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CooperaN

COOPERATIVE

News

Wisconsin

ENERGY Cooperative

contents January 2018

News

News BRIEFS

On the COVER

Co-op law revisions signed Tax reformers get mixed by governor. results. Photo courtesy of

Jolene Neisius, Dunn Energy.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Ring in the new year.

DESIGNER ELECTRICITY IS TRENDING

A “Chili” way

to PLAY

Chili Golf Open celebrates winter.

RECIPES

Bring in the New Year with cherry cheer.

KIDS & Critters

Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.

DISASTER TAX

Trends and technology give consumers more control.

15 28 30

MY CO-OP

Find out what’s happening at your local electric cooperative.

DOR’s estimated annual cost of $90,000 in sales tax revenue

CLASSIFIEDS

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

EVENTS

Cure your cabin fever with these events.

Actual 2017 cost of $13,000 in sales tax revenue

January 2018

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12/18/17 11:27 AM

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR Ring in the New Year

January is a fresh start. It’s a chance for new beginnings. Often, it’s a time for traditions. In Spain, it’s common to eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each grape supposedly brings good luck for each month of the new year. Other foods thought to bring good luck for the coming year include blackeyed peas and donuts. Fireworks are a favorite way to ring in the new year. Some cultures ring church bells, beat drums, or blow party horns. The noise is believed to frighten away evil spirits. According to some estimates, nearly 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, yet less than 8 percent achieve those goals. So often resolutions include health and weight loss. While the cherry recipes on pages 20–21 will do more to expand your waistline than trim it, they are sure to please. On page 22, we feature five slow-cooker recipes from our readers that are perfect for cold January days. Some people resolve to improve their finances. On page 12, we take a look at new trends in electricity, and how new technologies can help make your home more energy efficient, which in turn results in savings on your electric bill. On pages 8 and 10, we discuss both state and federal tax issues that may or may not disturb your wallet or your co-op’s finances. Finally, if your resolutions list includes more physical activity, the Chili Golf Open on page 24 might fit the bill. Golfing on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or heavy winter boots must be a workout. Some of the events found on page 30 should also elevate your heart rate, including snowshoe races, hockey tournaments, turkey bowling, and ice fishing. Personally, I resolve to experience more of our Badger State in 2018. Our state has so much to offer that is uniquely Wisconsin—quirky supper clubs, breathtaking state parks, folksy town festivals, and so much more. Join me in celebrating all that is Wisconsin. —Have a safe and happy 2018! Dana Kelroy, Editor

January 2018 Vol. 78 No. 7 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. 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. Steve Freese Dana Kelroy Mary Erickson David Hoopman Ann Bailey Tina Walden Geri Miller

WECA president & CEO editor associate editor contributing writer graphic designer editorial assistant advertising consultant

For advertising opportunities please email ads@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.

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NEWS BRIEFS WILL SOLAR POLITICS TARGET WHISKEY, CHEESE?

Co-op law revisions signed Cooperative leaders gathered in Madison to see Governor Walker’s signature applied to the first significant revisions to Wisconsin’s Chapter 185 co-op law since the 1980s, approved in November by bipartisan majorities in both legislative houses. Seen here, Walker presents a souvenir pen to WECA Government Relations Director Beata Wierzba. The most notable provision for electric co-ops is language facilitating their existing authority to make consumer loans to their members to finance work by outside vendors on electrical safety and code compliance, energy conservation and efficiency, or emergency backup generation equipment.

CAPE WIND ABANDONED

The offshore wind energy project that was to have been the first in U.S. waters was officially terminated on the first day of December, when Cape Wind Associates notified the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) that it had ceased development activity and filed papers to terminate the federal lease it’s held since 2010. First proposed in November 2001, Cape Wind was to consist of 130 turbines occupying 25 square miles in Nantucket Sound, with a theoretical capacity of 468 megawatts and, according to the BOEM, an expected actual output of 27 percent that amount. Despite years of litigation by local opponents, the project was fully permitted and had executed power purchase agreements with two area utilities, but the utilities withdrew when developers failed to secure financing of the $2.6 billion project by a December 31, 2014, deadline. The agreement would have required the utilities to buy Cape Wind’s output at a wholesale price 6

of about 20 cents per kilowatt-hour with automatic increases over time. Opponents sued in federal court over that issue, alleging state regulatory officials seeking to implement Massachusetts’ green energy and carbon dioxide laws improperly coerced NSTAR to purchase to Cape Wind’s energy at prices far exceeding other renewable generation, by holding up NSTAR’s proposed merger with Northeast Utilities. Finding itself without customers, Cape Wind in February 2015 requested and obtained a two-year suspension of its federal lease and the associated payments. In June of this year, it requested a second two-year suspension. Construction at the offshore site was never begun. What became the first—and so far only U.S. offshore wind farm—the much smaller, five-turbine, 30-megawatt Deepwater Wind off the Rhode Island coast, began commercial operation in December 2016.

President Trump is to decide this month whether to impose tariffs on imported solar panels as requested by bankrupt U.S. manufacturer Suniva, and a Bloomberg report says if tariffs are applied, Wisconsin’s most famous food product could suffer collateral damage. The report quotes a Washington-based trade analyst warning that overseas trade partners might retaliate by imposing tariffs on Wisconsin cheese and Kentucky bourbon, targets picked not at all at random. The rationale would be to prompt opposition to solar tariffs from House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, representing, respectively, Wisconsin and Kentucky constituencies. U.S. solar developers other than Georgia-based Suniva generally oppose the call for protective tariffs.

HEARING SET FOR SALES TAX EXEMPTION

The Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities was to hold a public hearing in Madison January 9, on a proposal freeing electric cooperatives from paying state sales tax on services provided by other electric cooperatives for disaster relief in a declared emergency. Assembly Bill 583 is sponsored in the Assembly by Rep. Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake) and in the Senate by Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), with co-sponsorship by 17 other lawmakers. Under current Wisconsin law, co-ops receiving assistance from others for timely restoration of service after a severe weather event must pay sales tax on the wages paid to employees of the responding co-ops and on materials they use—which have already been taxed. Co-op leaders say the law penalizes effort to promptly get members’ lights back on after a storm. The measure would also apply to services provided between telecommunications utilities in similar circumstances. Because it creates an exemption from state or local taxes, it may undergo further committee review by the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions.

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This past summer seven Wisconsin electric cooperatives were hit by storms that interrupted electric service to large numbers—from almost onethird to more than half—of their members. Flooding, tornados, and straight-line winds caused the outages. Each WECA member cooperative has its own line crews that perform routine construction and maintenance and restore service when the system is damaged. Sometimes damage is so severe or widespread, it can’t be repaired in a timely manner without help from other cooperatives. In this column, I’ve previously discussed Wisconsin’s ROPE (Restoration of Power in Steve Freese an Emergency) program, which President and CEO coordinates deployment of crews for mutual assistance. ROPE works very well as a valuable backstop for members served by this state’s rural electric co-ops, but it’s not as if nothing ever impedes its efﬁcient operation. One example has been playing out in the Wisconsin Legislature during recent months. A cooperative is responsible for payroll taxes for its employees during power restoration just as it is at any other time. But under Wisconsin law, when another cooperative renders assistance through ROPE, the cooperative receiving help has to pay not only its own normal payroll taxes, but is also responsible for state sales tax on the wages paid and materials—which have already been taxed once—used by the responding co-op. This is nonsensical in more than one way: The cooperative giving aid is not acting as a for-proﬁt vendor, and imposing a tax penalty on extra effort to get people’s lights back on is simply an annoyance. Moreover, when a storm is bad enough to warrant a federal disaster declaration, it makes no sense that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds should be diverted to pay state sales tax. That this is already understood may be presumed, given that FEMA pays no sales tax on damagerepair services for municipal utilities. Fortunately, State Representative Romaine Quinn of Rice Lake and Senator Jerry Petrowski of Marathon agreed that the existing policy is illogical. With 17 co-sponsors, they introduced Assembly Bill 583 to create a sales and use tax exemption for services furnished by one electric cooperative or telecommunications utility to another under an emergency declaration.

The

DISASTER tax

DOR’s estimated annual cost of $90,000 in sales tax revenue

Actual 2017 cost of $13,000 in sales tax revenue

But here we see that “how a bill becomes law” has a pretty thin connection with the textbook illustrations of little stick figures shaking hands. All was well for A.B. 583 until the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) produced the required fiscal estimate. Having served as a Wisconsin legislator for 16 years, I’ve probably seen every reason why a bill might be rejected and high on the list is the proposal appearing so expensive that legislators won’t support it. The DOR fiscal estimate was based on a sixyear period with six state- and federally-declared disasters. It cited $154 million in costs to state, federal, and local governments to restore publicly owned facilities during that period. The catch is that the reference isn’t to electric cooperatives, and state, federal and local governments are already salestax exempt. So the DOR’s number relates to expenditures from which it would never have collected sales tax anyway, assumes 70 percent of those costs would be tax-exempt, and further assumes 10 percent of the work would be contracted between one electric cooperative or telecom utility and another, yielding an estimated annual sales tax revenue reduction of $90,000. In reality, total sales tax reduction from the proposed electric co-op exemption in 2017—an expensive year—would have been slightly more than $13,000. Averaged over the past three years, foregone sales tax collections would have been $7,300 annually, less than one-twelfth the DOR estimate. A basic concept for electric cooperatives is to price their energy as close as possible to the cost of providing service, at the lowest prudent rate; thus they need to be lean operations. Maintaining a big enough payroll to handle any emergency without outside help would scuttle that idea overnight. We’ll keep working to pass A.B. 583 and make Wisconsin tax policy reflect that reality.

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COLD COMFORT FOR TAX REFORMERS?

TAX BILL PRESERVES MUCH OF THE STATUS QUO

xpectations weren’t high last year that Congress would realize its advertised intention of creating a more straightforward federal tax code—with fewer deductions, fewer subsidies, and fewer loopholes in order to accommodate lower rates—or that a ﬁnished bill would reach President Trump’s desk by Christmas. But widespread doubt that there would be any legislative product at all, persistent through most of the year, was erased as 2017 drew to a close. In a mid-December Milwaukee radio interview, House Speaker Paul Ryan called the bill “the most historic tax reform we’ve ever had,” promised a major middle-class tax cut, claimed 90 percent of taxpayers would be able to ﬁle their returns on a postcard-size form, and asserted the revisions would be “bigger” than the last major overhaul of federal taxation, the deal negotiated between Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic Speaker Tip O’Neil in 1986. That most Americans will see reduced tax liability seems assured, though the postcard-sized form looks like an unrealized dream as much complication remains in the code. And for energy industries—where a host of subsidies makes it hard to know what’s economically competitive and what isn’t—at least for the time being, the biggest reform bill in more than 30 years mostly maintains the status quo.

“The more things change...”

Renewable energy developers worried in the weeks leading up to the tax bill’s passage, as subsidies for developers and owners and those who finance their projects appeared on track to lose much of their value. A November Washington Post story sought to explain “Why the wind and solar lobby is terrified of the Senate tax plan,” and an online energy newsletter in December predicted the legislation would “throttle” renewable energy. But developers’ worst fears were never very likely to be realized. The provision said by the Post headline to have “terrified” renewable advocates was the Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax, or “BEAT,” described by the newsletter Utility Dive as a device to “make it harder for corpo-

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rations to dodge taxes by backing out tax credits from the calculations used to determine tax rates.” The provision was seen as reducing the value of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind and the investment tax credit (ITC) for solar, both often traded by developers to large corporations and financial institutions in exchange for financing of wind and solar projects. It was feared that the BEAT would discourage the financiers’ participation. Ironically, it was placed in the bill to address an unrelated issue that’s been central to tax reform discussions: the practice of “inversion” by U.S. multinational corporations relocating their headquarters overseas to reduce their exposure to this country’s 35 percent corporate income-tax rate—the developed world’s highest. The new legislation reduces that rate to 21 percent, near the low end of corporate taxes internationally. The final version of the bill was revised to ease renewable developers’ concerns. It allows energy companies to offset 80 percent of the BEAT, though some advocacy groups cited continuing uncertainty about tax credits being fully claimable in a given year. Regarding previously established tax policies favoring wind and solar energy, the new legislation is most notable for what it doesn’t say. Again, for now the status quo prevails. Under a compromise negotiated in 2015, the then-expiring PTC was renewed but its value was set to decline 20 percent annually, phasing out in 2020. The House version of tax reform retained the phase-out and eliminated an inflation adjustment that had raised the credit’s value to 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (payable for 10 years and based on the start of construction). Dropping the inflation adjustment reduced the credit’s initial value to 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, the amount originally authorized when the PTC was created 25 years ago. In the final reform bill, those provisions were left out entirely, keeping the 2015 arrangements intact.

The 30 percent ITC for solar generation, also part of the 2015 compromise, was similarly left out of the December bill and remains scheduled for phase-out in 2022. Credits for geothermal, small wind, microturbines, and other alternative energy sources were allowed to expire in the 2015 compromise and were left out again last month. The idea of tax credits to sustain nuclear generation and all the other renewable energy provisions on which the December legislation is silent is being talked up for action in a separate bill early this year. That would come in the form of a “tax extenders” package, the unpretty legislative device that’s grown notorious in recent years for midnight horse-trading to protect laundry lists of expiring subsidies. Love or loathe the individual tax policies, this is an area in which December’s mammoth tax bill falls Morton_WIEnergy_1.18.qxp_Layout 1 11/28/17

conspicuously short of systemic reform, pointing instead toward the continuation of familiar legislative sausage-making. As a Utility Dive writer pictured it in mid-December, “The possibility of a separate tax credit extender bill has attracted a range of lobbyists eager to add their projects to the list of credits to extend or even to create,” possibly including a credit for existing coal-fired plants.

“…the more they stay the same.” A great deal—potentially including congressional majorities—will depend on the success or failure of Speaker Ryan’s hopes for the tax overhaul making the U.S. economy more competitive internationally and accelerating job-creation. For good or ill, the most noteworthy aspects of the tax-code revisions relate to matters outside the energy realm. —Dave Hoopman

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DESIGNER ELECTRICITY

IS TRENDING TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY GIVE YOU MORE CONTROL OVER YOUR ELECTRICITY The thermostat on your wall marks a new era in electricity.

Whether it’s a dial-style older than you, or a digital model installed last month, it’s become more than just a way to set the temperature in your home. That familiar gadget is now a gateway to a world where consumers have more say over their electric service. You might call it designer electricity. New technology, new regulations, and new ways of thinking are reshaping the utility industry. These days, consumers can regulate the temperature in their home more precisely. In some cases, they can even generate their own electricity with rooftop solar panels and sell the excess power back to their utility. This new world started taking shape in the 1990s, says Andrew Cotter, a program manager for the Business and Technology Strategies Group of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Cutting costs and raising reliability for sensitive electronic equipment was top of mind. Companies were willing to pay extra for electric service that wouldn’t blink off for even a fraction of a second. Other companies didn’t need such high reliability, and looked for ways to pay less in return for occasional power interruptions. 12

“This is a trend that’s been going on for a long time,” says Cotter. “It’s just starting in homes.” That little thermostat, he says, “can be the entry point for a lot of people to take advantage of smart-home technology and be more energy efﬁcient.” A new programmable thermostat can be set to avoid heating and cooling when you’re not home, or even set separate temperatures for rooms you don’t use often.

Efficiency makes a difference

And that’s just the beginning of ways consumers are making more of their own energy decisions. Highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs can be controlled from your smartphone. Washers and dryers sense how much water and heat need to be used to clean and dry your clothes. All that efficiency makes a difference. Americans used about 2 percent less electricity in the past three years according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). EIA expects that trend to continue for at least the next couple of years. “Efficient technologies really make a big difference,” says Cotter. While efficiency saves energy dollars, the story of battery storage shows the bigger picture of how consumers are taking utility decision-making into their own hands. The story began with homeowners using portable, motorized generators to power refrigerators and other crucial appliances during extended electric outages. Then battery

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Co-ops and the empowered consumer More options for consum-

ers complicate work for electric utilities. Their business model didn’t plan for

consumers storing electricity, reversing the flow through power lines as they sell electricity back to the utility, or for the declining sales resulting from energy efficiency. “Utilities are navigating a lot of difficult decisions. They’re not selling as many kilowatt hours,” says NRECA’s Andrew Cotter. “They’re selling technology that reduces sales, so they’re working to come up with a sustainable business model. There are no easy answers.” Electric co-ops are well-suited to working toward those answers, says Cotter. He sees the member-owned, not-for-profit business structure as an advantage in a more consumer-centric industry. He says innovation can be broadly tested in the network made up of more than 900 electric co-ops across the country. He even sees a plus in co-op geography—their service territories tend to be in rural areas. “Co-ops are in a unique position, with long power lines that have to cover a much larger area,” he says. That is

leading to use of energy storage technology to run pilot programs testing utility-scale batteries. “It might be really expensive to hook the last person up to the end of three or four miles of line. Co-ops might be in a more natural position to adopt batteries for use in those remote locations.” No single co-op has to test all the new ideas, says Cotter. The nearly 1,000 co-ops share results from small pilot programs across the country. They’re experimenting on batteries, incorporating home renewable energy projects into the electric grid, and making the most effective use of energy-efﬁcient technologies. “Co-ops are developing a more robust understanding of how consumers want to use electricity,” says Cotter. “They are all working together so one co-op doesn’t have to do all the testing. There are no top-down solutions.” While the march toward more choices in electric service might seem SPINE/GUTTER inevitable, Cotter sees it as “an uphill battle” because of one key question—is 7.25"

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it worth it? “Do you want to spend $10,000 for a photovoltaic system on your roof and another $10,000 for a battery to avoid 45 minutes a year of power outage?” he asks. And that’s where your old-fashioned thermostat could put you on the cutting edge of the trend toward more customer choice— you can decide you like things the way they are. “People are generally happy with their electric service,” says Cotter. While a lot of hobbyists might want to design their own new ways to manage their electricity, a lot of others “don’t want to pay money for hardware to save only a few dollars a year.” Cotter advises co-op members to check with their local electric co-op before making major power-use decisions. He says that in this new era of more energy

DESIGNER ELECTRICITY Consumers now have more options in how they use electricity, which means big changes for electric utilities. Here are a few of the major trends and developments: Energy Efficiency Efficient lightbulbs and other appliances have actually reduced electricity sales, even as the population increases, the economy improves and we use more electronic devices.

“Talk to your

CO-OP FIRST

Renewable Energy The use of rooftop solar panels is increasing enough so that some utilities notice a decrease in sales during the sunniest part of the day. Homeowners with solar panels are selling excess electricity back to the utility.

because they’re

the local

energy expert.” options, vendors will be promoting batteries, solar panels, and other gizmos. “Talk to your co-op first because they’re the local energy expert,” he says. “Vendors have a goal of selling products. The co-op, as a not-for-profit, member-owned utility has a different perspective that will be more in your interest.” Paul Wesslund writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. 14

Bigger, Better Batteries Spurred by research into stronger batteries for electric cars and smart phones, you can now buy a battery powerful and pretty enough to hang on your wall as a backup during power outages. Potential buyers should note: That cool gizmo can currently cost up to $10,000!

BATTERY

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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GENERSafety ATO R When you have lost power, a portable

generator can temporarily provide needed electricity. However, it may present serious hazards if not used properly. Follow these tips to ensure everyone’s safety:

• Use a heavy-duty extension cord to connect appliances to the outlets on the generator.

• Read all instructions before using.

• NEVER plug a portable generator into your home. This can cause electricity to feed back through your home onto the utility’s system. This “backfeed” can be deadly for line workers and anyone near downed power lines.

• Always operate the generator on a stable, dry surface.

• Always allow the generator to cool before refueling.

• Select a generator that can provide the amount of power you expect to need.

• Set up your generator in a well-ventilated area outside the home—out and away from your garage, doors, windows, and vents into the home. Generators produce DEADLY carbon monoxide.

Learn more about generator and storm safety at SafeElectricity.org.

January 2018

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CHERRY

Cherry Pecan Brie 12 maraschino cherries 1/4 cup maraschino cherry liquid 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp fresh thyme, minced 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper 7 oz whole round brie cheese 2 Tbsp pecans, toasted and chopped

Remove and discard stems from cherries and roughly chop. Place the cherries, cherry liquid, vinegar, thyme, and pepper in a small skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Continue to boil until the liquid is mostly reduced and has thickened, about 2–3 minutes. Place brie on a serving plate and microwave for 30–60 seconds on high power until soft. If you prefer, simply bake the brie in a 350 degree oven for 10–12 minutes. Top the warmed brie with the cherry mixture and toasted pecans. Serve with crackers or toasted slices of French bread.

Photos and recipes courtesy of the National Cherry Growers & Industries Foundation.

Cheer

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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Chocolate Cherry-Covered Muffins 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup oil 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose ﬂour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 1 jar maraschino cherries 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips A few drops red food coloring, if desired

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, milk, oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, combine the ﬂour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Drain the maraschino cherries. Coarsely chop the cherries in a food proces-

sor or with a knife. Gently fold the cherries into the batter. Place 16 cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes and then lower the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins should come out clean. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes, remove them from the pan, and place them on a wire rack to cool completely. CHOCOLATE GLAZE 1 cup milk chocolate chips 2 tsp heavy cream Additional maraschino cherries for decorating, if desired Place chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl; melt in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir the chocolate chips and continue to microwave them in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate chips are melted smooth. Once the muffins are cool, spoon glaze on top of each muffin. Place a maraschino cherry on top to decorate the muffins, if desired.

Photos and recipes courtesy of the National Cherry Growers & Industries Foundation.

Gluten Free Almond Chocolate Cherry Stars 8 oz gluten-free almond paste 1/2 cup sugar 2 large egg whites 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/8 tsp kosher salt 12 maraschino cherries plus 2 tsp maraschino cherry liquid Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Break the almond paste into small pieces and place in a food processor or mixer. Add the sugar and mix well. Add the egg whites, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt,

and maraschino cherry liquid; process or mix for 2 minutes or until the batter is moist and smooth. The batter will be sticky. Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag or cookie press ﬁtted with a large star tip. Pipe the batter into 24 stars, about 1-1/2-inches in diameter on the baking sheets, approximately1-inch apart. To make it even easier, you can simply drop rounded tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared sheets. Dry the maraschino cherries well and cut them in half. Top each cookie with half a cherry. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake the cookies for 25–30 minutes. Place the parchment paper or baking mats on a wire rack and let the cookies cool completely before peeling off the paper.

Maraschino Cherry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies 1 cup all-purpose ﬂour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup old-fashioned oats 1 cup chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips 1/3 cup maraschino cherries, well drained and sliced into quarters

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. With an electric or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugars. Mix until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla; combine well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together with a rubber spatula or large spoon. Stir in the oats, sliced cherries, and chocolate chips. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes. Roll the dough into balls (about 3 tablespoons of dough each) and place on prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten the dough balls with the palm of your hand. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until cookies are set and golden brown around the edges. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

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RECIPE EXCHANGE Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to dylan@weca.coop Crock-Pot Rice Pudding Emma Winters, Necedah

2-1/2 cups cooked rice 1-1/2 cups evaporated milk 2/3 cup light brown sugar 3 Tbsp butter, softened 2 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp nutmeg 3 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup raisins 1 tsp cinnamon Grease Crock-Pot. Thoroughly combine rice with all remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 1–2 hours. Stir during the ﬁrst 30 minutes.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Crock-Pot Tapioca Pudding

1 lb ground beef 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 29 oz can tomato sauce 1 cup water 6 oz can tomato paste 1 tsp salt 1 tsp dried oregano 1 pkg no-cook lasagna noodles 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1-1/2 cups small-curd cottage cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 qts milk 1 cup small pearl tapioca 1-1/2 cups sugar 1/4 tsp salt 4 eggs 2 tsps vanilla

Ann Sprain, Sparta

In a skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain excess grease. Add tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, salt, and oregano, mix well. Spread one-fourth of the meat sauce in an ungreased 5-quart slow cooker. Arrange a third of the noodles over the sauce. Combine the cheeses; spoon a third of this over the noodles. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or until noodles are tender.

Jane Winning, Beaver Dam

4 frozen chicken breasts 1 cup carrots, chopped 1 cup onion, chopped 1 cup celery, chopped 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 1/2 bag egg noodles Water

Shannon’s Pulled Pork

Spray Crock-Pot with non-stick cooking spray. Place all ingredients into the Crock-Pot in the order listed except noodles. Add enough water to cover all ingredients. Cook on high for 5 hours. Take chicken out of Crock-Pot, shred, and place back into Crock-Pot. Turn on low. Cook egg noodles, drain, and place in Crock-Pot. Stir well. Leave on low until serving time.

Pour half the bottle of barbeque sauce into a Crock-Pot. Add riblets; pour remaining sauce over riblets. Add dry mustard, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Mix into Crock-Pot and cover. Cook on high for 4 hours.

Mary Lou Trutt, Necedah

4 lbs boneless pork riblets 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce 1 tsp dry mustard 1 tsp garlic powder 3/4 cup brown sugar

Ida Zimmerman, Colby

Place milk, tapioca, sugar, and salt in Crock-Pot; stir. Cook on high for 3 hours. Beat eggs with vanilla. Stir in a little hot milk from the Crock-Pot to temper the eggs. Add mixture to the Crock-Pot. Stir well, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from CrockPot and chill.

REQUESTS from our

READERS An online reader is looking for make-ahead freezer meals. If you have a recipe request, 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!

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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WE ALL USE ENERGY DIFFERENTLY We rely on our electric cooperative for information about safety, efficiency and renewables. In our community, power is more than electricity. Itâ€™s the expert information we get from our local Touchstone Energy cooperative. Visit TouchstoneEnergy.com to discover the power of your co-op.

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January 2018

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A “CHILI”

WAY TO PLAY

CHILI GOLF OPEN CELEBRATES WINTER, RAISES FUNDS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE

f you’re looking for a fun winter weekend getaway, pack up some sporting gear and head to the Northwoods of Price County. With its thick forests, beautiful lakes, and miles of groomed trails, Price County offers every kind of winter recreation imaginable—snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice ﬁshing, and golf. Wait a minute, golf? Yes, you read that right. The folks in the county seat of Phillips don’t let a little obstacle like winter get in the way of a round of golf, especially when it’s for a good cause. The annual Chili Golf Open is the major fundraiser for Flambeau Home Health and Hospice. The combination golf game/chili cook-off is a long-standing event on the county calendar, marking its 18th year on Saturday, February 3. “We hold this regardless of the weather,” said Beth Hahn, ﬁnancial manager and director of Home Health and Hospice. “We’ve had days when it’s been 40 degrees and the sun is shining, and we’ve had days when it’s 25 below. On the 25-below days, we might have more people show up just for the chili. But there’s always a faction of people who golf, no matter what.”

Winter Twist Clearly, this is not your typical golf outing. Participants play a full nine holes and they use real golf clubs, but that’s about all this golf game has in common with its summertime counterpart. The Chili Golf Open is played on the frozen surface of Long Lake at the Harbor View Pub & Eatery in Phillips. Hahn’s husband, Pete, also known for this occasion as “Jacques Frost,” designs the course each year. He plows a fairway on the lake with a four-wheeler or tractor—whichever the snow and ice levels of the year require. He drills holes with an ice auger and places spheres of concrete with openings in the center over the holes in the ice, with cups settled into the openings. These concrete spheres are drilled just far enough into the surface to make them level with the ice. As a ﬁnal touch, the “greens” are sprayed with food coloring that’s been approved by the DNR as safe for the lake. They’re also marked with signs indicating the various local business sponsors, including Price Electric Cooperative. To play on this rather unusual course, golfers may bring their own golf clubs or use a donated club made available at Harbor View. “Golf” balls—actually bright

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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WISCONSIN FAVORITES

Golfers get creative for the Outrageous Dress Contest.

yellow tennis balls that can be more easily found if they should happen to land in the surrounding snow traps—are provided. Obviously, this unusual version of golf requires some unusual attire. The greens are plowed down, but the fairways are piles of often-deep snow. “We’ve had people golf in cross country skis, snowshoes, or just in their heavy boots,” Hahn said. The variety doesn’t end with the footwear. A highlight of this event is the Outrageous Dress Contest, for which golfers show up in some unusual and creative costumes.

For Fun and Food

Most participants golf strictly for fun, but some play to win. The event includes a “Corporate Challenge,” for which corporate teams golf for the right to claim a coveted

“We’ve had people golf in cross-country

skis, snowshoes, or just in their heavy boots.” – Beth Hahn, Flambeau

Home Health & Hospice

traveling trophy for the year. Other participants come simply to partake in some homemade chili and watch the antics on the ice from the Harbor View’s big patio doors to the deck overlooking the lake. The chili cook-off is open to any businesses or individuals who want to donate a slow cooker of chili in one of two categories—traditional, which is usually prepared with a red sauce and some kind of meat, and non-traditional,

which includes vegetarian or white chili varieties. A panel of 12 local chili judges, which is typically made up of elected ofﬁcials and other community leaders, samples the chili entries and decides on the winners. For a chili lover, serving as judge is an enviable job, but fortunately for all participants the judges are not the only ones who get to taste the food. After the contest is ﬁnished, the cook-off turns into a festive pot-luck dinner of sorts, with each paid participant treated to a bowl of chili. “We usually have 20 to 25 CrockPots of chili,” Hahn said. “After the judging people get a free bowl of chili for lunch, and they can buy an extra bowl if they want to.”

All for the Cause In addition to the chili cook-off, the Chili Golf Open January 2018

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features an afternoon live auction of items donated by local businesses. Soliciting donations, Hahn said, is not a difﬁcult job. While some people may come to this event primarily to play golf, and others mostly to sample chili, all come to support Flambeau Home Health and Hospice. That includes the businesses that sponsor golf holes or donate items for the auction; Hahn said such support is freely and generously given by the local business community. In addition, each year the crowd includes some new faces, many of them people who have been touched by hospice care during the previous year. Their presence means the deep meaning of the day is never lost in the silly fun. “We kind of have our group of followers who come because they’re supportive of hospice, but in different years we’ve had families that had someone in hospice so they show up to golf to help us out, as a way of saying thanks,” Hahn said. “So it’s a very heartwarming fundraiser.” It’s also just a lot of fun, whether you come to play golf, eat chili, or simply enjoy a crisp winter day in the Northwoods.—Mary Erickson The 18th Annual Chili Golf Open will be held Saturday, February 3, at Harbor View Pub & Eatery, 1094 N. Lake Avenue, Highway 13 N., Phillips, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, call 715-339-4371 or visit http://co.price.wi.us.

If you don’t feel like golfing, you can always just come for the scenery. Harbor View offers a beautiful view of Long Lake. (Photo courtesy of Harbor View Pub & Eatery)

Photo courtesy of Trevor Clark, Richland Electric Cooperative

WISCONSIN’S WINTER WONDERLAND PHOTO CONTEST

Upload your favorite snapshots of winter

in Wisconsin for a chance to win a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News oven mitt and flexible cutting board. Go to wecnmagazne.com and upload in the “Submit a photo” tab.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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YOUNG MEMBERS

Kids and Critters January 2018 1. Rubianne, Graham, and Tuck take their chickens for a walk. Angela Kinsman, a member of Riverland Energy, submitted the photo. 2. Abigail is on her tippy toes for the topline. Photo submitted by Kari Begert, a member of Clark Electric. 3. Carson, Dane, Easton and Blake were photo bombed by a giraffe. Photo sent in by Grandma Julie Prey, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric.

1 3

4. Nina and Miles are egg-cited to hug their chickens, Checkers and Colonel Sanders. Photo submitted by Grandpa Craig Seefeldt, a member of Adams-Columbia 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 53703-2719. 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

REAL ESTATE

COLLECTOR BUYING WAR SOUVENIRS: German, Japanese, U.S. weapons, medals, helmets, daggers, swords, military items. 715-344-5031.

WOODED 72 ACRES SW OF COLOMA. Some MFL & mature pines. Hiking trails. Big bucks. Quiet. $2600 an acre. 920-210-0664.

WANTED: PAYING CASH FOR WW-2 GERMAN, JAPANESE FLAGS, DAGGERS, SWORDS, GUNS, ETC. 715-340-1974. WANTED: DEER TAGS, back tags. Trapping, bear, hunting, and ﬁshing licenses. Otter, bobcat, ﬁsher tags. Any old traps. David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446. 715-255-9284.

VACATION RENTAL ON SCENIC FLAMBEAU RIVER. Beautiful fully furnished 3+ bedrooms, one bath that sleeps 8+. Cottage sits within 30 level feet off the shoreline. 4 Kayaks and 2 Canoes supplied for renters to use. Rates depend upon number of guests and number of nights booked. Email: paultroy@centurytel.net or Call: 715-288-6802.

TARPS–HEAVY DUTY, 14’ x 48,’ hemmed. Expired billboard faces. $50 each or 10’x 30’ – $24 each. Shipping not included. Tarps can also be picked up at Jones Sign, 1711 Scheuring Road, De Pere, WI 54115. 800-536-7446.

13.3 WOODED ACRES, 10 minutes from downtown Wisconsin Dells. New well and electric. Beautiful campsites, 1/2 mile of ATV trails, deer stands, ﬂower garden, and stonework. Older mobile home. $125,000. 262-496-6510.

TORNADO/STORM SHELTERS. 4 person-30 person. TimberLake Homes; corner of Hwys. 13 and 21. Friendship, WI. 608-339-4663.

FOR SALE: Mobile Home on 1 acre with living room addition. Fully furnished. Located on Reshel Road in the Town of City Point, Jackson County. 608-577-6140.

GOT WOOD! NEW PORTABLE SAWMILLS. We sell Forestry Equipment for the hobbyist to the professional. Band Sawmills, Firewood Processors, Skidding Winches & more. A-F County Market an authorized Hudson Forest Equipment Dealer. Adams, WI 53910. Phone Joe or Rich 608-339-6703. SEPTIC PROBLEMS: Do you have standing water on your drain field? Have you been told you need a new expensive septic system? I have an alternative that works, also comes with a warranty (no digging). Call toll free 855-7976072 or email mmtagm@yahoo.com. LAKE OR POND? Aeration is your 1st step toward improved water quality. 1hp floating fountain aerator with lite just $698.95. Air diffusion bubbler systems: $289-$399 ultra hi-efficiency waterfall pumps up to 11,000gph, just 3.6 amps, solar powered aerators too. 608-254-2735 or www.fishpondaerator.com. IMPROVE WILDLIFE HABITAT. Ecologist will conduct an assessment of your land and suggest ways to restore native plants, attract wildlife. Even small sites can boost biodiversity. Focus: Western Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. www.trillumlax.com. WANTED: PRE-1970 Motorcycle jackets, helmets, parts, memorabilia, old metal signs, toys, knife collections, and straight razor. Private collector. 920-373-3515.

PEACEFUL COUNTRY LIVING IN A GORGEOUS VALLEY JUST MINUTES FROM HOLMEN, WI. Spacious 3 bedroom,1.5 bath house on 7+ acres! Bonus feature is this property has 4 car garage, 2 large steel insulated sheds, excellent hunting & income generating property from your back door, or plenty of room for big boy toys. Many amenities, property will not disappoint. Must see! Private sale, $498,000. For details call Barb 608-526-4373. 10 WOODED ACRES, 3 BD/2BA CONTEMPORARY HOUSE. 10 minutes from Wisconsin Dells. Custom home with nice second ﬂoor guest area. $219,000. Wisconsin Dells Realty, 608-477-3420.

UPPER MICHIGAN. 1800’ Lakeshore, 35 acres, Pristine Lake. Near trout Streams, golf, casino, ski, snowmobile trails. Surrounded by Ottowa Forest. Very Private. $297,000. 715-495-2081.

PLANTS & SHRUBS HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Highbred Poplar, Hickory, Cherry, Dogwoods, Hazelnut, 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 as well. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072. FRUIT, NUT, SHADE, & ORNAMENTAL TREES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING PLANTING. Also evergreens & deciduous seedling and transplants, strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, rhubarb, and much more. For additional info: Call Toll Free 888-803-8733 or Write to Woodstock Nursery, N1831 State Hwy 95 Neillsville, WI 54456. Also check us out at Wallace-Woodstock.Com.

TRAVEL & CAMPING FOR RENT: ONE WEEK AT CORAL PRINCESS RESORT, COZUMEL MEXICO. One bedroom unit, full kitchen, sleeps 4 adults. $750. Two bedroom units for additional fee if they are available. 715-299-5179.

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BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY HOME, 5.4 acres, with game and Mississippi River views yet close to shopping in Galena and Dubuque. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, many amenities, comfortable, and modern. Call for more information. $335,000. 608-763-2273. CBRF FOR SALE: Very proﬁtable business and gorgeous seniors home inclusive. Grant County. Call LeClaire Commercial. 262-312-4642. 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.

Ads appearing in WEC News reach more than 171,000 mailboxes each month. Contact ads@weca.coop

Classified ads reach more than 171,000 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. Tina Walden, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4599. Email tina@weca.coop

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WISCONSIN EVENTS 6 Ice Fishing Rumble—Phillips. RollIn Point Bar & Grill, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. $10 per person. Door prizes; food & drinks. Tickets can be purchased at Roll-In Point Bar & Grill. 715-339-4585. 6 Winter Picnic in the Park—Phillips. Solberg Lake Co. Park, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Brats, hamburgers, and hot dogs will be served. You can sit around the bonfire or warm up in the heated pavilion. 715-897-2223. 10–28 Winter Fest Tavern League Tour— Participating Price Co. Tavern League Members. Visit 12 taverns to be entered in a drawing; 1st place $500; 2nd $300; 3rd $200; 4th $100. Completed tour sheets must be turned in to Club 13, 784 N. Lake Avenue, Phillips, before 10 a.m. on Jan. 28. 715-339-3151. 13 Ice Fishing Derby—Suring. Kelly Lake, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Heated tent, food, refreshments, bacon raffles, fishing contest. Grand prize $5,000, 920-655-2052. 13 Special Occasion Dress Sales— Neillsville. High School, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 13 Horsedrawn Sleigh and Cutter Rally— Ashland. Northern Great Lakes Visitor’s Center, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Exhibits, gift shop, food.

January 2018 13 Jack Frost Festival—Spooner. All-day event. Hockey tournament, turkey bowling, rib & chili contest, bonﬁre, skating, minnow races, and other great family events. 13 Ski Jumping Tournament—Town of Rome. Tri-Nores Ski Jump, 12–4 p.m. Jumpers, male & female, age 6–60. Free admission and parking. 715-423-8905. 20 Ice Fisheree—Nekoosa. Lake Sherwood Lodge, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 years of age and under. 20 Ice Fishing Jamboree—Phillips. Musser Lake Boat Landing, 6 a.m.–4 p.m. $10 entry fee. 715-339-6433. 20 Fisheree—Park Falls. Timber Breeze Resort, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. $5 entry fee. Tickets will be available at St. Croix Rod, Butternut Feed, and Timber Breeze Resort. 715-762-3001. 20 Radar Fun Run & Vintage Snowmobile Show—Phillips. Roll-In Point, allday event. Two 1,000 ft. tracks, cc classes, antique classes, and lawn mower class. 715-897-2223. 20 Tramp Snowshoe Race—Medford. Perkinstown Winter Sports Area, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Register at 715-748-8412.

20, 21 Winter Free Fishing Weekend— Statewide. Fish anywhere in Wisconsin without a license or trout stamp. Other ﬁshing rules apply. 27 UCP Snowbiz—Pleasant Valley. Cleghorn School Park, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Chicken dinner, food, drink, free live entertainment. 27 Ice Fishing Tournament—Phillips. Corner Connection & Soo Lake, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. 715-332-5484. 27, 28 Winter Fest—Phillips. Lake Duroy Boat Landing, all day event. Ice ﬁshing contest, snowmobile parade and races, snowshoe race, wine tasting. 715-339-4100. 27, 28 Winterfest Sled Dog Race—Merrill. Pine River Elementary School, 10 a.m. ISDRA-sanctioned races with cash purse and trophies. 715-873-4787. 28 Chaparrals Breakfast—Phillips. Club 13 Restaurant & Lounge, 8:30–11 a.m. 715-339-3456. 30, 31 Grassworks Grazing Conference— Wisconsin Dells. Chula Vista Resort, all day event. Educational sessions, on every type of grazing animal, business and marketing; soils and microbes. 715-289-4896.

Upload events directly to the new wecnmagazine.com through the “Events” tab.

Upload your February events by January 8.

Upload your event WECNMAGAZINE.COM

Wisconsin Events is a public service for our readers. Submissions should be received early in the month prior to the month in which the event will occur. 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.

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Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

30_0001 2018.indd 1

12/15/17 11:41 AM

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