Issuu

July/August 2022

MICHIGAN

COUNTRY LINES Midwest Energy & Communications

IT’S A WILD RIDE At Traverse City Horse Shows

An Introduction To Cryptocurrency

Are Your Kids Avoiding Wi-Fi Parental Controls? Celebrating 20 Years Of Bob Hance

WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 26% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT THROUGH 2022

Saving is believing.

Think you can’t afford a geothermal heat pump? After a closer look, you may be surprised at its overall affordability. Tax rebates can quickly bring down the initial costs of purchase and installation. And a geothermal heat pump is much cheaper to run than the most efficient furnaces and air conditioners. In fact, your energy bills can be cut by as much as 70%. As a result, many geothermal homeowners see a return on investment of 10-20% over the life of their system. When you crunch the numbers, you’ll see WaterFurnace is the money-saving choice. To learn more, contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today. Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS Mancelona Top Notch Htg, Clg, & Geothermal (231) 350-8052 Topnotchheatandair.com

Allendale Allendale Htg & Clg (800) 327-1937 allendaleheating.com

Clifford Orton Refrig & Htg (989) 761-7691 sanduskygeothermal.com

Bad Axe/Ubly Cutting Edge Htg & Clg (989) 551-0986

Hart Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheating cooling.com

Berrien Springs Waterfurnace Michiana (269) 473-5667 gogreenmichgeo thermal.com Big Rapids Stratz Htg & Clg, Inc. (231) 796-3717 stratzgeocomfort.com

Indian River M&M Plmb & Htg (231) 238-7201 mm-plumbing.com Lansing Candor Mechanical (517) 920-0890 candormechanical.com

Michigan Center Comfort 1/Air Serv of Southern Michigan (517) 764-1500 airserv.com/southernmichigan/ Mt Pleasant Walton Htg & Clg (989) 772-4822 waltonheating.com Muskegon Adams Htg & Clg (231) 873-2665 adamsheatingcooling.com

visit us at waterfurnace.com

Portland ESI Htg & Clg (517) 647-6906 esiheating.com Sunfield Mark Woodman Plmb & Htg (517) 886-1138 mwphonline.com Traverse City D&W Mechanical (231) 941-1251 dwmechanical.com Geofurnace Htg & Clg (231) 943-1000 geofurnace.com

Contents

July/August 2022 Vol. 42, No. 7

/michigancountrylines

countrylines.com

/michigancountrylines

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: Robert Kran, Great Lakes Energy, chairman; Tony Anderson, Cherryland Electric Cooperative, vice chairman; Eric Baker, Wolverine Power Cooperative, secretary-treasurer; Craig Borr, president and CEO.

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

6 THE CALL OF THE WILD The owners of GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park have been sharing their “family members” with their community for almost 30 years. 10 MI CO-OP KITCHEN Potatoes: Side dishes so good, they’ll steal the show.

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.

Summer cruising in downtown Marquette. @kaushik0805 (Kaushik Sur)

18 GUEST COLUMN For one GLE member, every bite of a Michigan strawberry evokes a favorite childhood memory.

Be featured!

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

MI CO-OP COMMUNITY To enter contests, submit reader content & more, visit countrylines.com/community

RECIPE CONTEST CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please

#micoopcommunity

14 IT’S A WILD RIDE Summertime events at Flintﬁelds Horse Park lure competitors from around the world.

Win a $50 bill credit!

Up Next: Baked Goods, due Aug. 1 Holiday Side Dishes, due Sept. 1 Submit your recipe at micoopkitchen.com, or send it via email (include your full name and co-op) to recipes@countrylines.com.

GUEST COLUMN Win $150 for stories published!

Submit your fondest memories and stories at countrylines.com/community.

MYSTERY PHOTO Win a $50 bill credit!

Enter a drawing to identify the correct location of the photo. See page 18.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

VAN BUREN KALAMAZOO

CASS

LENAWEE

MONROE

Construction Begins At SMART Park

ST JOSEPH

teammidwest.com /teammidwest CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND CASSOPOLIS SOLUTIONS CENTER 60590 Decatur Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031 M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

PAW PAW SOLUTIONS CENTER 59825 S. LaGrave Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ADRIAN SOLUTIONS CENTER 1610 E. Maumee Street, Adrian, MI 49221 M–F 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Robert Hance, President/CEO

ver the past few years, you’ve read my columns on our Southwest Michigan Advanced Research & Technology (SMART) Park that’s located on our headquarters property in Cass. I first introduced it in 2019 when we were in the very early stages of envisioning a future for the property and the community. Then I told you that we had inked a deal with our first tenant, Norsk Hydro (Hydro). And now, I’m happy to report that construction vehicles are hard at work and the 300+-acre field of dreams has begun its transformation into reality.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On April 20, we officially welcomed Hydro (pronounced heedro) with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Norwegian company’s $150 million aluminum recycling plant. Hilde Merete Aasheim, Hydro president and CEO; Anniken Krutnes, Norwegian ambassador to the U.S.; and Rep. Tim Walberg were among the speakers to welcome over 140 guests and reporters. It’s not every day we get international eyes upon us for our progress, so this event was a very exciting opportunity.

Ben Russell, Vice Chairperson, Constantine 269-506-1590 Ben.Russell@teammidwest.com

You may be wondering why a company from Norway chose to call the SMART Park home. Well, our location offers an ideal spot to access automotive suppliers that rely on aluminum to make lighter, betterperforming vehicles. But more importantly, Hydro values rural life just like we do. They believe in the values, work ethic, and self-sufficiency that come with life in the country.

CONTACT US Midwest Energy & Communications 800-492-5989 teammidwest.com Email: info@teammidwest.com Clarence “Topper” Barth, Chairperson, Three Rivers 269-279-9233 Clarence.Barth@teammidwest.com

Ron Armstrong, Secretary, Lawton 269-299-0443 Ron.Armstrong@teammidwest.com John Green, Treasurer, Dowagiac 269-470-2816 John.Green@teammidwest.com Dan Bodette, Wauseon 419-337-8007 Dan.Bodette@teammidwest.com

Gerry Bundle, Cassopolis 269-414-0164 Gerry.Bundle@teammidwest.com

James Dickerson, Bloomingdale 269-370-6868 Jim.Dickerson@teammidwest.com

Erika Escue-Cadieux, Onsted 419-346-1088 erika.escue-cadieux@teammidwest.com Fred Turk, Decatur 269-423-7762 Fred.Turk@teammidwest.com

Production is expected to begin in 2023, and once fully operational, the facility will provide 70 jobs. And this investment is just the start. We’ve been working hard to make the SMART Park a competitive and attractive place for businesses. This summer, roads, water, and other critical infrastructure will be put into place. The Park has also been designated as a CN Certified Rail Ready Site, a certification only a handful of sites in the U.S. have earned. The certification provides direct access to CR Rail’s 20,000-mile network and reduces time from site selection to construction for partnering companies. This is a big deal because the Federal Highway Administration forecasts that total U.S. freight movements will rise from around 19.2 billion tons in 2020 to around 24.9 billion tons in 2040. Easy access to rail is critical. I’m proud to say that “vibrant, relevant, and sustainable rural communities” aren’t simply words on a wall in one of our conference rooms. They are a constant reminder of our dedication to making our corner of the world a thriving place filled with opportunity and success.

PRESIDENT/CEO: Robert Hance

DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING: Amy Pales COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST: Grant Zamora

Midwest Energy & Communications is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

4 JULY/AUGUST 2022

“ Hydro values rural life just like we do. They believe in the values, work ethic, and self-sufficiency that come with life in the country.”

The Power Of Vibrant Communities

IN THE COMMUNITY

Every four months, we award grants to local nonprofits and community initiatives through the Building Vibrant Communities program. This program is only possible thanks to partnership dollars from Wolverine Power Cooperative. Congratulations to everyone who received a BVC grant!

ooking to fund a cool new program or community service? If you represent a nonprofit organization serving individuals in MEC’s service territory, you might qualify for a BVC grant. The next deadline for consideration is Wednesday, Aug. 31. Applications are accepted on a rolling timeline and are reviewed three times per calendar year: • April 30 • August 31 • December 31 Visit teammidwest.com/communitygrants to apply. There, you’ll fill out a form certifying eligibility and explaining the project or initiative for which grant funds will be used. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and an application is not a guarantee of funding. MEC will notify applicants of the status of their application within two weeks of the next submission

deadline. Projects not funded are eligible to reapply. Funded projects must be completed within six months of receiving a grant. Grant funds are meant for projects that support your organization’s mission and the community at large, rather than for general operating budgets or payroll expenses. MEC service territories include portions of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties in southwest Michigan, as well as Lenawee County in southeast Michigan. MEC also serves portions of St. Joseph, Elkhart, and LaGrange counties in northern Indiana, and Williams and Fulton counties in northern Ohio. Visit teammidwest. com/electric-townships for a full list of townships served by MEC.

Good luck! We can’t wait to see how you plan to creatively serve your community.

To qualify, your organization must be one of the following: • A 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code • A recognized government entity at the state, county, or city level, including law enforcement or fire departments, requesting funds exclusively for public purposes • A nonprofit holding a taxexempt status as a public charity benefitting veterans, as specified under Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code • In some cases, a nonprofit holding another IRS designation, such as 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(7), if the organization benefits the public at large

Our office will be closed Monday, Sept. 5, for Labor Day. Make a payment or report an outage via SmartHub or call 800-492-5989. Dropbox payments made while we are closed will be processed on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

THE CALL

OF THE

WILD By Emily Haines Lloyd

JULY/AUGUST 2022

hen you are exploring the Upper Peninsula, whether in vacation mode or simply tooling around your hometown, there is a sense that the “wild” is a real and beautiful part of the lifestyle up there. When Gary and Lynn Moore, both natives of lower Michigan, decided to move to the U.P., this was certainly part of the draw. While the two had been visiting for years before they relocated, they weren’t entirely sure what they were going to do once they settled in. “We love the outdoors and love the pace up here,” said Gary Moore, owner of GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park. “And we’ve always loved and owned animals, even weirder ones like potbelly pigs, pygmy goats, and peacocks, and we just decided—let’s open a zoo.” In the spring of 1994, with that love of the outdoors and animals in mind, the Moores bought 33 acres of land along U.S. 2 for their then-imagined zoo. They opened in the summer, with just a handful of animals to attract visitors. While things started slowly, the Moores started mapping out fenced-in areas and building giant habitat structures for their bigger animals. The zoo seemed to melt into the surrounding federal and state forests with towering red and white pines, birch, maple forests on all sides, and beautifully cedar-mulched trails. Now, a wide variety of animal habitats cover about 10 acres of the Moores’ property. “We build with what we have, when we need it,” said Gary. “But most importantly, we try to keep the animals in comfortable and as natural of a setting as we can.” These natural settings house everything from pet-worthy goats, llamas, and potbelly pigs to exotic binturong and lemur to big majestic cats like the African lions, cougars, and snow leopards. Many of the animals have been rescues or were facing displacement.

And the Moores, including their daughter Mary, who currently oversees operations and is preparing to take over when her parents decide to retire, have always tried to take in animals in need of a home. The zoo’s ﬁrst bear, Millie, was brought to them as a cub and had really connected with Mary. So connected that Millie would wail when Mary left her sight. The solution was a buddy for Millie, who came in the unlikely package of King, a dog the Moores were introduced to at the local animal shelter, who wasn’t having any luck ﬁnding a home of his own. Once Millie and King met, they were best friends from there. They’ve let another bear, Hutch, into their circle, and visitors delight in watching them play together, often calling it the highlight of their visit.

Wishing you could be at GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park right now? While the zoo is only open from May 1 through the end of October (depending on that ﬁnicky U.P. weather), the zoo’s Facebook page is updated frequently with amazing videos (like bears taking baths and snow leopards playing hide ‘n seek) of the animals year-round. Prepare for an overdose of cuteness with their ”Tongues Out Tuesdays,” where the animals are sticking out their tongues and give you every reason to say “awwwww….”

GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park has so many great stories about their animals, and the staff speaks about the animals as if they’re members of their family. As the Moores head into their 29th year of the zoo’s opening, Gary is reminded that it has always been worth it, while it’s not always been easy. “We love these animals, and we love sharing them with the folks who visit us,” said Gary. “Plus, we’ve always been too stubborn to give up.” Sounds like a true Yooper, indeed.

garlynzoo.com /garlynzoo

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

EXPERIENCE PEACE OF MIND PROPANE: THE MEC DIFFERENCE No matter what the weather does, your rate is secure. We establish a rate and cap it through the heating season. Multiple billing and delivery options to fit your family’s needs. No pricing games and no hidden fees—just a strong commitment to your comfort, safety, and stability.

BILLING AND DELIVERY OPTIONS • Metered Service: Pay monthly for what you use, along with a $15/mo. meter fee. • Variable Budget: Pay roughly the same amount every month and avoid a large settle-up payment at the end of the season. • Auto Fill: Get tank fills automatically based on estimated tank levels. • Seasonal Fill: Get your tank filled every August and again in February, if needed.

250+ Gal. Tank Rate $1.849/gal. June 2022 – May 2023

• Will Call: Call us for delivery when you need gas. • Remote Monitor: For customers who have an alternate heat source, pool, stand-alone generator, or other unique circumstance. We install a monitor on your tank, and our team tracks readings and schedules deliveries as needed. The remote monitor is a one-time purchase of $150 with a $5/mo. monitoring fee.

Credit check and 12-month contract required. Tank set fee of $1 plus applicable fees for trenching and securing township permits. Propane services are not regulated by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

150 Gal. Tank Rate $2.549/gal. June 2022 – May 2023

What’s Cryptocurrency? B

itcoin, Ethereum, the blockchain—you’ve probably been hearing these words a lot lately. If they don’t mean anything to you, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Cryptocurrency, or crypto, is a method of payment, much like a dollar or euro. Unlike paper currency, cryptocurrency is 100% digital and isn’t managed by a government or other central authority. Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency. Others, like Ethereum, came later. Crypto’s value comes from transactions recorded on a blockchain—basically, a digital ledger like a checkbook, stored so everyone using cryptocurrency has access. Every transaction that uses cryptocurrency is recorded on the ledger in code. Getting more cryptocurrency requires mining, in which computers race to verify transactions on a blockchain, receiving cryptocurrency as a reward for being the first to do so. In the early days of Bitcoin, the average internet user could mine enough to be profitable. As cryptocurrency gets more popular, this becomes much less practical as more people optimize their computers for mining. Should you use cryptocurrency? There’s a lot to consider before you decide. First is the amount of energy it uses.

Mining takes so much energy that covering electricity costs often uses up the majority of what’s earned. It’s also not an accepted form of payment for most everyday transactions. There are ways around this, but they usually involve buying gift cards or dealing with extra fees. Some choose to invest in cryptocurrency as they would in stocks or other assets. This comes with its own set of risks, as the value of cryptocurrency can be extremely volatile. As with all investments, do your research and speak with a financial advisor first.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL? We post videos every month to keep you up to date on the latest from MEC, as well as provide useful tips for your everyday life. Here’s some of what you’ll find: • Tech Talks – Techie Chuck gives you a crash course on one popular tech topic, ranging from smart thermostats to buying the perfect TV. • Safety Smarts – Safety Ace Evan shares what you need to know to avoid some common, often-overlooked dangers. • Education – We respond to some of your most burning questions, like why we remove trees and shrubs near our lines. • Energy Efficiency – Nobody likes to waste energy. These videos show you how to stretch those kilowatts with some clever tricks. • Livestreams – Occasionally, we host streams so our customers can ask questions and interact with us in real time.

LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE! Subscribe today! Visit us at youtube.com/teammidwest1, or scan the QR code.

MI CO-OP Recipes

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

POTATOES

Side dishes so good, they’ll steal the show.

WINNING RECIPE! DELICIOUS CREAMY POTATOES Ralph Kridner, Great Lakes Energy

1.5 pounds Yukon Gold Potatoes, cut into 1-inch round, thick slices 3 tablespoons butter, melted ½ teaspoon dried thyme ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary ¼ teaspoon ancho chili powder ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon granulated garlic ½ teaspoon + ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon salt, divided ¼ teaspoon black pepper ½ cup chicken broth 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon parsley Cheese Sauce (optional): 2 teaspoons unsalted butter 2 teaspoons all-purpose ﬂour ½ cup whole milk ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon salt ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon black pepper ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon smoked paprika 1–2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

RECIPE CONTEST Win a

Baked Goods due Aug. 1 • Holiday Side Dishes due Sept. 1

energy bill credit!

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.

$50

10 JULY/AUGUST 2022

Adjust rack to upper middle and preheat oven to 475 F. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil (baking dish should be just big enough for your potatoes to fit in). In a medium bowl, add the melted butter, thyme, rosemary, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Toss potatoes in butter mixture until coated, and arrange potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast potatoes for 14 minutes. Carefully remove the baking sheet and flip potatoes over, then roast for another 14 minutes. Remove potatoes from oven; flip them again. Add the broth and garlic to the pan and return to oven. Roast for 10–15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with remaining ¹⁄ 8 teaspoon salt and parsley. To make the optional cheese sauce, add butter to a pan and heat until it is foamy. Add flour and whisk it with the butter. Add milk and bring almost to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. Add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cheddar cheese, and stir until melted. Serve over potatoes. Serves 3. Total time to make: 1 hour 15 minutes. Watch a video of this month’s winning recipe at micoopkitchen.com/videos

FABULOUS FRIED MASHED POTATO BALLS Deb Finedell, Great Lakes Energy

• oil, for frying 4 cups mashed potatoes (leftover or premade, or store-bought can be used) 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped 3 eggs, beaten, divided ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 cup ﬂour Fill a large, deep pot halfway with oil. Heat over medium heat until it reaches 350 F. While the oil is heating, mix together the

mashed potatoes, cream cheese, chives, one egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Roll potato mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball and set aside. In three bowls, set out the breadcrumbs, flour, and the remaining 2 eggs beaten with a tablespoon of water. Dip each ball into the flour first, shaking off the excess, then into the beaten egg, letting the excess drip off, and lastly into the breadcrumbs. When oil reaches about 350 F, fry the balls in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot as you fry. Fry for 3–4 minutes until golden brown, and transfer to paper towels. While still warm, top with salt and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

DAVE’S MOM’S CHEESY HASH BROWN CASSEROLE Becky Elliott, Cherryland

2 pounds frozen hash brown potatoes (thaw for 45 minutes ﬁrst) 1 cup diced onions 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 pound carton sour cream 1 stick melted butter 8 ounces grated cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper • potato chips Preheat oven to 375 F. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Place in greased 9x13 glass dish and cover with crushed potato chips. Bake for 1 hour. Enjoy!

BACON AND GORGONZOLA POTATO SALAD Lauren Tougas, Cherryland

¾ pound cooked and crumbled bacon, reserve some to garnish on top 5 pounds Yukon or red skin potatoes 2½ cups mayonnaise, divided 2 cups crumbled Gorgonzola cheese 1 cup chopped green onion Cook bacon and let cool so you can crumble up into smaller pieces (or use pre-

cooked bacon crumbles). Cook potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, 20–25 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool potatoes. Cut into bite-sized pieces and mix with 2 cups mayonnaise. Mix bacon, cheese, and chopped green onion with remaining ½ cup mayonnaise. Add to potato mixture by gently combining so potatoes don’t fall apart. May add salt and pepper to taste. Top with bacon crumbles and chill before serving. Makes about 14 servings.

PARMESAN POTATOES AU GRATIN Elizabeth Knapp, Great Lakes Energy 3 • • 1

pounds Yukon Gold potatoes salt and pepper minced garlic pound grated Parmesan cheese (from a wedge, not a shaker) 2 cups heavy cream Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice potatoes to make ¹⁄ 8” rounds and submerge in a bowl

of cold water while slicing. Butter a large casserole dish (or use 2 casserole dishes; it freezes well). Layer potatoes on bottom and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, and cheese. Repeat layers until potatoes are gone. Pour heavy cream over all and cover with foil. Bake for an hour. Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more or until top is browned.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

Lineman Ryan (left) and Operations Supervisor Kirk (right) hold a safety demonstration for Blissfield Elementary students.

Keeping The Lights On And Keeping You Safe Understanding what to do—and what not to do—around electricity can save your life. That’s why MEC dedicated a few weeks this spring to teaching local fourth-graders how to stay safe around electricity. While we usually hold our safety demonstrations yearly, this was our first year back at schools after COVID-19 began in 2020. This year, we reached more than 410 students in Marcellus, Dowagiac, Cassopolis, and Edwardsburg in southwest Michigan, and nearly 190 in Clinton, Morenci, and Blissfield in southeast Michigan. Students learned about safety

Safety Ace Evan (left) and Lineman Mike (right) demonstrate the dangers of electricity at Kincheloe Elementary.

Lineman Mike helps a volunteer suit up at Sam Adams Elementary.

equipment used by lineworkers, items that conduct electricity, equipment that protects the public and the lines, and ultimately, what to do should they encounter a downed power line. As part of the presentations, we ask the kids to draw a poster that illustrates something they learned during the presentation. Two overall winners—one from our SW and one from our SE service territories—get their posters on a billboard as our summer safety campaign. The winning classroom from all participating districts gets a pizza party, as well as a gift card for classroom needs. Stay tuned for details on this year’s winners in our September issue of Country Lines. These demonstrations aren’t just for kids, however. We present to both children and adults at schools, emergency response organizations, churches, civic groups, local businesses, and more. We can host these interactive presentations at your location or ours and can customize them to meet necessary state standards or your specific needs. Beyond electricity, we host demonstrations for propane safety too, because our efforts to keep the community safe don’t end where our electric lines do.

For more information or to schedule a demonstration, contact MEC Community Relations at 800-492-5989 or pr@teammidwest.com.

MEC IN THE COMMUNITY A donor waits patiently in the chair.

On March 22, our staff and customers gathered at our Cassopolis headquarters for our spring blood drive, hosted by blood donation professionals Versiti. While our original goal was to collect 28 donations, we surpassed that goal by three thanks to the generosity of the community. According to Versiti’s statistics, these 31 donors impacted 93 lives.

JEROMY, our propane operations manager, donates blood.

It’s humbling to know our employees and customers have the power to help so many people at once. We’re grateful every day to serve such a compassionate community.

A panorama shows some of the trucks on display at Truck-A-Palooza.

Then on April 2, we took a bucket truck to the Lenawee County Fairgrounds in Adrian for Truck-APalooza! Kids and their families got to explore and learn about a variety of trucks and other vehicles. Police and fire trucks, cement trucks, military vehicles, and more all made an appearance. We were one of several local vendors and community organizations—others included the YMCA, Hope Community Center, Housing Help, and Boys & Girls Club. Truck-A-Palooza was hosted by the Lenawee County Child Advocacy Center, which was created by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties. The event raises funds and awareness in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month. We were honored to be included in this year’s event.

A view from atop the bucket truck.

Our bucket truck raises an American flag at Truck-A-Palooza.

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES 13

IT’S A WILD RIDE W

At Traverse City Horse Shows By Emily Haines Lloyd

hen you think about horse competitions like hunting, jumping, and equitation, it conjures up images of primly dressed riders in their velvet riding caps, tailored jackets, and riding boots who exude an air of control and composure. It’s easy to forget that the other part of the team is a wild animal—one that has been trained and coached, but at the same time, has a will and disposition that is completely its own.

of equestrian sports)—with its jumper, hunter, and equitation competitions, really livens things up. This event brings world-class athletes to Traverse City to participate in everything from youth championships to Olympic-qualifying events. With six or seven rings running simultaneously, spectators can watch riders who are just beginning their careers and expert athletes returning from recent Olympic games.

“It’s a unique opportunity to see a sport with two athletes, and only one of them is human,” said Lindsay Brock, marketing representative of Morrissey Management. “There’s always this moment of uncertainty if the horse is going to comply. It’s wild. So, there is something exciting about watching this human and this horse working together to achieve a goal.”

“From June to September, we have athletes and their families coming to Northern Michigan from 48 states and 28 countries to participate in jumper, hunter, and equitation competitions,” said partner and event director, Matt Morrissey. “In just 13 weeks, we’re awarding over $7 million in prize money.”

You can see this sort of beautiful dance between control and chaos at the many year-round events held by the Traverse City Horse Shows, which take place on the 130 acres of Flintﬁelds Horse Park in Northern Michigan. The grounds host a variety of riders and enthusiasts, from 4- and 5-yearold youngsters learning to walk ponies around a ring to experienced seniors still enjoying a lifelong passion. However, the 13 weeks of FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale—the international governing body

14 JULY/AUGUST 2022

The Traverse City Horse Shows started on the east side of the state, but with a rebranding and relocation in 2015, it has grown into one of the top events and venues in North America. Based on an economic impact study, the events have approximately a $120 million impact on Northern Michigan each year, with spectators, business owners, and the community all reaping beneﬁts. Competitors agree that it’s the location, as well as the points and prize money, that brings them to Flintﬁelds year after year. “Without a doubt, one of the most common

“There’s always this moment of uncertainty if the horse is going to comply. It’s wild. So, there is something exciting about watching this human and this horse working together to achieve a goal.”

things we hear about the Traverse City Horse Shows is how much the competitors and their families love visiting the area,” said Brock. “With just one day off, the athletes love exploring the lake and dunes and enjoying the great restaurants, vineyards, and just the beauty of walking around Traverse City.” Flintﬁelds provides plenty of events to keep spectators busy as well. An active atmosphere is important to the site, which offers spectators ice cream socials, happy hours, and other special events, all while they spend the day watching and bumping up against premier athletes. “It’s all a part of what our community stands for,” said Morrissey. “Our spectators get to see this amazing example of athleticism and working together in unison. When you are watching it, it’s inspiring to see something special being created between the athletes and the animals. It’s really beautiful.” To see this wild collaboration, visit on TCHS’s website at traversecityhorseshows.com for tickets.

What’s the difference between jumper, hunter and equitation? In all three divisions, a rider guides a horse over a set course of obstacles in a ring. However, each is scored differently. The jumper discipline is scored based on the objective speed and accuracy the rider has over the course. Hunter and equitation are based on a subjective judge of form over the course, with hunter classes focusing on the form of the horse and equitation classes focusing on the form of the rider. traversecityhorseshows.com /traversecityhorseshows /traversecityhorseshows

MICHIGAN COUNTRY LINES

COMING SOON TO COMMANDIQ New benefits are coming soon to your free CommandIQ app, giving you even more control over your MEC fiber internet experience.

• You’ll soon be able to invite a second user to set parental controls and manage security features. • Workaround detection stops your kids from getting around parental controls using methods like Apple’s iCloud Private Relay. Workaround detection will be off by default, so make sure to enable it once the update is out! • Enhanced ProtectIQ alerts give you more detailed information about the kinds of threats your network is blocking. As always, ProtectIQ is automatic—you don’t have to take any action to have a more secure network. • A Spanish-language option lets users switch to their preferred language in the CommandIQ app.

Additionally, take a look at some of our favorite features from the last CommandIQ update: • ExperienceIQ now has a network-wide restrictions option. This lets you block content across your entire network, instead of having to enable filters on each individual profile. • In-app mesh placement guidance helps you get the most out of your Wi-Fi, teaching you how to find the best location for your mesh device. • A simple tap profile control button simplifies profile management by letting you pause and resume a registered user’s network access. It also makes it easier to add additional minutes to a time-limited user’s access schedule.

We can’t wait for you to experience CommandIQ’s new, free features! If you don’t have your phone set to automatically update apps, watch for a new CommandIQ update in your phone’s app store. If you have a GigaCenter router, you’ll need to request your free upgrade to a GigaSpire. Not sure what that means? Find out at teammidwest.com/router-swap.

SETTING UP WORKAROUND DETECTION Workaround detection has been added to the “Restrictions” section under “My Network.” It’s disabled by default—here’s how to turn it on: 1. From the main dashboard, tap “My Network.” 2. Choose the “Default Restrictions” bubble toward the bottom. 3. Slide the following two toggles ON: a. Block DNS over HTTPS b. Block iCloud Private Relay You’re all set! These options will keep your kids from using some of the most common methods of getting around parental controls.

You should also consider blocking VPN apps like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, allow devices to hide information about the sites and apps they’re using, so your network won’t know that it needs to apply parental controls. To block these apps: 1. On the “Default Restrictions” page, tap “Content Restrictions.” 2. Scroll until you see a toggle labeled “VPN and Proxy.” Slide this ON.

A Very Special Thank-You T

wenty years ago, Bob Hance started as president and CEO of MEC with 25 years of experience in the electric cooperative industry under his belt. Thanks to his vision and leadership, MEC was among the first electric cooperatives in the country to deploy fiber internet. Bob has earned a reputation as a leader and a trailblazer, and has been nationally recognized for his efforts to bridge the digital divide. In April, the nine MEC board members presented Bob with a gift: a watch, engraved with his name and “20 years of visionary leadership.” Board Chair Topper Barth said the directors wanted to get him something special to honor his years of service. “It’s been very enjoyable to work with Bob and see him in action,” Topper said. “We’re very appreciative of the work he’s done.” Topper credited Bob with creating the culture at MEC and said it had been a pleasure to watch him encourage the growth of the co-op.

CEO Bob Hance accepts an engraved watch from the board of directors.

Congratulations on 20 years, Bob! We’re glad to have you in the driver’s seat.

Simplify Your Streaming For Free With MyBundle.TV

POP QUIZ:

On which streaming service can you find the hit TV show Yellowstone? Is it on Netflix? Hulu? Amazon Prime? Somewhere else? With so many streaming services available, it can be hard to find the shows you want to watch. That’s why we’ve partnered with MyBundle.TV, a FREE tool to help you cut the cord. When you visit streaming.teammidwest.com, you can: • Search for shows and movies to discover where to watch them. • Manage your streaming costs, access special deals, and find apps that match your interests. • Get personalized show and movie recommendations. • Create custom watchlists to plan what you want to watch, and track what you’ve seen.

Visit streaming.teammidwest.com to get started with the free MyBundle.TV tool.

Even better: With our blazing-fast, highspeed internet, you can watch it all with no buffering or data caps.

Guest Column

Sweet Breakfast

By Kris Rigling, Great Lakes Energy Cooperative member

rowing up in a small dairy farming community in the country, there were not a lot of options for jobs, but one of my favorites and one of my first jobs still conjures up happy memories. We had a small grocery store in our community that always tried to have fresh produce on hand. While most families grew their own gardens, some people worked all day and didn’t have time to pick fresh berries, but they still wanted to taste summer’s sweet berries. One Sunday at church, our neighbor (her older brother was the produce manager) told my sister about picking strawberries for the local grocery store—she and our neighbor would each pick 16 quarts. My sister didn’t really want to do it, but I did and begged to do so. My mom called the neighbor, and we were set to pick berries on Monday morning. We were also lucky enough to have a strawberry farm in our community. We showed up first thing in the morning, and the farmer told us where to start picking. And he told us to be sure to let him know if they tasted okay. We each picked 16 quarts. I think I picked my 16 quarts and ate another one or two! They were so good and juicy—right off the vine—it was like eating liquid sunshine. When we finished picking, we dropped off our berries at the store, and they paid us right out of the cash register! I was so excited! I think I made about $3, which was probably minimum wage. We did this every few days for about three weeks that summer, and then the season was over again for another year. I didn’t make a ton of money picking berries that summer, but every time I bite into a sweet Michigan strawberry, I am a kid again, picking and eating a very sweet breakfast!

Win a $50 energy bill credit!

Kris enjoys cooking, camping, kayaking, reading, and watching her kids play sports.

Win $150!

Share your fondest memories and stories. Win $150 for stories published. Visit countrylines.com/community to submit.

Where In Michigan Is This? Identify the correct location of the photo to the left by July 20 and be entered into a drawing to win a $50 electric bill credit. Enter your guess at countrylines.com/community. May 2022 Winner! Our Mystery Photo winner is Toni Blundy, a HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative member, who correctly identiﬁed the photo as the New Era Potato Chip Silo on Grand River Avenue, east of Portland. Photo courtesy of Eldon McGraw. Winners are announced in the following issues of Country Lines: January, March, May, July/August, September, and November/ December.

Add Geothermal to Your Existing Furnace in 1-Day. HEAT & COOL YOUR HOME FOR HALF FOR DECADES. ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO

$2,000 REBATE & 26% TAX CREDIT

Add a Well-Connect for $0 down and as little as $80/month.

Typical heating cost savings of over $100/month. Air conditions for pennies a day. Well-Connect pays for itself.

HEATING WITH WELL-CONNECT IS LIKE PAYING 70¢ PER GALLON OF PROPANE

WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT WELL-CONNECT?

HYBRID OPERATION

WATER EFFICIENT

EASY INSTALLATION

Connects to your existing furnace, giving you maximum comfort and maximum savings.

Minimal water flow required, making almost any well capable of heating & cooling your home.

Can be installed in one day, any time of the year. DIY or professionally installed.

Well-Connect is a water source heat pump designed to provide efficient heating and cooling all year long. It is designed for rural homes that have a well and where either propane, fuel oil, electric resistance, or wood is used as the heating source. Well-Connect works in combination with your existing furnace — it does not replace it. This makes the initial cost of the system significantly less than traditional geothermal systems.

wellconnectgeo.com (989) 356-2113

70° AIR

50° WATER

95° AIR

38° WATER

Hybrid Geothermal

EXISTING FURNACE

Geothermal Made Affordable

TeamMidwest.com

SAVE THE DATE for our customer appreciation night!

RSVP

WHEN WHERE