Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News March 2026 Eau Claire

NOTICE OF

89 TH ANNUAL MEETING

Doors Open at 4:30 p.m. Business Meeting at 5:30 p.m.

The 89th Annual Meeting of the members of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative will be held at the Florian Gardens at 2340 Lorch Avenue, Eau Claire, on Tuesday evening, March 17, 2026. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. The business meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. to transact the following and any business that may properly come before the meeting.

ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA

• Welcome

• National Anthem

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Introduction of Sta and Guests

• Determination of Quorum

• Minutes of 88th Annual Meeting

• Introduction of Candidates

• Un nished Business

• New Business

• Concern for Community Award

• The People Behind your Power Panel

• Membership Q & A

• Adjournment

• Prizes

• Doors open & registration begins at 4:30 p.m.

• Annual Business Meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

• Dinner to follow meeting

March 2026

FROM POWER LINES TO FIREWALLS:

RURAL REALITY OF CYBER THREATS

HOW ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATES AND INCENTIVES WORK

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES

Homeowners around the world have switched from propane to a WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system. That’s because WaterFurnace units tap into the clean, renewable energy found in your own backyard to provide savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. A WaterFurnace system provides complete comfort for your home with a single unit. And because the system doesn’t burn fossil fuels, there are no carbon monoxide safety concerns. Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today and make the smart move from propane to geothermal.

Contact Your Local WaterFurnace Dealer

Adams/Mauston Deans Refig. & Htg (608) 372-6928

Arcadia/Mondovi Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Ashland/Iron River Elza Htg Co. (715) 209-7628

Beaver Dam/Green Lake Air Care, Inc. (920) 356-8860

Black River Falls/ Stevens Point Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

Cashton/Sparta Flock’s Htg & A/C (608) 269-1500

Chaseburg/Viroqua Flock’s Htg & A/C (608) 269-1500

Clintonville/Oshkosh Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Cornell/New Auburn Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Dodgeville/Baraboo Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Eau Claire/Osseo Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Escanaba/Iron Mountain GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Green Bay/Oneida Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Hudson/Stillwater Ideal Comfort Solutions (715) 516-0418

Madison/Black Earth Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Marinette/Peshtigo GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Menomonie/Bloomer Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Neillsville/Medford Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

New Lisbon/Shamrock Deans Refrig. & Heating (608) 372-6928

Oconto/Rhinelander Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Princeton/Waupun Air Care, Inc. (920) 356-8860

Redwing/Wabasha Earth Energy Htg & Clg (507) 421-3156

Richland Center/Platteville Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Sturgeon Bay/Waupaca Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Tomah/Oakdale Dean’s Refrig. & Heating (608) 372-6928

Wausau/Marshfield Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

Westby/La Crosse Flock’s Htg & A/C (608) 654-5522

Winona/Lake City Earth Energy Htg & Clg (507) 421-3156

Woodford/Janesville SKV Enterprises (608) 289-3093

March 2026 Vol. 86 No. 9

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-pro t, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to non-members for $13 per year or $35 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year.

Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Rob Richard, president & CEO.

USPS number: 688-480.

Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200

Periodicals postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wis.

Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Phone (608) 467-4650.

Website: www.wecnmagazine.com.

Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18.

Rob Richard WECA president & CEO

Dana Kelroy editor

Beth Alesch associate editor

Julie Lund contributing writer

Ann Bailey graphic designer

Geri Miller advertising consultant

Jennifer Taylor editorial assistant

For advertising opportunities please email geri@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising or events does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers.

Rebates and incentives help you use less

Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron sculpture park ignites imagination.

Kids & Critters

Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.

Please recycle

SYMBOL SEARCH

HIDDEN

OBJECT GAME

Winning our January search was Mary Johnson, a member of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services, who said the, “Slice of cake is on page 3 under the W of WECA and the gold state of Wisconsin! I enjoy reading the WECA magazine, living in River Falls we get very little WI news. I also enjoy the recipe section. Thanks to all who work so hard on the magazine!”

This month, we challenge you to nd this peanut to inspire you to try our peanut butter recipes on page 20. Remember that the symbol can be anywhere and any size. One randomly selected winner will receive a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News kitchen kit. One entry per household, please, and provide your permanent home or mailing address with your entry. Entries are due March 12.

Enter via the “Symbol Search” link on the homepage of wecnmagazine.com.

You can also enter by mail (don’t forget to include the name of your cooperative):

SYMBOL SEARCH WECA 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200

HOT TUBS ARE OPTIONAL, 811 IS NOT

Iknow I’ve said it before, but it happens every year at about this time. The rst few warm days in late February and early March just make me antsy to get out in the yard to do some gardening.

Oddly enough, my 15-year-old son is as antsy as I am this year. He helps me every year with our raised-bed vegetable gardens, and he’s the kid I count on to help with most yard tasks, but I wouldn’t say he loves it.

He wants to tackle our backyard. He has grand plans for a DIY repit area, undoubtedly as a spot for him and his friends to hang out. That got me thinking about new plantings I could put in along the back border, which plants would do well in the sunny location, and how to group plants for four-season interest.

He glazes over when I talk about four-season interest, but he let it slip that the pièce de résistance he envisions for the backyard is a hot tub. That’s when I glaze over. I have little to no interest in having a hot tub.

If you, too, are itching to get out in your yard this spring, take this as your reminder to call 811 or visit www.diggershotline.com before you take that rst shovelful of dirt. This call can prevent life-threatening injuries and is free of charge.

Who knows? If he wears me down, my son may nd himself relaxing in a hot tub after a long day of yard work.

Dana Kelroy Editor

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MISO Region at High Risk in 2028

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released its LongTerm Reliability Assessment, and it shows the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region, which includes Wisconsin, as the most vulnerable in the nation to grid instability.

Nationwide, the report shows peak demand and energy growth forecasts over the next 10 years continue to climb higher than at any point in the past two decades.

Most of the projected increase is due to “new data centers for artificial intelligence and the digital economy.”

According to NERC, in the MISO region, “Projected resource additions do not keep pace with escalating demand forecasts and announced generator retirements.” The MISO region risk is “normal” in 2026, “elevated” in 2027, and “high” in 2028.

Data Centers Fall Out of Favor

Despite best efforts to ensure data centers are a value-add and not a drain for ratepayers, most people don’t want them in their area.

Results of a Marquette Law School poll found only 37% of those polled nationwide believe the benefits of data centers outweigh the costs, while 62% say the costs outweigh the benefits. According to a Heatmap poll, only 44% of Americans would support a data center built in their area.

The need for more data centers and the energy to run them has come on fast in recent years, to accommodate artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other internet services.

Phil Irwin’s Final Presentation

Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange President and CEO Phil Irwin is retiring after more than three decades with Federated. He joined in 1988 as senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. He has served as president and CEO since 2006.

NEWS BRIEFS

At WECA’s Education & Lobby Days in January, Irwin urged co-op leaders to stay vigilant on safety to reduce electrical contacts. He also talked about the impact of wildfires on the insurance industry, saying losses from wildfires topped $37 billion in just the first half of 2025, more than double any other year.

Irwin wrapped his remarks by thanking attendees for the many friendships formed over the years and recognizing that Federated got its start with Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives.

Energy Assistance Programs Survive Budget Cuts

Congress passed, and President Donald Trump signed, a spending bill that is part of an appropriations package that will fund most government agencies through September, and it includes $4.05 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program, known as WHEAP in Wisconsin.

The funds help lower-income households pay for heating and cooling costs. Households with income below 60% of the state’s median income can apply.

The program was among those facing funding cuts under the Trump administration, but in the bill, LIHEAP actually received an additional $20 million in funding. Wisconsin received more than $100 million in LIHEAP funds in 2024.

The bill does include $500 million in cuts to the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, intended to help states install electric vehicle chargers on major corridors.

PAC Auction Breaks Records

The 2026 Wisconsin Electric Cooperative’s Political Action Committee auction and fundraiser held in conjunction with WECA’s Education & Lobby Days was record-breaking.

This year, attendees stepped up with amazing donations and generous bids, and smashed the previous fundraising record with a total of $24,618. Last year’s event brought in $15,290, which at the time was the second highest ever,

and the most raised since pre-COVID. This year’s live auction alone raised $21,820. The top-earning donations were four sets of two Green Bay Packer tickets.

Singerhouse Elected State PAC Director

Dunn Energy Cooperative CEO Jesse Singerhouse was nominated and unanimously elected to the position of state PAC director at WECA’s Education & Lobby Days. Roger Wiff, Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services board director and PAC member since 1988, just wrapped his final year in the position.

“I just think it’s a great organization,” Singerhouse said. “We’re not a huge PAC, we’re not going to contribute large sums of money to candidates, but our power is the grassroots, the number of people we have. The PAC helps us open the door a little further and gets us into some conversations and that’s why I want to be part of it and help Rob [Richard, CEO] and the team at WECA keep the PAC growing and keep advocating for electric co-op members.”

MISO Issues Max Gen Event

As temperatures plummeted and massive ice and snowstorm stretched across the nation’s midsection in late January, the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO) issued a rare “Max Gen” event to protect the grid.

According to Dairyland Power Cooperative, in addition to the cold, higher than forecasted load and forced generation outages resulted in MISO declaring the event on Saturday, January 24.

When a Max Gen Event is declared, MISO is signaling that the regional grid is at an increased risk of not being able to provide enough power to meet consumer needs. By issuing a Max Gen Event, MISO was able to call upon additional resources to help balance electricity supply and demand. At the most critical point of the frigid storm, MISO data show wind and solar provided about 3% of energy, while natural gas, coal, and nuclear provided the bulk of the load.

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AFFORDABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE QUICKLY BECOMING DOMINANT THEMES AS WE RACE TOWARDS THE MIDTERMS

No, I’m certainly not going to dip my toe into the political waters of every hot topic dominating state and national conversations right now. But as someone who pays attention to what’s happening, it’s clear a few themes are already shaping the discourse for the 2026 midterm elections.

Rob Richard WECA President and CEO

Affordability and accountability are in the driver’s seat right now as far as what’s on the minds of voters. We are seeing this in discussions about housing, taxes, groceries, law enforcement, education, protests, insurance, health care, elections, judicial decisions, and the entire political system. Since I’m all for staying in my lane, I’ll stick to the topic of energy.

Energy costs—and what you see reflected on your monthly electricity bill—are hardly new political talking points. Prices at the pump or the cost to cool and heat your home have influenced campaign messaging for decades. You may recall that in my Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News column last September, I shared that the state legislature took a meaningful step on affordability by fully repealing the 5% state sales tax on residential electricity and natural gas. That repeal took effect October 1, 2025. What began as a 6-month tax reprieve is now permanent, saving home energy users an estimated $178 million over the next two years.

That’s real money staying in your pocket. And with a projected $2.5 billion budget surplus, legislators and Governor Evers are now exploring other ways to return some additional dollars back to you. It’s finding the agreement on how that might get done and what it looks like that’s always the tricky part. Whatever compromise emerges, you can expect the messaging to center on those same two themes: accountability to taxpayers and making Wisconsin more affordable for you and your family.

Data centers have now entered that same conversation. Republicans and Democrats in the State Capitol have introduced competing legislation to regulate large, hyperscale data centers—Assembly

Bill 840/Senate Bill 843 from the Republicans, and Assembly Bill 722/Senate Bill 729 from Democrats. Both sides agree on two fundamentals: consumers shouldn’t pay for the construction or maintenance of these massive facilities, and electric rates must remain in check. Beyond that, consensus quickly fades. Environmental protections, labor standards, renewable energy requirements, tax credits, and permitting processes all become points of contention.

What is driving all this attention? A simple truth: we need more energy—now and for the foreseeable future. After years of relatively flat demand, data centers and artificial intelligence have triggered an energy renaissance unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. Our appetite for energy is accelerating interest in advanced nuclear technologies, expanding solar and wind as intermittent resources, and cementing natural gas as the dominate alwaysavailable fuel as coal declines. It’s also exposing the vulnerability and limitations of an aging electric grid, prompting a nationwide push for major transmission line upgrades.

But the growth of data centers isn’t without controversy. Communities across Wisconsin are wrestling with the implications. The state currently has just over 40 data center facilities, most of them small—under 50 megawatts—and generally uncontroversial. The hyperscale facilities, ranging from 100 megawatts to well over a gigawatt, are the ones drawing scrutiny and inspiring regulatory action.

Even if Republicans manage to pass a bill that aligns with their priorities, Governor Evers has already signaled he has no plans to sign it into law. That means the debate is likely to continue well into campaign season, with both sides framing their positions around—you guessed it—affordability and accountability.

As the legislative session winds down and campaign season ramps up, expect to hear a lot about holding industries accountable and making life more affordable for everyday Wisconsinites. What those promises ultimately translate into is anyone’s guess. But if the result is that you keep a little more of your hard-earned money, that’s a conversation worth having.

TO

Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives and Dairyland Power Cooperative are at the forefront of an intense effort to bolster cybersecurity protections for rural power providers, as the industry and the nation face escalating threats from an enemy we can’t see. Energy is the foundation of the economy, which makes utilities obvious targets.

While large, corporate utilities have teams of IT specialists on staff dedicated to defending against digital

“Our electric co-ops recognize how destructive a cyber-attack could be against critical energy infrastructure, and they have launched a vigorous defense working together with WECA, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), and the federal government, to make sure even the smallest utilities have the greatest protections in place.”

disruptions, electric cooperatives, which serve largely rural areas, do not. This is another area where cooperatives come together to build strength in numbers.

“We’ve had co-ops targeted, and we’ve had some close calls,” said Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) President and CEO Rob Richard. “Our electric co-ops recognize how destructive a cyber-attack could be against critical energy infrastructure, and they have launched a vigorous defense working together with WECA, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), and the federal government, to make sure even the smallest utilities have the greatest protections in place.”

Hackers and scammers seek out who they believe could be the most vulnerable, and electric cooperatives across the nation have been targeted, some successfully.

According to Keith Johnson of Federated Rural Insurance Exchange, from 2015 through the end of 2020, there were a total of 52 cyber incidents/claims. The total amount paid out over that time was $868,000.

From 2021 through the end of 2025, there were 127 cyber incidents/ claims and the total amount paid out was $4 MILLION, a 360% increase. The largest payout to date was $820,000. Of the top ten claims, all but one were a direct attempt to get money, mostly through cyber extortion. (Note: Not all claims result

in a payout.)

Staying on top of percolating cyber-threats amid rapid-fire advances in technology is a job that never stops. For this reason, Dairyland Power Cooperative Vice President and Chief Information Officer Dr. Nate Melby traveled to the nation’s capital in January to testify at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing, on behalf of NRECA, on this topic.

“Securing the grid is essential to national security, but the threat landscape is evolving faster than ever,” Melby said. Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative which sells wholesale power to most of Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives.

In D.C., Melby urged Congress to continue to fund the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Program (RMUC), which was launched under the Biden administration and included in the 2021 infrastructure law, which authorized $250 million in spending for the program over five years. RMUC helps cooperative, municipal, and small investor-owned utilities harden their systems, provide training, and respond to and recover from cyberattacks.

Melby said utilities are targets of bad actors, often from other countries including China who “are among the most active and persistent threats” to the electric grid.

He testified that “RMUC bridges the rural resource gap, ensuring that the security posture in rural America is as robust and formidable as anywhere else in the nation. This is accomplished by helping electric cooperatives make critical

Dairyland Power Cooperative Vice President and Chief Information O cer Nate Melby testi es before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the importance of cybersecurity programs for rural electric co-ops. Photo courtesy of Denny Gainer, NRECA

investments in three key areas: the people, processes, and technologies necessary to secure the grid.”

Melby also pushed the Department of Energy to release $80 million in grants awarded to more than 400 cooperative cybersecurity programs under the RMUC program. As of January, the funds had not been released.

“This funding includes $3.5 million for Dairyland Power Cooperative, which will allow us to work with 20 of our distribution co-ops to invest in technologies that will boost cyber defenses across our shared systems,” Melby said. There was an estimated $160 million left in the overall RMUC program, which stood to lose its authorization from Congress in less than a year.

“These investments will ensure that we no longer see pockets of strength, but substantial cybersecurity improvement across our member co-ops’ systems and infrastructure,” said Melby.

Several lawmakers spoke in support of measures that help rural electric cooperatives protect themselves.

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) said, “The bills before us today recognize that defending the grid requires partnership across all threat sectors. Federal agencies cannot do it alone, and rural cooperatives can’t compete with foreign hackers or defend against physical attacks independently. This is a team effort in Iowa. I see this challenge daily. Dairyland Power and rural cooperatives serve massive rural territories with limited resources. Upgrading systems and hiring cybersecurity staff means costs fall directly on families already struggling with rising utility bills.”

Alex Fitzsimmons, acting undersecretary of energy and director of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, fielded questions at the hearing for several hours. In his remarks, he repeatedly recognized the value of electric cooperatives, and the need to ensure they get the cybersecurity assistance they need.

2015-2020

2021-2025 Paid out $868,000 Paid out $4,000,000

52 incidents 127 incidents

“More than half of Americans are served by small rural municipalities and co-ops. And they are under-resourced. They just do not have the same types of resources to devote to IT or to cybersecurity. They typically don’t have large security operation centers. They don’t have a big group of people working on cybersecurity and yet they face the same threats that better resourced companies and organizations do. They’re under threat just the same and perhaps opportunistically even more so, because bad actors understand that they operate critical infrastructure and they’re often under-resourced,” Fitzsimmons said. “I think what’s promising is that there’s a lot that we can do with the RMUC program to elevate the collective cybersecurity posture of rural muni’s and co-ops. You can solve 80 to 90% of most cybersecurity intrusions and vulnerabilities with basic cyber hygiene. And so, this is an area where a relatively small amount of federal resources can have a huge impact.”

And this is another example of how co-op voices are heard. Just weeks after the hearing, DOE announced it was releasing $70 million in RMUC funding to support critical cybersecurity programs at NRECA and 18 cooperatives, including Dairyland.

The committee hearing also highlighted a package of legislation aimed at securing the nation’s energy infrastructure from attacks, while maintaining dominance in the technology race fueled by artificial intelligence.

According to Representative Bob Latta (R-Ohio), chair of the Subcommittee on Energy, “Our adversaries remain close on our heels to overtake the United States as the leading technological superpower on the world’s stage. Our communities cannot afford to endure disruptive, large-scale attacks that can be prevented with common sense solutions and collaborations. Those before us today presented a bipartisan opportunity to secure our nation’s energy system, so we can fuel economic growth and job creating industries across the country.”—Julie Lund

Cyberattack Recovery

The very nature of cyberattacks is their unpredictability and their adaptability to circumvent protective measures. And the impact of a breach can vary widely depending on multiple factors, including type of attack, targeted systems, response time and what defenses were in place. But the recovery process is more structured, with multiple benchmarks to restore operations, secure systems and protect against future incidents.

Cyberattack

Response and recovery measures* Control room

Containment

Work with incident responders to isolate compromised systems to prevent further spread. Remove malware, unauthorized access points and other malicious components.

Eradication

A successful cyberattack can infiltrate a co-op’s IT or OT systems and quickly spread through its network, compromising key operational systems and critical data.

Investigation Assessment

Identify the extent of the attack, including a ected systems and data breaches. Notify insurance and legal counsel.

Servers

Detailed analysis to identify the attack vector and weaknesses. Record the entire incident response process, findings and lessons learned. Validate restored systems to ensure they are functioning correctly and securely.

Recovery

Restore/rebuild data and systems from secure backups or clean sources.

Notification

Inform customers, employees and regulatory bodies about the breach.

Documentation Testing Review

Analyze incident response process to identify strengths and weaknesses.

HOW ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATES AND INCENTIVES WORK

One of the most common questions I get about energy efficiency rebate programs is, “Why would the company that sells me energy want me to use less of their product?” It’s a good question.

Rebates provide financial incentives for people to use less energy in their homes by reducing the costs of efficiency upgrades, such as insulation, new HVAC systems, water heaters or other appliances. This helps your electric cooperative save money by eliminating or delaying the need to buy additional power or build new power generation facilities. Using less energy also helps lighten the load on existing generation and transmission infrastructure that delivers power to your home through your electric cooperative.

Helping consumers save energy is a powerful tool for electric co-ops. Instead of building or paying for more power generation to meet rising needs in the local community, co-ops create programs that help people save energy in their homes and businesses.

“Why would the company that sells me energy want me to use less of their product?”

Your cooperative and other local organizations may offer efficiency programs with special incentives for home upgrades, such as rebates paid after a project is completed. State and federal tax credits may also allow you to reduce the amount of taxes you owe for completing eligible home purchases or upgrades. Federal energy efficiency tax credits ended Dec. 31, 2025. If you completed any upgrades before that date, you can apply for credits on your 2025 federal filings.

Energy efficiency programs are funded through a variety of sources, including surcharges on customer utility bills, grants, and state and federal funding. Some states, including Wisconsin, and regions are required by law to provide energy efficiency programs.

If you are planning to purchase new appliances, equipment or complete an efficiency upgrade, do your research

first. I recommend starting with your electric cooperative to see if they offer energy efficiency programs. Also check with your state energy office, which might have additional programs to help. The Inflation Reduction Act allocated federal funds to state-administered programs, including home efficiency rebates and home electrification and appliance rebates, to help residents with retrofits such as windows, insulation, air sealing, HVAC equipment, and appliance upgrades.

There are also income-eligible programs available for energy assistance and weatherization, such as the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program, typically administered by a local community action agency.

Once you identify a rebate, tax credit, or financing option you’re interested in, review the criteria carefully. Criteria can vary by program, so make sure you know the eligibility requirements before making a purchase to avoid missing out on energy-saving opportunities.

Some programs require preapproval before you begin a project. Proof of existing equipment or conditions may be required, such as insulation levels or window types. You may also need to schedule an energy audit conducted by a program representative or photo documentation.

Once you know your project meets the requirements of available programs, you can proceed with installation. You will likely need to fill out an application and submit a final invoice to prove the project is complete, and/or submit pictures or have an inspection from a program representative.

Once approved, your rebate will typically be issued as a bill credit or check, depending on the source.

Participating in a rebate program can help you lower your energy use, save money, and improve comfort in your home. It can also help your energy provider and the electric grid. Contact your local electric cooperative to learn more about available rebates and incentives.

Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 electric co-ops.

ECEC AT A GLANCE

12,966 MEMBER OWNERS

6.9 MEMBERS PER MILE OF LINE

17,445 POLES IN SERVICE

35

DEDICATED EMPLOYEES

DOLLARS GIVEN BACK IN REBATES TO MEMBERS IN 2025 $271,710

17 SUBSTATIONS CAPITAL CREDITS RETURNED TO MEMBERS IN 2025: $1,078,694 TOTAL KWH SOLD IN 2025 214,054,357

NINE DIRECTOR-ELECTED DISTRICTS

1,885 TOTAL MILES OF LINE 820 MILES OF OVERHEAD LINE 1,065 MILES OF UNDERGROUND LINE

NEW SERVICES ADDED IN 2025

197 TOTAL KWH PURCHASED IN 2025 222,310,004

Fun Fact: That is enough to go from ECEC HQ to the Paci c Ocean.

Monica Obrycki, President and CEO

WTHE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR POWER

hen you flip a switch, charge your phone, or turn up the heat on a brisk morning, it’s easy to take electricity for granted. But behind every moment of reliable service is a team of dedicated people who care about our members and the communities we serve. This year, ECEC is showcasing the people behind your power by highlighting the dedicated employees whose passion and commitment help keep our communities connected. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is powered just as much by people as it is by poles, wires, and substations. No matter the role, every decision and every task is carried out with the safety of our members, the public, and our fellow employees in mind. Keeping members connected takes coordination across every department. While the work looks different from one role to the next, each team plays a vital part in delivering reliable and safe service and supporting our member-owners.

Our Finance team supports the cooperative’s day-to-day operations while working directly with members on important touchpoints. From billing and accounting to capital credits and collections, this team helps ensure members have the tools and information they need to manage their accounts. They assist with setting up electronic or automatic payments, paperless billing, and SmartHub, and they are often the first

Bourget, Board Chair

friendly face members interact with when they visit our office or call with a question.

Working closely with members on programs and services is our Member Services team. They support key accounts, process incentives, and manage many of the programs that help members save money and manage energy use. From load control and water heaters to dual fuel and renewable energy programs, this team administers a wide range of options designed to meet members’ needs. They also assist members in better understanding their bills and exploring solutions that fit their individual situations.

Our Marketing and Communications department focuses on keeping members informed and engaged. From writing and editing pages in the cooperative magazine to managing social media, planning cooperative events, and communicating about programs, services, and important updates, they ensure members know what’s happening at their cooperative and how to take advantage of available resources.

On the operational side, we have the Engineering and Operations departments. The Operations Department is responsible for keeping the system running safely and reliably. From system maintenance and improvements to vehicle and equipment upkeep, their work ensures our crews are ready to

respond when needed. Our lineworkers restore power during outages, complete repairs, and maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity to your home or business.

Engineering plays a critical role in planning for the future. This team designs and plans improvements to the electrical grid, oversees new home and new construction projects, manages the metering system, and ensures our system can meet growing demands while maintaining reliability and safety.

Behind the scenes, there are several roles that are dedicated to supporting the people who serve our members every day. Positions such as Information Technology, Human Resources, and administrative staff that are focused on providing tools, systems, and support staff need to do their jobs effectively. From keeping technology and internal systems secure and running smoothly, to supporting employee development and engagement to assisting the board of directors and cooperative leadership, this work helps ensure the cooperative operates efficiently, securely, and with strong governance. While members may not directly interact with this staff often, their impact is felt across every department and every service we provide.

Leading this work and the dedicated team at ECEC is our CEO, who

oversees the cooperative’s day-to-day operations while guiding long-term strategy. The CEO works closely with staff and the board of directors to set priorities, advance strategic initiatives, and ensure decisions are made with members’ best interests in mind.

This role also includes maintaining strong community relationships and advocating on behalf of electric cooperatives to support reliable, affordable, and safe power for our members.

What ties all of these roles together is a shared purpose. Our employees

care deeply about our members because they are our neighbors, friends, and family. They take pride in serving this community and understand the trust members place in us every day.

None of this work would be possible without the engagement and support of our members. As a member-owned cooperative, you help shape who we are and how we serve. We appreciate our board of directors, elected from the membership to provide governance and strategic direction, and our Member Advisory Council (MAC), whose volunteers offer valuable feedback and perspectives from across our service territory. Your trust and involvement help ensure Eau Claire Energy Cooperative continues to serve members’ needs today and into the future.

As you read this year’s annual report, I hope you’ll think about the people behind your power. The ones restoring power outage, answering phones, balancing accounts, planning projects, and working every day to serve you. On behalf of our entire team, thank you for being a valued member-owner of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative.

BALANCE SHEET ASSETS

EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

ADDITIONAL COOPERATIVE DATA

RULES FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING

1. The meeting will be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.

2. Any speaker must be recognized by the chair before speaking.

3. Only members will be recognized by the chair; each member must give his or her name.

4. No resolution on policy a ecting Eau Claire Energy Cooperative may be submitted by any member unless written copies have been submitted to the Board of Directors at least 30 days in advance of the meeting so as to permit review by the Board of Directors and its recommendation to the meeting as to approval or rejection.

5. Members are to limit their questions and comments to three minutes, with any rebuttal limited to two minutes.

6. Members will be limited to one question. If time allows, members may ask additional questions.

7. Questions and comments from members will be in order only during the old and new business sessions.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

As a member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, you have a voice in the annual board of directors’ election. In November, the Nominating Committee selected at least one candidate for each of the three director districts that are up for election. In 2026, those districts are 1, 5, and 8. You are invited to hear from these candidates in person at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The 89th Annual Meeting will be held at the Florian Gardens in Eau Claire. The candidates’ photos and biographies are included here.

DISTRICT #1

District # 1

Director Candidate

Thomas W. Schwartz (Incumbent) 1684 113th Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Membership: Member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative for 55 years

Occupation: Retired

Current and Past Board Positions: Eau Claire Energy Cooperative – Director District #1; Member Advisory Council, 2010-2014. 38 years in management with Menard Inc., Corporate Accounting, holding positions of Compensation Coordinator, Accounting/Auditing Manager and Division Controller. St. Olaf Parish current/ previous positions held–Men’s Club Board of Directors, Secretary, Pastoral Council, School Board President/ Treasurer.

Directors’ Training: Being a director at a co-op requires understanding the co-op’s operation and functionality. By taking Cooperative Focused education courses I obtained my Director’s Board Leadership, and obtained and maintaining the status of Director’s Gold Credentials.

Other Relevant Experience: My experience/background with Menard, Inc included working with many electric utility companies to ensure accurate energy billing rates for over 200+ Menard Stores. My part in this expansion was to prepare accurate financial reports, oversee store operations by visiting them, manage accounting/auditing teams, and oversee incentive compensation for management employees.

Comments: Cooperatives must maintain a proactive approach to accommodate new customers’ needs. Our members expect their co-op to keep up with ever-changing technological trends (Social Media, SmartHub, AI deployment, etc.). Directors today need foresight to perceive future needs of our members. My work and personal experience have helped me to foresee roadblocks within projects. I was known as the “go-to manager” to get projects done, and I maintain that same work ethic even today in retirement. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving the membership as a director of the co-op.

Feel free to contact me at biztj24@gmail.com.

Home Phone 715-834-1784 | Cell Phone 715-382-6239

DISTRICT #5

District #5

Director Candidate

Joseph L. Becker (Incumbent)

W4895 County Road W Eleva, WI 54738

Brunswick and Drammen, Eau Claire County; Rock Creek, Dunn

Naples, Bu alo County, except service area in District 2.

Membership: Member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative for 27 years

Current and Past Board Positions: Board of Directors for ECEC – (2017 - Present)

Supervisor – Town of Drammen (2012 – Present)

Multiple Offices – Prince of Peace Church (1997- Present

Other Relevant Experience:

Owned and managed a thirdgeneration dairy and crop farm operation that has now been transitioned into my current beef cow/calf operation in Eau Claire County. In addition, developed and currently operates a custom baleage harvesting business for area farm operations. I take great pride in my current position as maintenance supervisor for a retirement facility. I served

DISTRICT #8

District #8

Director Candidate

Je rey Frieburg (Incumbent)

51170 Oak Ridge Rd Osseo, WI 54758

Membership: Member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative for 23 years

Occupation: Retired. Physical Therapist

Current and Past Board

Positions: Westconsin Credit Union, Director 2000 – 2003; Osseo City Council, 2015 – 2022

Current Board Positions: ECEC Director, 2004 – present; Osseo Area Economic Development Corporation (OAEDC) Treasurer, 2008 – present

Experience: OAEDC member, 2004 – present; Physical Therapist at Mayo Clinic at Osseo, 2007 –2020; Garber Bandshell Foundation, Treasurer 2019 – 2021 (Osseo, WI)

Comments: Since being elected in 2004, I have worked to gain relevant experience and unique knowledge to serve the Cooperative and its members. This includes earning the

on the first Comprehensive Planning Committee for our township in 2013. Also, while serving on the ECEC Board of Directors, I have chaired the operations, marketing and finance committees.

Comments: Cooperatives are an essential part of the energy industry, and I am a strong believer in the 7 Cooperative Principles. The services that Eau Claire Energy Cooperative provides are essential to our community’s livelihood. Given our cooperative is owned by its members, I truly believe it affords us all the opportunity to directly impact the highest quality of services at affordable rates.

Operating my current and past businesses have taught me valuable life lessons and the importance of good common sense in day-to-day operations. The cooperative gives us a voice in the ever-changing electrical infrastructure. I believe those attributes, my perspectives along with my current experiences on the Board of ECEC, will allow me to continue to be an asset. I appreciate your support as your director and look forward to serving the cooperative.

Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Gold certifications through the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association.

My involvement in community organizations provides ample opportunities to contact ECEC members, where they can share their ideas and concerns. This combination of accessibility and community involvement allows me to maintain and nurture connections between ECEC and many of its members.

Forming political alliances with our legislators is a key role for cooperative directors. I have participated in face-to-face meetings with area legislators to explain electric co-op issues and inform them how legislation and regulation affecting electric co-ops can impact members.

Cooperatives continue to lead the industry in providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. ECEC is no exception. I support ECEC’s investment in technologies that improve service, create efficiencies, improve system reliability, and enhance safety, as well as prepare for future technologies and innovative energy sources that make sense. I support sensible legislation and regulations that protect our environment if it is equitably paid for by all stakeholders and not solely by the ratepayers.

Thank You, Nominating Committee

Thank you to our Nominating Committee for the time and care they dedicated to the director election process. This year, the committee reviewed candidates from Districts #1, #5, and #8, who are presented on pages 16d–17. Committee members Mike, Josh, and Rhonda generously volunteered their time to ensure a thoughtful and fair process. Their willingness to stay engaged in cooperative governance is truly appreciated.

Thank You, Concern for Community Selection Committee

We also extend our sincere thanks to the Concern for Community Award Selection Committee. Deb, Pat, and Ken dedicated their time to carefully review all award submissions and determine this year’s recipient. Their commitment to recognizing community impact and service helps highlight the cooperative principle of Concern for Community, and we are grateful for their e orts.

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8214 Hwy 12, P.O. Box 368, Fall Creek, WI 54742-0368

www.ecec.com

Lobby Hours: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday; 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Friday

Monica Obrycki, President and CEO

Taylor Skibba, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Non-emergencies: 715-832-1603

Emergencies & outages: Toll FREE 800-927-5090

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Diggers Hotline: 811 or 1-800-242-8511

Call 3 working days before you dig.

COOKIES

PEANUT BUTTER PERFECTION

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Home Baking Association

Peanut butter is an all-American favorite, and this recipe packs a punch with three times the peanut butter!

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup butter, softened

1-1/4 cups sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose our

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 stick butter, softened

2 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light and u y, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the our, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place two inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten to 3/8-inch thickness with fork. Bake for 7–8 minutes or until golden; remove to wire racks to cool.

Add all lling ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat using an electric mixer. Add more cream if it is too sti . It should be u y and spreadable. Cool to room temperature. Mixture should thicken as it cools. Spread lling on the bottoms of half of the cookies and top each with another cookie. Bottoms of both cookies should face each other with the lling in the middle. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter

Brownies RECIPES

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Home Baking Association

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, then this brownie is for you. These are moist, rich, and they bake up perfectly. Eat them plain or topped with ice cream—you won’t be sorry!

1 cup plus 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

3 oz unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

3 eggs, room temperature

1-1/3 cups packed dark brown sugar

1-1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup mini chocolate chips, divided in half

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-x13-x2-inch baking pan. In a small bowl, whisk or sift 1 cup of flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over very low heat, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla; blend. Stir in melted chocolate mixture. Gradually add flour mixture and stir until blended. Fold in a half cup mini chocolate chips, then pour batter into prepared pan. In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar, cinnamon, cream, and remaining tablespoon of flour; mixture will be stiff. Drop spoonfuls of mixture randomly on top of brownie mixture. Drag a knife through peanut butter mixture in a zig zag pattern to create a marbleized pattern on top. Sprinkle with remaining half cup of mini chocolate chips. Bake for approx. 25–30 minutes, remove, and allow to cool completely. Makes 24 brownies.

1 Tbsp peanut oil

African Peanut Soup

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Peanut Institute

This rich, creamy soup makes a wonderfully satisfying main course but may also be served (in smaller portions) as a starter.

1 medium onion, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 Tbsp minced ginger

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp curry powder

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

8 oz sweet potatoes, cut in 1-inch chunks

1 (14.5 oz) can no-saltadded diced tomatoes

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 (15 oz) can no-salt added great northern beans, drained and rinsed

1/3 cup light coconut milk

1/2 tsp salt

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Add the onion, celery, carrot, ginger, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, approx. 4–5 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Stir in the broth, sweet potatoes, and diced tomatoes; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Whisk in the peanut butter until smooth. Add the beans, cover, return to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, cover, and cook 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and stir in the salt. Let the soup cool for 10 minutes. Transfer the soup to a blender in small batches and puree or use a stick/immersion blender. Return to the pot and warm over medium heat. Makes 4 servings. NOTES: Soup may be made thinner, if desired, by adding warm water or vegetable broth after pureeing and reheating.

Spicy Shrimp Spring Roll Bowls

Recipe and photo courtesy of USA Rice via food blog Beautiful Eats and Things.

Is there anything better than a spring roll? How about making it into a bowl and topping it with homemade peanut sauce! These Spicy Shrimp Spring Roll Bowls are delicious, customizable, and perfect for those busy weeknights.

PEANUT DRESSING

2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter

2 Tbsp lime juice

2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1/2 Tbsp honey

1 tsp rice vinegar

1 small clove garlic, finely minced

1–2 Tbsp warm water to thin dressing, if needed

To make the peanut dressing, add peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic to a small bowl and whisk well. If needed, add 1–2 tablespoons of warm water to thin the consistency of the dressing. Set aside.

BOWLS

9–10 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups short grain rice, cooked

1/2 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1 cucumber, chopped

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Sesame seeds for garnishing (optional)

Season the shrimp with cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Once hot, add in the shrimp, and cook for 2–3 minutes, until browned. Flip and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, until the shrimp turn white and begin to curl in. Remove from heat. To assemble the bowls, divide the rice evenly between two bowls and top with vegetables, shrimp, and cilantro. Drizzle with the peanut dressing and top with sesame seeds, if desired. Makes 2 servings.

READER RECIPES

BROWN BEEF STEW

RECIPE COURTESY OF DEANNE SCZEPANSKI, WHITEHALL

1/4 cup our 1 tsp celery salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1-1/2 lbs bottom round, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

An anonymous reader is looking for corned beef recipes..

SEND TO: WECN, Reader Recipes, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200 or jennifer@weca.coop

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced 3 cups water

2 tsp beef bouillon 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 dozen small white onions (optional) 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 1/2 dozen carrots, sliced 1 cup peas

Combine our, celery salt, and pepper. Roll cubed meat in the our mixture or shake it in a bag. Reserve remaining our mixture. Brown meat slowly in hot oil in a medium soup kettle. Add chopped onions and garlic; cook until tender. Blend in remaining our mixture; mix well. Add water, bouillon, salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer covered approx. 1-1/2 hours or until meat is tender. Add small white onions (if using), cubed potatoes, and sliced carrots. Simmer 25 minutes; add peas and simmer 5 minutes more. Serve over mashed potatoes or dumplings.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

RECIPE COURTESY OF KAREN PERINGTON, MERRILLAN

(From The Ladies Home Journal Cookbook: 1948-1960)

8 same-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cooked 1/2 cup our 6 Tbsp butter, divided 1 (1 lb 13 oz) can sliced or chunked pineapple, drained with juice reserved 1-1/4 cups sour cream

1 tsp salt Brown sugar

Cut sweet potatoes into 4-inch-diameter slices. Dredge lightly in our and sauté in 4 tablespoons of butter. Mix the sour cream and salt together and add 1/2 cup of the reserved pineapple juice. Fill the bottom of a greased 2-quart casserole dish with a layer of sweet potatoes and pineapple slices or chunks. Cover with a layer of the sour cream/pineapple juice mixture. Continue alternating layers. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until brown on top. Serves 8.

PAST RECIPES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AT WECNMAGAZINE.COM/RECIPES. CLICK “SEARCH RECIPE ARCHIVES.”

Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to jennifer@weca.coop or submit directly at http://wecnmagazine.com/submit-a-recipe/.

PLEASE NOTE: Recipes submitted must include quantities for all ingredients. If no measurements are used, your recipe will not be printed. Due to food safety issues, we cannot accept canning recipes.

MARSHMALLOW APPLE CRISP

RECIPE COURTESY OF SANDY DRESCHER, NEILLSVILLE

BASE LAYER

5 cups sliced apples

2 cups miniature marshmallows

Place apples in a 7-x12-inch pan and cover with marshmallows.

TOPPING

1/2 cup uncooked oatmeal

1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup our

1/2 cup brown sugar, rmly packed 1/2 cup butter

Blend all topping ingredients together until crumbly. Pour and spread over marshmallow layer. Bake at 375 degrees for 30–35 minutes or until apples are tender and crumbs are brown.

CHICKEN QUICHE

RECIPE COURTESY OF PATRICIA FRANKS, BLACK RIVER FALLS

CRUST

1-1/2 cups whole wheat pastry our (or all-purpose our), plus 1 Tbsp 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp celery salt (or seasoned salt) 1/2 tsp dried dill

1 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)

1 Tbsp dried parsley

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbsp cold water

Combine our, baking powder, celery salt, dill, sesame seeds, chia seeds (if using), and parsley. Mix in vegetable oil and add cold water. If the dough still seems dry, add additional cold water until the dough just holds together. Form into a ball. Roll out to t a deep 9-inch pie pan and place in pan.* Dust crust with 1 tablespoon our and prick with fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 3 minutes; set aside. *NOTES: The dough tends to be on the crumbly side, so I roll it between two pieces of wax paper and patch it up a lot after I ip it into the pie pan. Store-bought pie crust also works well for this recipe.

FILLING

1 cup cooked chicken, cubed

1 cup mushrooms, sliced and cooked

1-1/2 cups (6 oz) Swiss cheese, grated

1 cup mayonnaise

4 eggs

1 medium onion, diced (sweet onion preferred)

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (do not use the powdered type)

Spread chicken over cooled pie crust. Top with cooked mushrooms and grated cheese. Mix mayonnaise and eggs in a medium-sized bowl until blended; pour over ingredients in pie pan. Sauté onion in butter until tender; spread over lling. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cover quiche with Parmesan. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Check the center of the quiche—it should look like cooked scrambled eggs. If it seems a bit undercooked, bake a little longer and check every 10 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.

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THE Legacy

of DR. EVERMOR

A FANCIFUL WORLD OF GIANT BIRDS, COSMIC MACHINES, AND INTERGALACTIC LORE AWAITS AT THIS ROADSIDE SCULPTURE PARK.

Just off Highway 12 south of Baraboo, visitors enter a land of absolute fantasy—coils, domes, and a gleaming cylinder, surrounded by a forest of spindly legs and beaks. At the center is the Forevertron, an enormous whimsical masterpiece made of rivets: a 500,000-pound intergalactic and interdimensional time travel machine that, according to its maker, runs on “level 7 love energy.”

The World of Dr. Evermor Sculpture Park is quietly a scrapyard dreamscape and very much a family affair. There’s no slick visitor center, no flashing billboard, no manufactured hype. Yet people arrive from across the country to this other-worldly destination that was nominated for this year’s USA TODAY 10 Best Sculpture Parks.

“People say they can feel the love in the park—before I even tell them it runs on level 7 love energy,” said Tya Kottler, daughter of the park’s creator, the late sculptor Tom Every, who dubbed himself “Dr. Evermor.” “It touches folks deeply. I’m still learning why.”

A Machine for the Heavens

Every began the Forevertron in the mid 1980s, completing the core structure around 1985. He had worked for decades in industrial demolition and salvage, with a keen eye for reclaiming and reusing what others would only see as junk.

“He used to say he built it to propel himself back into the heavens on a magnetic lightning force beam, inside a glass ball, inside a copper egg—and Shazam!” Kottler said. “He never really felt like it was finished. Things just fell together, like it was meant to be.”

Some of the scrap used to make the Forevertron are legendary. Pieces of it are reclaimed from the Apollo program, Edison dynamos from the 19th century, 100-year-old glass batteries, parts from at least one power plant, and a gazebo dedicated to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert—a nod to Evermor’s English ancestry. The central “copper egg” holds

a glass sphere—the imagined cockpit for the doctor’s cosmic departure.

At the base of the sculpture sits a decontamination chamber—an authentic piece tied to NASA via UW–Madison.

Near the entrance to the park, a towering bug creature sits. “If we run out of level 7 love energy on this planet,” Kottler said, “that’s the backup power supply—the Juicer Bug.”

The Family Behind

Dr. Evermor Dr. Evermor was undoubtedly the vision behind the park, but Lady Eleanor, his wife, provided unwavering support. “She’s been part of it since he first completed the Forevertron,” said Kottler. “It’s because of her dedication that the park still exists.”

“He [Dr. Evermor] was really kind of bored with industrial wrecking,” said Lady Eleanor. “He wanted to do something else and put something together. So, he took his industrial wrecking materials and put it into an art park. And that made him unbelievably happy.”

Over the years, Lady Eleanor has supported the park in several ways. She greets visitors, sells smaller

sculptures, runs “paint parties,” and, during Evermor’s health decline, drove him between the nursing home and the worksite so he could keep welding with his right hand after losing use of the left. “She was there every single day,” Kottler said. “She made it possible.”

Kottler, too, has been part of the park’s story since returning to the Madison area in 2008. She launched a website, collaborated on a science fiction drama inspired by her father’s story (a project that reached Warner Bros. and Netflix before COVID shutdowns tabled it), and today she shares daily operations with her mother and sister—everything from greeting the public to running the gift shop. After Evermor passed away in March 2020, the family suffered another devastating loss when Kottler’s younger brother died later that year at age 40. His sculptures also remain a part of the grounds—“little time travelers” and a roster of baseball players he designed as a teenager.

“It was a hard year, and it slowed our momentum,” Kottler said. “But being at the park, seeing people light up—there’s so much joy in that. It keeps us going.”

The Birds That Play Brass

The Forevertron acts as the park’s centerpiece, but visitors can’t miss the surrounding sculptures: phoenixes, arachnids, robots and rocket-age relics, and a crowd-pleaser known as the Bird Band—a group of avian musicians made with actual musical instruments.

“The Bird Band started when my mom found brass instruments at St. Vinny’s,” Kottler said. “My dad got big eyes and went back to buy the rest.” Additional horns came as factory rejects from a maker near Delavan. The birds’ “feathers” are Fiskars blades— garden shears once produced in Sauk City. Evermor bought them by the pallet.

The band even has a conductor. The Director Bird— Dr. Evermor’s only attempt at a portrait sculpture—was modeled after Dan Woolpert, director of Wisconsin’s First Brigade Band, whose Civil War–era performances deeply moved him. For Evermor’s 70th birthday, that band came and performed for him.

In winter, when the park is closed, the wind sometimes “plays” the instruments. “You can hear the different things play,” Kottler said. “It’s eerie and beautiful.”

A Hidden Landmark Kottler hesitates to call the Forevertron a landmark; she prefers “hidden secret.” Even without broad promotion, the park gets lots of visitors from word of mouth and road trippers.

“The folks who come are the most interesting, delightful people,” Kottler said. “Some just stand there and cry. I wonder sometimes if it’s a connection to fathers or grandfathers who worked with their hands, or to the parts they recognize in the sculptures. There’s a nostalgia to it.”

And when younger visitors arrive—especially those immersed in digital worlds—they sometimes say it feels like stepping into a video game.

But not everyone connects. “Some folks get dragged in and ask, ‘Are we done yet?’” Kottler laughed. “That’s okay. It’s not for everyone. But for the people it touches—wow.”

Looking to the Future The family has a vision for the park’s future. First, they hope to repurchase the land from neighboring Delaney Surplus Store—longtime friends and “silent heroes,”

Kottler said—who currently own the property and have supported the park’s existence for decades. Next, the family plans to implement safety upgrades, better pathways, improved parking, and barriers to the sculptures.

They’re also dreaming bigger: an artist-in-residence program in a building Evermor once drew, a small bistro hub around the “Epicurean,” a fully functional backyard grill sculpture he built for Lady Eleanor in 1976, and an indoor gallery for artifacts from the family home—Evermor’s brass-plated claw machine, among other treasures.

“I wish people could have seen the house we grew up in,” Kottler said. “I

want to share that magic: all the things he loved, brought back to life.”

Art education is also in the plans. The park’s annual Forever Fest has invited visitors to build small sculptures from precut parts and then watch welders from Madison College who assemble their pieces—a keepsake and a spark for future artists. As the park grows, the goal is to expand these hands-on workshops and offer regular classes in welding and found-object art.

And for Dr. Evermor, who used to have his shirts embroidered with “Intergalactic Time Traveler,” the future is all relative, anyway.

The entrance to Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron sits just off Highway 12, marked by a large steel sphere and orange gates at S7703 US HWY 12, Town of Sumpter, WI 53591. Parking is along the green space inside the sculpture park entrance (visitors are asked not to park in Delaney’s lot to leave spaces for their customers). The park operates seasonally and weather-permitting— April 2 through the end of November is a safe bet—with hours typically 11–5 on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 12–5 on Sunday. The park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For questions, call 608-381-0465.

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GOT TRAPS - NEED TRAPS? Wanted: bear or large, odd traps, lever-action ri es. For sale: beaver, coyote, Newhouse traps. 715-563-6658.

GEOTHERMAL We service & install all models and brands. Niesen@charter.net. Contact us today.

CHAINSAWS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. Buying 1 or 100 McCulloch, Pioneer, Jonsereds, Echo, STIHL, Homelite, Remington, Mall. Buying all brands and sizes. Non-running, running, seized, parts. Let me know what you have - will travel. Call Chainsaw Mike at 715-828-9414.

THROW YOUR HOME MOVIES IN THE TRASH! Or pro transfer 8mm, VHS, slides, audio, and all formats to DVD or ash drive. Gene DVD Productions 715-827-2302.

WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR VINTAGE SPORTS CARDS 1986 or older. 608-343-3503.

E-BIKES FOR SALE Let me get you on the right E-bike/E-trike. E-Cycle Bike Shop Mobile, Boyceville, WI. Call or text Bicycle Larry 715-702-1452.

SHEDS DELIVERED - LOYAL, WI: Custom Design & Price Online! Sheds, barns, garages, cabins, & chicken coops. 2-4 week lead times. Free delivery & setup using our shed mule. Prebuilt inventory listings. ShedsDelivered.com.

NEW PACKER CHEESEHEADS ITEMS! Check out www.cheeseknits.com for some great knit accessories. Perfect gifts for any Packer or Cheesehead fan!

WANTED TO BUY: Model 1895 Winchester ri e, 30-06 caliber. Please call 715-765-4670.

CHIPPEWA VALLEY BEE EXPO. Held at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, April 11 and 12, 2026. Natural living pollinator information, food plots, bees, birds, butter ies. We cover all of nature, cooking with honey. Speakers’ presentations all days on various topics. See us at www.bee-expo.org or on Facebook Chippewa Valley Bee expo.

WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR OLD WOOD AND METAL SIGNS. Any condition. Also, old motorcycle items and bell helmets. Call Jerry 920-373-3515.

WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR VINTAGE SPORTS CARDS 1986 or older. Also, looking for comic books, 1970’s or older. 608-343-3503.

FOR SALE: POLKA BAND EQUIPMENT. Star Concertina and Iorio-Accorgan accordions. Both in good condition. Southern Wisconsin area. Call 608-558-2698. Leave message, I will return your call.

WANTED: SHOTGUNS - 10 GAUGE OR 28 GAUGE. Single shot, break-action models. Please call Bob at 715-563-4005.

WANTED: FORD 55 OR 56 FAIRLAINE OR SUNLINER in good condition. 608-863-4455

HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Hybrid Poplar, Hickory, Black eyed Susan, Cone owers, Bee Balm, Dogwoods, Elderberry, Cranberry, Balsam, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, Techny Arborvitae, Potted cedars, grafted and wild apple trees, large bareroot shade trees including Autumn Blaze. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI. 715-723-2072.

THUNDERBIRD VILLAGE. ONE, FIVE, AND TEN BEDROOM, FULLY FURNISHED LODGING. Located 10 miles NE of Black River Falls with direct access to snowmobile, UTV, and Lake Arbutus. Great shing and boating. Seasonal campsites available. www.thunderbirdvillage.net 608-989-2275.

Classi ed ads reach more than 152,000 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 classi ed ads must be paid in advance. There is no agency discount on classi eds. Make check or money order payable to: WECA. Mail to: WECN—Classi eds, Attn. Jennifer, 6405 Century Ave., Ste. 102, Middleton, WI 53562. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.

WISCONSIN EVENTS March 2026

1 Wedding Show—Eau Claire. The Florian Gardens Conference Center, 12–3 p.m. Meet local trusted vendors, booking discount opportunities, win door prizes or a diamond necklace, and taste-test their signature menu and Canyon Road wines. 715-832-8836.

3, 4 Farm Show—Eau Claire. Chippewa Valley Expo Center, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. There will be over 150 vendors and exhibitors presenting farm equipment and supplies. Free admission and free parking.

6, 20 Fish Fry—Jim Falls. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 4:30–6:30 p.m. Potato soup, 3 pieces of deepfried fish, potato, beans, coleslaw, homemade roll, beverage, and dessert. Cost is $14 per plate for adults, $6 children 4–12, and free for children 3 and under. Dine in or carry out. Everyone is welcome!

7 Shamrock Shu e 5k Run/Walk—Eau Claire. UWEC McPhee Physical Education Center, parking in the CVTC South Lot. The route starts on UWEC’s upper campus, goes down the infamous Garfield Ave. hill, over the scenic university footbridge, and follows the river up the beautiful Chippewa Valley River trail. The race loop begins and ends at the McPhee Physical Education Center. Open to any fitness level. Online registration at www.raceentry.com. 801-851-5520.

7 Multi-Cultural Potluck—Tigerton. Main Street Old Village Hall, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m., eat at noon. Bring your favorite ethnic dish to pass. Enjoy an afternoon of food and conversation! For more info, call 715-535-2110.

7 Liver Feed—Menomonie. Moose Lodge, 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Liver BBQ, coleslaw, beans, chips, bread, and dessert. Adults $10 and 12 & under are $5. All-you-can-eat. For more info, call 715-308-1279.

7 Steak Fry—Melrose. American Legion Post 439, 5–7 p.m.

8 Chicken Que and Bake Sale—Chaseburg. Village Hall, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. or until all chicken is gone. Drive through or eat-in. Featuring “Best Ever Chicken.” Homemade pastries and baked goods will also be available.

8 Country Jam—Wauzeka. Century Hall, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Five bands, food and drinks, great dance floor.

10 Red Cross Blood Drive—Owen. Clark County Rehabilitation and Living Center, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Walk ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated! Please call 1-800-7332767. Donors will receive a $15 gift card by email for donating at this drive.

12–22 Live Theatre “The Bunco Squad”— Tomah. Area Community Theatre. The 2026 ACT season kicks off with this great performance on March 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 7 p.m., and March 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets on sale now! 608-374-7469.

14 Reading Retreat—Cornell. Camp Nawakwa, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Escape for a day of reading and relaxation! Join other book lovers for a day of shared silence and literary connection. Bring your own books, a cozy blanket, and your sense of adventure. This 75-acre forest sanctuary provides the ultimate backdrop for a day of uninterrupted reading. Optional activities include a book swap, a hike around picnic lake (weather permitting), coloring pages, and sap collection for the upcoming MapleFest. Visit www. ournawakwarentalportal.org for registration information.

20, 21 Spring Fling Craft and Bake Sale— New Lisbon. Winding Rivers United Methodist Church, Fri., 9 a.m.–4 p.m., and Sat., 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Many craft items and baked goods. Lunch available. 608-562-3487.

21 Pancake Breakfast and Bingo—Gilman. Celebrations Hall, 7:30–11:30 a.m. Silent auctions, bucket raffles, kids’ activities. Bingo at 2 p.m., $1 per game, 9 games plus one progressive jackpot game. 715-314-0681.

21 The Linda Ronstadt Experience— Reedsburg. Area High School CAL Center, 7–9 p.m. American Idol Star, Tristan McIntosh creates a stunning portrayal of Linda Ronstadt including songs such as “You’re No Good,” “When Will I Be Loved,” and more. Reserved tickets, $25–$35. Call 608-768-8928 Ext. 1190.

22 FFA Alumni Farm Toy & Craft Show— Thorp. High School, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, 10 & under are free. Lunch available, door prizes, over 200 tables. 715-773-2643.

28 Maple Fest—Cornell. Camp Nawakwa, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Tap a tree, enjoy fun stations, and sample maple syrup! RSVP at www. ournawakwarentalportal.org.

29 Palm Sunday Breakfast—Phillips. St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Serving French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, coffee, juice, and milk. Basket raffles include meat raffle baskets. All are welcome!

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

Wisconsin Events is a public service for our readers. Due to space limits, we may need to eliminate details, so be sure to include a phone number (with area code) where callers may obtain more info. If we receive more listings than space allows us to print, we reserve the right to select those we believe will be of interest to the greatest number of readers. Please no virtual events. Events can also be mailed to: WECN, Events, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200.

DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the event is to appear.

Upload events to wecnmagazine.com

1. The twins teach their younger sister how to pet a kitty. Photo submitted by Grandpa Tom Timmerman, a member of Scenic Rivers Energy.

2. Nova loves her dog, Tilly. Photo submitted by Theresa Brueggen, a member of Vernon Electric.

3. Emma shes in the background while her assistant, Murphy, keeps watch. Photo submitted by Jenni Yetter, a member of Clark Electric.

Upload photos directly to wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab.

Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. 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.

Help the Lineworker

Spring into Action

Did you know March 20 is the first day of spring? This time of year marks new beginnings and fresh blooms, but it can also bring powerful storms that interrupt electric service.

Help the lineworker find his way through the maze to the bucket truck so he can restore power.

MINUTES

88TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS

EAU CLAIRE ENERGY COOPERATIVE • MARCH 18, 2025

The 88th regular annual meeting of the members of the Eau Claire Energy Cooperative (ECEC) was called to order by the Board Chair Andrew Bourget, at 5:33 p.m. at The Florian Gardens at 2340 Lorch Avenue in Eau Claire, WI on March 18, 2025.

IN MEMORIAM Mr. Bourget recited a eulogy in remembrance of John Hibbard, ECEC’s long-term attorney that passed away earlier in March and asked those in attendance to join in a moment of silence. Mr. Hibbard’s legacy will be deeply missed throughout the entire cooperative.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & ANTHEM Mr. Bourget asked those in the audience who were able to stand for the singing of the National Anthem and remain standing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

SAFETY MOMENT Mr. Bourget provided several key safety messages that included emergency routes in case of severe weather or fire and the location of an A.E.D. in case of a medical emergency.

INTRODUCTIONS & SPECIAL RECOGNITION The Board of Directors, CEO Monica Obrycki, Attorney Dustin Von Ruden, and Corporate Secretary Jeni Thorpe were introduced to those attending the meeting.

Mr. Bourget recognized Curt Williams, who resigned from the Board of Directors. Mr. Williams served one three-year term representing District 3.

Mr. Bourget introduced the special guests in attendance that evening including Brent Ridge, CEO of Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC), Rob Richards, CEO of the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA), Doug Booher, VP Sales & Manufacture Relations of the Rural Electric Supply Cooperative (RESCO), and Beth Alesch, Associate Editor at WECA and ECEC’s official photographer for the meeting.

Mr. Bourget introduced the recipients of the $1,000 Federated Youth Foundation scholarships in attendance and asked that they stand and be recognized. Mr. Bourget also asked the members of the Member Advisory Council to stand and be recognized.

MEETING AGENDA AND MEETING RULES Mr. Bourget went through housekeeping items noting that the meeting agenda and rules were published in the March 2025 issue of the WEC News magazine mailed to all members and available on tables in the room tonight. He also noted that the Notice of the Annual Meeting was published in the same issue of the WEC News magazine. The Affidavit of Mailing was posted behind the registration tables. Mr. Bourget also stated that members’ questions will be taken after completing the business portion of this meeting.

OFFICER’S REPORTS The reports of the Board Chair, CEO, and finances were published in the March 2025 WEC News magazine and are also available on tables in the room.

QUORUM To constitute a quorum, at least 50 members must register and attend. Mr. Bourget was informed that there were 143 voting members registered and 234 in attendance, which constituted a quorum. Mr. Bourget then declared the meeting open for business.

PARLIAMENTARIAN Mr. Bourget appointed Attorney Dustin Von Ruden to act as the parliamentarian for this meeting.

CALL AND NOTICE, AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING, MINUTES A motion was made to dispense with the reading of the Notice of Meeting, the Affidavit of Mailing and the Minutes, and to approve them as published in the 2025 Annual Report. Motion seconded and carried.

The nominating committee is comprised of one member from each Cooperative district that is up for election. The following individuals served on the nominating committee for this year’s election: Ann Volbrecht, Dean Solie, Ben Thompson.

DIRECTOR CANDIDATES Mr. Bourget then turned the meeting over to the attorney, Mr. Von Ruden. Mr. Von Ruden explained the Cooperative’s nomination process. He explained the efforts that are made to seek out candidates and stated

that in the Cooperative’s best efforts along with the nominating committee’s efforts. This year due to a late withdrawal of candidacy, there was no opposition of any candidate in any district. Since there was no opposition, based on the Cooperative Bylaws, there will be no vote, and all directors are elected by acclamation.

Mr. Von Ruden introduced each of the Director candidates for Districts 3, 7, and 9, as follows:

District No. 3 —John Zmuda; unopposed

District No. 7 — Andrew Bourget (Incumbent); unopposed

District No. 9 — Clarence Boettcher (Incumbent); unopposed

Each candidate present was given the opportunity to address the membership for three minutes, which each candidate did. Mr. Von Ruden then offered the membership the chance to speak on behalf of any candidates for up to three minutes each, with a maximum time of ten minutes. No members spoke.

At this time, the attorney turned the meeting over to the Chair. The Chair stated that the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors is scheduled for March 26, 2025 at the Cooperative headquarters.

UNFINISHED

BUSINESS Mr. Bourget reminded the members of the rules of the meeting, which were published in the March 2025 issue of the WEC News magazine as part of the 2025 Annual Report. The rules of the meeting were also available to members at their tables. He asked the members if there was any unfinished business. There was none.

NEW BUSINESS Mr. Bourget addressed the bylaw changes that occurred in June and August of 2024. These changes included an advancement of the nomination timeline for candidates interested in running for a director position to allow adequate time to facilitate electronic voting and changes that clarified meeting attendance either in person or virtually. These changes were included in the 2025 Annual Report and available at the members tables at the meeting.

Mr. Bourget explained that a selection committee was formed for the Concern for Community award to review and select the nominee. This year’s committee consisted of Todd Berg, Pat Murphy, and Deb Fischer. Mr. Bourget introduced and recognized the 11th annual Concern for Community Award recipient, Frank Neibauer. Mr. Neibauer was nominated because of his dedication to the community and the active role he plays in many organizations.

Mr. Bourget turned the floor over to CEO Monica Obrycki. Ms. Obrycki focused on the partnerships that ECEC and all cooperatives share locally to internationally. She then introduced Mr. Booher who discussed the partnership between RESCO and ECEC and the value it brings to our membership.

Following Mr. Booher’s presentation, Mr. Bourget addressed the membership and asked if there was any new business to come before the membership. Hearing none, he declared the business session closed and turned the floor to Ms. Obrycki for the question-and-answer session of the meeting.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION Ms. Obrycki explained that she would first answer signed questions that had been deposited in the question box. Member questions consisted of topics regarding tariffs on Canadian energy and if incentives would be affected by any of the Trump administration’s executive orders. Ms. Obrycki also encouraged all members to contact her, or any of the management staff, if they ever have questions regarding the cooperative or the energy industry.

CHAIR’S THANK YOU Mr. Bourget thanked the members and all those in attendance for making the 88th annual meeting of the Cooperative a success. He announced that the 88th annual meeting of the Cooperative will be held on March 17, 2026 at The Florian Gardens.

ADJOURN Mr. Bourget requested a motion to adjourn the 89th Annual Meeting. That motion was made, seconded, and carried, and the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

PRIZES AWARDED Ms. Obrycki invited the members to stay for dinner after the announcement of the prize winners. Winners received $100.00 in cash. The cash prize winners are listed as follows: Todd Berg, Alvin Peterson, Stephanie Duncan, Gregory Sieg, William Jaeke, Bobbi Barone, Sandy Mueller, Jerry Geske, Chuck Lund, and Diane Oberbeck.

— Frank Neibauer, Secretary