Issuu

RECIPES

EVENTS

TECH CHANGES

Since 1940

December 2016

White House Christmas Tree has Wisconsin Roots

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CooperaN

COOPERATIVE

News

Wisconsin

ENERGY Cooperative

contents December 2016

News

CEO’S MESSAGE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Steve Freese shares family memories and recipes.

6 15 28 30

On the

COVER

The White House Christmas Tree has Wisconsin roots.

Visit WECN’s new website.

NEWS BRIEFS

Stay up to date on industry happenings.

CHANGING

Technologies

Shifting requirements drive energy ratemaking.

RECIPES

Add some holly jolly to your cuisine.

Whispering PINES TREE

FARM

Make some new holiday memories.

SEASONAL SAFETY

Give extra attention to fire prevention.

MY CO-OP

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

CLASSIFIEDS

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

EVENTS

Holiday happenings are popping up around the state.

December 2016

WECN Dec2016TOC.indd 1

11/15/16 11:46 AM

LETTER FROM

THE EDITOR Visit us online

We are excited to launch our new website at www.wecnmagazine.com! The new website will include the quality feature articles that you’ve come to expect from WECN, plus occasional bonus content including additional photos, videos, or information to augment what you read here. It will now be easier than ever to search through our popular recipes section to ﬁnd a recipe. The website will also allow readers to share their own favorite recipes. We have designed the website to allow you to promote area events and share all the fun that your local areas have to offer by using the “submit an event” function. Readers can submit Kids and Critters photos directly through the website, and past issues will be archived there. Look for future themed photo contests and other reader engagement activities on the site. Join us online, and happy holidays! Dana Kelroy, Editor

December 2016 Vol. 77 No. 6 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

Watch for this bonus content icon in future issues.

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.

Please recycle

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

WECN DecEditor2016.indd 1

11/15/16 2:52 PM

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NEWS BRIEFS CENTURY’S FIRST NEW U.S. NUKE ON LINE

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) on October 19 announced its Watts Bar Unit 2, the first new U.S. nuclear plant in 20 years, had begun commercial operation. TVA launched the project 43 years ago, but despite the lengthy process, the October announcement indicated the $4.7 billion, 1,150-megawatt reactor had been brought in on budget. The Nuclear Energy Institute, a national trade association, noted that, netting out with recent plant retirements, Watts Bar’s opening restored the number of functioning

U.S. power reactors to 100, in 30 states and producing 19 percent of the nation’s total electricity but 63 percent of its CO2 emissions-free generation. The figure of 100 active generating units was short-lived, however. In the final week of October, the Omaha Public Power District announced it had shut down its Fort Calhoun reactor in Nebraska. With a capacity of 478 megawatts, it had been the nation’s smallest commercial power reactor. Its retirement returned the number of functioning U.S. units to 99.

DPC TO COLLECT IN NUKE WASTE SETTLEMENT

Dairyland Power Cooperative is to receive $73.5 million from the federal government within 90 days for breach of contract damages, following acceptance of a settlement offer in mid-October. The sum is in addition to $37.6 million received in 2013 for costs arising from the La Crosse-based generation and transmission cooperative’s storage of spent fuel from its closed nuclear plant at Genoa, Wisconsin. The earlier payment was for costs incurred from 1999 through 2006; the new settlement is for Dairyland’s costs from 2007 through 2012. The breach of contract results from the government’s failure to carry out its con-

RETIRED ALMA UNITS SET FOR TEAR-DOWN

Within three years, everything but the smokestack will have disappeared from the site of Dairyland Power Cooperative’s retired, five-unit Alma Station on the Mississippi River. The stack may take longer because its demolition is a separate project from the tear-down and removal of all the other structures at the site, where three coalfired generating units were retired in 2011 followed by the remaining two in 2014. The Alma Station was Dairyland’s first fossil-fueled generation facility. Removal of materials from the site is well underway, and some structures could be gone by year’s end. When all five units were in operation, they could generate a combined 194 megawatts. 6

gressionally mandated mission of providing a permanent, national repository for spent power plant fuel under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. A repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, has been nearly completed but has not been opened to receive material for storage. The statutory deadline to do so passed on January 31, 1998. A third round of litigation, seeking recovery of costs incurred since 2013 and associated chiefly with the cooperative’s independent storage facility for spent fuel at the Genoa plant site, awaits filing with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

THREE MORE SOLAR PROJECTS ANNOUNCED

Dairyland Power Cooperative has finalized agreements for three new utility-scale solar generation projects in addition to 12 it announced earlier this year. The initial dozen are at scattered locations across western Wisconsin. Of the three announced in November, two will be in western Wisconsin and one in northeast Iowa; all 15 will be sited in the service areas of local distribution cooperatives on the Dairyland system. Those that began construction earliest were to come on line in November. Scattered locations offer the advantages of minimizing the chance of all units being affected by a single weather system and spreading the grid infrastructure impact, Dairyland said. A side benefit, the cooperative said, is that all the generation sites will be used to provide beneficial bee and butterfly habitat that will also serve the purpose of reducing soil erosion. Size of the individual projects ranges from half a megawatt to 2.5 megawatts for a total of 20.3 megawatts from all 15 combined. Dairyland President and CEO Barbara Nick noted that once all the facilities are operating, the cooperative’s expansion program will nearly double the amount of utility solar generation currently on line in Wisconsin.

STUDY REVEALS SELF-MOVING GOAL LINE

A multi-decade, worldwide study reported recently in The Washington Post found that deployment of renewable generation sources—chiefly wind and solar energy— and fast-dispatchable generation sources—chiefly fueled by natural gas—tend to increase in tandem at a near one-to-one ratio. The reason cited is that the more wind or solar generation is connected to the grid, the more non-renewable generation is required for backup. The study, examining 26 countries over a period of 23 years, found what the Post called a “surprisingly tight” relationship between renewables and natural gas: For every 0.88 percent increase in renewable capacity, fast-ramping fossilfueled generation capacity increased a full

1 percent, the Post reported. Published as a working paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the study looked at member countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and spanned the period from 1990 through 2013. The Post quoted the study’s authors saying renewables and fast-reacting fossil technologies “should be jointly installed to meet the goals of cutting emissions and ensuring a stable supply.” The lead researcher was quoted saying, “When people assume that we can switch from fossil fuels to renewables they assume we can completely switch out of one path, to another path,” adding that the history revealed by the study suggested otherwise.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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BUBBLE I LIGHTS AND GINGER SNAPS

love December in Wisconsin, as our family makes preparations for Christmas. It’s a special time for my family and I suspect for yours as well: a time for reminiscing and storytelling at family gatherings. For us, it also means a time for preparing family recipes and meals based on traditions handed down through more than 140 years. I remember how excited I was as a boy going to my grandma’s house to help decorate her Christmas tree. Grandma’s decorations were unlike any I’d seen. She had two distinct types of ornaments. Some were brought along when the family emigrated from Germany. Small clips held candles and there were mirrored ornaments painted with Christmas scenes. There Steve Freese were also traditional glass bulbs President and CEO brought from Germany and a manger scene with farm animals Grandma’s brother Val had as a child. The treetop angel was from her mother Mathilda, also from Germany. I remember asking Grandma about the mirror ornaments and candleholders. She told me that for the first 50 years of her life, she and her family had no electricity so they’d put a small white candle in each holder and it would be lit on Christmas Eve just before they went to midnight mass. With the mirror ornaments reflecting the candlelight and illuminating the room, they would say a prayer, blow out the candles, and head for mass. The second set of ornaments dated from 1928 (the year of my grandparents’ marriage) through the 1950s, and they included bubble lights. I thought Grandma was the only person in the world who had those magical lights since I couldn’t find them anywhere else. Growing up I spent as much time with my grandparents as with my own parents since we all lived together on the farm. The only thing between my house and my grandparents’ was the granary and the summer kitchen. I relished all the old stories and traditions of the holidays that Grandma and Grandpa shared with me. They were very special people to me, and I feel so privileged that almost all the ornaments they put on their tree are now

on mine, including the 100-year-old angel at the top and the manger beneath the tree. And yes, the bubble lights. After almost 30 years, only one of Grandma’s remained. It was distinctively different from all the others: red and blue with embossed stars and blue liquid inside. It turns out this bubble light was made the same year we got electricity on the farm. It could be taken apart and a new bulb put in so it would never wear out. Along with the German ornaments the family brought with them, it’s on our tree every year. And thanks to eBay, more than 100 bubble lights now keep company with Grandma’s sole survivor. Christmas time is a special chance to enjoy our families, live out our traditions, enjoy the family recipes that go with them, and help create new childhood memories

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

WECN Dec2016Steve.indd 2

11/10/16 3:41 PM

Christmas

ing soda 3/4 tsp baklt Pinch of sa r 1 cup milk la g in en il rt n o a h v 8 cups flou 1 tsp 1 cup s er d w o p g r a 3 tsp bakin 2 cups sug ixer on s g h electric m ilk, it eg w 2 r a g u s ing and eggs, m eed, beat in beat shorten p l, s w soda, w o b lo e n rg O In la my. er, baking a d re w c o p l ti g n in u k ba eed dients medium sp te bowl, mix dually stir dry ingre ra a ep s a tic. . In nded. Gra rap in plas le w b and vanilla d l n el a w k l ti is our un gh into a d salt, and fl . Shape dou ts n ie d re g cookie into wet in tting with u c d n a t u rolling o hour before 1 r rees. fo h g u o s at 350 deg Chill d te u in m 0 ke 8-1 cutters. Ba Christmas Cookie Icing 1 Tbsp meringue powder 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

6 Tbsp water Food coloring

Beat the meringue powder, confectio ners’ sugar, and water with an electric mixer until the icing forms stiff peaks, 10-12 min utes at high speed. Mix food coloring of choice into Apply icing to cooled cookies with smaicing. ll paintbrush or squeeze bottle.

for our kids and grandkids. In that spirit, I want to share two very special family recipes with you. One came with our family from Germany s and is my Grandmother Freese’s er Snap g n i G recipe. It’s for cut-out cookies, da king so and making them was quite a pro2 tsp ba lour duction. She would always make mon 2 cups f sugar n w o g r d cinna b n i n p n the dough and cut out the cookies. u e o t r r 1 cu g o h 1 tsp oves lard or s Her niece would make a special round cl 3/4 cup rk molasses g p s t 1 ger da icing that they would apply to referred) und gin p o r d l 1/4 cup g i p m s t t 1 bbi each cookie with paintbrushes. The (Brer Ra ether. ﬁnished cookies looked so good you ning tog h e g t g r e o h 1 s didn’t want to eat them. (I thought r and r wit salt am suga e bowl, mix flou gradue r 1/4 tsp C . the silver balls used to decorate the s e e t mix epara 0 degr cookies were BBs so I wouldn’t eat en to 35 molasses. In a s mix to creamed l in white v o t a e h e y ol n r Pr them anyway.) nd stir i d spices. Add d ut-size balls. R a g g e d Ad , an waln The second recipe is for my mothinutes. oll into ing soda salt, bak ng as you go. R okie sheet 8-10 m er-in-law’s ginger snaps. These are my rri ased co two favorite Christmas recipes, and I ally, sti e on gre k a b d n hope you enjoy them as much as I do. sugar a Whether you and your family gather to celebrate the season of peace by lighting candles on a menorah or bubble lights on a Christmas tree, I wish you the very best this Hanukah and Christmas season and hope you have a very happy New Year.

December 2016

WECN Dec2016Steve.indd 3

11/10/16 3:42 PM

White House Christmas Tree

has Wisconsin Roots

or close to three decades, Oconto Electric Cooperative member Dave Vander Velden has been growing trees that have graced countless houses of all types and sizes during the holiday season. This year, one of his trees has landed in perhaps the most notable house of all. A 20-foot Fraser and Veitch fir cross grown and nurtured at Vander Velden’s Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto is serving as the 2016 White House Christmas tree. Vander Velden earned this honor by producing the national champion tree in the 2015 National Christmas Tree Association contest. “For a tree farmer, this is like winning the Super Bowl or a gold medal in the Olympics,” Vander Velden said. “It just doesn’t get any better than this.” Vander Velden traveled to Washington, D.C., over Thanksgiving weekend with his wife, Mary; father, Jerry; and sisterin-law, Carol Ann, to take part in the traditional presentation of the White House tree. As part of this ceremony, Vander Velden stood with First Lady Michelle Obama outside the White House as the tree was delivered via horse-drawn wagon. “By winning the national Christmas tree contest, you also agree to present to the White House, which I am more than happy to do,” Vander Velden said, adding “I consider this our gift to the people of the nation.”

White House Journey Vander Velden’s path to the White House began long before the 2015 competition. In 1984 he and his father started a Christmas tree farm on 16 acres of land in Door County, with just a garden tractor for equipment. Three years later he launched the farm in Oconto, creating a place for people to cut their own trees. Over the years, the 10

farm grew from its original 32 acres to 200, with the business expanding to provide a complete holiday experience (see related story on page 24). Along with growing their agri-tourism business, the Vander Veldens have been active in the tree-growing industry. The farm’s carefully tended trees have had considerable success in competition, with a Whispering Pines tree taking top honors in the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Association competition four times in the past six years. As producer of a state champion tree, Vander Velden was able to present a tree for display at the state capitol in Madison. He and Mary also attended a national tree-lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., in 2005, when the national tree came from another Wisconsin tree grower. Experiences like those helped fuel his desire to or a eventually win the national championships, no small feat with so many seasoned tree growers Dave Vander Velden, Whispering Pines Tree Farm throughout the country vying for the same title. “When you get to the national championships, believe me, you’re getting up to some really good competition because they’ve all won their state competitions,” Vander Velden said, pointing out that only tree growers that have won a state or regional championship even qualify for the national contest. The winner of the National Christmas Tree contest has been presented at the White House since 1966. Seven of those

“For a tree farmer, this is like winning

the Super Bowl gold medal in the

Olympics.”

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1. White House head horticulturist Jim Adams checks the width of this fir tree. 2. Dave Vander Velden, owner of Whispering Pines Tree Farm, examines a candidate for the White House Christmas tree. 3. Members of the White House staff, including, from left, chief usher Angella Reid, Adams, and grounds superintendent Dale Haney examine a potential White House Christmas tree with Vander Velden. 4. Mary and Dave Vander Velden and White House representatives prepare to place a giant bow on the chosen tree. Schneider National out of Green Bay donated transportation of the tree to the White House in November. (Photos 1, 3, and 4 courtesy of Joan Koehne, Oconto County Times Herald)

winners have come from Wisconsin; the Vander Veldens are the eighth. White House Christmas trees are typically displayed in the Blue Room, where the president receives guests.

Winning Tree At the national competition, held every other year, a panel of judges selects the five best trees in each of four categories: pine, fir, spruce, and Douglas fir. Another panel of judges then votes among the first- and secondplace trees for the grand champion. The second-place winner presents a tree to the vice president’s residence. Judges study several characteristics, including shape, color, and branches— “Basically everything,” Vander Velden said. “You’re looking for perfection.” He noted, however, that a tree’s perfect shape is largely determined by Mother Nature and then finessed by the grower. He said a winning tree should appear natural, despite the hours of attention it might have received. “You want a tree that looks like it’s never been sheared,” he said. Vander Velden won the 2015 competition in Spring Grove, Illinois, with

a balsam ﬁr that he spent hours grooming with tweezers, carefully removing brown needles one at a time.

White House Selection While grooming his chosen competition tree, Vander Velden also tended a couple of other carefully selected trees in preparation for the hoped-for national championship and the resulting need for a fitting tree to present at the White House the following year. Earlier in the fall, a White House crew including the chief usher, grounds superintendent, and head horticulturist traveled to Whispering Pines Tree Farm to select the tree that Vander Velden would bring to the White House at the end of November. He had a couple of options for the crew to pick from. The 20-foot fir tree ultimately selected by the White House crew fit all requirements, including the proper width to fit through the White House doorways and sufficient height to reach the power source at the ceiling. Best of all—at least to folks in the Badger State—the tree’s roots reach all the way to Wisconsin.—Mary Erickson

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Changing technologies, changing costs Shifting requirements drive energy ratemaking

dvances in technology are changing the energy industry. We generate a growing portion of our electricity with renewable resources, advances in automation and communication technology make our power grid smarter, and it’s more reliable than ever before. Exciting news for American consumers, these advances are also changing the cost structure of the energy industry. Because costs determine electric cooperative rates, changing costs require changes to co-op ratemaking. Not-for-proﬁt electric cooperatives work hard to ensure their rates are fair to all members. To accomplish this, cooperatives design their rates so the bill each member receives matches the cost of serving that member as closely as possible. But just because a co-op’s rates are designed to be fair doesn’t mean they’re always easily understood. In fact, rate structures that do the best job of fairly assigning costs can be hard to understand. As the energy sector moves through this unprecedented period of innovation and change, cooperatives across the United States are experimenting with new rate structures to best recover costs and pay for the electric grid in a ﬁscally responsible manner that’s fair to all members. Here’s a quick look at three of the approaches coops are trying.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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Advances in technology are bringing major changes to the energy industry. Electric cooperatives are generating a growing portion of our nation’s electricity with renewable resources, and advances in automation and communications technology are making the power grid smarter and more reliable than ever. Pictured, Dunn Energy Cooperative’s SunDEC Community Solar south of Menomonie expands Wisconsin co-op solar power.

Time-of-Use Rates Rather than charge the same price for electricity at all times, time-of-use rates charge different prices based on the time of day when energy is used. The goal is to reward consumers for reducing energy use at the times when demand is highest. For most electric cooperatives, demand spikes in the afternoon and early evening hours as air conditioners battle rising temperatures and families return home from school and work and set about their evening routines. When demand spikes, electric cooperatives must purchase extra electricity to meet it. And because demand is at its highest, the extra power typically comes at a higher price. There are savings to be had if the purchase can be reduced or avoided. A time-of-use rate helps ensure there’s always power available when consumers need it but provides price incentives to shift certain activities—such as running the dryer or dishwasher—to times when (Continued page 14)

11/10/16 11:08 AM

Drug Companies Nervous as Doctors and Patients Demand the AloeCure

Big Pharma execs stand to lose billions as doctors and their patients abandon drugs like Nexium® and Prilosec®. Drug free remedy could put Big Pharma out of the digestion business. By David Waxman Seattle Washington: Drug company execs are nervous. That’s because the greatest health advance in decades has hit the streets. And analysts expect it to put a huge crimp in “Big Pharma” profits. So what’s all the fuss about? It’s about a new ingredient that’s changing the lives of people who use it. Some call it “the greatest discovery since penicillin”! And others call it “a miracle!” The name of the product is the AloeCure. It’s not a drug. It’s something completely different. And the product is available to anyone who wants it, at a reasonable price. But demands may force future prices to rise.

Top Doc Warns: Digestion Drugs Can Cripple You!

Company spokesperson, Dr. Liza Leal, a leading integrative health specialist out of Texas recommends Aloecure before she decides to prescribe any digestion drug. Especially after the FDA’s stem warning about long-term use of drugs classified as proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec®, Nexium®, and Prevacid®. In a nutshell, the FDA statement warned people should avoid taking these digestion drugs for longer than three 14-day treatment periods because there is an increased risk of bone fractures. Many people take them daily and for decades. Dr. Leal should know. Many patients come to her with bone and joint complaints and she does everything she can to help them. One way for digestion sufferers to help avoid possible risk of tragic joint and bone problems caused by overuse of digestion drugs is to take the AloeCure. The secret to AloeCure’s “health adjusting” formula is scientifically tested Acemannan, a polysaccharide extracted from Aloe Vera. But not the same aloe vera that mom used to apply to your cuts, scrapes and burns. This is a perfect strain of aloe that is organically grown in special Asian soil under very strict conditions. AloeCure is so powerful it begins to benefit your health the instant you take it. It soothes intestinal discomfort and you can avoid

Drug companies are understandably upset since the AloeCure® delivers quicker and better health beneﬁts.

the possibility of bone and health damage caused by overuse of digestion drugs. We all know how well aloe works externally on cuts, scrapes and burns. But did you know Acemannan has many of other health benefits? ...

Helps Calm Down Painful Inflammation

According to a leading aloe research scientist, the amazing Aloe plant has a powerful antiinflammatory effect. Aloe Vera calms the fire in your belly like it does the sunburn on your skin and in many ways helps heal damaged cells. Inflammation is your body’s first reaction to damage. So whether it’s damage that is physical, bacterial, chemical or auto-immune, the natural plant helps soothe inflammation - rapidly reducing redness, heat and swelling.

Rapid Acid and Heartburn Fix

Aloe has proved to have an astonishing effect on users who suffer with digestion problems like bouts of acid reflux, heartburn, cramping, gas and constipation because it acts as a natural acid buffer and soothes the digestive system. But new studies prove it does a whole lot more.

Side-Step Heart Concerns

So you’ve been taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) for years and you feel just fine. In June of 2015, a major study shows that chronic PPI use increases the risk of heart attack in general population. Debilitating brain disorders are on the rise. New studies show PPI’s are linked to an increased risk of dementia. Cutting edge research shows that the health of your brain is closely linked by the state of healthy bacteria that comes from your gut. The things happening in your belly today might be deciding your risk for any number of brain conditions. Studies have been ongoing since the 1990’s. New studies suggest that taking PPI’s at both low and high dosage also disrupts a healthy human gut!

Sleep Like A Baby

A night without sleep really damages your body and continued lost sleep can

lead to all sorts of health problems. But what you may not realize is the reason why you’re not sleeping. I sometimes call it “Ghost Reflux”. A low intensity form of acid discomfort that quietly keeps you awake in the background. AloeCure helps digestion so you may find yourself sleeping through the night.

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One of the Best-Kept Secrets in Hollywood. Certain antacids may greatly reduce your body’s ability to break down and absorb calcium. Aloe delivers calcium as it aids in balancing your stomach acidity. The result? Thicker, healthier looking hair ... more youthful looking skin ... And nails so strong they may never break again.

Save Your Kidney

National and local news outlets are reporting Kidney Failure linked to PPI’s. Your Kidney extracts waste from blood, balances body fluids, forms urine, and aids in other important functions of the body. Without it your body would be overrun by deadly toxins. Aloe helps your kidney function properly. Studies suggest if you started taking aloe today you’d see a big difference in the way you feel.

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With this introductory offer the makers of the AloeCure are excited to offer you a risk-free supply. Readers of this magazine are pre-qualified for up to 3 FREE months of product with their order. Take advantage of this special opportunity to try AloeCure in your own home and find out how to test AloeCure for a full 90 days. But that’s not all. ... If you don’t see remarkable changes in your digestion, your body, and your overall health ... Simply return it for a full refund less shipping and handling (when applicable). Just call 1-800-324-7507 to take advantage of this risk free offer before it’s too late. This offer is limited, call now.

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS MAY VARY ALOECURE IS NOT A DRUG. IFYOU ARE CURRENLTY TAKING A PRESCRIPTION DRUG YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USE. FOR THE FULL FDA PUBLISHED WARN LNG ON PROTON PUMP LNHLBITORS PLEASE VISIT HT TP://WWW.FDA.GOV/D0WNL0ADS/F0RCONSUMERS/CONSUMERUPDATES/UCM213307

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demand for electricity is lower. When co-op members embrace this model, they can lower their monthly bills and help the cooperative reduce its costs— which can save members even more money in the long run.

Demand Charges

Perhaps the most confusing concept in energy billing is the demand charge. Historically, most residential consumers have not paid demand charges. But as our power grid becomes smarter and our network of generation resources gets more complex, it’s likely that more electric cooperatives will incorporate demand charges into their residential rate structures. Demand measures the greatest amount of electricity you demand from the system at one moment in time. The greater the demand the higher the cost to build, operate, and maintain equipment adequate to deliver the energy. To understand demand charges, imagine you’re at a party chatting with two guests you’ve never met before, and you ask them how they got to the party. Betsy tells you she drove 150 miles per hour to get to the party. David just says he drove 150 miles. There’s a big difference between a car capable of traveling 150 miles and a car capable of traveling 150 miles per hour. If you obey the speed limit, any car can take you 150 miles. But if you want to go 150 miles per hour, you’ll need an expensive car with extra horsepower. The same thing is true with electricity. If you demand large quantities of electricity delivered all at once, the cooperative needs larger, costlier equipment to accommodate that demand. Even if your maximum demand occurs only once in a while, the cooperative has to ensure its system is capable of meeting the need when it comes. If Betsy and David use electricity the same way they use their cars, Betsy is going to be paying more than David each month, even if their total energy use is the same.

Fixed Monthly Charges

Most electric cooperatives charge a fixed monthly fee to be connected to the co-op’s lines. The name of that fee varies, but common terms include customer charge, service availability charge, fixed charge, or access charge. No matter what it’s called, the purpose is to recover the cost of the poles, wires, bucket trucks, computers, switches, and the people who furnish electricity to your 14

Cooperatives are experimenting with new rate structures to figure out the best way to pay for the electric grid in a manner that is fiscally responsible and fair to all members. Here, an Adams–Columbia lineworker replaces a pole outside a member’s home in Montello.

home or business. Every month, those costs are the same whether you use a lot of electricity or turn off everything in your house and go on a four-week vacation. Most utilities, including most electric cooperatives, have never charged the full monthly cost of service as a flat fee. Often, the fixed portion of a member’s bill is only a fraction of the actual cost to build and maintain the power lines to their home or business. The rest of that cost has been made up with a separate delivery charge that varies based on how much energy is used. To understand the difference between these structures, imagine a new vehicle with a sticker price that would require a monthly car payment of $500. Now, imagine if instead of charging $500 per month, the car company structured your payment so it was $250 per month, plus an additional 25 cents for every mile driven. If you drove 1,000 miles per month, you’d end up paying the same amount. If you drove more than that, your payment would be higher, and if you drove less than 1,000 miles, your payment would be lower. That’s how most cooperatives currently charge for the delivery of electricity to your home. While not ideal, it’s an approach that’s worked for years, and most co-op members are familiar and comfortable with it. But as renewable technologies become more popular and consumers have a wider range of available energy choices, the old model doesn’t fully cover the cost of maintaining the grid.

As not-for-profit, member-owned organizations, electric cooperatives want to help their members find the best energy solutions to meet their needs. If members want to install solar, cooperatives want to help. If members want to reduce their energy use through home improvements and efficient appliances, cooperatives are eager to provide advice. But even if we consume less energy or produce some of our own, we still need the power grid unless we’re willing to go without at night or when it’s overcast or the wind stops blowing or becomes too strong. It costs a lot of money to operate and maintain that grid, and if kilowatt-hour rates continue covering part of those fixed costs—to quote the Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s order in an investor-owned utility’s 2014 rate-setting proceeding—“this results in higher-use customers subsidizing lower-use customers regardless of the reasons those customers may have lower use.” In a co-op situation, at least part of the fixed costs would be shifted onto other members while a minority enjoy both their savings from lower kilowatt-hour usage and the fixed-cost subsidy. By lowering the variable delivery charge and increasing the fixed charge, electric cooperatives can keep the grid running safely and reliably for everyone whether they need it all the time or part of the time, while allowing members to make energy choices that work best in their lives. This system does a better job of fairly charging each member for the actual cost of their service. Some members end up paying a bit more, some a bit less, but the total amount of money raised by the cooperative remains unchanged.

Change and Adaptation The coming years will bring many changes to the way we generate, deliver and use electricity, and advances in energy technology promise to greatly improve our quality of life. America’s electric cooperatives are working hard to ensure that whatever the future may bring, you’ll be connected to that future through a modern energy grid that is safe, reliable, and fairly priced for all. —Justin LaBerge writes on consumer and cooperative affairs 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. WECA’s Dave Hoopman contributed to this article.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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The holidays can be a time for making beautiful memories and sharing special gifts. Give your family the gift of a safe celebration. As you prepare for this special time of year, take some time for safety. Follow manufacturerâ€™s instructions on all decorative items that use electricity, and be aware of overhead power lines as you work outdoors. Give your family some TLC. Teach what you know, Learn what you need to, and Care enough to share it with those you love.

Visit SafeElectricity.org for help with making your home a safer place this season.

TLC Teach what you know. Learn L earn what you need to. Care C are enough to share it.

November 2016

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Holly

Jolly

Cuisine Photos and recipes courtesy of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board.

Snowman Roll-ups Flour tortillas Hummus Provolone cheese, cut into circles of various sizes Parmesan cheese, shredded Carrots, some shredded and some shaved into long pieces Red bell pepper, sliced into strips Broccoli or broccolini, cut into long florets Raisins

Spread a layer of hummus over each tortilla. Create snowman shapes with circles of provolone. Add raisins for eyes and buttons, shredded carrots for noses, and shaved carrot or red bell pepper strips for scarves. Add broccoli florets to create trees. Sprinkle with shredded parmesan to create â€œsnow.â€? To eat, roll up or cut into pieces.

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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White Christmas Pizza 1 frozen, pre-baked pizza crust, thawed (12-inch) 1 Tbsp butter 1–1/2 cups ricotta cheese 1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese 2 Tbsp grated Romano cheese 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves, crushed 1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves, crushed 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup fontinella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup diced tomato 2 Tbsp chopped parsley 2 thin slices prosciutto, diced Spread crust with butter; toast under broiler. Set aside. Combine gorgonzola, Romano, basil, and oregano; mix well. Spread over crust; top with remaining cheeses. Bake at 450 degrees for 5–8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with remaining ingredients.

Peppermint Brownie Trifles with Whipped Mascarpone 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into chunks, plus additional for baking pan 4 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp espresso powder 1/2 cup flour Pinch of salt 1 cup heavy cream 8 oz mascarpone cheese 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp peppermint extract 1/2 cup peppermint candies or candy canes, finely chopped or crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom of 8x8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Lightly butter foil. Combine chunked butter and chocolate in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in short intervals, about 30 seconds each, stirring in between until fully melted and smooth. Whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla, and espresso powder. Fold in flour and salt until no dry streaks remain. Spread batter in even layer in prepared baking pan. Bake 30 minutes, until just set. Remove from oven and cool completely. Cut cooled brownies into small chunks. Pour heavy cream into an electric mixer bowl. Whisk on medium to high speed until stiff peaks form. Transfer to separate bowl; set aside. Return mixer bowl to base. In mixer bowl, combine mascarpone and powdered sugar. Beat on medium to high speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Blend in peppermint extract. Fold 1/3 of whipped cream into mascarpone mixture with spatula to lighten. Gently fold in remaining whipped cream until evenly incorporated. In 8 individual trifle dishes or small mason jars, layer brownie pieces, whipped mascarpone, and sprinkle of crushed peppermint candy. Repeat layers. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Fig, Bacon, and Blue Cheese Crostini 1 baguette, sliced Salt and pepper 4 Tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, halved 2 cups Brussels sprouts, sliced 1/2 cup fig jam 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place baguette slices on baking sheet(s). Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bake 6–8 minutes or until crisp. Remove from oven. Cool slightly and rub with halved garlic. Set aside. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in skillet over medium to high heat. Add sliced Brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until Brussels sprouts are cooked through and partially crisped and browned. Remove from heat and set aside. Spread each toasted baguette slice with fig jam. Top with Brussels sprouts and crumbled blue cheese.

Chocolate-Cranberry Holiday Bars 4 oz unsweetened chocolate 1 cup salted butter, divided 3/4 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 cup brown sugar 3 tsp vanilla extract, divided 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 4 oz cream cheese, softened 1–1/4 cups powdered sugar 1 cup finely-chopped dried cranberries 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips 2 Tbsp whipping cream or more to achieve desired consistency

Melt the 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate and 1/2 cup butter together in a small saucepan or in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Set aside. On a paper plate, whisk together flour and salt; set aside. In a mixing bowl with electric beater, beat the eggs until fluffy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in brown sugar. Add the cooled chocolate mixture and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Blend in walnuts and 1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips. Spread the batter in a buttered 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20–22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cream remaining 1/2 cup butter and all the cream cheese together in a bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla and powdered sugar; mix in dried cranberries. Spread mixture over cooled brownies. Refrigerate until set. Melt 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips and cream over low heat or in the microwave. Cool slightly. Dip a fork into the mixture and drizzle over the cranberry layer. Chill until firm. Cut into 2x2-inch squares. December 2016

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RECIPE EXCHANGE Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to tina@weca.coop Better Than [Anything] Cake Marion Trieloff, De Forest

1 pkg German chocolate cake mix 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk 12 oz caramel or butterscotch ice cream topping 8 oz whipped topping 1 Butterﬁnger candy bar, crushed Bake cake in a 9x13-inch pan according to the directions on the box. When cake is still hot, poke holes in the baked cake with a wooden spoon. Heat sweetened condensed milk and ice cream topping. Spread this evenly over the cake, allowing the mixture to run into the cake holes. Let cake cool. Spread with whipped topping and sprinkle on crushed candy bar.

Scotcheroos

Ann Dee, Arkdale

1 cup light corn syrup 1 cup sugar 1 cup peanut butter 6 cups rice krispie cereal 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips Place corn syrup and sugar into large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter; mix well. Add rice krispie cereal; stir until well coated. Press mixture into a greased 13x9x2-inch pan and set aside. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in a small saucepan over low heat. Spread evenly over cereal mixture. Let stand until ﬁrm.

Salted Peanut Chews

Lasagna

Cake: 1 pkg yellow cake mix 1/3 cup butter, softened 1 egg 3 cups miniature marshmallows

2 eggs 8 oz cottage cheese 1 jar spaghetti sauce 1 can spaghetti sauce 8 oz package oven-ready lasagna noodles 1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained 1 medium onion, diced 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Marianne Severson, West Allis

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine cake mix, butter, and egg. Beat at low speed until crumbly. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9inch pan. Bake for 12–18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven and bake an additional 1–2 minutes or until golden brown. Topping: 2/3 cup white corn syrup 1/4 cup butter 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 package Reese’s peanut butter chips 2 cups rice krispie cereal 2 cups salted peanuts Combine corn syrup, butter, and vanilla in a large saucepan; heat until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat, stir in cereal and peanuts. Immediately spread warm topping over marshmallows. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ﬁrm.

Mayonnaise Cake

Becky Friedbauer, Nekoosa

1 cup boiling water 1 cup dates, cut up 2 tsp baking soda 1 cup sugar 1 cup mayonnaise 2 cups ﬂour 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped In a bowl combine dates, baking soda, and boiling water. Let cool. Add sugar, mayonnaise, ﬂour, and vanilla; stirring well. Pour into a 9x13-inch pan and sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Wendy Whitney-Scherer, Eastman

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs. Add cottage cheese and mozzarella; mix well. In a 15x19-inch baking dish layer sauce, noodles, cottage cheese mixture, meat, noodles, sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layering. Cover tightly with a nonstick aluminum foil. Bake 45 minutes to one hour until hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

REQUESTS from our

READERS Adolph Martin, Trempealeau, is looking for vinegar candy recipes. They made it at home in the ‘50s and it was a real treat for the whole family. It had a delicious sweet, sour taste and had the consistency of taffy. If you can help, have a request of your own, or would like to submit a recipe for publication, please write to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, What’s Cooking? 222 West Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703-2719 or contact us via our website, www. wecnmagazine.com. Thanks!

Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

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Make some

holiday memories at Whispering Pines Tree Farm

f you’re in search of the perfect Christmas tree, a great place to look is Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Oconto. It’s in an ideal holiday location, not quite over the river but definitely through the woods, just north of Green Bay along Oconto Electric Cooperative’s lines. It’s also known for producing trees that are about as close to perfection as possible, so much so that a Whispering Pines tree is on display in the White House this holiday season (see related article on pages 10 and 11). A tree from Whispering Pines can make your house feel just as grand.

“We invite everyone to come out and get a real tree— something real and special from Wisconsin,” said Dave Vander Velden, who owns Whispering Pines Tree Farm with his wife, Mary. However, even if you’re not in the market for a real tree, you’ll find that there’s a lot to take back from a trip to Whispering Pines. Every visit to this festive farm from Thanksgiving weekend through the end of December—whether the aim is finding a tree or not—comes with a big helping of holiday spirit. There’s so much yuletide cheer here that it likely would have put a smile on the face of old Scrooge himself. For starters, there are the trees—thousands and thousands of trees of all types and sizes. Balsam firs, Fraser firs, Scotch pines, and white pines grow over 200 acres of property, forming a veritable Christmas tree forest. A walk through these rows upon rows of evergreens on a crisp winter day, with the scent of pine permeating the air, is a magical holiday experience in itself. Then there’s the jolly transportation out to the trees. Visi-

Every visit to this

festive farm …comes with a big helping of

holiday spirit.

tors can pick up a saw, climb aboard a wagon pulled by either sleigh bell-adorned horses or an antique tractor, and enjoy a ride into the woods. Guests are dropped off at the lot with the tree type of their choice, where they are free to wander through the rows until they’ve found their perfect Christmas tree. Wagons pick up the guests and return them—and their trees—back to the lodge where the trees are shaken to remove any loose, inner needles and baled for ease of transport home. There’s also a big supply of pre-cut trees on hand for those who’d prefer a faster and more convenient option. Smiling employees are readily available to help load the trees on and off the wagons and onto cars. While the wagon rides are fun, young guests especially enjoy riding through the woods in a Whispering Pines Express Train, including one with a bright blue engine that always draws a crowd of eager little passengers. “Kids come running out of the building to watch that train come by,” Vander Velden said. “Their eyes just light up.” Another Whispering Pines Express Train has a green engine. To help accommodate the many enthusiastic train riders, Whispering Pines built a third train this year, with a bright red engine. Back at the cozy lodge, visitors can warm up with a free cup of hot cocoa (donations are gratefully accepted and go toward the purchase of dog respirators for area fire departments). Guests can also refuel with Christmas cookies, fresh popcorn,

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WISCONSIN FAVORITES

Thereâ€™s lots to do at Whispering Pines Tree Farm! Visitors can ride through the woods to pick out their Christmas tree, shop for some ornaments to hang on it, check out the singing reindeer, and visit with Santa. December 2016

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A visit to Whispering Pines Tree Farm is a holiday tradition for countless families in the Oconto area. Owner Dave Vander Velden (pictured lower left) and the rest of the Whispering Pines crew welcome all families to come out and start their own traditions.

or hot dogs as they take in all the other holiday activities available. Santa spends three weekends in his special shop on the site, gathering wish lists from young guests. A portrait service is on site to capture the moment. Adjacent to Santa’s shop is the reindeer shed, housing a special attraction that was added last year—a life-size mechanical reindeer that sings Christmas songs and talks to guests. Just as fun are the live alpacas that are available on weekends. Children especially enjoy getting close to these gentle animals. The spacious holiday shop at Whispering Pines gets a jump on the cut-your-own tree business, opening in mid-November and remaining open daily through Christmas Eve. Here, shoppers will find just about any kind of Christmas ornament imaginable plus a wide range of other holiday décor, including wreaths, nutcrackers, angels, Santas, Christmas village pieces, and other holiday-themed displays. Even wandering about the grounds around the lodge is a 26

treat. The entire property is gaily decorated with giant inflatables and holiday cutouts, offering fun photo opportunities at every corner. Weekend guests might also run into “Rudy the Reindeer,” who typically greets visitors outside of Santa’s shop, giving hugs and posing for pictures. Creating a complete holiday experience is something Vander Velden says he enjoys most about operating Whispering Pines, pointing out that a cut-your-own tree farm is about more than just providing a Christmas tree. “It’s about holiday traditions and making memories,” he said. Sounds perfect.—Mary Erickson Whispering Pines Tree Farm is located at 3694 Airport Road, Oconto. An additional tree lot, without the added attractions, is located at 5149 Thome Road, Oconto, and a retail lot is open at 1200 South Webster Avenue, Green Bay. The farm opens November 25 and remains open daily through the holidays; check the website, whisperingpinestreefarm.com, for dates and times of specific attractions, or call 920-835-TREE.

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YOUNG MEMBERS

Kids and Critters December 2016

Picickkss S Sttaaffff P f

Best o

20165

1. Brooklynn holds two monarch butterflies hatched from caterpillars she caught, ready for their maiden flight. Photo sent in by grandparents Mark and Ann Forseth of Central Wisconsin Electric.

JUNE

NOVEMBER

2. Getting by with a little help from my friends. Shay and his dog, Josie, help Grandpa build a doghouse. Photo sent by Shay’s grandparents, Allan and Janice Niemi, members of Price Electric. 3. Brock, Buck, and Brady are three amigos. Photo sent in by Diana Strassburg, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric. 4. Emerson says “open up and say mahhh.” Photo sent in by Ron and Deb Moe, members of Jackson Electric.

5. Brody and a cat from the Lost Companion Feral Cat Adoption Center are captivated by a toy. Brody is the grandson of Julie and John Attoe, members of Adams–Columbia Electric.

JUNE

6. Wide-eyed. We can’t tell who’s more surprised—Maddie or the fish. Photo submitted by Lyle and Jean Kothbauer, members of Dunn Energy. 7. Emmit the Labradoodle and 5-year old Kiley exchange roles of musher and sled dog. Photo submitted by Kiley’s grandparents, Robert and Kim McCarty, members of Adams–Columbia Electric.

JANUARY

8. Thank you for being a friend. Sidney sold eggs from her “Golden Girls” to earn money for a trip to Disney. Photo submitted by Sidney’s mom, Collette Schultz of Oakdale Electric. Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703.

NOVEMBER

Please include the name of your electric co-op. Photos will be returned. If in good-resolution, electronic format, photos may also be submitted via email to tina@weca.coop. 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.

JULY

JUNE December 2016

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CLASSIFIEDS MISCELLANEOUS

COLLECTOR BUYING WAR SOUVENIRS: German, Japanese, U.S. weapons, medals, helmets, daggers, swords, military items. 715-344-5031. 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. TARPS–HEAVY DUTY, 14’ x 48’, hemmed. Expired billboard faces. $50each 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. WANTED TO BUY: Northern pacific railroad caboose. Complete or in pieces. 608-526-5878. SQUEAKY INTERIOR DOORS? Look into the new patented CQ Hinge and permanently quiet those doors. Details: www.ccubed-llc.com. Made in USA 630-383-9161. NEW NORDYNE DOWN DRAFT GAS FURNACE, never installed, model m1mc056a,56,ooo BTU, lp or natural gas, a/c compatible. $750.00. 715-897-1777. EXCELLENT SPEED QUEEN WRINGER WASHER AND TUBS, $115.00. 1” cherry lumber $3.50 BF. New Metal PU loading ramp, $145.00. 715-264-5977. HAY FOR SALE. 4x5 1/2 rounds, $20 per bale. 651-233-7763. PINECONES FOR WREATHS OR OTHER PROJECTS. 3-8” white pinecones, 10 for $15 or 20 for $25. Send money order to J.H., N6941 State Rd 40, Elkmound, WI 54739. THE ONE AND ONLY FAULKNER CUR PUPS FOR SALE. They run to catch and tree to stay. 715-643-5010. TORNADO/STORM SHELTERS. 4 person-30 person. TimberLake Homes; corner of Hwys. 13 and 21. Friendship, WI. 608-339-4663.

REAL ESTATE

20 ACRES HUNTING LAND TREMPEALEAU CO. Near Arcadia this parcel has 35 ac. tillable, a small stream, and rolling small hills. It is packed full of deer and turkey. $3,650/ac. Call Land & Home Realty, 608-484-1900. dan@landandhomrealtyllc.com. 7 ACRES WITH 1200 FT FRONTAGE ON GRANT RIVER. Hard top road, electric, phone, ½ wooded, spring water and beautiful views. 8 miles to Cassville and 5 miles to Lancaster on Hwy 81. $49,900.00. Call Mike at 414-482-1744. VACATION RENTAL. Five or ten bedroom lodge or cabin. Hatﬁeld, WI. Enjoy Lake Arbutus and Lake Wazee. ATV and snowmobile trails. Bruce Mound ski hill. www.thunderbirdvillage.net. 40 ACRES IN RUSK COUNTY, $24,900. 93 acres in Price County, $69,900. Great hunting properties! More available. Call 800-504-9899 or www.belanrealty.com. FOR SALE, THREE BEDROOM CABIN ON UPPER CLAM LAKE. 34 miles east of Hayward. Included, fully furnished cabin, ﬁreplace, updated plumbing and electrical, shed, tools, lawn mower, dock, 12ft boat, and more. Call. 715-572-2632. HOBBY FARM FOR SALE very near Eau Claire on 20 acres, 16.6 tillable. 4 bedroom house, 36x54’ pole shed, on a hill, great view. $295,000. Call 715-835-2380 or email: royceso@charter.net.

TRAVEL & CAMPING MISSISSIPPI RIVER—CHECK IT OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST! Multi-day, assisted cruises. You rent the houseboat; as your guest, I pilot the vessel. Prefer Retirees. 414-731-8241. Ferryville, WI.

PLANTS & SHRUBS CHRISTMAS WREATH FUNDRAISER. Email: Birchwreath@gmail.com, Wisconsin Wreath, 34019 185th Ave, Stanley, WI 54768. HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available; oak, maple, mulberry, cherry, highbred poplar, dogwoods, hazelnut, lilac, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, spruce, pine, cedar, fruit trees, jumbo transplants, large bare root shade trees. Hundreds of 3-5 foot conifers of all species at wholesale prices. We plant and transplant large trees with tree spade too. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072.

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MANUFACTURED, MODULAR HOMES, SINGLEWIDES USED HOMES. TimberLake Homes; corner of Hwys. 13 & 21. Friendship, WI. 608-339-4663.

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Classified ads reach more than 163,000 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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December 2016

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WISCONSIN EVENTS 2 Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting–– Phillips. Downtown, parade begins at 6 p.m. and tree lighting to follow. 2, 3 Katie’s Garden Winter Wonderland–– Platteville. Regional Chamber, Fri. 6–8 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free hot cocoa and photo with Santa; write letters to the North Pole; silent auction. 608-348-8888. 2–4 Holiday Boutique–– Brule. Oulu Glass Gallery, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 715-372-4160. 3 Red Higgins Classic Country Christmas Show––Medford. Red/White Theater, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. 3 Jail Museum Open House––Neillsville. 1897 Clark Co. Jail, 1–5 p.m. Donations accepted. 715-743-2150. 3 Pancake Breakfast––Platteville. High School, 7:30 a.m.–noon. 608-348-8888. 3 Holly-Daze––Osseo. United Church of Christ, 3 p.m. Auction, 5:30 p.m. 715-597-3292. 3 Bazaar––Plainﬁeld. St. Paul Catholic, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Rafﬂes, luncheon, baked goods, rummage sale, homemade items.

4 Christmas Music Benefit––Holmen. High School, 4 p.m. 608-781-1662.

12 Steak Feed––Neillsville. American Legion Post 73, 5–8 p.m.

4 Holiday Craft Fair––Fountain City. Cochrane-Fountain City School, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 608-687-7200.

12 Buellenbees Skin Care Demo––Phillips. The 5 Senses, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Sample a variety of anti-aging lotions, serums, face washes.

7 Vanity Fair Basket––Cable. Natural History Museum, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $45 member/$50 non-member. 715-798-3890. 8 Dinner Lecture: Current Trends in Wolf Research and Management––Cable. Rookery Pub, 5:30–7:30 p.m. $5 member/$10 non-member. Register by Dec. 6. 715-798-3890. 9 Christmas Parade–– Polonia. Downtown, 6 p.m. 715-572-1548. 9, 10 Holiday Gala––Platteville. Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. A festive evening featuring the students of the Department of Performing and Visual Arts. 608-348-8888. 9–11 Madrigal Dinner––Phillips. Club 13 Restaurant & Lounge, 6:30–9 p.m. Dinner, fun, and frolic Renaissance style. Reservations required; 715-339-2057. 10 Cookie Walk––Adams-Friendship. Middle School, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. 608-474-1437.

3 Christmas Bazaar––Muscoda. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church School, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. 608-739-2271.

10 Red Higgins with Lisa Marie and Yankee Train Holiday Concert––Neillsville. American Legion Post 73, 6 p.m.

3 Christmas Bazaar––Alma. St. John Lutheran Church, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Baked goods, crafts, silent and live autctions. 608-685-4524.

10 Christmas Home Tour––Glen Flora. The Dukerschein’s, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. View unique decorations, purchase porch pots, refreshments, fellowship. $5.

3 Ginger Snaps Jewelry Trunk Show–– Phillips. The 5 Senses, 11 a.m.– 3 p.m.

10 Cookie Walk & Craft Sale––Eleva. Town of Pleasant Valley Community Center, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Buy cookies by the pound; soup and sandwiches available; photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus; crafters; vendors.

3 Finnish Independence Day Celebration–– Phillips. Community Center, 2–5 p.m. Enjoy a celebration dinner and program. 3, 10 Live Raptor Program––Cable. Natural History Museum, 10:30– 11:30 a.m. 715-798-3890.

December 2016

12 Holiday Crafts & Treasures Sale–– Phillips. Municipal Building, 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. Over 55 crafters, arts, home decor, kitchen accessories, health, ﬁtness & beauty products, baked goods, many gift ideas.

12 Holiday Evergreen Decorating–– Phillips. Wisconsin Concrete Park, 1–4 p.m. Learn how to make and decorate a fresh holiday evergreen wreath and an evergreen swag. $15 per wreath or swag. Registration required. 715-339-4505. 14 Rag Rug Workshop––Cable. Natural History Museum, 10 a.m.–noon. Bring old bed sheets or other fabric that can be easily torn into strips and a pair of sharp scissors. Two or three sheets will make a 2’x4’ rug. Some extra materials will be on hand. $5 member/$7 non-member. Registration required by December 13. 715-798-3890. 16–18 Glassblowing Classes––Brule. Oulu Glass Gallery. 715-372-4160. 18 Breakfast with Santa––Neillsville. American Legion Post 73, 8:30 a.m.–noon. 19 Red Cross Blood Drive––Neillsville. American Legion Post 73, 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. 23, 24 Glass Gift Show and Glassblowing Classes––Brule. Oulu Glass, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 715-372-4160. 30, 31 New Year’s Eve Specials––Brule. Oulu Glass, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. 715-372-4160.

Send us your January events by December 8. 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. Send listings to: Events, WECN, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703 or to tina@weca.coop

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