Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News June 2026 Eau Claire
JUNE’S DAIRY DAYS
SHINE ON
LOW TO NOCOST WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY
PROTECTING YOUR POWER AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
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. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today to learn how to tap into your buried treasure.
Contact Your Local WaterFurnace Dealer
Adams/Mauston Deans Refig. & Htg (608) 372-6928
Arcadia/Mondovi Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001
Ashland/Iron River Elza Htg Co. (715) 209-7628
Beaver Dam/Green Lake Air Care, Inc. (920) 356-8860
Black River Falls/ Stevens Point Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676
The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (Formerly Wisconsin R.E.C. News) has been published monthly and distributed since July 1940 to members of Wisconsin’s non-pro t, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to non-members for $13 per year or $35 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year.
Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200 Rob Richard, president & CEO.
USPS number: 688-480.
Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200.
Periodicals postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wis.
Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Phone (608) 467-4650.
Website: www.wecnmagazine.com.
Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18.
Rob Richard WECA president & CEO
Dana Kelroy editor
Beth Alesch associate editor
Julie Lund contributing writer
Ann Bailey graphic designer
Geri Miller advertising consultant
Jennifer Taylor editorial assistant
For advertising opportunities please email geri@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising or events does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers.
Please recycle
Wisconsin-based SHINE Technologies is seeking clean energy solutions and more.
Saving energy doesn’t have to be expensive.
New Auburn’s Klemish Creamery brings fresh dairy goodness in each batch of ice cream.
Kids
&
Critters
Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.
SYMBOL SEARCH
HIDDEN OBJECT GAME
Winning our May search was Tammy Johnson, a member of Jackson Electric Cooperative, who said, “WooHoo! I found the capitol dome on Page 13 of the WECN magazine. It was in the bottom left corner, in the image credit. Thanks for the fun! I appreciate the magazine every month, I love the informative articles, the photos of the kiddos and their animals and especially the recipes. Thank you.”
This month, we challenge you to nd this wedge of cheese to encourage you to try this month’s June Dairy Month recipes on page 20. Remember that the symbol can be anywhere and any size. One randomly selected winner will receive a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News kitchen kit. One entry per household, please, and provide your permanent home or mailing address with your entry. Entries are due June 12.
Enter via the “Symbol Search” link on the homepage of wecnmagazine.com.
You can also enter by mail (don’t forget to include the name of your cooperative):
SYMBOL SEARCH WECA 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200
EJUNE IS FOR COWS… AND COMMUNICATORS
ach June, without fail, we celebrate Wisconsin’s dairy heritage on the pages of this publication for Dairy Month. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t also recognize the communications professionals at your local cooperatives—after all, June is also E ective Communications Month.
There are ve C’s of e ective communication: clear, concise, concrete, correct, and courteous. The communicators at your local co-ops deliver all ve every month on pages 15–18 as they share important information about your electric cooperative.
Every year, Wisconsin’s electric co-op communicators gather to sharpen their skills, exchange ideas, and plan for the future. At last year’s meeting in Eau Claire, we also celebrated the 85th birthday of this publication.
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News remains the most coste ective way to share local co-op information. It also provides in-depth reporting on legislative and regulatory issues that may a ect your cooperative—and ultimately, your rates. You’ll also nd energy-e ciency guidance to help lower your energy costs, along with young member features, recipes, and stories that highlight the people and places that make this state such a great place to live, work, and play.
Electric cooperatives face challenges at both the state and federal levels, many of which have the potential to impact members directly. It’s essential for co-ops to keep their members informed and to ensure their voices are represented in public policy discussions. As cooperatives have long understood, the biggest goals are achieved when we work together.
Dana Kelroy Editor
NEWS BRIEFS
Emily Elliott, Oconto Falls, and Christian Wedig, Richland Center, each received a $5,000 Charles Van Sickle Endowment Scholarship to study pre-law or law from Federated Youth Foundation Executive Director Rob Richard.
Two Students Awarded Van Sickle Scholarship
The Federated Youth Foundation has selected two students to be awarded the 2026 Charles Van Sickle Endowment Scholarship, worth $5,000 each.
Emily Elliott, Oconto Falls, is the daughter of Kristen and Michael Elliott, members of Oconto Electric Cooperative. Emily attends Oconto Falls High School and plans to attend Marquette University in the fall to double major in political science and business administration.
Christian Wedig, Richland Center, is the son of Timothy and Morhia Wedig, members of Richland Electric Cooperative. Wedig is a homeschool student who plans to attend Pensacola Christian College in the fall to study humanities and pre-law.
The Charles Van Sickle Endowment Scholarship was made possible by an endowment established in 2013 to honor Wisconsin’s renowned electric cooperative lobbyist and attorney, the late Charles Van Sickle. It is awarded by the Federated Youth Foundation to a student studying pre-law or law, with a preference for a student who has an interest in cooperative law.
The Federated Youth Foundation is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization that administers a trust of unclaimed capital credits from all types of cooperatives. The foundation provides funding for scholarships, education projects, and local charitable causes.
Fusion Energy Summit Held at UW-Madison
Hundreds of innovators, policymakers, educators, and investors gathered at UW-Madison in May for the third annual Great Lakes Fusion Energy Summit. The event is focused on reshaping the nation’s and world’s energy future through advancements in nuclear fusion technology, which is clean, sustainable, abundant, and almost completely waste-free.
UW-Madison, along with MIT, is a premier institute for fusion research, and has spurred at least three groundbreaking companies including SHINE Technologies, Realta Fusion, and Xantho Technologies.
At the summit, attendees had the opportunity to tour fusion research labs, share information, and collaborate on ways to move Wisconsin forward in the industry that is expected to reach $40-80 billion in just ten years.
FEMA Overhaul Report Released
The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Review Council has released its recommendations for revamping the agency, including significant overhauls to the notoriously slow and cumbersome agency. The council released a report that calls for a review of staffing levels and an effort to shift emergency recovery efforts, including funding, to states.
The 75-page report will be used to help guide the Trump administration’s next steps in revamping the agency. It focuses on ways to streamline, modernize, and accelerate disaster aid.
Legislative Conference Brings Co-op Issues to D.C.
A group of about twenty Wisconsin electric cooperative leaders from eleven co-ops including Dairyland Power, Oconto, Dunn, Central Wisconsin, Pierce Pepin, Eau Claire, Oakdale, Chippewa Valley, Polk-Burnett, Barron, and Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperatives, as well as East Central Energy which serves Minnesota and Wisconsin, traveled to Washington, D.C., to talk to members of Congress about the key issues impacting electric cooperatives.
Co-op leaders met with Senator Ron Johnson; Representatives Derrick Van Orden, Glenn Grothman, Scott Fitzgerald, and Tony Wied; and also met with key staff members from the offices of Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Tom Tiffany.
Issues the Wisconsin representatives brought to the attention of lawmakers and staff were permitting reform, RUS funding, FEMA funding, wildfire mitigation, and USPS concerns.
FERC Fines $1.1 Billion for Fraud
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) says an “energy efficiency” company has been defrauding ratepayers in regions that include Wisconsin for a decade. Recently, FERC ordered American Efficient to pay a $1.1 billion penalty.
FERC claims that Durham, North Carolinabased American Efficient orchestrated a scheme to claim credit for fake energy efficiency resources in federally regulated capacity markets. The commission issued an order that seeks a $722 million civil penalty and requires American Efficient to pay back $410 million in illegitimate profits.
American Efficient denies any wrongdoing.
SAFETY ALWAYS TAKES CENTER STAGE, NOT JUST IN JUNE
June is National Safety Month, and for electric cooperatives, it’s more than an event on the calendar. Safety is the foundation of our work, the culture that shapes every job briefing, and every decision made in the field or the office. The National Safety Council created National Safety Month to reduce preventable injuries and deaths at work, on the road, and in our communities. For electric cooperatives, where many employees routinely work in high-risk environments, that mission resonates deeply.
Across the country, electric cooperatives have built a safety culture grounded in training, accountability, and continuous improvement. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) emphasizes that safety is one of the most important responsibilities in our industry, and cooperatives invest heavily in programs that reinforce that commitment. NRECA’s safety resources, including the Certified Loss Control Professional program and the annual Safety Leadership Summit, help cooperative leaders strengthen their skills and reinforce safe work practices. The Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), used by more than 675 cooperatives, provides a structured framework for evaluating and improving safety performance. One of RESAP’s core values is clear: when leadership prioritizes safety, the entire organization follows.
Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, the primary insurer for many cooperatives, plays a critical role in strengthening that culture. Federated’s nearmiss reporting tools help cooperatives identify hazards before they become accidents, and its sponsorship of the Safe Electricity program brings lifesaving public awareness campaigns to communities nationwide. Federated is also a key partner in the Commitment to Zero Contacts initiative, which provides resources, including the S.A.F.E. job planning app, to help eliminate serious injuries and fatalities caused by electrical contacts. These tools reinforce a simple truth: preventing accidents requires vigilance, planning, and a willingness to learn from every close call.
Here in Wisconsin, safety has always been a year-round priority. Wisconsin Energy Cooperative
News regularly highlights the work of lineworkers, safety coordinators, and cooperative leaders who make safety a daily discipline. Our lineworkers face unpredictable conditions like storms, ice, high winds, and challenging terrain, and their commitment to safe work practices protects not only themselves but also the communities they serve.
This year, Wisconsin’s commitment to safety is taking another important step forward. The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) is launching a new statewide compliance program designed to strengthen consistency, accountability, and regulatory alignment across all member cooperatives. The program will help provide standardized training modules, updated safety protocols, and a more unified reporting structure that helps cooperatives track performance and identify trends. It also enhances coordination with OSHA requirements and industry best practices, ensuring that every cooperative has access to the same high-quality safety resources. By creating a shared framework, WECA is helping cooperatives elevate their safety and compliance culture together, reinforcing the cooperative principle of working collaboratively for the benefit of all.
National Safety Month is also a reminder that safety challenges continue to evolve. As electricity demand grows and the grid becomes more complex, cooperatives must adapt. New technologies, from distributed energy resources to electric vehicles to advanced metering, bring new risks and require updated training and procedures. The cooperative approach to continuous improvement means safety isn’t static—it’s always evolving with the work we do and the tools we use.
But at its core, safety still comes down to people. It’s the apprentice who doublechecks a harness, the crew leader who pauses a job to reassess conditions, the manager who invests in training, and the coworker who speaks up when something doesn’t look right. NRECA’s “Speak Up, Listen Up!” initiative captures this perfectly: safety thrives when communication is open, honest, and encouraged at every level.
As we observe National Safety Month, let’s honor the cooperative employees who make safety their mission. Their work ensures that our communities have reliable, affordable electricity and that the people who provide it stay safe. Safety isn’t just a priority in June; it’s a promise we strive for all year long.
Rob Richard WECA President and CEO
SHINE ON
SHINE Technologies’ Chrysalis building in Janesville is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), a life-saving medical isotope used in over 40,000 diagnostic procedures daily across the United States to detect heart disease and cancer.
If your primary objective is to develop the unicorn of energy solutions, to find a way to power the world in a clean, safe, sustainable, and abundant way with virtually no waste, that alone is a pretty tall order. But that’s what Wisconsin-based SHINE Technologies is working on, and while they’re at it, they’re also helping fight cancer. And that pesky problem with traditional nuclear energy—what to do with the spent fuel—they’re quietly tackling that, too.
SHINE is fueled by some homegrown brainiacs, like Ross Radel, chief technology officer. He grew up on a little farm just north of Spring Green. He studied nuclear engineering at UW-Madison’s premier program, earning his
undergraduate, master’s, and PhD. He’s humble and disarming, and really, really smart. Radel went to grad school with SHINE founder Greg Piefer, and they, along with the SHINE team that has grown to 400 people, are literally working to change the world.
The ultimate goal is to produce electricity using the same process that powers the sun and the stars— nuclear fusion. Traditional nuclear energy uses fission, which splits heavy atoms (like Uranium) into lighter ones, releasing powerful energy at a scale that is unmatched by any other generation process. Nuclear fusion combines light atoms into heavier ones to release energy, without the long-term waste created by traditional nuclear energy generation.
FEATURE
Across the country and around the world, nuclear fusion researchers have made such significant strides in recent years that some believe the potential for a commercially viable generation facility is just over the horizon, and could be a reality within 10 years. Wisconsin is home to four companies in the fusion race—in addition to SHINE, there are Realta Fusion, Xantho Technologies, and Type One Technologies, all headquartered in Madison.
But SHINE is taking a different path than the others. Recognizing early on how challenging it would be to stay in the game for the long run (many nuclear start-ups simply run out of money along the way), Piefer, Radel, and the team made a strategic decision to build in a few side hustles to keep the revenue flowing, because nuclear science presents many opportunities short of the holy grail of fusion energy.
“It started with things like neutron imaging, or neutron irradiation services, with low-yield fusion systems. We’ve done things like landmine detection research,” Radel explained. “Our biggest markets we’re tackling today are medical isotopes.”
That’s some kind of side hustle.
Pathway to permitting Much like a power plant project, SHINE’s leaders have been navigating the state and federal permitting process to build the Janesville facility, which will produce Moly-99, for about a decade. The timeline is the same because the process is the same. To build a plant that will use nuclear engineering, even for medical reasons, you must secure the same permits and comply with multi-agency regulations, as you would if you were building a nuclear power plant.
Streamlining permitting for utility infrastructure projects is a primary legislative goal for the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association and its member cooperatives, because the process has become increasingly cumbersome, duplicative, and just plain long. That all adds up to increased costs, which are passed on to members.
Making Moly-99 Specifically, SHINE is focused on Moly-99, a critical radioactive isotope primarily used in nuclear medicine. It helps detect cancer and heart disease through non-invasive imaging of the heart, lungs, and bones, and it’s used up to 50,000 times per day.
“The crazy thing is that literally none of that isotope is produced in the Western Hemisphere, and it hasn’t been for 10 years. The United States stopped producing it in the 80s, but Canada still had a reactor producing it until 10 years ago, so none of it is produced on this side of the planet at this point,” Radel said.
Currently, Moly-99 is mainly produced in the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, and Australia. And the isotope has a short shelf life, so stockpiling is not an option. This means the U.S. is completely dependent on imports for critical medical imaging, but not for long.
SHINE is nearing completion of its Chrysalis facility in Janesville, which will use hybrid nuclear technology to meet up to half of the global Moly-99 demand.
(Sandia National Laboratories, where Radel worked for a decade, is also in the process of developing a domestic supply of Moly-99.)
SHINE is also producing Lutetium-177, a medical radioisotope used for both imaging and treatment of certain types of cancer, including thyroid cancer.
Expediting permitting for nuclear energy projects is one thing both the Biden and Trump administrations agree on, even if for different reasons. The Biden administration recognized the benefits of safe, clean nuclear energy on the environment, while nuclear energy—fission or fusion— also supports Trump’s goal of “American Energy Dominance.”
Either way, Radel says in recent years, improvements in the permitting process are evident.
“We’ve seen a cultural shift at the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) through that time of really moving to an organization that takes its mission statement seriously,” he said.
As of January 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) updated its mission statement to specifically guide the agency to work toward the “enabling” of nuclear technologies, as directed by the ADVANCE Act.
“They’re really doing it in a way that’s enabling things to get on the grid. I think that they’ve really taken that to heart,” Radel said.
The value of spent fuel The work SHINE does highlights the reality of nuclear fusion and fission that many people may not realize: nuclear technology does exponentially more good in the world than harm.
While clean, waste-free nuclear fusion energy is still in development, traditional nuclear fission energy continues to be a safe and efficient power source, supplying 20% of the nation’s energy, despite a decades-long stall in the construction of new nuclear
Ross Radel
plants. Nuclear energy generates more clean energy in the United States than any other source (55%).
Opponents of nuclear energy often raise the same concern: What about nuclear waste? It is perhaps the biggest barrier to nuclear energy expansion. Even though nuclear energy has been a primary source of American power for more than five decades, all the waste ever created could fit in a single football field, stacked less than 10 yards high.
It’s not on a football field, though; it is stored securely across the country at various locations, usually at current or former nuclear plants, because a national depository was never built.
SHINE is working on that, too. Not a location, but a solution, with
benefits. According to Piefer, roughly 96% of spent nuclear fuel holds recoverable uranium and plutonium that has value. Additional metals and isotopes recovered from the waste have potential benefits that could be used in medicine, advanced manufacturing, and clean-power technologies. Apparently, spent fuel has more to give.
On that topic, the Department of Energy agrees. In February, it awarded more than $19 million to five U.S. companies, including SHINE, to research and develop recycling technologies for used nuclear fuel.
It seems like SHINE’s side hustles are more like groundbreaking, worldchanging, innovative main hustles.
Still, Radel says, these other projects, remarkable as they may be, are still a means to an end, a way to stay solvent as they work toward the ultimate goal, but they are enjoying the journey.
“We work with lots of really sharp, technical people here, which is fun in and of itself. And trying to solve really tough problems is really energizing for the scientists, engineers, and support staff who come in every day. We are in it for the long haul here, to make sure we ultimately accomplish the vision of transforming the way the world is powered,” he said, adding, “The end goal was from the beginning, and still is, fusion energy.”—Julie Lund, photos courtesy of SHINE
SHINE employee manipulating hot cells during production of Lu-177, a cancer- ghting isotope, at the Cassiopeia facility in Janesville.
LOW- TO NO-COST WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY
Saving energy doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or get the newest technology to use less energy. There are several steps to lower energy use, even on a tight budget.
Here are some low- and no-cost ways to save energy around your home.
Adjusting the thermostat is an easy way to save. Nudge the thermostat a few degrees closer to the outside temperature, especially on extreme weather days. I often hear people say, “I didn’t change anything, and my bill is higher.” On the hottest and coldest days, your heating and cooling equipment must work much harder, and use more energy, to maintain the same temperature. Add an extra layer of clothes or some cozy slippers in the winter and lighter layers in summer.
Fix any hot water leaks or dripping faucets. Those tiny drips can add up to big energy waste, not to mention water waste. If you need to hire a pro to fix it, turn the shutoff valve under the sink to stop the leak until you can get it fixed.
Wash clothes in cold water to avoid using the energy required to heat it. Washing on hot or warm settings can really add up, especially if you have a top-load or older washing machine that uses more water.
Adjusting the temperature on your water heater can save energy and money, too. Depending on the water heater, this is either an easy adjustment or something a little more complicated that requires removing access panels. If you don’t know how, consult a professional.
Air sealing is a do-it-yourself, beginner-friendly project that improves comfort and reduces energy waste. For around $20 and a couple of hours of time, you can fill gaps, cracks and holes to prevent air from leaking in and out of the home. From the inside of the home, seal trim on windows and exterior doors with caulk for about $4 a tube. Buy paintable caulk so you can touch it up when it dries, if needed.
A can of spray foam is about $5 and seals gaps around plumbing lines. It’s great for sealing gaps around pipes under sinks and in the crawlspace or basement. Cold air can travel up through those spaces, causing drafts and wasting energy. Air sealing these areas gets bonus points for stopping insects and rodents from using these gaps to enter your home.
Spray foam seals gaps around pipes to prevent cold air from traveling up through those spaces, causing drafts and wasting energy.
Spray foam is messy and nearly impossible to get off whatever it touches, so wear disposable gloves and clothes you don’t mind dirtying, and use drop cloths to protect finished floors. Be careful if you’re working with spray foam overhead. If you get it in your hair, it’s not coming out with anything less than a haircut. Move any items and clean surfaces of dust and debris in areas you intend to seal before cracking open a can. Put the can in a cardboard box to carry throughout the house so you don’t leave a trail of spray foam.
For $10 to $15, you can buy weatherstripping to improve the seal on exterior doors. If you can see light around doors or feel a draft between the door and the door jamb when the door is closed, weatherstripping will help.
Try these easy, low- and no-cost improvements to reduce energy waste and improve comfort in your home.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 electric co-ops.
EPROTECTING YOUR POWER AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
By Monica Obrycki, President and CEO
very day, you trust Eau Claire Energy Cooperative to deliver reliable electricity to your home. But that trust goes beyond keeping the lights on. It also includes protecting the personal and financial information you share with us. In today’s world, scams and cyber threats are becoming more common. It is more important than ever to safeguard both our electric system and our members’ data.
Protecting the information our members share with us is a responsibility we take seriously. Whether you are setting up service, paying your bill, or contacting our office, your information is handled through secure systems designed to keep it safe. Access to member information is limited to only those who need it, and we continually review our processes to make sure we are meeting current security standards. As technology evolves, so do the methods used to protect it, and we are dedicated to continuously strengthening our security practices.
Scams targeting utility members have become more common and more convincing. These scams often come in the form of phone calls, emails, or text messages that appear to be from a trusted source. A common tactic is to claim that your account is past due and that service will be disconnected if immediate payment is not made.
These messages are designed to create urgency and pressure you into acting quickly without stopping to verify the information.
It is important to know that Eau Claire Energy Cooperative will never take payment information over the phone or threaten disconnection without proper notice. We will also never require payments with a Green Dot card or a wire transfer. If you are ever unsure whether a claim is legitimate, hang up and call us back directly. Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated and may spoof our phone number to make it look like we are the ones calling. Contacting ECEC directly using the phone number or website listed on your bill is always the best way to ensure your information stays out of a scammer’s hands. Taking a moment to verify can prevent a costly mistake.
There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself. Be cautious about sharing personal or account information, especially if you’re contacted unexpectedly. Use strong passwords for your online accounts and avoid reusing the same password across multiple sites. If available, take advantage of additional security features that add an extra layer of protection, such as twofactor authentication. SmartHub has this capability. Keeping an eye on your account activity and reporting anything unusual right away can also help stop
potential issues early.
Protecting member information is critical, and we are equally focused on keeping the system that delivers your power secure and reliable. The electric grid relies on a combination of physical infrastructure and advanced technology, and both require strong protection. We take steps to secure facilities and equipment, monitor for unusual activity, and reduce vulnerabilities across our system. This includes both physical safeguards and cybersecurity practices that help defend against evolving threats. The same technology that allows us to operate more efficiently and respond quickly to outages also requires careful oversight. We use a layered approach to cybersecurity, including system monitoring, secure network practices, and regular updates. Our employees work to recognize potential risks and respond appropriately, because maintaining a secure system depends on both technology and people.
At Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, protecting our members means just as much as delivering electricity. It means safeguarding the information you trust us with and maintaining a secure, reliable system. Security is a shared responsibility, and by staying informed and aware, we can work together to keep both power and personal information protected.
UNDERSTANDING DEMAND, LOAD MANAGEMENT, AND THE SUMMER SHIFT
Electricity works a lot like water flowing through a hose that serves an entire neighborhood. On a normal day, the flow is steady and manageable. There’s enough pressure to meet everyone’s needs as they come. But when many people all start using water at the same time, watering lawns, running dishwashers, doing laundry, taking showers, the demand for that water suddenly increases. The pressure has to rise quickly to keep up.
The electric grid is comparable. Instead of water, it manages electric demand, the amount of electricity being used at any given moment. When a lot of homes and businesses use electricity at the same time, demand peaks. Meeting the energy needs of that surge isn’t always possible with available generation alone, which can require purchasing higher-cost power. Because electricity must be generated and delivered as it’s used, the system is constantly balancing supply and demand to maintain reliable service.
One of the most predictable spikes in demand happens in the evening when people return home from work and school. Lights turn on, heating or cooling systems adjust, and multiple appliances begin running within a short window. It’s not just how much electricity is used, but how much is used at the same time that creates these peaks.
At Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, all of our power is purchased through our wholesale provider, Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC). DPC plans generation based on when its member cooperatives need power, but when demand across the broader system is higher than expected, additional energy may be purchased through the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market. Managing demand during peak times helps reduce the need for those higher-cost purchases.
One of the tools ECEC and other co-ops use to help manage demand is our load management program. This program allows certain electric loads in participating homes and businesses to
be temporarily controlled during high-demand periods. When all load management devices are controlled, it is called a peak alert.
During a peak alert, selected devices such as electric water heaters, air conditioners, dairy water heaters, and electric heat (in winter months) may be temporarily cycled or controlled. These short, targeted adjustments help reduce strain on the system during the most critical times. Similar to how reducing water flow to certain areas during high usage helps maintain pressure for everyone else on the system.
Peak alerts are called by DPC. They are usually during extreme weather conditions like hot summer afternoons or very cold winter mornings, when electricity use is expected to be at its highest. They may also be triggered by conditions elsewhere within MISO’s service area. In rare cases, broader grid conditions may require additional steps beyond peak alerts, highlighting how closely supply and demand must be constantly balanced to maintain reliability.
During the summer months, members can also participate in the Summer Shift by consciously making an effort to reduce demand during peak hours, typically between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Small adjustments can make a meaningful difference. Running dishwashers, washers, and dryers earlier in the morning or later in the evening, adjusting thermostats slightly during peak hours, closing blinds to help keep homes cooler, and using timers on dehumidifiers are all easy ways to help reduce demand when it matters most.
To understand how demand builds, consider a typical evening in an average home:
5 p.m. – family members arrive home and lights, electronics, and televisions are turned on.
5-6 p.m. – dinner preparation begins, ovens and stovetops
are running, refrigerators are cycling more frequently, and heating or cooling systems are working harder depending on the season.
6-7 p.m. – After-activity showers are taken, the water heater kicks on, exhaust fans run, clothes are thrown into the washing machine, clothes left in the dryer from this morning are fluffed, and the vacuum turns on to clean up after dinner.
7-8 p.m. – dinner wraps up, the dishwasher starts, and devices are plugged in for charging.
8-9 p.m. – activity begins to slow down. Lights are turned out, and families wind down for the night.
Individually, none of these actions are unusual. But when they happen at the same time across thousands of homes, they stack together to create a system-wide peak in electricity use, driving the need for additional generation or higher-cost purchased power. Spreading that same energy use out over time helps flatten the peak, reducing strain on the system and helping stabilize costs for all members.
This is where the Summer Shift and the load management program work together. The Summer Shift encourages voluntary changes in when electricity is used, while load management provides a system tool to reduce demand during peak alerts. While different in approach, both are designed to reduce demand when the system is under the most stress.
Electricity must be produced and delivered in real time, and keeping that system reliable depends on balancing supply with demand. By understanding how demand builds and making small adjustments during peak hours, members help reduce strain on the grid, manage costs, and support reliable service, even during the times the system is under the most pressure.
The blue line shows typical daily energy use with a sharp peak in the evening, while the green line illustrates how shifting activities—like laundry, EV charging, and running the dishwasher—to o -peak hours helps reduce peak demand and balance energy use across the day.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
CALLING ALL HIGH-SCHOOLERS:
Youth Leadership Conference is an annual event hosted by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) and Wisconsin electric cooperatives. The event engages high school students in activities that emphasize team building, grows cooperative business knowledge, practices life skills, and builds leadership qualities. YLC is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about cooperatives while building strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Past attendees have found it motivating, educational, and, of course, fun! To attend, the applicant’s parent(s)/legal guardian must be an active member of the Cooperative. The applicant must be a student at one of the following high schools in the Cooperative’s service territory:
Altoona High School
Augusta High School
Cadott High School
Chippewa Falls Area High School
Chippewa Falls McDonell High School
Cornerstone Lutheran High School
Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran High School
Eau Claire Memorial High School
Eau Claire North High School
Eau Claire Regis High School
Eleva–Strum High School
Elk Mound High School
Fall Creek High School
Mondovi High School
Osseo–Fairchild High School
Stanley–Boyd High School
Home School/Charter School
There’s no cost for you to attend!
For more information and registration materials, please contact our o ce at 715-832-1603 or visit www.ecec.com.
All registrations must be submitted by June 19, 2026.
Use code WWC3Y1 to get items 37-40792-1135, 7-29663-1135 for $7.99 or 3 for $5.99 each and get free shipping on your order. Free shipping applies to standard shipping only, not including any additional shipping surcharges. Shipping upgrades additional. Does not apply to clearance. Discount is priced as marked in checkout. Not applicable to gift cards or prior purchases. May not be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers. Returns credited at discounted price. Only applies to instock merchandise. Expires 7/27/2026. Order by mail: Woman Within, 500 S. Mesa Hills Drive, El Paso, TX 79912
Petite Pink
DAIRY Delights
French Onion Macaroni and Cheese
A trending avor, French onion lends itself well to this indulgent mac and cheese. The buttery crouton topping takes it to the next level. Enjoy as a meal or a side dish. Recipe and photo courtesy of Land O’ Lakes.
MACARONI AND CHEESE
1 lb uncooked dried cavatappi pasta
1/2 stick (approx. 1/4 cup) butter (such as Land O’ Lakes®)
1 (8 oz) pkg (approx. 2 cups) blend of Italian shredded cheeses (such as Land O’ Lakes® Creamy Italian Blend Cheese Chunk)
1 (8 oz) pkg (approx. 2 cups) extra sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded, divided (such as Land O’ Lakes® Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese Chunk)
Cook pasta in a medium stockpot to just al dente according to package directions; drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a 13-x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onions, salt, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, 6–8 minutes or until onions are softened. Uncover; cook, stirring frequently, 35 minutes or until deep golden brown. Once the onions are a deep golden brown, discard the bay leaf. Deglaze pan with vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the pan, 30 seconds or until evaporated. Add our; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add milk, 1 cup at a time, stirring to incorporate after each addition. Bring to a simmer, stirring often. Stir Italian cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese into caramelized onion mixture until cheeses are melted. Stir in cooked pasta to coat. Spread pasta mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
TOPPING
6 cups French bread cubes, cut or torn into 1-inch cubes 1/2 stick (approx. 1/4 cup) butter (such as Land O’ Lakes®), melted
Additional fresh thyme, if desired
Toss bread cubes with melted butter; scatter evenly over pasta, pressing lightly to stick. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Bake 10–12 minutes or until the bread cubes begin to brown and sauce is bubbling around the edges. Cool for 5 minutes and garnish with additional fresh thyme, if desired. Makes 12 servings.
NOTES: If the onions start looking too dry while caramelizing, add a few tablespoons of water, scraping up any browned bits at bottom of the skillet.
Wisconsin Chipotle Cheddar Bratwurst Dip
All the things you love about Wisconsin. Brats and gooey cheese all together in one bubbly hot dip!
Recipe and photo courtesy of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery.
1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
3 cooked bratwursts, chopped or cubed to bite-size pieces
2 Tbsp jalapeño, diced
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup (2 oz) Wisconsin cheddar cheese, shredded
3 cups Wisconsin chipotle cheddar cheese, shredded 1/2 cup cornichons or pickles, diced
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat olive oil in a large, nonstick pan over medium heat. After 1 minute, add diced onions and sauté for 3–4 minutes or until tender. Adjust heat to medium low, then add bratwurst, jalapeños, and cream cheese; mix well. Remove pan from heat and add Dijon mustard, sour cream, cheddar, chipotle cheddar, and cornichons; mix until well combined. Pour into a 5-x7-inch baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly; remove from oven. Heat broiler and place dip underneath, broiling 2–3 minutes or until cheese topping is slightly browned. Remove and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.
1-1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp butter
2 (6-inch) flour tortillas
Gouda Apple Quesadilla
Indulge in the deliciously unique Gouda Apple Quesadilla, where the sweet, creamy gouda cheese perfectly complements the crisp apple slices and crunchy walnuts, all wrapped in a warm tortilla and kissed with cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Recipe and photo courtesy of Burnett Dairy Cooperative, via the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
2 oz Gouda cheese (such as Cady Creek Farms Gouda cheese), shredded and divided (approx. 1/2 cup)
5 thin apple slices
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, tilting the pan to coat the bottom evenly. Place one tortilla into the skillet; layer with 1/4 cup of gouda cheese, apple slices, walnuts, and the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Top with the remaining gouda cheese and the second tortilla. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are golden brown. Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board, cut into wedges, and serve. Makes 1–2 servings.
1/2 lb center-cut bacon
10 oz bag restaurant-style tortilla chips
1 lb rotisserie chicken, shredded 3/4 cup ranch dressing, original or spicy flavored, divided
3 cups Colby-Jack cheese* (such as Ellsworth’s Montico Cheese), shredded
Chicken and Bacon Ranch Nachos
We all love chicken and bacon ranch pizzas and sandwiches...and now, to fall in love with chicken and bacon ranch nachos!
Recipe and photo courtesy of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery; recipe adapted from Hy-Vee.
1 (8–12 oz) container fresh pico de gallo
2 cup shredded lettuce
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a 15-x10-x1-inch sheet pan with foil. Set a wire rack on the pan. Arrange bacons slices on a rack. Bake for 20 minutes or until crisp. Remove from oven; drain bacon on paper towels. Crumble and set aside. Discard foil. Line a sheet pan with another sheet of foil and spread chips on the pan. Combine chicken and 1/2 cup ranch dressing; spoon over chips in the pan; sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted; remove from oven. Spoon pico de gallo on top; add lettuce and crumbled bacon. Drizzle remaining 1/4 cup ranch dressing on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve with lime wedges. Makes 10 servings.
*NOTES: Colby-Jack cheese may also be made at home by shredding Colby and Jack cheeses and combining them.
READER RECIPES
DUTCH APPLE PIE
RECIPE COURTESY OF SANDY DRESCHER, NEILLSVILLE
CRUST
REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS
Send us your raspberry recipes, please!
SEND TO: WECN, Reader Recipes, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200 or jennifer@weca.coop
2 cups our 1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup butter
Mix all crust ingredients together until the butter resembles pea-sized balls. Press into a 9-inch pie pan and press crust up the sides as well.
FILLING
2/3 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1-1/4 cups water
3 cups diced apples
1 tsp vanilla
In a saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and water together; bring to a boil and stir occasionally for about 2 minutes. Add the apples and vanilla; mix well. Pour lling mixture into the pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 40–45 minutes.
MEXICAN SHEPHERD’S PIE
RECIPE FROM BETTY CROCKER COOKBOOK, SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE KRAEMER
I found this recipe through Betty Crocker and it’s a family favorite. You can also cut the recipe in half and put in a deep-dish pie pan.
2 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup onions, chopped
24 oz medium chunky salsa (approx. 2 cups)
3 tsp chili powder
1-1/2 tsp cumin
2 cans Mexicorn, drained or 2 cups frozen corn
2 (4.09 oz) pkgs instant mashed potatoes
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 green onion, chopped (optional for garnish)
1 medium tomato sliced into wedges (optional for garnish)
Tortilla chips, if desired
Brown ground beef and onions; drain. Stir in salsa, chili powder, and cumin; add corn. Cover and cook over low heat until mixture is heated, then put into a 9-x13-inch casserole pan. Make potatoes as directed on the package. Spoon potatoes over corn; sprinkle with cheese and green onion. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 20–30 minutes. Garnish with tomato wedges and eat with tortilla chips, if desired.
Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to jennifer@weca.coop or submit directly at http://wecnmagazine.com/submit-a-recipe/.
PLEASE NOTE: Recipes submitted must include quantities for all ingredients. If no measurements are used, your recipe will not be printed. Due to food safety issues, we cannot accept canning recipes.
SESAME CUCUMBER SALAD
RECIPE COURTESY OF KATELIN MAIDMENT, NEW AUBURN
This simple sesame cucumber salad is light, refreshing, and avorful! It incorporates Thai-inspired ingredients like sesame oil, curry powder, and cilantro, and is topped with chopped peanuts for an added crunch. Feel free to swap the peanuts for toasted sesame seeds for a nut-free version.
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp coconut aminos or pure maple syrup (optional)
1/8 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder (or 1/2 tsp minced garlic)
1/8 tsp sea salt
Black pepper, to taste
1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (or 1 tsp sesame seeds)
Crushed red chili akes (optional)
CREAM FLOAT
RECIPE COURTESY OF TAMMY KRAWCZK, OGEMA
This recipe comes from a 1994 cookbook my neighbor gave me.
1 pint pineapple ice cream
1 quart ginger ale
Drop several spoonfuls of pineapple ice cream into tall glasses. Pour ginger ale over ice cream until glass is lled. Serve immediately.
PHILLY CHEESESTEAK CASSEROLE
RECIPE COURTESY OF DENA DIETZEL, CUBA CITY
2 lbs ground beef
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
6–8 slices provolone cheese
Toasted buns of your choice
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef with salt and pepper and drain the grease; add bell peppers, onion, and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add cream cheese and heavy cream, mixing to combine. Transfer to a prepared 9-x13-inch baking dish; top with provolone cheese slices and bake until cheese is brown and bubbly. Serve over a toasted bun.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, coconut aminos (or pure maple syrup), if using, curry powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper, to taste. Add the sliced cucumber and chopped cilantro, tossing to coat. Garnish with chopped peanuts or toasted sesame seeds and optional red chili akes. PAST RECIPES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AT WECNMAGAZINE.COM/RECIPES. CLICK “SEARCH RECIPE ARCHIVES.”
KLEMISH CREAMERY
HAND-CRAFTED, SMALL-BATCH ICE CREAM BLENDS INNOVATION AND HERITAGE
On any given afternoon in rural New Auburn, the driveway at Klemish Creamery becomes a crossroads. Neighbors wander in on foot. Kids roll up on scooters. Families arrive on UTVs. Cyclists pedal all the way from Eau Claire. Antique cars rumble in during Chetek’s Fourth of July festivities, and once in a while, a nursing home shuttle unloads residents eager for a taste of farmstead ice cream.
“We love seeing grandparents bring their grandchildren and share stories about the farms they grew up on,” said Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative member Dixie Klemish, who owns and operates the creamery with her husband, Randy. “People spend hours at our picnic tables just enjoying the view.”
That view is pure Wisconsin: rolling bluffs, grazing cows, tractors moving through fields, and the hum of a fifth-generation dairy farm that has been part of the landscape since 1889. The first Klemish family members arrived from Bohemia back in the 1880s, living with relatives down the road while they built the farm that still stands today. Randy represents the fourth generation, and their son Joe—who now owns the dairy herd
with his wife, Trista—is the fifth.
The creamery is the newest chapter in the family’s long story.
Old Traditions to New
Venture For decades, the farm operated like many small dairies across Wisconsin: milking cows, shipping milk, and weathering the shifting economics of agriculture. But the idea of adding value on farm lingered in the background.
“We’d considered many different product diversification ideas over the years,” Klemish said. “But jumping into something new with the investment and time commitment involved was always a drawback.”
Still, one thing was clear: this farm had always been a dairy farm, and Joe was committed to continuing that tradition. Processing their own dairy products seemed like the most natural evolution.
The turning point came when Klemish learned about the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance Grant. “When we received that grant in June 2021, it gave us a boost of confidence and the funds for needed equipment,” Klemish said. “The operation took off from there.”
After two years of planning,
construction, and navigating regulatory requirements, Klemish Creamery opened in November 2022.
Small-Batch
Everything about the creamery is intentionally small-scale. Their milk is vat pasteurized—heated slowly at a lower temperature for 30 minutes—a method that preserves the milk’s natural character. They don’t homogenize, either.
“I believe the lower temperature pasteurization and the fact that we don’t homogenize keeps our milk in a more natural state and makes a difference in our products,” Klemish said.
Inside the creamery’s commercial kitchen, nearly every inclusion is made from scratch: caramel, fudge, brownies, cookie dough, crisp toppings, toasted nuts, and fruit ripples. Apples are peeled and roasted. Cider is boiled down into syrup. Nuts are buttered and toasted. Fruit is cooked into concentrated ribbons of flavor.
The result is a lineup of smallbatch, farmstead ice creams that customers rave about.
“We strive for real flavor to complement the creamy texture in our ice cream,” Klemish said. “People can taste the difference.”
On page 24—the Klemish family from left to right: Jaimie Klemish (daughter), Jared Siverling (son-in-law), Vanessa Klemish (daughter), Randy Klemish, Dixie Klemish, Joe Klemish (son), Gauge Klemish (grandson), and Trista Klemish (daughter-in-law). Photo courtesy of Sam Berlin Photography. Below: Scenes from around the creamery.
Big Flavor
The creamery currently produces more than 30 rotating flavors year-round, with over 40 when seasonal offerings are included. Butter Brickle, made with homemade toffee, is a customer favorite. Red Raspberry Cheesecake is another top seller.
But the most challenging flavor to perfect was their Country Style Vanilla. “We tested and tweaked over a dozen formulas before we were satisfied,” Klemish said.
The most rewarding flavor? Their seasonal Caramel Apple Crisp.
“We peel local apples and roast them. We make crisp crumbs with apple butter. We boil down apple cider from The Glass Orchard in Eau Claire into a syrup,” Klemish said. “It’s a flavor customers wait for each fall.”
For now, the creamery focuses on ice cream products—pints, single-serve cups, ice cream sandwiches, chocolate-coated bars, and their wildly popular raspberry cheesecake bars. But thanks to a second Dairy Business Innovation Alliance grant in 2024, cheese production will begin soon.
Farm Visit The creamery operates on a self-serve model, accepting cash, checks, Venmo, and credit cards. Visitors can enjoy outdoor seating, yard games, and the company of three friendly goats who love treats and attention.
The experience changes with the time of day. Cows graze in the pasture between milkings. Feed is mixed outside the barn. It’s a rare chance to see a small dairy farm in action.
“We hope customers appreciate the dairying tradition our small farm continues,” Klemish said. “So many families have a farm like ours in their history.”
Co-op Relationship
The creamery’s success is supported by long-standing community partnerships—including one that stretches back decades.
“Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative has been a big help planning our electrical needs and upgrading service during our initial construction and our recent expansion,” Klemish said.
Randy and Dixie have been CVEC members since
Cows line up waiting for milking time. Caramel Apple Crisp, o ered seasonally, is an eagerly anticipated avor that customers wait for all year long. Grandson Gauge is the sixth generation on the Klemish farm. Visitors are welcome to enjoy their ice cream right on the farm.
1983, but the family’s connection likely dates back to the earliest days of rural electrification.
When CVEC chose Klemish Creamery ice cream as the giveaway at their annual meeting, the family was honored. “We’ve greatly appreciated the friendly staff at CVEC taking an interest and showing support for our small business,” Klemish said.
Dairy Month
June Dairy Month holds special meaning for the family.
“When Wisconsin proclaimed the first June Dairy Month in 1940, there were about 200,000 farms,” Klemish said. “Knowing we now have fewer than 6,000 dairy farms makes it a little bittersweet.”
Still, the month remains a source of pride. “It’s gratifying and encouraging to have a month dedicated to recognizing the work and contribution of dairy farmers,” Klemish said.
Family Behind the
Creamery The creamery is a true family operation.
• Dixie initiated the idea, applied for grants, learned regulatory requirements, pasteurizes milk, handles orders and bookkeeping, makes base mixes, and still does much of the ice cream making and packaging.
• Randy cleans equipment, delivers orders, and helps make ice cream.
• Joe holds the bulk weigher and sampler license, runs the cream separator, delivers orders, handles repairs, milks the cows, and manages crops.
• Trista and Gauge help with events and mobile sales.
• Jaimie occasionally milks for Joe and handles ingredient shopping.
• Vanessa and her husband, Jared, offer regulatory and marketing insight from their own
Attendees of Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting were treated to Klemish Creamery ice cream at this spring’s annual meeting. “We’ve greatly appreciated the friendly sta at CVEC taking an interest and showing support for our small business,” Dixie Klemish said.
CSA farm and meat processing business, Siverling Centennial Farms in Bloomer.
Five part-time employees also assist with production.
Looking Ahead
The family plans to expand their seating area and on-farm activities, continue growing their retail and restaurant partnerships, and launch their first cheeses in the coming months.
Through it all, their mission remains simple: honor the past, serve the community, and make dairy products that reflect the care of a family that has worked this land for more than 135 years.
“We’re proud to be part of Wisconsin’s dairy tradition,” Klemish said. “And we’re grateful to share our farm with the people who visit.”—Page 24 photo courtesy of Sam Berlin Photography. All other photos courtesy of Klemish Creamery
Klemish Creamery is located at 22474 52nd Street, New Auburn, WI 54757. The self-serve store is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday. Call 715-642-1589 for more information.
CLASSIFIEDS
Miscellaneous Plants & Shrubs
WANTED: PAYING CASH FOR WWII FLAGS, DAGGERS, SWORDS, GUNS, ETC. Also buying guns and collections. 715-340-1974.
WANTED: DEER TAGS, BACK TAGS. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, fisher, bobcat tags, party permits, old traps. 715-2559284 David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446.
BEAR TRAPS WANTED. 715-563-6658.
GEOTHERMAL We service & install all models and brands. Contact us today. Niesen@ charter.net.
CHAINSAWS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.
Buying 1 or 100 McCulloch, Pioneer, Jonsereds, Echo, STIHL, Homelite, Remington, Mall. Buying all brands and sizes. Non-running, running, seized, parts. Let me know what you have - will travel. Call Chainsaw Mike at 715-828-9414.
THROW YOUR HOME MOVIES IN THE TRASH! Or pro transfer 8mm, VHS, slides, audio, and all formats to DVD or ash drive. Gene DVD Productions 715-827-2302.
E-BIKES FOR SALE Let me get you on the right E-bike/E-trike. E-Cycle Bike Shop Mobile, Boyceville, WI. Call or text Bicycle Larry 715-702-1452.
NEW PACKER CHEESEHEADS ITEMS! Check out www.cheeseknits.com for some great knit accessories. Perfect gifts for any Packer or Cheesehead fan!
WANTED TO BUY: Model 1895 Winchester ri e, 30-06 caliber. Please call 715-765-4670.
WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR OLD WOOD AND METAL SIGNS. Any condition. Also, old motorcycle items and bell helmets. Call Jerry 920-373-3515.
WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR VINTAGE SPORTS CARDS 1986 or older. Also, looking for comic books, 1970’s or older. 608-343-3503.
HYDRAULIC BC TREESPADE Seldom-used, like-new, 32-inch tree spade (3-pt hookup), WI manufactured, moves trees ≤ 3-inch DBH. Call Mark 608-787-1191.
FOR SALE: POLKA BAND EQUIPMENT. Star Concertina and Iorio-Accorgan accordions. Both in good condition. Southern Wisconsin area. Call 608-558-2698. Leave message, I will return your call.
WANTED: KIDS PEDAL CARS, pedal tractors, pedal airplanes, pedal boats, etc. The older the better, any condition. Leave message. 608-482-4783.
MAILBOX DOOR NOT STAYING CLOSED? Strong add-on magnet. No tools required. Rural style mailboxes. www.MAILNUT.com. 715-967-2448.
“STUNNING” AKC REGISTERED LAB PUPPIES AVAILABLE. Raised in-home with our family, these pups are well-socialized and con dent. Puppies will go home with rst vaccinations, and a puppy pack. Call Brenda 507-330-3144.
FOR SALE: 2022 WOLF PUP 16 FT CAMPER. Like new with solar panels. $15,000. Dakota, MN. Call Arden at 507-643-6696.
SELLING: TWO HONDA GOLDWINGS 1500 ASPENCADE. Seller bought a trike. Both have reverse, air suspension, and helmets w/intercom. Good running condition. Reasonably priced. 920-372-8013.
WANTED: BOBCAT SKID STEER with low hours, could be older model. Mark. Home 715-835-1305 / cell 715-577-7249.
FOR RENT: 2 BR CABIN on Big Round Lake in Hayward, WI. Excellent sand beach. Low elevation to lake. May–Sept. Call for rates. Janet. 715-558-5803.
WANTED: BUYING OLD ESTATE CLOTHES. Will clean out or pick up. Price depends on age and items. Any condition. 715-312-0817.
MCKAY NURSERY COMPANY - WISCONSIN GROWN SINCE 1897. Provider of quality shade & ornamental trees, fruit & owering trees, evergreens, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, and vines. Design services & delivery available. Contact Eric at ezlandscapewi@ gmail.com or call 608-387-4287. “Your McKay Independent Sales & Service Provider.”
Real Estate
THUNDERBIRD VILLAGE. ONE, FIVE, AND TEN BEDROOM, FULLY FURNISHED LODGING. Located 10 miles NE of Black River Falls with direct access to snowmobile, UTV, and Lake Arbutus. Great shing and boating. Seasonal campsites available. www.thunderbirdvillage.net 608-989-2275.
15 ACRES LAND FOR SALE BY OWNER, Jackson County, 20 minutes west of BRF. 6 acres open, 9 acres wooded. Borders creek. Easy access. Potential country living. $135,000. Please text 715-896-6617.
WISCONSIN EVENTS June 2026
1–30 Bloomin’ Greenhouse Tour—Clark County. Various locations, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Begins in April and runs through the Fall and into the holiday season. Visit Clark County’s many greenhouses and garden centers for annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, grasses, trees, fairy garden supplies, garden art, home décor, and more. For more info, 715-255-9100.
5–7 Fresh Art Tour—Studios and galleries in Pepin, Pierce, and Buffalo counties. Various locations, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Selfguided tour. Pottery, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, textiles, and paintings. www.freshart.org
6 Walking Stick Making Workshop—Babcock. Sandhill Wildlife Area, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Decorate natural hardwood walking sticks (provided) using wood burners, paint, feathers, and more! Under 12 must be with an adult. To register, call 715652-3131.
6 Pride Stride—Medford. City Park Shelter #3, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or are an ally, this event is open to all. Free pizza, refreshments, and a bucket raffle. Speaker at noon, stride at 1 p.m.
7 Breakfast—Jump River. Community Center, 8–11 a.m. Pancakes, breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, and orange juice.
10, 17, 24 Concert Band—La Crosse. Riverside Park, 7–8:30 p.m. Free summer outdoor music. June 10: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” conducted by Ryan Waldhart; June 17: “The Spice of Life” conducted by Josh Beron and Elissa Kinstler; and June 24: “No Strings Attached” conducted by Michelle Jensen. 608-784-7555.
11, 12 Group Sale—La Crosse. Moose Lodge, Thurs., 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Half off after 1 p.m. and a $5 bag sale at 2 p.m.
11–13 Amber Green Drags—Eau Claire. Rock Falls Raceway. Car show, swap meet, and vending. Spectator camping entrance gate on 1000th St., and racer camping enter on 170th Ave. 715-875-4233.
12–14; 26–28 Barn Sale—Ellsworth. The Real McCoy Antiques, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Antiques, uniques, and handmade décor.
13 Birds, Bees, and Butter ies—Necedah. National Wildlife Refuge, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Vendors, art, demos, speakers, and displays of all things related to birds, bees, and butterflies. Hikes, craft table, puppet show, brat fry, and bake sale. Free admission. 608-565-2551.
13 Monarchs with Kay McGrath—Babcock. Sandhill Wildlife Area, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Learn about the monarch butterfly life cycle and see eggs and tiny caterpillars (instars). Books and monarch-related items for sale. Pre-register by June 5th for $10 at vpalen@tds.net.
18 Girl’s Night Out—Phillips. Our Savior Lutheran Church, 4–8 p.m. Quilting, crafting, collectables, a DAV table, the frog game, a variety of food, and a chance to win some great prizes!
19 Material Girls Quilt Show—Wisconsin Rapids. Assumption High School, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Over 100 quilts and specialty displays, sewing machine cleaning, scissor sharpening, classes, and a bed turning demo. Raffles, food, and beverages for sale. Admission is $5.
20 Rock Around the Block—New Lisbon. Event course starts at N8242 6th Ave., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Walk/run/bike 4.5 miles through the countryside. Community potluck picnic at noon. Silent auction, live music, door prizes, and kids’ activities. 773-456-2839.
21 Honor the Light—Cornell. Camp Nawakwa, 1–4 p.m. A special memorial open house. Guests are welcome to explore camp, walk the trails, spend time at the lake, create something in the Art Hollow, or simply sit quietly in this special place. 715-239-6775.
21 Summer Solstice Hike—Cornell. Camp Nawakwa, 6–9 p.m. Arrive at 6 p.m. to enjoy s’mores and taffy cracks before the hike! Hike around Picnic Lake at 6:30 p.m. and then to Old Baldy Mountain for the sunset and songs. Bring bug repellent, flashlight, headlamp, and a water bottle. Donations appreciated. 715239-6775.
24–28 Elroy Fair—Elroy. Schultz Park, 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Livestock, rabbit, poultry, and dog shows, horse pull, exhibit judging, truck and tractor pulls, live music, dairy breakfast, car/truck/ tractor show, amusements and carnival activities, magic and hypnotist shows,
fair food, free gate, and free parking! 608-633-2123.
25 Pie and Ice Cream Social—Eau Claire. Saving Grace Lutheran Church, 4–7 p.m. BBQ plate is $10 and hot dog plate is $8. Meal includes beans, chips, pickle, ice cream, pie, and beverage. Pie, ice cream, and beverage only $6. Take-outs available. 715-514-3552.
26–28 Women’s Retreat—Cornell. Camp Nawakwa. A weekend of nature, community, and reflection. Bring your talents to share with the group or just bring your intentions for friendship, growth, and fun! Early bird registration ($200) includes 2 nights lodging, 2 dinners, 1 lunch, and 2 continental breakfasts, a journal to take home, yoga, and more! 715-239-6775.
26–28 Badger Classic—Eau Claire. Rock Falls Raceway, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Join us for some fantastic racing! Raffle for a $5,000 grand prize drawing. MCR Race of Champions and Last Chance RoC, gambler’s race, muscle car races, and more! Cost is $25 per carload, military/ senior (60+) is $20/day, kids 12 and under are free, camping is $25/night. 715-875-4233.
27 Pie Social—Fifield. Old Town Hall Museum, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Huge selection of homemade pie and ice cream for sale. Tour the Old Town Hall and Greenfield School Museums. 715-339-2415.
28 Pie and Ice Cream Social—Mauston. Juneau County Historical Society Boorman House, 1–4 p.m. 608-847-7661.
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1. McKenzie poses with her dogs, Penny and Copper. Photo submitted by Marcia Wolf, a member of Dunn Energy.
2. Tommy stretches with Petey Sunshine on his belly. Photo submitted by Cassie Draper, a member of Eau Claire Energy.
3. Hunter and Nina (the pup) visit Big Bass Lake. Photo submitted by Sandra Wolf, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric.
Upload photos directly to wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab.
Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Please include the name of your electric co-op. Photos will be returned. If in good-resolution, electronic format, photos may also be uploaded via wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab. By submitting, sender implies that he/she has rights to and owns the image, and grants WECN permission to use the image. By submitting, the parent or legal guardian also authorizes us the right to publish the image.
Lightning Safety Word Search
Did you know June 21-27 is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week?
Lightning can happen fast and be very dangerous but staying safe is easy when you know what to do! Read the following safety tips, then find and circle the bolded words in the puzzle below.
• When thunder roars, go indoors! If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to be dangerous.
• Stay away from all water sources. Don’t swim, use hoses or play near standing water when a storm is present.
• Avoid tall things and open spaces. Stay away from poles, tall trees, and open fields where lightning tends to strike.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. Even if the rain stops, wait at least 30 minutes before going back outside.
Your Water Heater Uses More Energy Than You Think.
A Heat Pump Water Heater Helps You Use Less Energy.
Running showers, laundry, and dishes adds up — fast. Your water heater is your home’s second largest energy user. That’s a big impact on your electric bill. With a Heat Pump Water Heater, you get the same comfort as your existing water heater using only a fraction of the energy, helping you save month after month.
