter and Jami Schultz strongly encourage members who are now or may soon have trouble paying their electric bill to contact member services before their account is past due or they receive a shut-off notice.

“We have many options available, such as the Pathways Program, to offer our members. We want to work with members to help get them back on track,” Jami Cutter said. “TrueNorth Community Services will walk our members through the application requirements and process. We want this program to be successful for all members who qualify.”

If you are concerned about being able to pay your GLE bill, please contact GLE member services at (888) 485-2357. Team members are available Monday–Friday from 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. To speak with a Pathways Program representative at TrueNorth Community Services, call (231) 355-5880 Monday– Friday from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Enrollment is open to all qualified GLE members, regardless of geographical location. More information about GLE’s many payment assistance programs is also available online at gtlakes.com/account-information/. More information about the Pathways Program is also available at tnempower.org/.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

HORSEPOWER A look inside Grand Hotel Stables

By Emily Haines Lloyd

I

f you’ve ever visited Mackinac Island, there is a familiar sound unique to the gorgeous vacation destination—the clip-clop of horse hooves along the streets. Automobilefree for over a hundred years, it’s the majestic horses of Mackinac that make things move on the island. And none quite so beautiful as the naturally high-stepping, flashy Hackney horses of the Grand Hotel Stables.

The heavily-muscled, wide-chested beauties move gracefully through the streets and along the drive leading to the Grand Hotel’s majestic white pillars. They carry VIP guests and those looking for an exceptionally breathtaking view of the island from one of the Grand Hotel Stables’ Hackney-drawn carriages.

Unlike carriage horses you might see in city streets, the Hackneys of Mackinac Island benefit from fresh air without working alongside cars or trucks and their noxious fumes. Horse experts agree that horses that are well-cared for, with proper shoeing and fitting equipment, are in their element pulling carriages. The breed is desperate for purpose and has developed for just such a task over the centuries.

While the Hackneys love to work hard, they are treated like royalty at the Grand Hotel’s 8,700-squarefoot working stable. One can only describe the barns as pristine, with well-tended stalls and fresh air for their resting time. In fact, as staff speak about the horses, it’s as if they are describing any other co-worker, with knowledge of their personalities, peccadilloes, and preferences.

14 OCTOBER 2022

Stable Manager Ben Mosley regales folks with tales of the horses like Chief, the local ladies’ man.

“He has a thing for women, it’s terrible,” Mosley said. “Like, he’ll walk away from you to go see a girl.”

Another stable lover is Scotty, who is not above resting the side of his face against Mosley’s shoulder to get some special attention.

“I’ve never seen a horse right from the start in love with everybody,” Mosley said. “He’s super comfortable with everyone he meets.”

While the relationships with the horses and the staff are strong, it’s not a lifetime occupation for the Hackneys.

A decade is about as long as most work as carriage horses on the island, and then the stable manager’s job is to find appropriate retirement gigs for the equine employees. A recent

retiree was having a harder time with Michigan’s cold winters and, through the Hackney grapevine, found a perfect warm-weather fit with a woman in Savannah. She hooks him up and drives with him occasionally, but otherwise, he lives a life of leisure.

Another found his way to a woman in California and is still doing a little pleasure driving and prancing in the ring for a horse show or two every year. His new owner just loves him.

“The two of them seemed to hit it right off,” Mosley said. “It was one of those things where you felt like you were a matchmaker, and they just kind of clicked.”

The adoration of the horses is clear.

Everyone seems to fall in love with the Hackney horses of Grand Hotel Stables, from the staff to retirement owners to the guests who excitedly climb into the carriage.

On your next visit to the island, stop by the 8,700-square-foot working stable to learn more about these iconic animals, and take a free and interactive self-guided tour of the approximately 30 antique sleighs and carriages. It’s free of charge and open to all Mackinac Island visitors. grandhotel.com

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

15

Historic Farms Honored

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amily farms have played an important role throughout the history of Great Lakes Energy and other electric cooperatives. Because of this, GLE is a proud sponsor of the Michigan Centennial Farm Program, which honors GLE members and other Michigan residents whose farms have been owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years. Farms that have been owned and operated by the same family for more than 150 years are awarded a sesquicentennial certification. After a farm is certified through the program, the owners receive a certificate as well as a display marker for their farm.

GLE members can request an application or receive more information about the program by contacting the Historical Society of Michigan at (517) 324-1828 or by visiting their website, www. hsmichigan.org/programs/centennialfarm-program/.

Pictured are (from left): Fritz Healey, Pat Racignol, and Terry Healey, with the centennial farm display marker awarded to the Healey Family Farm in 2021. Fritz, Pat, and Terry are the grandchildren of Charles Healy, who established the farm in Charlevoix County in 1900. Terry and his wife Janet (not pictured) are the farm’s current owners.

GLE would like to congratulate the following members whose farms recently received these honors.

Centennial Farm Name: John Gottlieb Kerstein Farm Certification Date: Jan. 28, 2022 Founding Date: Sept. 24, 1921 Current Owner: Harry and Randy Willson City: White Cloud County: Newaygo Township: Wilcox

Centennial Farm Name: Edward Boss Farm Certification Date: April 6, 2022 Founding Date: Nov. 8, 1915 Current Owner: Wilson and Judy Boss City: Charlevoix County: Charlevoix Township: Marion

Centennial Farm Name: George Richards Farm Certification Date: June 22, 2022 Founding Date: Aug. 25, 1919 Current Owner: Carol Heilman City: Reed City County: Osceola Township: Lincoln

Centennial Farm Name: Leer Family Farm Current Owner: William, Mary Ann, and Rebekah Lehrbass City: Scottville County: Mason Township: Custer

Centennial Farm Name: Hiram Pater Farm Certification Date: April 6, 2022 Founding Date: April 6, 1903 Current Owner: Wilson and Judy Boss City: Charlevoix County: Charlevoix Township: Marion

Sesquicentennial Farm Name: George W. Dill Farm Certification Date: June 1, 2022 Founding Date: July 1, 1855 Current Owner: Terry and Esther Kooi City: Muskegon County: Muskegon Township: Egelston

Centennial Farm Name: Johnson Family Farm Certification Date: March 3, 2022 Founding Date: June 20, 1903 Current Owner: Calvin and Curry Johnson City: Tustin County: Osceola Township: Sherman

Centennial Farm Name: Jacob John Klooster Farm Certification Date: April 6, 2022 Founding Date: April 6, 1903 Current Owner: Wilson and Judy Boss City: Charlevoix County: Charlevoix Township: Marion

Sesquicentennial Farm Name: Eliza Hallack Farm Certification Date: July 1, 2022 Founding Date: July 1, 1871 Current Owner: Nancy Hallack City: Shelby County: Oceana Township: Ferry

16 OCTOBER 2022

GLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY Classroom Grants School districts in the Great Lakes Energy service area where children of GLE members are enrolled can apply for a grant of up to $2,000 to fund innovative programs. GLE has awarded more than $143,000 in classroom grants to 168 projects since the program began in 2012.

Truestream GLE continues to make big strides in expanding our Truestream fiber internet service. We now have more than 14,000 Truestreamers, and that number is growing every day. Soon we will be finishing fielding work in the last areas where this work has not yet taken place, marking another major milestone for the project.

Storm Restoration Multiple storms hit GLE’s service area during the past year. In response to a significant midDecember windstorm, lineworkers made more than 80,000 restorations during a four-day period.

Lineworkers and GLE employees are always ready to reconnect members as quickly and efficiently as possible.

People Fund With your help, our People Fund program has provided more than $270,000 in support for many community and charitable organizations across our service area in the past year. The program has awarded more than $4 million in grants since its inception in 1999.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 17

Guest Column

First Time Bow Hunting With Dad

By Gari Nowland, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member

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very fall, I have the same warm and wonderful memory of my first year of bow hunting with my dad. My dad put me in his usual tree stand, a pine tree at the edge of a field. He said he was certain I would see deer in this spot.

The first thing I realized is I’m terrified of heights, but I stayed up in the tree, knowing my dad wouldn’t put me in a spot that wasn’t safe and the best chance to see deer. My determination to push past my fears was rewarded soon.

I had deer coming out regularly. I had six arrows. I had let my first one fly. I missed. Then I let my second, third, fourth, and fifth arrows fly as well. Missed every time. Who knew how much a pine tree moved in the wind, or how different it was shooting down, instead of straight across?

As it can help care for us, in many ways. I tend to think of my dad more often when I’m outside, as my love for nature started with him.

“Seeing my dad smile at me as he did with such pride, mixed with humor, is my most cherished memory with my dad.”

Well, I was learning with every arrow. Crazy enough, the deer kept coming back in, I was given one more chance, so I pulled back, waiting for the swaying to line up, held my breath, and let it fly. Finally, I got one!

What I remember most is my dad’s face lighting up with pride when he saw the trail of the one I did hit. Oh, he laughed that I used every arrow and thankfully only hit the one. I actually ended up making a great shot on that one, and it helped feed our family. Seeing my dad smile at me as he did with such pride, mixed with humor, is my most cherished memory with my dad. It’s moments like that, that I learned even embarrassing stories can hold the most loving memories. My dad took the time to teach me how to hunt, track, clean, and process a deer. It was my dad who first taught me to appreciate, honor, and care for nature.

18 OCTOBER 2022

Gari was the last of five children in her family and is named after her dad.

She enjoys fishing, hunting, watching nature, reading, writing, and crafting.

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“Propane is so expensive to heat with. Why wouldn’t someone do this?”

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Lynne loves her home in the woods but found it challenging to keep her home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Keeping it cool in the summer was especially important for Lynne because of her four-legged, furry friend, Tara.

Lynne was familiar with geothermal energy because her father was an executive at Detroit Edison and she knew that it is clean, green, makes a home more comfortable and is a big money saver.

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Focused on

YOU.

Electric cooperatives were created to serve their members.

Because we’re a co-op, we’re able to adapt to our community’s unique needs. That’s the power of co-op membership.

OCTOBER IS NATIONAL CO-OP MONTH