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February 20_adsPasted2.indd 2
1/9/20 9:14 AM
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Study grapples with EV charging limitations.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Chilium-238 is the stuff of legend.
NEWS BRIEFS
Keep up-to-date with industry happenings.
MY CO-OP
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contents February 2020
On the
COVER
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Recipes
Warm up with chili.
27
Kids &
CRITTERS
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8
SECURING SUCCESS
Electric cooperatives secured federal legislative successes despite D.C.’s dysfunction, distraction, and disagreements.
Find out what’s happening at your local electric cooperative.
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EVENTS
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February 2020
WECN Feb20TOC.indd 1
3
1/17/20 10:15 AM
LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR Chilium-238
As we were working on the recipes pages of this edition of the magazine, our newest colleague in the office offered up her own favorite chili recipe. On page 21, Dana Kelroy, Editor you’ll find “Jen’s ‘What the heck?’ Veggie Chili.” This made me recall what seems like an inter-office legend. In 2002, and before my time here, Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News asked readers to submit their favorite chili recipes. Readers obliged. Office staff then each chose one recipe, prepared it, and brought it in for the cook-off. Here’s where the “stuff of legend” comes in. One particular recipe is rememberd by all. It was simply called Chilium-238. This concoction was submitted by WECA staff member David Jenkins. Was it really that hot? Were the warnings warranted? You be the judge. Regardless, thank you to my new and former colleagues, Jen and Jenks respectively, for sharing your recipes with us. Below is the formula, I mean recipe, for Chilium-238 as it appeared in the November 2002 issue of Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News. Chilium-238 1 lb. ground round 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups chopped yellow onion 1-1/2 cup chopped celery 1 finely chopped green (hot) chili pepper WARNING! Juice from this pepper can cause severe eye irritation. Please use with caution! 2 cans chili beans 1 chopped sweet pepper (red or yellow) 1 can chopped tomatoes (or use fresh chopped, peeled Roma tomatoes) 1 Tbsp fresh ground pepper 5 Tbsp chili powder 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbsp basil 1 Tbsp oregano 1 Tbsp red pepper 1 Tbsp salt
February 2020 Vol. 80 No. 8 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-profit, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to non-members for $10 per year or $28 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year. Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Steve Freese, president & CEO. USPS number: 688-480. Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Periodicals postage paid at Baraboo, Wis. Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Phone (608) 467-4650. Web site: www.wecnmagazine.com. Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18.
In a four- or five-quart pan, brown ground round with onion. Carefully stir in all ingredients except celery and sweet peppers. Simmer chili for 35 minutes. Stir every 7 minutes or so. Stir in celery and chopped sweet pepper and mix thoroughly. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with oyster crackers.
Steve Freese Dana Kelroy Mary Erickson Julie Lund Ann Bailey Geri Miller Jennifer Taylor
WECA president & CEO editor associate editor contributing writer graphic designer advertising consultant editorial assistant
Surgeon General’s Warning: Persons who choose to consume Chilium-238 should always have ample quantities of cold liquids at hand. Only experienced chefs trained in the handling of potentially toxic juices from hot peppers should attempt preparation of this recipe. Persons with histories of digestive tract disorders should avoid Chilium-238. (Except for the last bit, just kidding.)
For advertising opportunities please email ads@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers. Please recycle
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Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
WECN FEB Editor2020.indd 1
1/17/20 10:17 AM
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NEWS BRIEFS PASSAGE OF SPENDING PACKAGE IS A VICTORY FOR ELECTRIC CO-OPS
Christmas came just a bit early for electric co-ops in Wisconsin and across the nation when Congress passed an appropriations bill and President Trump signed it just hours before the government spending agreement ran out bill December 20. Among the cooperative priorities included in the bill: • The RURAL Act The act addresses unintended consequence of 2017 tax law that threatened the tax-exempt status of electric cooperatives. The bipartisan legislation ensures that co-ops that accept government grants for things such as disaster assistance or broadband expansion are not at risk of losing their tax-exempt status. • The SECURE Act The SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act reduces premiums electric co-ops in the Retirement Security Plan pay to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation by adjusting the formula to more accurately reflect the lower risk. It also provides nondiscrimination testing relief for co-ops in the Retirement Security Plan or in their own defined-benefit plans that are “closed” to new employees but continue to provide benefits. • Repeal of Cadillac Tax This repeal permanently eliminates the 40 percent excise tax on health care coverage provided through an employer-sponsored group health plan. • Broadband Expansion Commitment has been renewed to the USDA ReConnect Broadband Program by allocating $555 million to finance the deployment of rural broadband, and $35 million for the USDA Community Connect Program. • US AID Cooperative Development Program A commitment of $17 million was made to the US AID Cooperative Development Program, which helps fund electrification efforts such as the NRECA International program that Wisconsin co-ops participated in this year, which brought power to a Guatemalan village for the first time. • Repeal of Parking Lot Tax A measure was repealed that would have taxed parking, transportation, and other benefits provided to employees by non-profit employers, at a rate of 21 percent. More on federal cooperative legislative priorities can be found on page 8.
TACKMANN TO LEAD OAKDALE ELECTRIC
Chris Tackmann took the helm as the new general manager of Oakdale Electric Cooperative, effective January 13. Tackmann comes to Oakdale from Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services, where he served as vice president of member and administrative services. Tackmann takes over for Bruce Ardelt, who retired in January after 30 years with Oakdale. Tackmann holds an undergraduate degree in business administration and management information systems from University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He joined Pierce Pepin in 2002 as an intern and was hired full-time in 2003 after graduating college.
DAIRYLAND POWER CEO NICK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Barbara Nick, president and CEO of Dairyland Power Cooperative, has announced plans to retire in July 2020. Nick joined Dairyland as president and CEO in December 2014, after serving in leadership roles at Wisconsin Public Service Corporation/ Integrys (now WEC Energy Group). She has more than 30 years of board service on various profit and nonprofit boards. She is serving a six-year term on the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB), which includes oversight of state funds valued at over $100 billion. She is also on the board of directors for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and a member of the EPRI Governance and Nominating Committee. The Dairyland board is interviewing finalists for search consultants. A search for Nick’s successor as Dairyland’s president and CEO will begin shortly. 6
CARDINAL–HICKORY CREEK ADVANCES AMID CHALLENGES
Some municipalities and environmental groups including Dane County, Iowa County, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, and the Driftless Area Land Conservancy filed legal challenges to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s (PSC) unanimous approval of the Cardinal–Hickory Creek Project. The PSC approved the plan to build the 102-mile, 345-kilovolt line that will extend from Dubuque, Iowa, to Middleton in September. The $492 million project will offer economic savings, improve reliability, and relieve congestion on the grid while supporting efforts to increase use of renewable energy sources. Dane County’s suit alleges PSC abused its discretion. Iowa regulators and federal agencies still must sign off on the plan, which is expected to be complete in 2023, pending legal challenges.
FOUNDATION TO AWARD $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP
The Federated Youth Foundation, Inc. is now accepting applications for the fourth Charles Van Sickle Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a pre-law or law student who has an interest in cooperative law. The scholarship is made possible by an endowment established in 2013 to honor Wisconsin’s renowned electric cooperative lobbyist and attorney, the late Charles Van Sickle. The scholarship will be awarded during the spring 2020 semester. Applicants will be judged on leadership, scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal motivation, and academic and life goals. To be considered, applicants should submit application to the Federated Youth Foundation office no later than March 2, 2020. More information is available at www.weca.coop.
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
WECN Feb20NewsBriefs.indd 1
1/16/20 9:18 AM
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12/20/19 4:09 PM PM 1/8/20 1:25
SECURING
SUCCESS
Steve Freese President and CEO
O
ver the past four years of working on behalf of Wisconsin electric cooperatives in Washington, D.C., we have reinforced our belief that nothing that really matters ever comes easy. We have had a great deal of success in the past—including securing and maintaining funding for programs such as the RUS Electric Loan Program and Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants, among others. But we also had some significant issues in which success has been elusive. Our latest round of lobbying has been one of our most challenging yet because we had to battle the dysfunction, distraction, and disagreements surrounding the impeachment efforts, so that our commonsense messages could be heard, and Congress would act. I have to be honest—because of the volatile environment, I wasn’t always certain what the outcome would be. But this time, our efforts were successful in protecting Wisconsin electric cooperatives’ ability to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to members.
Pension Risk Assessment Most Wisconsin electric cooperatives participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s RS Pension plan. Unfortunately, the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) treated electric cooperatives as risky businesses and failed to recognize that pension plans like ours pose virtually no risk of default. As a result, our cooperative’s premiums were unfairly inflated. More than 880 rural electric cooperatives participate in the fund, which covers more than 56,000 employees in 47 states, including the 1,279 who work here in Wisconsin. The PBGC was treating the 880 electric cooperatives in this defined-benefit “multiple-employer” pension plan as if they could all simply go out of business the same day, which is not a fair or accurate risk factor. These PBGC rules treat us like single-employer for-profit companies, which we are not. As a result, the premiums Wisconsin electric cooperatives pay are 87 percent higher than they should be, creating a strain on our ability to maintain the benefit for our employees. We successfully educated Congress, and as a result the bipartisan SECURE Act became law, which immediately and permanently reduces pension premiums of cooperatives to reflect the extremely low risk of co-ops ever defaulting on pension plan payments. 8
Tax-Exempt Status.
The second issue is one we’ve been fighting since 2017, when Congress made major changes to the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax breaks for most Americans. This law unintentionally put electric cooperatives at risk of losing tax-exempt status. One part of the law was designed to ensure for-profit companies are paying their fair share in relation to land or grants given by state and local governments, but it failed to protect not-for-profit tax-exempt organizations, such as most of America’s nearly 900 electric cooperatives. Electric cooperatives must receive at least 85 percent of income from members, which was not a problem until the 2017 tax law change, which said state or federal grants for things like broadband expansion, or FEMA and state disaster fund storm recovery must be counted as non-member income. Additionally, grants for renewable energy development, economic development, energy efficiency and conservation, and rural broadband initiatives would likely go by the wayside. However, Congress corrected this issue in the RURAL Act, and the president signed it into law.
Excise Tax. The third issue we have worked for some time is the elimination of the 40 percent excise tax on certain health care benefits we provide for all our co-op employees. This tax was delayed multiple times and had most recently been set to take effect in 2022. We fought for permanent repeal, and finally succeeded. Recruiting employees in rural areas can be a challenge, and this Congressional action helps us so we can compete for talented employees and retain our current workforce. It was a welcome surprise when all of these issues were covered in the spending bill that received bipartisan support and was signed into law by the president back in December. I am continually amazed by the persistence of our electric cooperative community that fuels the drive that enables us to cut through dysfunction in Washington, D.C. Thanks for all your help in this accomplishment.
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
WECN Feb20Steve.indd 1
1/16/20 9:18 AM
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HOME,
IF YOU’VE GOT RANGE GRAPPLING WITH EV CHARGING LIMITATIONS
I
n the 1880s, “range anxiety” might have described the mental state of cowboys worrying what could go wrong on a cattle drive across the vast American West. But the two words weren’t commonly combined as a familiar phrase until recent years. Now they identify what’s probably the single biggest barrier to widespread consumer acceptance of battery-powered electric vehicles: Despite often attractive styling and performance qualities and potential for environmentally cleaner operation offered by all-electric vehicles (EVs), an independent market research organization’s 2018 study revealed that fewer than 10 percent of U.S. consumers would consider buying one and the reason most frequently cited was fear of the battery running down somewhere in the wide-open spaces. Last year another independent study tackled the question of what it would take, in terms of available charging facilities, to reassure potential EV buyers that they wouldn’t be marooned. The researchers, affiliated with the Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development, are based in the Twin Cities and the slice of geography they picked for their study was the I-94 corridor from eastern Michigan through western Minnesota, the middle portion of the route essentially bisecting the primary readership area of Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News.
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The Challenge The Great Plains Institute (GPI) defines its mission as “Transforming the energy system to benefit the economy and environment.” Among key goals it identifies “decarbonization of the transportation system through electrification and development of zero-or-negative-carbon, bio-based fuels, synthetic fuels, low carbon oil, and renewable chemicals.” In one unintended sense, this potentially describes a lifeline for electricity providers casting about for ways to keep their rates stable—and forestall increases—in the face of revenues crimped by flat or declining demand. As the institute (GPI) puts it, “EVs offer utilities load growth opportunities without necessarily increasing coincidental load peaks.” At the same time, GPI says, EVs can “help minimize new investments in generation and distribution infrastructure and actively match load with expanding renewable generation.” How would this work? The first part is relatively straightforward: If someone owns an electric vehicle, it makes sense for them to install charging equipment at home. It needn’t be special high-speed equipment because the vehicle will typically be on the premises and idle for several hours at a time. This is not only convenient for EV owners; it also lends itself to use in utility load management programs during lengthier charging periods.
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
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Photo courtesy of plugshare.com.
workplace facility requiring anywhere from one to almost six hours of charging to enable 80 miles’ travel. On the other hand, a DCFC facility could give the same EV 80 miles of range in as little as three minutes and almost surely in less than half an hour. Absent the ability to replenish or extend an EV’s range in the few minutes’ time
Seeking a Solution
The main
obstacle to widespread DCFC deployment identified in the GPI analysis is pretty simple; the solution, considerably less so. “Demand charges” levied by electric power providers vary significantly, reflecting different costs of providing service in one locality compared with another. Further i complication is u q e introduced by the r C h arg e ti m e fact that the higher offered by the capacity of a DCFC DCFC, it’s hard facility—the key to its ability to imagine any but to quickly recharge a vehicle—the the most casual travelers higher the cost of the infrastructure giving up vehicles they can drive for needed to support it and the higher the hundreds of miles before needing a demand charge is likely to be. refueling stop that might be completed
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The big challenge happens away from home, with availability of public charging remaining, in GPI’s words, “a crucial enabling factor for significant adoption of EVs”—a gentle way of saying so far, there aren’t a lot of people buying them. More “significant adoption” depends on widespread deployment of something called DCFC—or direct-current fast charging. The institute explains DCFC “will enable longer trips, higher mileage-per-day usage, and charging by people without access to home or workplace charging.” But we aren’t there yet and there’s a long way to go. Released last July, the GPI study cited still another study—by the Idaho-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)—saying the United States has “far less public charging infrastructure than what is required to achieve greater levels of EV adoption.” The 15 mid-continent states including Wisconsin had a combined 425 operational DCFC stations, almost 4,000 shy of NREL-projected needs within the next 10 years and to be brought on line at an anticipated cost of $60,000 to $100,000 per plug. DCFC’s importance is illustrated by the stark difference in charging times at the various levels of efficiency as detailed by GPI. At its most basic, Level 1 charging could require as long as 14 hours to give an EV 80 miles of range. Most charging activity, GPI anticipates, will take place at a Level 2 home or
in five minutes. But the key question posed by GPI— which is unwaveringly committed to broader EV deployment—asks how to get around the economic roadblocks to wider DCFC availability. Analyzing commercial and small industrial electricity rate schedules across 30 different utility service areas in the Michigan-through-Minnesota corridor, GPI found that the price for energy usage at the charger may be greatly exceeded by the cost of the energy capacity needed to serve the charger; in other words, revenues obtainable through consumer usage of a charger may be hardpressed to cover the charger’s operating cost. This, the GPI analysis concludes, becomes a primary factor in determining how economically attractive it will be to provide DCFC service.
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If no one builds it, they won’t come
Oakdale Electric Cooperative works to reduce range anxiety by installing a DCFC charger off of I-94 outside the Ground Round Grill & Bar in Tomah. Photos courtesy of Oakdale Electric Cooperative.
T
rue to their DNA, electric cooperatives saw a problem and are offering a solution. Much like the early pioneers of Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives in the 1930s and 1940s who brought power where no one else would, today’s electric cooperatives are doing their part to relieve range anxiety. Oakdale Electric Cooperative (OEC), headquartered just off of I-90/94 in Oakdale, east of Tomah, recognized that their location off of the I-94 corridor in between the major urban markets of the Twin Cities and Madison/Chicago placed them at the center of potential “range anxiety.” The co-op’s board and management partnered with a Tomah-area business—
the Ground Round Grill & Bar—along with Dairyland Power Cooperative and the Michigan to Montana I-94 Clean Fuel Corridor project to bring the first-ever DCFC station to western Wisconsin. OEC is the energy and power provider to both this original DCFC station outside the Ground Round installed in mid 2018, and a second DCFC location in Tomah near the Wal-Mart installed in May 2019. The Ground Round location also has two level 2 chargers, allowing three cars to charge simultaneously. The DC fast charger provides 200 miles of battery range for every hour the vehicle is plugged in, while the two level 2 chargers provide 25 miles of battery range for every hour the vehicle is plugged in. Oakdale acknowledges that putting a DCFC station in rural Wisconsin can be a bit of a “cart before the horse scenario” with EVs, according to Todd O’Neil, OEC’s director of energy services. People are reluctant to buy EVs and “nobody wants to get them until you alleviate the range anxiety, and until you do that,
This led the GPI to conclude that at least for the time being in a majority of utility service areas, demand charges would foreclose the possibility of profitable DCFC operation, even at utilization rates of 10 charges per day—and utilization would likely remain low in the near term because of the comparatively small number of EVs. The GPI analysis acknowledges that “demand charges exist 12
there’s not going to be a real big development in our area.” “You’re going to be hard-pressed to sell an EV to someone that can only go 200 miles, with no charging stations for them. We’re trying to get ahead of the curve,” said O’Neil. And in getting ahead of that curve, the co-op is creating opportunities to grow the business. “We’re trying to support load growth for our co-op and our members. We expect 80–90 percent of charging will occur at home, but if you don’t have those fast chargers out there, then people get anxious about taking those long trips and we wanted to try to help with that.” Oakdale isn’t the only Wisconsin coop looking to relieve range anxiety. Many co-ops already have level 2 chargers outside their facilities, and a few have plans to install DCFC in 2020. “I think it’s an exciting time and exciting concept and we’re happy to be able to support it given our geographic location and our abilities to do so,” said O’Neil. —Dana Kelroy
for a reason” and that they will differ with the needs of each power provider and its consumer base. It suggests that answers lie in reducing DCFC capital costs, possibly “through state or utility cost-share in combination with private investment,” and through regulatory agencies “adjusting demand charge tariffs.” The analysis, GPI says, “is not intended to create a ‘onesize-fits-all’ approach.”—Dave Hoopman
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
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BRIGHT IDEAS for
SMART HOME LIGHTING Dear Pat and Brad:
I’ve heard a lot about smart lighting for the home. What is it, and will it save energy? —Julian
Dear Julian: It seems like every de-
vice is getting smarter these days. Since smart-home lighting is so new, many of us could use a little introduction. At its heart, smart lighting covers a range of bulbs, controls, and lighting systems that are programmable through an app on a mobile device, computer, or smart speaker. Smart lighting can do more than just turn on and off at the right time. Some smart lighting systems can dim at various times. Some can be connected to a sensor or motion detector so that a light goes on when a door is opened, or someone enters a room. Some smart lighting systems can change color so you can set up a holiday light show indoors or outdoors. It can also be practical, providing lighting that matches sunlight during the day and is more relaxing in the evening. You may even be able to play music directly from the bulb! In most cases, you control smart lighting through your home Wi-Fi. You
can communicate to individual smart bulbs or to a hub that, in turn, controls individual bulbs. In some cases, you can use Bluetooth® on your phone to control smart lighting, but you’ll need to be within range of the bulb or hub. Smart lighting can also be used outdoors, but the range of your control device could limit this approach. If the smart bulbs are the type that connect through a hub or connect directly to your Wi-Fi network, you should be able to control them via smart speakers like Google Home, Amazon Echo, or Apple HomePod, and remotely through the internet or smartphone. While a hub-based system is more expensive, it allows lights to be grouped by floor or room, and also uses less bandwidth on your network than running many separate bulbs. Some hub kits also allow you to use regular bulbs instead of requiring more expensive smart bulbs, which could save you money. Will smart lighting save energy? That depends on how you light your home and control your lighting now, and on
how you would control the smart lighting you install in the future. If you use smart lighting to turn lights off when they aren’t needed, like when rooms are
Smart lighting systems that run through a hub, like the Philips Hue shown here, can control all the lighting inside and outside your home. Photo courtesy of Philips February 2020
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Wall-mounted smart tile lights, like the ones from Lifx shown here, can add mood lighting to your room. Photo courtesy of Lifx
empty or no one’s home, or to reduce the wattage, you will save energy. How much energy can you save? Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of electricity use in the average home, which means your total cost for all the lighting in your home might only be $100 per year. If you have some high-wattage bulbs that are on for long periods of time every day, your lighting use could be significantly higher than average. Investments in smart lighting are not likely to pay back as quickly as some energy efficiency measures that control heating or air conditioning. Smart bulbs are more expensive than typical LED bulbs, ranging from $15 to $80, and a hub can cost of up to $125, so it could take a long time to make your money back. Chances are, you’re better off investing in smart lighting for the features than the energy savings. One alternative to smart lighting is smart wall outlets or wall switches. For example, you can plug a lamp with a standard bulb into a smart wall outlet, or you can have several lights wired to one smart switch. The downside to smart switches and outlets is that installation could be more challenging, and you may not have as many options and features that come with smart lighting. Another strategy for smart lighting that has been around for a long time and is reasonably priced is to use occupancy sensors, motion sensors, or timers as control devices. The wide number of options and costs makes it difficult to select the best smart lighting for your situation. We suggest you do the research to make sure it’s worth your time and money to make the change. This column was co-written by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of Collaborative Efficiency. For more information on smart lighting, please visit: www.collaborativeefficiency.com/ energytips.
Many smart lighting systems can be controlled through smart speakers like the Amazon Echo shown here. Photo courtesy of Amazon
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Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
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1967
H. Allen Smith / Wick Fowler (First winning recipe) 4 lbs coarse-ground chopped sirloin or tenderloin Olive oil or butter 1–2 small cans tomato paste, with water OR fresh tomatoes, finely chopped OR canned tomatoes pressed through a colander 3–4 medium onions, chopped 1 bell pepper, chopped 2–10 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp oregano 1/2 tsp sweet basil 1 Tbsp cumin seed or ground cumin Salt and pepper to taste 3 Tbsp (or more) chili powder OR some chili pods
Warm Up with Chili The International Chili Society has been having chili cook-offs since the 1960s. If you visit the website (www.chilicookoff. com/winning-recipes), each winning recipe includes a great story and info about the recipe and who created it. The first three recipes listed below are world champion winners. The last one is from our very own executive assistant at WECA. It’s not a world champion recipe, but it is pretty darn good!
In a 4-quart pot, brown meat in oil or butter or in a blend of the two. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer 2–3 hours with the lid on.
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1974
Allegani Jani’s Chili, by Allegani Jani Schofield (First female world champion)
1 qt water 4 lbs stew meat, ground once 1 tsp sugar 4 jalapeno peppers, 3 onions, chopped 1/2 can beer chopped 2 Tbsp oil 2 packs chili powder Salt and pepper to taste 3 tsp mole paste (available in stores 1/2 cup masa flour (available in stores 2 heaping tsp cumin seeds stocking Mexican groceries) stocking Mexican 6 cloves garlic, mashed 1 tsp Tabasco sauce groceries) 1 can Hunt’s tomatoes 1 tsp salt Brown meat and onions in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Using a molcajete (a Mexican grinding tool), grind cumin seeds and garlic with a little water. Add to meat. In a blender, combine tomatoes, sugar, beer, and chili powder. Add to stew along with mole paste, Tabasco sauce, salt, water, and jalapeño peppers. Cook for 2-1/2 hours, stirring well from time to time. At the end of the cooking time, make a runny paste of masa and water, adding it to the stew to thicken it. Stir the stew rapidly while adding the paste to keep it from getting lumpy. Cook 30 minutes more.
2000
Jerry Simmons’ World Championship Chili Verde
2 lbs lean pork (cubed 3/8- to 1/2-inch) 2 Tbsp pork suet 1 cup chopped onions 1 can Swanson’s chicken broth 30 Minutes To Go Spice Mix
6 oz hot green chilies 2 Tbsp powdered green chilies
Spice Mix
1-1/2 tsp granulated garlic 2 Tbsp Kraft chicken base 1 tsp oregano 2 tsp cornstarch 1 tsp cumin
10 Minutes To Go Spice Mix
13 oz green chilies, 3/8-inch cubes 1/4 tsp powdered green jalapeños 8 oz Herdex Salsa Verde 8 oz green Mexican sauce 1 tsp cumin 1/4 cup cilantro
Brown pork in suet. Add onions to the pot and chicken broth. Simmer for one hour. Add spice mix. Cook until meat is tender. Add water as needed to keep meat covered. With 30 minutes to go, add 30 Minute Spice Mix. With 10 minutes to go, add 10 Minute Spice Mix. Adjust, making sure its thick enough. Must be HOT! Also salty.
Jen’s ‘What the Heck?’ Veggie Chili 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes 1 (14 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 (14 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (14 oz) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 lb green beans, fresh, chopped in thirds, or frozen cut beans 1/2 ‘Soyrizo’ brand chorizo-seasoned Textured Vegetable Protein or TVP (found at Trader Joe’s), or other Mexican-seasoned ground meat substitute 1-1/2 cups frozen corn 1 leek, finely chopped
9 cloves garlic, crushed 1 large white onion, chopped 1 pkg sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped fine 3 Tbsp dark (or regular) cocoa powder 2 Tbsp ancho chili powder 2 Tbsp ground cumin seed 2 tsp cayenne 1-1/2 Tbsp black pepper 1-1/2 Tbsp salt 2 Tbsp olive oil Water, as needed
Garnish with plain yogurt, sour cream, cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese. Chop leek, onion, chipotles, and green beans, if fresh. Rinse canned beans and combine all ingredients into large crock pot. Stir well and set crock pot on LOW to cook for at least 8 hours. After 8 hours, stir well and test flavor, adjusting seasonings, if desired. Serve into bowls, add garnishes, and enjoy. OPTIONAL: Add 2–3 pasilla chiles, seeded and chopped. Grill leeks, onion, and pasilla chiles beforehand for a great smoky flavor. FOR A PUMPKIN CHILI: add about 1 cup puréed, smoked pumpkin and/or 2 cups cubed smoked pumpkin/butternut squash. Substitute 2 small cans of hominy, rinsed and drained, for the corn and garbanzo beans. TEXAS STYLE: Enjoy over rice and a little shredded cheddar on top. February 2020
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RECIPE EXCHANGE Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to jennifer@weca.coop. For bonus recipes, go to http://wecnmagazine.com/recipes/.
Zesty Beans
Rosetta Gruss, Marshall
1/2 lb ground beef, browned 1 small onion, diced 1/2 lb bacon, cooked 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans 1 (15 oz) can yellow lima or butter beans 1 (15 oz) can pork & beans 1/4 cup ketchup 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp dry mustard 2 Tbsp molasses 1/2 cup vinegar
In a large skillet, brown beef and onion together; drain. Cook bacon. Combine beef and bacon and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into 2-1/2 quart baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until beans reach desired thickness.
Hash Browns Au Gratin Rosetta Gruss, Marshall
2 lbs frozen hash browns 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 (8 oz) pkg shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 cup butter 1 (16 oz) carton sour cream 1 (10-1/2 oz) can cream of chicken soup
Thaw hash browns. Combine remaining ingredients with the hash browns. Mix until well-coated. Pour into a 13-x9-inch baking dish. Topping:
1/2 cup bread crumbs 1 Tbsp melted butter
In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs and butter. Sprinkle over the casserole. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Patio Potato Salad
Zucchini Cake
1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup vinegar 1 egg 4 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp corn starch 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp dry mustard 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 cup salad dressing (mayonnaise) 6 cups or 7 medium potatoes, cooked, diced, and chilled 3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups sugar 1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 cup vegetable oil 4 eggs 2 cups shredded zucchini 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Rosetta Gruss, Marshall
In medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, vinegar, egg, butter, corn starch, salt, and dry mustard. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat; blend in onion and salad dressing; cool. Combine potatoes and hard-cooked eggs; carefully fold in dressing. Chill.
Three-Bean Chili
Rosetta Gruss, Marshall
1 lb ground beef 1 medium green sweet pepper, chopped (approx. 3/4 cup) 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce 1 (15-1/2 oz) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained 1–3 Tbsp packed brown sugar, to taste 1 Tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp paprika
In a 4-quart Dutch oven, cook ground beef, green pepper, and onion until meat is brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, and paprika. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. Garnish with: Tortilla chips, sour cream, and/or shredded cheddar cheese.
Rosetta Gruss, Marshall
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Combine oil and eggs; add to dry ingredients and mix well. Add zucchini; stir until thoroughly combined. Fold in walnuts if desired. Pour into a greased 13-x9-x2-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean; let cool. Frosting:
3 oz cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 Tbsp milk 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups confectioners’ sugar Additional chopped walnuts (optional) For the frosting: in a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix well; spread frosting on cake. Sprinkle with nuts if desired. Store in the refrigerator.
REQUESTS from our
READERS Amanda Tutor, from Ashland, is looking for a recipe her uncle said his mother used to make. A salad that contained strawberry jello, cranberries, and orange peel. If you can help, have a request of your own, or would like to submit a recipe for publication, please write to Wisconsin
Energy Cooperative News, What’s Cooking? 222 West Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703-2719 or contact us via our website, www.wecnmagazine.com. Thanks!
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February 2020
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HOT AIR AFFAIR
TOUCHSTONE ENERGY BALLOON TO FLOAT OVER HUDSON
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I
f the chilly temperatures of the season have you searching for a hot place to visit, you should consider a trip to Hudson February 7–9, when the skies will be filled with hot air from as many as 30 bright balloons. The annual Hudson Hot Air Affair, billed as the premier winter ballooning event and winter festival in the Midwest, is a weekend of family-friendly activities, both indoor and outdoor. Highlights include a Friday evening Torchlight Parade featuring the balloon baskets that are steered down Hudson’s Main Street with the burners shooting bright flames into the night sky. Weather permitting, a Saturday morning group launch of all participating hot air balloons creates a colorful collage that’s a sight to behold. Included among those colors this year will be the bright hues of the Touchstone Energy hot air balloon, which will make a rare appearance in Wisconsin courtesy of St. Croix Electric Cooperative (SCEC), one of four commercial balloon sponsors in this year’s Hot Air Affair. Dairyland Power Cooperative is jointly sponsoring the Touchstone Energy balloon. Touchstone Energy is a national brand that supports a network of electric cooperatives in 46 states, including many in Wisconsin. “This is the first year an official Touchstone Energy balloon is going to be at the Hudson Hot Air Affair,” said Michele DeLong, communications & events coordinator at SCEC. In addition to sponsoring the Touchstone Energy balloon, SCEC is once again sponsoring the Living with Dementia balloon in a partnership with the St. Croix County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC), forged through the co-op’s FirstCall Medical Monitoring Service. SCEC is also listed as an event sponsor, thanks in part, DeLong said, to efforts with Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, a restaurant on SCEC lines that hosted the CountDown Event & Kick-Off Fundraiser in January. Big Guys will also host the Big Chili Blowout on February 9 that closes the Hot Air Affair festivities.
Co-op Ties Electric co-op ties to the Hudson Hot Air Affair are varied and
WISCONSIN FAVORITES
1 2
1. The Hudson Hot Air Affair offers several opportunities for spectators to see the balloons up close. 2. Hundreds of spectators line the main street of Hudson the first Friday in February each year for the Hudson Hot Air Affair Torchlight Parade. For five years, St. Croix Electric Cooperative, through its FirstCall Medical Monitoring service, has sponsored the Living with Dementia Balloon in partnership with the ADRC of St. Croix County.
also longstanding. At the 2003 event, SCEC sponsored an unofficial Touchstone Energy balloon jointly with neighboring Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services. That balloon was owned and piloted by Keith Wohlfert, former communications coordinator at AdamsColumbia Electric Cooperative. Wohlfert would sometimes affix the Touchstone Energy logo to his own hot air balloon and participate in community events such as the Hudson Hot Air Affair. Five years ago, the dementia specialist at the St. Croix County ADRC
office approached SCEC with the idea of sponsoring a balloon at the Hudson Hot Air Affair to fulfill the wish of a local resident with dementia who wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. The two entities joined forces and have been sponsoring the Living With Dementia balloon ever since, using the event to help promote the need for services for community members with dementia as well as their caregivers. This year, the St. Croix Valley Dementia Friendly Communities Coalition became part of the Living With Dementia balloon sponsorship team. February 2020
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“Every year a person with dementia and their caregiver are designated as ambassadors,” DeLong said. “They share their story and they have the potential to ride in the balloon.” The co-op’s involvement with the Hot Air Affair means a number of employees serve as volunteers, whether by serving as the balloon’s ground crew during launch and landing, or passing out giveaways along the parade route. DeLong herself has been actively involved with the Hot Air Affair since she joined the staff at SCEC two years ago. She was only one week into her new job when she was immersed in the 2018 event. “I had never been to Hot Air Affair despite living here for 25 years,” she said. “I went to the parade that year, had a blast, and volunteered to be on the committee. This year I thought it would be fun to get the Touchstone Energy balloon here.”
1 1. Living with Dementia Ambassador Burt Levy of Prescott (whose wife, Jan Amberson, has dementia) and now-retired ADRC of St. Croix County Dementia Specialist Nancy Abrahamson just after launching in the balloon sponsored by St. Croix Electric Cooperative. 2. Pilot Terry Dorshorst of West Salem does a pre-flight briefing with passengers Abrahamson and Levy before the Saturday morning mass launch.
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Balloons Everywhere
While weather is always an unpredictable factor at any ballooning event, the Hudson Hot Air Affair offers plenty of opportunities for guests to take in the balloons regardless of what Mother Nature does. When the weather cooperates, the Saturday morning group launch is a spectacular sight. A second launch is scheduled for the afternoon, in case weather prevents the sunrise group launch but clears by mid-day. If the morning launch occurs, the afternoon launch is optional for the balloon pilots. “It’s really awesome,” said DeLong. “There’s anywhere from 30 to 50 balloons. When they are able to take off in a group launch it’s just really cool to see.” And if the weather is too wet or windy for the balloons to take flight, visitors can always marvel at the balloons a little closer to earth. Friday night’s Torchlight Parade is held regardless of the temperature. Although this event features only the balloons’ baskets, the whoosh of the flame from the burners as the baskets pass by thousands of visitors who gather along the parade route is a spectacle in itself. The sparks continue with a fireworks display following the parade. On Saturday evening, the grounds are aglow with the light from the filled balloons during the popular Hot Air Balloon Moon Glow. Visitors are welcome to stroll amongst the beautiful balloons that are tethered to the ground and chat with the pilots and crew. If it’s too windy, the Moon Glow is replaced with a Field of Fire, where the baskets are lit up. This year visitors will even find opportunities to ride in a hot air balloon. DeLong said SCEC is planning to offer tethered rides on the Touchstone Energy balloon at the co-op
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office on February 7. Plans also call for the Touchstone Energy balloon to be on hand at Big Guys BBQ for the Big Chili Blowout, with tethered rides a possibility there as well.
Not Just Balloons
The balloons are clearly the main attraction of the Hudson Hot Air Affair, but there’s much more to see and do. DeLong describes the event as a “month-long community festival” that begins in January with a variety of activities and culminates with the Hot Air Affair weekend in February. The theme of this year’s event, “Balloon’n Up Nort’ Yah Sure You Betcha,” is reflected in many of the activities, including an ax-throwing contest, Hammerschlagen (a German game in which contestants try to hammer a nail into a stump), a hotdish contest, and other lumberjack-themed happenings. Festivities include a full slate of typical winter festival activities, including a 5K run, geocaching, bird watching, ice carving, a youth ice-fishing derby, and lots of live music. Other activities embrace the wacky side of winter, like the signature smooshboarding contest, where teams of four people navigate an obstacle course while strapped together on ski-like boards. Whatever your preference for activities, you’re sure to have a hot time in Hudson February 7–9.—Mary Erickson
Balloons are launched from EP Rock School, 340 13th St., Hudson. To learn more, call 715-381-2050 or visit hudsonhotairaffair.com.
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
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YOUNG MEMBERS
Kids and Critters February 2020 1. Henry gives Missy a bedtime hug. Photo submitted by Elaine Lackowski, a member of Adams-Columbia Electric. 2. Emmett and his Great Dane, Lola, enjoy a snow day. Photo submitted by Laura Flater, a member of Jump River Electric. 3. Matthew loves cuddling Mr. T Rex the rabbit. Photo submitted by Barbara Miller, a member of Rock Energy.
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4. Jace and Pita are just sittin’ around. Photo submitted by Karly Johnson, a member of Jackson Electric.
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Upload photos directly
to the new wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab. Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703. 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.
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WINTER RECREATION PHOTO CONTEST Upload your favorite snapshots of Wisconsin winter activities for your chance to win a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News kitchen kit! Go to wecnmagazine.com and upload in the “submit a photo” tab by March 15, 2020.
February 2020
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CLASSIFIEDS MISCELLANEOUS
COLLECTOR BUYING WAR SOUVENIRS: German, Japanese, U.S. weapons, medals, helmets, daggers, swords, military items. 715-213-4565. WANTED: DEER TAGS, back tags. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, bobcat, fisher tags. Old traps. David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446. 715-255-9284. WANTED: PAYING CASH FOR WW-2 GERMAN, JAPANESE FLAGS, DAGGERS, SWORDS, GUNS. ETC. 715-340-1974. USED BILLBOARD VINYLS/TARPS: Possible sizes available: 14x48=$50, 10x36=$28.80, 10x30=$24. Expired billboard faces, hemmed. Shipping and tax not included in listed price. MUST CALL FOR AVAILABILITY PRIOR TO PICK UP 800-536-7446. Vinyls can also be picked up at Jones Sign, 1711 Scheuring Road, De Pere, WI 54115. RURAL LIFE HISTORY BOOK: Machine Shed Memories—a Chronicle of Rural Life in Wisconsin. Order at www.machineshedmemories.com. BUY-SELL-TRADE MILITARY SURPLUS, J&R Military Surplus, 10106 ST. HWY 35, De Soto, WI 54624, 608-648-2112.
REAL ESTATE
UPPER MICHIGAN. 1800’ of Lakeshore, 35 acres, pristine lake. Near trout streams, golf, casino, ski, snowmobile trails. Surrounded by Ottawa Forest. Very private. $297, 000. 715-495-2081 or 715-495-3244. VACATION RENTAL. Cape Coral, FL. Beautiful 3 bedroom home on gulf access canal. 10,000 lb boat lift. Weekly rental or more. Call Al. 608-295-7433. LOT FOR SALE: LEHIGH ACRES, FLORIDA. Near Red Sox Stadium. $24,900.00. Phone 1-608-847-6608. HUNTING LAND; whether you are looking to sell or buy in Buffalo & Trempealeau Counties contact Land & Home Realty LLC. Over 20 yrs experience. dan@landandhomerealtyllc. com or 608-484-1900. LAKE HOME FOR SALE—Hayward, WI. 4 seasons house, 3 bedrooms +, 1 ¾ bath, 12 x 28’ screened porch, 2 decks, salt box design, open plan, 24 acres, extra buildable 130’ lake frontage, extras, 2 ½ garage/shop/carport. $350,000. For details 309-798-0081.
PLANTS & SHRUBS HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Highbred Poplar, Hickory, Cherry, Dogwoods, Ninebark, Cranberry, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, food plot and grafted apple trees too, large bareroot shade trees including Autumn Blaze. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072. FRUIT, NUT, SHADE, & ORNAMENTAL TREES AVAILBLE FOR SPRING PLANTING Also evergreens & deciduous seedlings and transplants, strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, rhubarb, and much more. For additional info: Call Toll Free 888803-8733 or write to Woodstock Nursery, W6291 State Hwy 95 Neillsville, WI 54456. Also check us out at Wallace-Woodstock.com.
ADVERTISE WITH US MORE THAN 181,000 MAILBOXES EACH MONTH Reach rural readers ads@weca.coop
Classified ads reach more than 181,000 mailboxes. RATES: For non-members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $25 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $1.25 each. For members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $14 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $.70 each. Count name, address, and phone number as part of ad. Please include zip code. FOR PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP, please include your address label from your copy of the magazine. FREQUENCY DISCOUNTS: 2% discount for 3 months; 5% for 6 months; 10% for 12 months. DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the ad is to appear. All classified ads must be paid in advance. There is no agency discount on classifieds. Make check or money order payable to: WECA. Mail to: WECN, Attn. Dana Kelroy, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4599. Email dana@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.
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OUR 58th YEAR
THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS When you’re part of a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, your voice is heard, loud and clear.
Because than a customer, you’re a member. And what’s more powerful thanand that? When you’reyou’re part more of a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, your voice is heard, loud clear. Because you’re more than a customer, you’re a member. And what’s more powerful than that? To learn more about the power of the cooperative difference, visit TouchstoneEnergy.com
To learn more about the power of the cooperative difference, visit TouchstoneEnergy.com
WE'RE IN
YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND INFORMATION.
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February 2020
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WISCONSIN EVENTS 1 Comfort Cove Ice Fishing Classic—Phillips. Comfort Cove Resort on Solberg Lake, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. 715-339-3360. 1 Cross Country Ski Race—Bayfield. Mt. Ashwabay, 3 miles south of Bayfield, 8:15 a.m.–1 p.m. 715-682-7017. 1 “Chili” Golf Open—Phillips. Harbor View Pub & Eatery, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Continuous registration and golf, 3 p.m. auction; 4 p.m. raffle ticket drawing. Fees/Admission: $25 per golfer, 12 and under are free. 715-339-4371. 1 Vintage Snowmobile Ride For Charity—Hayward. (Formally Johnson Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Ride). Trails End Resort, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Vintage trivia/ worthless trivia, Miss Snowflake, prizes, raffles, guides, tow sleds, 10 trophies for riders. 608-295-5795. 1 Chili & Brat Feed—Ladysmith. Tee-Away Golf & Supper Club, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Food, beverages, raffles, and FUN! On trail #116. 715-532-3777. 1 Wild Game Banquet & Seminar—Oconto Falls. High School Commons Area & PAC. Doors open at 4 p.m., dinner at 5:30 p.m., featured guest speaker Justin Gibbons at 6:30 p.m. 920-855-2962. 1, 15 Moose Lodge Bingo—Phillips. VFW Post 5778, 6–8:30 p.m. 715-339-2909. 6 Chicken Dinner—Eau Claire. Westgate Sportsman’s Club. All you can eat chicken dinner. Meat raffle at 5 p.m. 715-832-4548. 7 Family Style Fish Fry—Jim Falls. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. 4:30–7 p.m. Early-bird senior special from 4:30–5:30 p.m.–dine in only. Carryouts available. 715-382-4422. 7 Norskedalen Candlelight Snowshoe Hike— Coon Valley. Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center; 5:30–8:30 p.m. 608-452-3424. 8 Kids free ice fishing contest—Stanley. Otter Lake. Registration begins at 10 a.m.; contest runs from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Prizes for every fish caught. 715-644-1099. 8 Snowshoe Shuffle—Sherman. Town Hall, all day. Approx. 5K trail. Proceeds to benefit Sherman EMR-First Responders. 715-583-4477.
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February 2020 8 Jigs Up Ice Fishing Contest—Chippewa Falls. 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Weigh-in locations at The Edge Pub & Eatery and The View on Lake Wissota. 715-836-3377. 8 Beekeeping Workshop—Menomonie. Alliance Church. 8 a.m.–4:15 p.m. Includes lunch, workbook, and textbook. $60 for first family member; $10 for additional person. 715-265-9284. 8 Winter Day at Springbrook—Burnett. Springbrook Barn, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Model horse show, vendors, hot food, raffle, door prizes, dog sled demos, and bobsled rides (fee). Proceeds to state horse council equine foundation. 920-382-2711. 8 Microchip & Vaccination Clinic—Friendship. Village Hall. 2–4 p.m. 608-339-3243. 8 Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe Hike—Mellen. Copper Falls State Park, 5:30–8 p.m. Groomed 2.5 K ski trail & 1.5 K snowshoe trail. trails. Bonfire; chili and hot chocolate for sale. 715-274-4414. 9 Chicken & Dressing Dinner—Adams. St. Joseph Parish Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Knights of Columbus annual fundraiser for charity. 9 Classic Country Music Jamboree—Reedsburg. The Voyageur Inn & Conference Center. 1–6 p.m. Produced by Buddy and Laurie Daugs and the “Just Plain Country ” band. $5 cover charge. 608-434-2774. 11, 12 Rosemaling Workshop—Coon Valley. Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, all day. 608-452-3424. 15,16 Lions Club Fun on the Frozen Flambeau— Ladysmith. All day. 715-403-0316. 15 Fishing Contest—Holcombe. Big Swedes Pond. 12–3 p.m. Ice fishing contest, school prizes, raffles, and fun. 15 Rave On! The Buddy Holly Experience—Beaver Dam. High School Auditorium. 4–6 p.m. Billy McGuigan has received critical acclaim for his portrayals of Buddy Holly. 920-887-4851. 15 Valentine’s Dance & Fundraiser—Phillips. Comfort Cove Resort, 6:30 p.m.–Midnight. 715-339-3360. 21, 28 Friday Fish Fry—Rosholt. St. Adalbert Parish, 4–7:30 p.m. Fish or shrimp or combo $11. Raffle. 715-677-4519.
22 Family Fun Day—Tony. The end of Leonhard Lane on the frozen Dairyland Flowage. 715-403-0316. 22 Chili / Soup Cook Off—Millston. The Buck Stops Here Saloon, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Bake sale and silent auctions. Proceeds to the Millston Fireworks Fund. 715-284-2555. 22 Soil Health & Diversity—Fennimore. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, 1–4 p.m. Regenerative agriculture practices and diversity. Free. 608-331-0726. 23 Ice Fishing Contest—Tony. Dairyland Flowage, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 715-403-0316. 23 Wild Game Feed—Camp Douglas. Stagecoach Saloon, 12–5 p.m. 608-343-9198. 25 Mardi Gras Pancake Supper—Cable. United Church of Christ, 5–7 p.m. 715-798-3066. 27 Attention Knitters—Phillips. Wisconsin Concrete Park, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Beginner to advanced. 715-339-7282. 28 Bingo—Cadott. Rick’s Halfway Hall, 7–9 p.m. 16 games. Meat, cash, and other prizes. Contact Paul at 715-313-0461. 29 Polar Bear Plunge—Cazenovia at Lee Lake, 11 a.m–2 p.m. Cancer fundraiser. Auctions, raffles, more. 608-993-2397. 29 Ice Fishing Classic—Phillips. Comfort Cove Resort. 7 a.m.–5 p.m. $10 entry fee. 715-339-3360.
Upload events directly to the wecnmagazine.com through the “Events” tab.
Upload your March events by February 6. Wisconsin Events is a public service for our readers. Due to space limits, we may need to eliminate details, so be sure to include a phone number (with area code) where callers may obtain more info. If we receive more listings than space allows us to print, we reserve the right to select those we believe will be of interest to the greatest number of readers. Please no virtual events. Events can also be mailed to: WECN, Events, 222 W. Washington Ave. Ste. 680, Madison WI 53703-2719
Upload events to wecnmagazine.com
Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News
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