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CooperaN

COOPERATIVE

News

Wisconsin

ENERGY Cooperative

contents July 2020

News

BRIEFS

Stay up to date with industry happenings.

4 8 15 28 30

On the

COVER

An EV-ready community is in development. Photo

courtesy of Monica Obrycki, ECEC

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Prevent Lyme disease this summer.

CEO MESSAGE

Thoughts on freedom.

Twist of

LYME

An activity

GEARED TOWARD ALL

Wisconsin is a hub of Lyme disease research. Get on your bikes and ride!

Recipes

Ground beef recipes are sure to satisfy.

KIDS & CRITTERS Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.

MY CO-OP

Find out whatâ€™s happening at your local electric cooperative.

CLASSIFIEDS

Buy, sell, and trade with readers from across Wisconsin.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE

Know where to get help with bills.

July 2020

WECN July20TOC.indd 1

6/18/20 3:23 PM

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR

Lyme Disease in Wisconsin Unfortunately, many Wisconsinites know someone who has or has had Lyme disease. On page 12, we Dana Kelroy, Editor take a close look at the disease and its prevalence in our state. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, July is the most common month of illness onset, followed closely by June. Cases of the disease have been conďŹ rmed in every county, but the majority are located in northern and western Wisconsin. Early treatment is key to recovery, but prevention is better. For additional resources and information about preventing and treating Lyme disease, go to our web exclusive page at wecnmagazine.com. As always, we encourage readers to enjoy the outdoors and everything our beautiful state has to offer, but be safe.

July 2020 Vol. 81 No. 1 The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (Formerly Wisconsin R.E.C. News) has been published monthly and distributed since July 1940 to members of Wisconsinâ€™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 Pontiac, Ill. 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. 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

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

Images courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

WECN July Editor2020.indd 1

6/18/20 3:22 PM

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5/22/20 8:54 AM AM 6/9/20 9:13

NEWS BRIEFS WECA EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR 2020 ESSAY CONTEST

All Wisconsin high school students and current college freshmen (2019–2020), whose primary residence is served by an electric cooperative, are eligible to enter the 2020 WECA Essay Contest, which offers cash scholarships for the top three winners. The essay contest is usually open exclusively to attendees of the Youth Leadership Congress, but that event has been cancelled this year, due to the pandemic. Students interested in entering the contest must submit a 600- to 1,200-word essay in response to a question related to electric cooperatives and youth involvement. A panel of three judges will review the essays and select the top three winners, who will be awarded scholarships of $1,000, $500, and $250. Entries must be postmarked by August 26, 2020. For more information, contact Tina Walden at tina@weca.coop.

JENNIFER SHILLING JOINS DAIRYLAND POWER

Former Senate minority leader Jennifer Shilling joined Dairyland Power as government relations manager. Shilling announced in April she would not seek another term, and resigned from her seat in May, following two decades in state legislature. “Dairyland is pleased to add Jennifer Shilling to our government relations team,” said Barbara Nick, president and CEO. “Jennifer’s record of service to the people of western Wisconsin is well known, including her positive, proven ability to work with lawmakers of both parties. Those capabilities will be an asset to Dairyland’s cooperative membership, as we continue to work for safe, sustainable and reliable power in our four-state service area.” Shilling served 20 years in the state legislature, including serving as Senate minority leader since 2015.

WEST RIVERSIDE ENERGY CENTER IS UP AND RUNNING A new 730-megawatt combined-cycle, natural gas generating station near Beloit is officially in service. AdamsColumbia Electric, Central Wisconsin Electric, and Rock Energy Cooperatives are joint owners of the plant with Alliant Energy. As joint owners, the co-ops own capacity and receive a capacity credit. “Although we operate independently in procuring our wholesale power, this project demonstrates the benefits gained from electric cooperatives working

together,” said Mike Wade, president and CEO of Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative. “Our level of ownership in the new plant will benefit our members by lowering our overall wholesale power cost. We have made a significant investment in the West Riverside Energy Center, but the return will be reduced power costs for our members for many years to come.” The station is capable of producing enough power for more than 550,000 homes.

CO-OPS PUSH LAWMAKERS TO SPEED UP BROADBAND FUNDING

Managers of 70 electric cooperatives across the country, including Pierce Pepin Electric Cooperative, are working with some senior house lawmakers in pushing a bill that would expedite the effort to close the gaps in broadband service. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-South Carolina) and Fred Upton (R-Michigan), former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, have authored a bill to release $16 billion in funding which the Federal Communications Commission is planning to award starting this fall. Specifically, the FCC would be directed to take action to speed up the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction and immediately fund shovel-ready, high-speed internet projects providing consumers with broadband access within a year. Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin) has signed on as a co-sponsor. In an open letter to Congress, managers of the electric cooperatives, including Nate Boettcher of Pierce Pepin Electric Cooperative, wrote: In these uncertain times, one thing is certain. The world is interconnected in many ways, and the future of information, education, work, health care, social connection and entertainment are all tied to broadband internet access. The COVID-19 crisis accentuates a point we have known for some time. For our kids to have the same educational opportunity, for our young adults to find work without moving away from the community, for our elderly to receive quality health care, rural America needs fiber broadband service.

COMMISSION FOR RURAL PROSPERITY ANNOUNCED

A former board member of the Federated Youth Foundation has been selected to serve on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity. Gina Tomlinson, CEO of Cochrane Co-op Telephone Company, will serve on the 12-member commission, which will develop long-term strategies on how Wisconsin can best support the needs of rural communities. Other commission members include: • Bob Atwell, President & CEO, Nicolet National Bank, Green Bay • Thelma Heidel Baker, Owner, Bossie Cow Farm, Random Lake • Brittany Beyer, Executive Director, Grow North, Rhinelander • Pamela Boivin, Executive Director and Loan Officer, NiiJii Capital Partners, Inc. (NiiCaP), Keshena • David Falk, General Manager, ND Paper, Biron • Tom Landgraf, Principal, Dimension Development, LLC, Madison • Rachel Sauvola, Agriscience Teacher, New Richmond High School, New Richmond • Lauren Thompson, Co-President, Wisconsin 4-H Leadership Council, Woodville • Susan Townsley, Clinical Social Worker, Stonehouse Counseling, Viroqua

• Jeff Tucker, Vice President of Business Development & Care Innovation, Marshfield Clinic, Eau Claire

• Cheu Vang, Owner, Vang C&C Farms, Jefferson

The commission is expected to hold listening sessions around the state later this summer.

IOWA UTILITIES BOARD APPROVES CARDINAL-HICKORY CREEK LINE

The Iowa Utilities Board this week approved a petition for the Cardinal-Hickory transmission line to run through the Iowa counties of Clayton and Dubuque, en route to Wisconsin. Dairyland Power Cooperative, American Transmission Company, and ITC Midwest are building the 102-mile, 345-kilovolt line that will extend from Dubuque, Iowa, to Middleton. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission unanimously approved the project plan in September. The $492 million project is expected to offer economic savings, improve reliability, and relieve congestion on the grid, which will allow for expansion of solar and wind projects.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

WECN July20newsbriefs.indd 1

6/16/20 1:40 PM

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Thoughts on

FREEDOM

B Steve Freese President and CEO

efore the pandemic rolled in and changed life as we knew it in March of 2020, I think many of us may have taken our freedom for granted. We could do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Since this month we celebrate the 244th anniversary of declaring our independence and freedom from Great Britain, and the creation of the United States, freedom is a perfect theme right now. No one ever imagined a pandemic would lead to a sudden and near-complete shutdown of our country. The freedoms we took for granted all but disappeared this past spring, as directed by government orders across the country. Many of us could no longer go to work. Some were lucky enough to be able to work from home. Going to the local supper club on Friday night for ﬁsh was no longer an option, and the only way to attend church was to watch it on the internet. What a shock to our collective systems; staying at home was the new norm. Despite many restrictions being slowly loosened, things we took for granted like the local Fourth of July parade, the church picnic, and the county fair have still mostly been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are like me, you are yearning for the freedom to do the normal things we used to do, and it helps underscore how important that freedom is to our way of life. The freedoms we have as citizens of the United States, I believe, have helped make us some of the most resilient individuals in the world. Our commitment to our family, friends, and community is helping us recover from this “once in a hundred year event” that virtually none of us has lived through before. I watch as members of our communities have shown their concern about the mere survival of their local businesses. People have been changing their habits, ordering curbside pickup for everything from farm supplies to ﬁsh dinners not just

to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but also to support their local businesses that have had to temporarily close, or reduce hours. On the other hand, local businesses deemed “essential” and able to remain open throughout the shutdown have done all they can to support their neighbors, many of whom have been struggling. These essential businesses include electric cooperatives, which have taken extra steps to help their communities through these difﬁcult times. These include, in some cases, retiring capital credits earlier than usual to put more money in members’ pockets, making sizable contributions to local food pantries, and donating time and resources to other community relief efforts. Every electric co-op in the state has stepped up in one way or another. It all makes me think of how lucky we are to live in communities that care. I have shared with you that I am a huge fan of history, and I think back 245 years when the skirmishes between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the American Revolutionary War, and what the people of the time were about to do to gain their freedom from the British Crown. They had no idea how long it would take to gain their freedom and independence, but they were resilient and determined despite the long odds. Ultimately, they won the war, and with that victory came the independence that guaranteed us the freedoms we enjoy today. Take extra precautions so we can continue to stem the tide of the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and fully enjoy those freedoms once again very soon. While we sure didn’t want to stay home, we did it. We can collectively make a difference still, by practicing safety measures and continuing to look out for each other, until the common threat we face is gone.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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6/18/20 9:32 AM

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he global pandemic put the brakes on new car sales, but the electric vehicle (EV) market is pushing full speed ahead, in spite of the bump in the road. As technology improves and prices become more affordable, people are getting more comfortable with the thought of plugging in, instead of ﬁlling up, and that’s something one Wisconsin cooperative is ready to capitalize on. “More and more members are asking questions about EVs and are joining our EV incentive programs,” Monica Obrycki, chief administrative ofﬁcer of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, told Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News. There are currently about 1.4 million EVs on the road in the United States, but that number is expected to explode—hitting 18 million as early as 2025. Electric vehicles, according to industry experts, are the future of the auto industry, in part because environmentalists believe this is the next step to reducing emissions and addressing climate change.

According to the Department of Energy, electricity is less expensive than gasoline and EVs are more efficient than gasoline vehicles. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is already on board, with a Tesla Model 3 as part of the co-op fleet. Thanks to the global shift to EVs, Tesla is the most valuable automaker in U.S. history, with a market cap of $97 billion, more than Ford and General Motors combined. Looking to prompt the transition to electric vehicles in the area, Eau Claire Electric Cooperative is partnering with Dairyland Power Cooperative and C&M Home Builders on the first-ever “EV-ready” community. Under the deal, the cooperatives are providing one level two electric vehicle charger and load control receiver for C&M Home Builders to install in each of the 44 homes in its new “Trilogy” development. “It was a great thing to do. I liked the idea right away,” said Cody Filipczak, owner of C&M Home Builders, upon hearing the proposal. Filipczak is also in the market for an electric vehicle.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

WECN July20Feature1.indd 2

6/18/20 12:18 PM

1. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative’s Tesla Model 3 is featured in the virtual home tour of C&M Home Builder’s parade home. 2. Adam Westaby, member services associate at Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, plugs the car in to the level two charger included in the parade home. 3. Forty-four homes in the Trilogy home development will include EV chargers. 4. Finishing touches are completed in preparation for the virtual parade of homes.

According to the co-op, they already enjoy a great partnership with C&M Home Builders, as the builder already builds all of its homes to meet Focus on Energy certifications standards. The parties have a long-standing relationship in which they have worked together to encourage participation in energy efficiency and load management programs. “We have to protect the planet,” Filipczak says. “That’s why we already build energy efficient homes, and the electric car chargers are another great incentive.” EVs are a global trend that has already taken off in China and Europe, and the United States is catching up. General Motors is investing $3 billion

a year in development of 20 new EVs that it says will be on the market by 2023, including a Hummer SUV and a commercial van that it will roll out next year. Ford says electric versions of the F-150 truck and a Transit van will be available within two years. Volvo and Volkswagon have also underscored their commitment to the electric vehicle market. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative hopes to see some of these new EVs parked in the Trilogy neighborhood sometime soon. “We see the transportation sector as a real opportunity for us to grow electric load in a beneficial way for the environment and increase value for our members,” said Obrycki. “The chargers

installed in these homes have the opportunity to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles both for our members and the entire community.” The Trilogy neighborhood is located two miles south of Eau Claire near the corner of Highway 93 and County Road II. The first home in the development is near completion and several other homes are under construction. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative’s Tesla and charger are featured in the virtual Parade of Homes put on by the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, which runs June 24 through August 16. More information about the virtual parade can be found at paradeofhomescv.com.—Julie Lund

July 2020

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A TWIST OF LYME

YET ANOTHER DISEASE YOU DON’T WANT…

any ﬂu-like “Be alertfor symptoms, aching joints, fatigue, rashes, bullseye rash, brain fog, and so forth. If you experience any of these things see a doctor…soon.”

That advice from Michigan resident Brian Anderson does not involve the illness you can’t escape hearing about all day, every day. Anderson has provided training for co-op and utility line crews in his home state and in Wisconsin, coaching them to avoid one of the more unpleasant possibilities arising from outdoor work in the woods and ﬁelds: Lyme disease. The listed symptoms—especially a rash resembling a bullseye with a red center and two or more concentric rings—add up to a clear message. “DO NOT put off seeing a doctor,” Anderson emphasizes, “because early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is extremely important. If left untreated it will only get worse and after several months it is really hard to get rid of.”

Delay Exacts a Painful Price Bert Lehman knows all about the importance of early treatment because 12

through no fault of his own, he didn’t get it. A dozen years ago, his case of Lyme disease went undiagnosed even after its effects were getting out of hand. Member relations specialist since last summer at Rosholt-based Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative, Lehman began noticing numbness in his arms, legs, and feet in July 2008. An editor of specialty publications at the time, Lehman suspects he was bitten by a tick while doing outdoor photography earlier that summer. In June, he began suffering daily headaches. Within weeks, his symptoms grew to include backache, joint pain, and muscle spasms. “I felt like my equilibrium was off,” Lehman told Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, saying, “I felt unsteady; it was a foggy feeling.” We recalled Brian Anderson referring to “brain fog.” Lehman replied, “I know exactly what he’s talking about.” When the numbness appeared, he contacted a doctor and with discomfort in his left arm, was dispatched to an emergency room and tested for heart problems. He “checked out okay” and the mystery went unsolved. Lehman then asked to be tested for Lyme disease and the result was negative. Later he learned that testing at that time returned false negatives at rates as high as

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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50 percent. Nothing got better, and by the fall of 2008 Lehman persuaded his doctor to treat him for Lyme disease. Progress, if any, was slow, and the doctor halted antibiotic treatment. At one point, Lehman said, a rheumatologist told him the problems were all in his head. Lehman found a website where he could enter his ZIP code and view a list of “Lyme-literate” physicians in his area. They were much in demand: his ﬁrst choice was booked months in advance. In December another doctor began antibiotic treatment. By March 2009, the physician he initially hoped to

see put him on a course of three antibiotics, lasting more than a year and a half. Each bimonthly visit revealed progress against the Lyme symptoms. All this time, work was a challenge. “I was lucky to have an ofﬁce job because just walking would cause muscles to tighten up. I kept working and struggled through it,” he said.

A Frontline Facility Wisconsin has become a hub for research into Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses, highlighted by the opening at Woodruff last summer of the Tick-Borne Illness Center of Excellence, a combined research and

The Deer Tick—or Black-Legged Tick—is the only variety that harbors Lyme disease bacteria; however, the much larger Dog or Wood Tick and Lone Star Tick, both common in Wisconsin, carry other dangerous diseases. Not all Lyme disease patients experience the bullseye rash. Images courtesy of Getty Images Dr. Andreas Kogelnik (below right). Photo courtesy of the Howard Young Foundation

treatment facility. The Center is a project of the Woodruff-based Howard Young Foundation and the Open Medicine Institute, headquartered in California. Dr. Andreas Kogelnik of the Open Medicine Institute, founding director of the Center, told Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News that tick-borne illnesses formerly more common in the northeast have been spreading southward and “exploded” in the past decade. Wisconsin, he said, is one of the top five states for tick-borne infections. Kogelnik said he considers it “telling” that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently increased estimates of active infections nationwide “by an order of magnitude, from 30,000 cases to 300,000.” Kogelnik acknowledges the difficulty of accurately diagnosing Lyme disease. “Testing is definitely a big problem,” he said, noting “lots of false negatives and different types of tests.” The Center’s to-do list includes “a cross-sectional study of the performance of various tests,” he said; right now, “there isn’t a gold standard.” “Part of the trouble,” Kogelnik told us, is that the wide-ranging symptoms vary “and if you have some selection from a list of several it’s probably Lyme.” The bullseye rash “is relatively specific but shows up in fewer than half the patients,” he noted, listing among other indicators “fever, cognitive neuropathy, just plain fatigue, and joint pains that move around.” It might be a stretch to say Lyme disease has been the direct cause of deaths, but it certainly has the capacity to trigger or aggravate other conditions that can be fatal, Kogelnik explained, noting that a colleague died of a heart condition attributed to his Lyme disease. We asked whether it’s realistic to believe Lyme disease is fully curable with antibiotics. “It’s realistic but as with any infectious disease early treatment is better and the result depends on the underlying state of the patient’s immune system,” he said. July 2020

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Bert Lehman, pictured with his granddaughter Sophia, enjoys a day at the Shawano Speedway after recovering from Lyme disease. Photo courtesy Bert Lehman

The Center is very much engaged in outreach to residents of the Northwoods area and will be seeking to extend its presence through mobile facilities. It maintains a website where much more information can be viewed, at www.tickcenter.org. One hopeful note is that the CDC says a tick must remain attached for 36-48 hours before Lyme disease bacteria is transmitted to the host, so a close inspection immediately after visiting areas of likely exposure may afford ample time to remove the bug before infection occurs. “We have patients walk through our door every day with ticks on them, and we test the ticks as well as the humans,” Kogelnik told us.

Don’t Get Bit! Brian Anderson says removal of an embedded tick is best accomplished “gently,” using “fine tip tweezers or a tick-key,” with which one should “grab it right down at the skin level and pull it straight up.” Squeezing the tick’s body is a very bad idea, as this may inadvertently 14

inject infectious material. With the tick removed, Anderson recommends cleaning the nearby skin with ordinary rubbing alcohol, and retaining the tick in a plastic bag for potential testing. Desirable as quick diagnosis and treatment may be, a better option is preventing tick bites in the first place. “Walk on paths, stay away from tall grass and low vegetation,” Anderson advises, adding that “Ticks need moisture for survival so they will tend to be more in shaded areas than sunny areas. They don’t fall from trees, they don’t jump, they just sit on a blade of grass or something until a host comes by, then hitch a ride and look for a meal.” Light-colored clothing and tucking trousers into socks will aid in seeing the noxious creatures, and members of a group should watch for ticks hitchhiking on each other’s clothing when outdoors. Anderson runs a business as “The Tick Terminator” and mentions that those whose daily routine involves outdoor work can achieve effective prevention by treating shoes, clothing, and gear with permethrin before venturing into likely tick habitat. Prevention can also benefit from the realization that deer ticks aren’t particularly demanding when it comes to suitable habitat. During the early 1990s, when Lyme disease was first creeping into the consciousness of Wisconsin residents, close relatives of this writer learned that two of their children were infected. The problem was still largely unfamiliar in the region and the parents had been left to worry that the kids were just exceptionally sickly until the underlying cause was belatedly discovered and successfully treated. The takeaway? The family hadn’t been frequenting the deep woods; their infection occurred in knee-high grass bordering their lawn in suburban Waukesha.

Long Haul to Recovery Bert Lehman’s case took more than two years to fully resolve. He’s fine today but warns anyone spending much time outdoors to acquaint themselves with all the symptoms—he didn’t have the telltale bullseye rash—and if symptoms appear, be sure to see a doctor who’s familiar with Lyme disease. “After this all took place it was several years before I felt comfortable going into wooded areas or tall grass,” he told us. Nowadays after he’s been in such areas, he showers and washes his clothing right away. Even after decades of gradually growing awareness, Lehman says he’s concerned that Lyme disease is widely misunderstood. “The experience taught me that it’s not as simple as getting a bullseye rash and being on antibiotics for 21 days.”—Dave Hoopman

Image courtesy of the CDC

Image courtesy of the Wis. Dept. of Health Services

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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GROUND BEEF

Goodness All recipes and photos courtesy of the Wisconsin Beef Council and www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com

For all of the following recipes, please use this ‘Cook’s Tip’: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

Beef Confetti Taco Salad Enjoy this salad at home on Taco Tuesday or any night of the week. Your favorite taco ingredients are deconstructed and served up on a salad. No taco shell needed. This “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” recipe is certified by the American Heart Association®.

1 lb ground beef (96% lean) 2/3 cup salsa 1/2 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded 1 medium tomato (about one cup), chopped 8 cups mixed salad greens 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced Optional toppings: sliced ripe olives, prepared ranch or French dressing Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef; cook 8–10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings. Stir in salsa; cook two minutes. Remove skillet from heat; keep warm. Line four plates with salad greens. Divide beef mixture among the plates. Top beef with cheese, tomato, pepper, and onion. Garnish with olives and dressing, as desired.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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Garlic-Herb Cheeseburger Want to show off your culinary skills at your next cookout? Try this tasteful burger recipe today. Grilled peppers and onions are stacked on a ground beef patty with herbed cheese spread.

Salt and pepper 1 lb ground beef (80% to 85% lean) 1/2 cup garlic-herb cheese spread 4 slices red onion, cut 1/2-inch thick 1 large red bell pepper, cut into quarters 4 round, French sandwich rolls, split, toasted Lightly shape ground beef into four, 1/2-inch thick patties. Place patties in center of grill grid over medium heat; arrange onion and bell pepper around patties. Grill, covered, 8–10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7–9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning occasionally. Grill vegetables 13–16 minutes or until crisp-tender, turning occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Cut bell pepper into 1/2-inch strips. Spread 1 tablespoon cheese spread on bottom of each bun; top with burger, another 1 tablespoon cheese, onion slice, and 1/4 of bell pepper. Close sandwiches.

Lemony Beef & Barley with Sugar Snap Peas Ground beef and barley are served with colorful vegetables and a burst of lemon. Try this hunger-satisfying recipe today.

1 lb ground beef (93% lean or leaner) 1/2 lb sliced mushrooms 1 medium onion, chopped 1 large carrot, thinly sliced 1 tsp minced garlic 1 (14 to 14–1/2 oz) can reduced-sodium beef broth

1/2 cup quick-cooking barley 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 8 oz fresh sugar snap peas 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped 1 tsp grated lemon peel

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef, mushrooms, onion, carrot, and garlic; cook 8–10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings. Stir in broth, barley, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover tightly and simmer for 10 minutes. Add peas; continue cooking 2–5 minutes or until barley is tender. Stir in parsley and lemon peel.

Beef and Black Bean Burgers Be bold! Add black beans to your burger. Boost the flavor and number of servings with this top-notch grilled burger.

10 (2 oz) whole-grain hamburger buns 1 (15 oz) can no-salt added black beans, rinsed, drained 1/4 cup tomato paste 1-1/2 lbs ground beef (93% or leaner) 1 cup minced onion 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, ﬁnely chopped

1 to 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, minced 1-1/2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1 ripe avocado, sliced Toppings (optional): ranch dressing, sour cream, yogurt, or salsa

Cut 2 hamburger buns into 1/4-inch cubes. Combine cubed buns, beans, and tomato paste in a large bowl; using a potato masher, mash to slightly chunky consistency. Add ground beef, onion, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into eight 3/4-inch thick patties. Place patties on rack of broiler pan so surface of beef is 3–4 inches from heat. Broil 12–14 minutes until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160 degrees, turning once. Place burgers on bottoms of buns. Top burgers evenly with avocado slices. Top with dressing, sour cream, yogurt, or salsa, if desired. Close sandwiches. Cook’s Tip: This burger may be served on a bed of mixed greens topped with your favorite salsa. July 2020 WECN July20Recipes.indd 3

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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/.

Rhubarb Cake

Marilyn Hines, Ellsworth BASE LAYER

4–5 cups rhubarb, chopped MIDDLE LAYER

6 Tbsp butter or margarine 1-1/2 cups sugar 1 cup milk 2 cups ﬂour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt TOP LAYER

2 cups sugar 2 Tbsp corn starch 1/2 tsp cinnamon Dash of nutmeg

BOTTOM LAYER: Line a 9-x-13–inch pan with chopped rhubarb. MIDDLE LAYER: Cream butter or margarine with 1-1/2 cups sugar. Add milk, ﬂour, baking powder, and salt. Pour batter over rhubarb. TOP LAYER: Mix together 2 cups of sugar, corn starch, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and pour on top of batter. Bake until done; approximately 60 minutes. Serve with whipped cream topping or ice cream.

Fudge

Judy Stoney, Clinton

1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 tsp butter (or margarine) Pinch of salt 1 bag milk chocolate chips 1/2 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Put all ingredients in microwave bowl. Heat 45 seconds and stir; heat 30 seconds and stir. Continue this until mixture is smooth. Pour into pan and chill.

Maple Bacon Muffins

Hamburger Cheese Bake

2 cups ﬂour 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled 3 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2/3 cup maple syrup

1 lb ground beef 1/2 cup onions, chopped 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce 1 tsp sugar 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp garlic salt 1/4 tsp pepper 4 cups medium noodles, cooked 1 cup cottage cheese 1/4 cup sour cream 1/3 cup onions, diced 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese

Rosetta Gruss, Marshall

In a large bowl, combine ﬂour, bacon, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg, milk, oil, and syrup until combined. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paperlined mufﬁn cups 2/3-full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

Rubie’s Mincemeat

Laura Toth, Lac du Flambeau *This is an old family recipe from at least the early 1900’s or earlier.

2 lbs lean beef, coarse ground 3 cups water 1 lb ground suet 4 lbs tart apples, cored, peeled, and cut 3 lbs seedless raisins 1 lb dried currants 1 cup diced, candied orange peel 1/4 lb citron, chopped 1 Tbsp salt 1 Tbsp cinnamon 1 tsp allspice 1 tsp cloves 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups brown sugar 1 cup molasses 3 Tbsp vinegar 1 pint cider or brandy

Simmer meat and water for 2 hours. Remove meat and reserve 1-1/2 cups of the remaining stock. Place in a very large kettle; add all other ingredients except vinegar and cider/ brandy. Simmer 1 hour. During last 5 minutes of cooking, add vinegar and cider/brandy. Freezes well. Makes 8 quarts.

Rosetta Gruss, Marshall

Brown beef and onions in a skillet; stir in tomato sauce, sugar, salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Remove from heat. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. In a small bowl, combine cottage cheese and sour cream; add onions. Spread half the noodles in an 11-x7-inch baking dish; top with half the beef mixture. Cover with cottage cheese mixture; top with remaining noodles. Pour remaining beef mixture over the noodles. Put cheese over the top of the beef mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Fruit Dip

Vera Mae Leinbach, Stanley

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup marshmallow cream 1/2 cup jelly, any ﬂavor (grape or strawberry work well) 2 cups whipped topping

Mix all ingredients together. Serve with fresh pineapple chunks, strawberries, apple slices, grapes, and bananas.

REQUESTS

from our

READERS

We’re looking for peach recipes. 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.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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NEED HELP PAYING YOUR ENERGY BILLS?

n response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Administration has adjusted the eligibility requirements for residents who are seeking heating and electric assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP).

Eligibility for assistance through WHEAP is now based on the household’s previous month of income, rather than the former requirement of the previous three months of income. This move was made to ensure those who are recently affected by the COVID-19 response are able to receive assistance quickly. WHEAP provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating with federal and state funding, the program provides assistance to households across the state to help lower the burden incurred with monthly energy costs.

How to Apply Your household may be eligible for WHEAP services based on a number of factors, including your household’s size, income, and energy costs. If the gross income for your household is less than the amount shown on the chart at right, you might be eligible to receive assistance. Households must complete a Home Energy Plus application through the local WHEAP agency.

For more information on WHEAP and how to apply for assistance, please call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947), or visit the “Where to Apply” tab on www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov to find your local energy assistance agency.

INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE 2019–2020 HOME ENERGY PLUS PROGRAM YEAR 60 PERCENT OF STATE MEDIAN INCOME GUIDELINES HOUSEHOLD SIZE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

ONE MONTH INCOME

ANNUAL INCOME

$ 2,389.42 $ 3,124.67 $ 3,859.83 $ 4,595.08 $ 5,330.33 $ 6,065.50 $ 6,203.33 $ 6,341.25

$28,673 $37,496 $46,318 $55,141 $63,964 $72,786 $74,440 $76,095 July 2020

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AN ACTIVITY

gear d TOWARD ALL GET ON YOUR BIKES AND RIDE! Pandemic-caused restrictions on various activities may have loosened up somewhat, but the Centers for Disease Control is still urging caution when it comes to travel, advising that the best possible way to keep from contracting COVID-19 is to avoid large gatherings and stay close to home. Wisconsin offers plenty of ways to meet both of those recommendations while still enjoying a little getaway. With over 14,000 lakes, about 7,500 streams and rivers, and beautiful topography that ranges from the bluffs and rock formations of the Driftless Area to the towering pines up north, the Badger State provides a lot of natural beauty to enjoy for a day, or even just a couple of hours, before returning home. You can take a fun day trip by car, of course, but switch one set of wheels for another and youâ€™ll have a whole new experience. Pedaling through Wisconsin on a bike gives you an up-close view of the stateâ€™s scenic vistas and diverse wildlife, plus it provides the added benefit of exercise. With a little forethought, bicycling is also an activity that can be enjoyed while maintaining safe social distancing and without 24

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WISCONSIN FAVORITES memory, where it (fortunately) tends to stay. Just take a few short practice rides and brush up on basic bike safety, and you’ll be set for some cycling fun!

The Great River State Trail is built on an abandoned Chicago-Northwestern railroad line in the scenic Coulee Region. It passes through two National Wildlife Refuges. (Photo courtesy of Travel Wisconsin)

leaving your home region. You can ﬁnd someplace nearby for whatever type of cycling suits you, whether it’s pedaling along paved rails-to-trails, riding dirt paths through the woods, or cruising along town roads or county highways. Even better, biking is an activity that can be enjoyed with a minimum of expense. High-end equipment is nice, but that old bike in the basement or garage

will do just ﬁne, as long as it’s had a tune-up at a bike repair shop to ensure it’s in safe working order. Just be sure to add a good-ﬁtting helmet (see sidebar for other safety recommendations). No worries either if you haven’t ridden for a while—that old saying about “it’s like riding a bike” is true; if you learned to ride at some point in your life, the skill is stored in your procedural

Trailing Along With more than 80 trails, Wisconsin offers a lot of options for biking. Many of the touring trails are paved or have other easily navigated surfaces. These trails are well traveled, but they typically cover enough distance and include multiple places to hop on that cyclists can generally find an appropriate time/place to enjoy a ride while avoiding large crowds. Among the touring trails is the popular Elroy-Sparta State Trail, considered the country’s first rail-to-trail. This trail connects with three others to offer just over 100 miles of scenic biking in the Great River Road area, including the Great River State Trail, which crosses through Riverland Energy Cooperative territory. There’s plenty to find on less-beaten paths as well. Many communities have local, volunteer-based cycling groups that maintain smaller-scale trails that are open to the public, often free or for a small trail fee. Laura Plummer, a member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, is vice president of the Chippewa Off

FINDING TRAILS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

ome great bike trails can be found in unconventional places. Such is the case with Sand Valley, a resort located in central Wisconsin near the town of Rome, on Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative lines. Sand Valley is known for its three distinctive golf courses, but it offers much more, including two trails for fat tire biking. The 3-mile Whitville Loop, which runs along an 80-foot sand ridge and offers beautiful views of the Sand Valley golf courses on one side, and a fully restored prairie on the other, is open to the public. “We welcome the community to experience Sand Valley in a whole new way— via fat tire bike!” said Brandon Carter, marketing and communications manager of Sand Valley. Carter recommends beginners ride the first half mile of the Whitville Loop first to get a feel for fat tire bike riding. This section has a few hills and enough flat sections for all skill levels to manage. “The trail will then take bikers up and down rolling hills, and through a standing red pine plantation, giving the full scope of how this land has changed throughout history,” Carter said. For more information on Sand Valley, visit sandvalley.com or call 833-903-1859. (Photos courtesy of Sand Valley) July 2020

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Road Bicycle Association (CORBA). This group is dedicated to building, improving, and maintaining multi-use trails for all users, whether they’re bikers, hikers, runners, walkers, or bird-watchers: “Pretty much anyone who can benefit from being outdoors and uses trails,” she said. The organization maintains nine trail systems in four counties in the Chippewa Valley region, including one at Lowes Creek County Park in Eau Claire, pictured on page 24. An easy way to find trails like these is with the use of phone apps. Plummer recommended three, each of which has a free version: Trail Forks (www.trailforks.com), MTB Project, (www. mtbproject.com), and Singletracks (www.singletracks.com). She noted that although these apps focus on mountain biking, most of the trails they locate are open to all trail users. “The apps allow you to use your phone to find the trails that are available wherever you are,” she pointed out. “There might be some local trails that you might not even know about. Using those apps, you can find those hidden gems.”

you won’t see a car for an hour in some cases.” However, cyclists should make sure the lower volume of cars doesn’t lead to complacency when it comes to traffic safety. Gragert noted bikers should obey the same laws as drivers, using the right-most lane of traffic or shoulder that heads in the direction you’re traveling, and staying at least a few feet away from the edge of the road. He added that bikers should look back when changing lanes or turning and always use hand signals when turning. “The simplest way is to point with your whole arm in the direction you are going to turn a few hundred feet before the turn, and then again right before the turn to remind drivers of your intent,” he said. Gragert also advised letting someone know when and where you’re going if you plan to bike alone. If you’re new—or renewed—to cycling, he recommends recruiting a friend to ride with. This not only increases the safety factor, but also the fun. The social factor, in fact, is another advantage of biking that’s especially welcome right now. “Biking is a great way to connect with neighbors from a distance,” Gragert said. “It’s a great way to kind of reconnect with people who you maybe haven’t seen in a while.” There’s just no soft-pedaling all the benefits.—Mary Erickson

BIKING SAFETY TIPS FOR BIKING RESPONSIBLY DURING A PANDEMIC

• • The Elroy-Sparta State Trail includes three rock railroad tunnels. (Photo courtesy of Travel Wisconsin)

•

Taking it to the Street

• •

Many of those hidden gems just might be the roadways right outside your own community. They’re especially bicycle-friendly right now due to lowerthan-usual vehicle traffic. “These rural roads are really beautiful,” said Jeremy Gragert, president of Bike Chippewa Valley, a volunteer organization that works to encourage more bicycling and make the activity more accessible for everyone. “We really have some of the most unbelievable places to ride in Wisconsin.” Gragert recommended bringing a paper map along rather than depending solely on a phone app that might require internet connection or an extensive phone battery life. He recommended two sources for reliable bicycle maps: Wisconsin Bicycle Federation (wisconsin-bicycle-federation.myshopify. com/products/wisconsin-bicycle-maps) or the Department of Transportation (wisconsindot.gov, click on Travel), which has free downloadable bike maps for each county in the state. “These maps really open up possibilities because they show where gravel roads are that you will want to avoid with a road bike, and show the level of traffic on roads relatively accurately,” he said. “Some of the town roads feel like bike trails, and 26

Maintain social distancing, keeping your group small and keeping some distance between riders. Keep in mind that facilities such as bathrooms at trail systems may not be available and plan accordingly. Be flexible with your plans; if you arrive at a trailhead and the parking lot is full, try another location. Consider using trails at off-hours to avoid crowding. Bring a mask along in case you need to enter a building for water, to use a bathroom, etc.

TIPS FOR BIKING SAFELY AT ANY TIME

• • • • • • • •

Wear a good-fitting helmet and adjust it properly (with the chin strap snug) and bright-colored clothing when riding on country roads. An affordable option is a yellow reflective construction vest. Use a front white light and rear red light at night or in low light. Put the lights on flashing mode during the day for extra visibility. Wear bicycle gloves to protect your hands if you fall, and also for ease in gripping handlebars. Pay close attention to road/trail quality and condition, which can change drastically from one stretch of road to another. Make sure bike tires are pumped up properly (maximum PSI is indicated on the sidewall of the tire). Follow all traffic rules if you’re biking along roadways. Yield to pedestrians and give them plenty of space, and give an audible warning if passing from behind. Make eye contract with drivers, especially when they are coming from driveways or side roads that could cross your path.

Source: Chippewa Off-Road Biking Association, Bike Chippewa Valley

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YOUNG MEMBERS 1

Kids and Critters July 2020 1. Levi catches his first fish with his dad. Photo submitted by grandma Doreen Warren, a member of Bayfield Electric.

2. Alyssa makes new friends. Photo submitted by Jay and Lisa Slattery, members of Taylor Electric. 3. Kashton learns to ride his pony Mattie. Photo submitted by grandma, Brenda Carlson, a member of Chippewa Valley Electric.

4 3

4. Haylee and Smores have a serious heartto-heart. Photo submitted Kelsey and Nate Lorenz, members of Vernon Electric.

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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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. 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. R.V. 2019 CATALINA 8’w x 38’L with 3 slide outs. At Pine Cove Resort on Castle Rock Lake, Wi. $30,000 or offer. Call 414-322-2964.

HUNTERS/SNOWMOBILERS/HORSES PARADISE in Marathon County. Beautiful 3 bedroom/3.5 bathroom home in 14 acres + 43 additional acres available. Trophy whitetails and turkeys abundant. Also great place to raise horses. Google 201696 Bentley Road, Rosholt WI 54473 to see many pictures and all details. This was formerly 2117 Birch Road, Rosholt WI. Call Hocking Real Estate Services 715-571-1295. 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. TAYLOR CO., MEDFORD / ESADORE AREA. 180 ft, Martin Lake frontage. Drilled well w/electricity. Two, 1,000 gal. holding tanks. Dock/shed. $39,500. 715-432-0231.

NEW HOME FOR SALE IN TOWN OF ROME. 3br, 2ba, 3.5 car garage, on 1 acre lot. 3 min. to golf, lakes, Lake Arrowhead clubhouse, shopping, and much more. $239,000. Call for more info. 262-707-2478. FOR SALE: HOME, 2,500 SQ FT LIVING SPACE, apple orchard, raspberry farm on 5-1/2 acres in the Town of Dewey, Portage County, 54482. 3,000 sq ft out building. Heated portion was used as a vehicle restoration and paint shop. 715-341-0725. VACATION RENTALS—Chippewa Flowage in Hayward, WI. A private 4-bedroom / 2-bath is available, and also a 3-bedroom / 1-1/2 bath is available. Docks at both locations. Year-round rentals. On snowmobile and ATV trails. Contact Jen at 715-558-2759.

ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES. AKC registered. Vet checked, ﬁrst shots, tails docked and dew claws removed. Call or text 715-579-2547. FOR SALE: 2018 Heartland Pioneer RC22 Toy Hauler 22’ camper. Twenty-six foot overall length, 14 foot garage for ATV/UTV’s, sleeps up to 5, furnace, air conditioner. Kitchen with refrigerator/freezer, 3-burner stove, sink, table. Bathroom with tub, shower, sink, toilet. Stereo & awning. Trailer is in excellent condition. $13,499. Call 608-393-5786. Baraboo, WI, 53913. MAPLE SYRUP COOKER: 2’x4’x10”; pan & ﬁre brick lined furnace, $400. Also, 600, 3/4” Socketwell contraction rings. 715-787-4337.

REAL ESTATE TAYLOR CO., MEDFORD / ESADORE AREA. 180 ft, Martin Lake frontage. Drilled well w/electricity. Two, 1,000 gal. holding tanks. Dock/shed. $39,500. 715-432-0231. 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. FOR SALE: 40+ acres; cabin, pole building, new holding tank, stream, 2 ponds, no utilities. New Lisbon area. $150,000 or offer. Call 414-322-2964.

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. Jennifer, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.

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INFORMATION YOU CAN TRUST You inspire us to find solutions, so we can provide the energy and savings you need. BeingWhen part ofpart a Touchstone Energy cooperative we’re always you’re of a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, your voice means is heard, loud and clear. Because you’re more than customer, you’re a member. And what’s more powerful listening to amake our communities a better place.than that?

OUR 58th YEAR

To learn more about the power of the cooperative difference, visit TouchstoneEnergy.com

What’s here today, has never been better. To learn more, visit TouchstoneEnergy.com

YOUR SOURCE OF POWER. AND INFORMATION. BEFORE YOU DIG

CALL 811

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North Central CAP Counties Served: Lincoln, Marathon, and Wood Address: 140 11th Ave. South Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 Phone: 715-424-2581 NorthWest CSA Counties Served: Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Iron, and Price Address: 1118 Tower Ave, Superior, WI 54880 Phone: 715-392-5127 Racine/Kenosha CAA Counties Served: Racine and Kenosha Address: 7th and Lake St. Racine, WI 53403 Phone: 262-637-8377 Social Development Commission Counties Served: Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Washington Address: 231 W. Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: 414-326-2888 Southwest CAP Counties Served: Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland Address: 149 N. Iowa St. Dodgeville, WI 53533 Phone: 608-935-2326

ADVOCAP, Inc. Counties Served: Fond du Lac, Calumet, Green Lake, and Winnebago Address: P.O. Box 1108 Fond du Lac, WI 54936 Phone: 920-922-7760 CAP Services, Inc. Counties Served: Marquette, Outagamie, Portage, Waupaca, and Waushara Address: 2900 Hoover Road, Suite A, Stevens Point, WI 54481 Phone: 715-343-7500

Central Wisconsin CAC Counties Served: Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, and Sauk Address: 205 E. Lake Ave. P.O. Box 570 Lake Delton, WI 53940 Phone: 608-254-8353

Community Action for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. Counties Served: Dane, Waukesha, Jefferson Address: 1717 N. Stoughton Road Madison, WI 53704 Phone: 608-246-4730

Community Action, Inc. Counties Served: Rock and Walworth Address: 20 Eclipse Center Beloit, WI 53511 Phone: 608-313-1337 (Rock Co.) 262-728-8297 (Walworth Co.)

Indianhead CAA Counties Served: Burnett, Clark, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn Address: P.O. Box 40 Ladysmith, WI 54848-0040 Phone: 715-532-5594

Lakeshore CAP Counties Served: Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan Address: 540 N. 8th St. Manitowoc, WI 54220 Phone: 920-323-9506 NEWCAP Counties Served: Brown, Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Shawano, and Vilas Address: 1201 Main St. Oconto, WI 54153 Phone: 920-834-4621

West Central CAA Counties Served: Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Address: P.O. Box 308 Glenwood City, WI 54013 Phone: 715-265-4271 Western Dairyland EOC Counties Served: Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, and Trempealeau Address: P.O. Box 45 Independence, WI 54747 Phone: 715-836-7511 Wisconsin Coulee Region CAP Counties Served: Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon Address: 201 Melby St. Westby, WI 54667 Phone: 608-787-9890

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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