Display adrepresentatives: advertised. orservices ment oftheproducts notconstitutedoes anendorse sible for theirsafe keepingorreturn. Lines, however, willnotberespon - aremanuscripts welcome. Country Craig ispresident Borr andCEO. Great LakesEnergy, past chairman. treasurer; andSteve, Boeckman Baker, Wolverine Power, secretary- 2ndvice Eric chairman; ryland, chairman; Swope Ken Burns, PIE&G,chairman; countrylines.com. 517-351-6322. sent to thesameaddress. Phone W. JollyRd., Okemos, MI48864. Lines,changes to Country 2859 arescriptions $6peryear. by theirboards ofdirectors. Sub and cooperativesThumb electric Energy, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, HomeWorks Tri-County,Midwest Cloverland,ryland, Great Lakes, for Cher membersofAlger Delta, Okemos, MI48864. tive Association, 2859 W. Jolly Rd., Coopera- Electric of theMichigan offices. Itistheofficialpublication at Okemos, MI,andadditional with periodicals postage paid except August andDecember, 591-710, ispublishedmonthly, CountryMichigan Lines, USPS- page 4for information. contact cooperative.your electric See Change ofAddress: Please notify 512-441-5200 512-441-5200 Market National Country 517-244-1844 Consulting Michigan–Kissman The appearance ofadvertising Unsolicited letters, photos and Association officers are Brian Letters to theeditor shouldbe Postmaster: send address Subscriptions Vol. 31,No. 7 Gail Knudtson Gail Associate EditorAssociate Doug Snitgen Editor Emeritus , Midwest Energy,, Midwest 1stvice Cindy Zuker Design Editor Design June 2011 Mike Buda Craig Borr Publisher Tony Anderson, Cher Editor Email: knudtson@ are authorized

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Photo –JuneKuiper/junekuiperphotography.com gemstones, here right inMichigan. physically andchemically identicalto real manufacture syntheticgemstones that are Factory, and jewelry where make they own theShelby Gem Kelley andJo Larry theCoverOn 26 on DNR with Partners 24 18 Days, Teen Co-op 6 DEPARTMENTS YOUR CO-OP *Not inalleditions 1, 4-5,8,25,28-29,32 cooperative:electric Pages specific to your Classifieds from readers Marketplace wildlife habitat project Wolverine Power* Casseroles andpotpies Home Cooking energy, prices letters, finances, saving Readers’ Pages Nancy TannerNancy 12

Photo – Basin Electric cause-and- Regulatory 9 22 20 16 pop Vernors 15 baskets Hanging 14 30 COLUMNS effect Perspectives Policy room temperatures Comfort: Even your How to pave apatio House &Home strong families Strong dadsmake Family Michigan-Made Gardening Lifetime guarantee Ramblings Mike Buda Mike Dulley James BruceJohn &Carol Rich Lisa Doublestein Priest Marjory Neil Moran TaylorJennifer  Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives countrylines.com 14

Photo – Neil Moran 10  Battling Copper 13 12  aaig costs Managing FEATURES Jan TablemanJan Help your co-op catch Help your co-op Jewel of WestJewel Our EnergyOur Crime Megan McKoy-Noe Magen Howard & Shelby Factory Gem thieves that cost lives and dollars Michigan June 2011 |3 20

Photo – Greenscapes Landscape Architecture MANAGER’S MESSAGE | Mark Kappler

OSCEOLA CLARE

MECOSTA ISABELLA DIRECTV Helped Us Achieve Our Mission For Nearly 20 Years

MONTCALM GRATIOT

IONIA CLINTON Our Mission Goes On...

BARRY EATON INGHAM ll good things must come to an end—it’s an old folk saying that sometimes is true. In our case, the good thing is our association JACKSON A with DIRECTV®, providing satellite television services to rural mid-Michigan, which will end July 15 as DIRECTV centralizes its sales and service strategy. Blanchard office: It all began back in 1986, when the co-op surveyed 3681 Costabella Avenue members about the idea of bringing TV signals past the Open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday-Friday city limits where cable companies wouldn’t stray. Portland office: After a short pilot project, the idea was brought before 7973 E. Grand River Avenue Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday a special meeting of the co-op’s delegates. On April 16, 1988, meeting at Central Montcalm High School in Stan- Electric bill/account questions: 517-647-7556 or 1-800-562-8232 ton, 80 delegates heard a presentation by Bob Matheny, then HomeWorks’ general manager, about the possibilities Service questions/outages: 517-647-7554 or 800-848-9333 of entering a new business. (24 hours for emergency calls) They also heard a guest speaker—the general manager of a Georgia electric co-op— Tri-County Propane: that built a successful appliance and satellite TV sales and service subsidiary. 877-574-2740 Those 80 delegates took a huge step forward, authorizing an amendment to Rural TV/DIRECTV: Tri-County’s Articles of Incorporation to “broaden the purpose of the Cooperative to 800-293-7112 include telecommunication activities, (and) eliminate provisions restricting services to WildBlue: members only…” From there, Rural TV of Michigan took off, growing at one point to 800-668-8413 serve nearly 2,500 “big dish” subscribers. homeworks.org In the early 1990s, we had another opportunity, this time to invest in a new satel- E-mail: [email protected] lite service, literally before it got off the ground. Your board of directors considered the facts and the possibilities, looking at financial projections and the need for an affordable source of news, sports and entertainment TV in our rural service area. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Then they took a big step out of their comfort zone and invested $350,000 in District 1 — Philip Conklin DIRECTV, buying a franchise area within our service territory. After a year or so of 5130 W. Gresham Hwy., Charlotte, MI 48813 517-726-0127 waiting and watching, the first satellite launched successfully and in 1993 we were in the [email protected] “small dish” business. District 2 — Wayne Swiler In some ways, this reminds me of the co-op’s earliest days. People living in rural areas Vice-Chairman saw a need for their families; they were lacking a reliable, affordable service that came eas- 11750 Ainsworth Rd., Lake Odessa, MI 48849 ily to people who chose to live in big cities. And some of those people decided to make 616-374-3141 [email protected] things happen instead of waiting and hoping for something to happen. DIRECTV has been a good business for your co-op to be in. After 18 years, we’re District 3 — Carl Morton Chairman sad to be leaving it, but DIRECTV bought back its franchises several years ago as a 11280 Eden Trail, Eagle, MI 48822 first step in centralizing control of their service, and now our service agreement has 517-626-2258 [email protected] come to an end. We have a lot to look forward to, though. Our propane business continues to grow, District 4 — Laverne Hansen Secretary-Treasurer and WildBlue™, the satellite internet service, seems to be refreshing itself to be a better 1190 E. M-46 Hwy., Edmore, MI 48829 choice for people who don’t have access to other high-speed sources. 989-427-5851 [email protected] These ventures, like Rural TV, help us achieve our mission, which is to provide our members and customers with energy, comfort and communications solutions that will District 5 — Cara Evans 10180 Roosevelt Rd., Bannister, MI 48807 enhance their quality of life. 989-862-5590 Tri-County Electric Cooperative is a better, stronger cooperative for having gone [email protected] beyond the wires in this way—and our members do enjoy a better quality of life today. District 6 — Ed Oplinger 10890 W. Weidman Road, Weidman, MI 48893 989-644-3079 [email protected] District 7 — Dean Floria 1163 Taft Rd., Remus, MI 49340 Mark Kappler 989-382-5230 Join the conversation at General Manager [email protected] homeworks.org/blog Editor: Jayne Graham, CCC 4 | Michigan Country Lines YOUR CO-OP

DIRECTV Affiliation Ends After 18 Years What Rural TV customers can expect on July 15.

long and productive relationship between HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative and DIRECTV® will end on A July 15, as DIRECTV allows our service agreement to expire (see p. 4). Customers shouldn’t notice any interruptions to their pro- gramming, but there will be other changes. Here’s what Rural TV customers can expect on July 15: • Your programming will not be affected during the transition, as your services will be switched to DIRECTV automatically. • After July 15, monthly billing statements will come from DIRECTV and payment should be sent directly to them. Customers who use electronic checks or a debit card will need to provide their bank with the new address. Tuning In – Missy Robson, now manager of customer service, • Rural TV of Michigan will no longer be able to accept payments. helped install and service DIRECTV systems in past years. Here • Please contact DIRECTV at 800-531-5000 for all of your future she checks out an elliptical dish upgrade that allowed this Rural programming and service needs. TV customer to receive local network stations via satellite. Power Supply Increase Takes Effect July 1 ffective July 1, your electric bill will be expanded or updated to safely handle the the base cost of power,” Kappler says. increase by a small amount to help cover increased demand for power in rural areas. “Wolverine, like HomeWorks Tri-County, Erising power supply costs. A second, “Wolverine’s team has also been searching is committed to giving our members good smaller increase is planned for Jan. 1, 2012. out renewable power ventures on our behalf, value for their energy dollars. That means The July 1 increase will add $.00365 per from the Harvest wind farm in the Thumb providing a reliable supply, including green kilowatt-hour to the Power Supply Cost to biomass projects, and that has added to power, at competitive rates.” Recovery (PSCR) factor, or $3.65 a month for a member using 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. The PSCR is a pass-through charge that is paid directly to Wolverine Power Cooperative, our power supplier. Wolverine has recently invested in genera- tion assets that will assure a reliable supply of energy at a cost that is more stable than market rates, as well as in a peaking plant that operates in times of high demand, such as during very hot weather or on summer evenings when people come home from work and switch on various appliances while dialing up the air conditioning. “Even without these investments on behalf of our members, Wolverine’s rates would have gone up for 2012,” explains HomeWorks general manager, Mark Kappler. “A long-term power contract expires December 31, and the rates we’ve been quoted to replace that contract were higher than we’ve been paying.” In addition to assuring reliable power supply, Wolverine has invested in upgrading HomeWorks’ board of directors toured Wolverine’s Clinton Interconnection, at Clinton its transmission lines that deliver power to Trail (M-50) and Mulliken Highway, soon after its completion in May 2010. The project substations, and several substations need to upgraded transmission service to Eaton and Ionia counties.

June 2011 | 5 readers’ pages Refinancing Your Home f you own your home and are paying on a mortgage, you may be able to save money by refinancing—particularly if you closed on Iyour home many years ago. Only you can decide if refinancing is a smart move, but here are some things to consider: • Refinancing will cost you money. You’re either going to be charged closing costs to refinance, or you may be offered a “no-closing cost” deal. But don’t be fooled. One way or another, you will pay for it, since no-cost transactions usually mean a higher interest rate (than if you paid closing costs out-of-pocket). Co-op Teens Get a ‘Windy’ Tour • How long will you expect stay in your current home? If you’re hirty-five students made the most of touring the Heritage thinking about moving in the next two years or so, the costs may Wind Farm near Cadillac on a wet, windy day during Michi- not justify refinancing. Tgan Electric Cooperative Teen Days. Steve Thoms of Heritage • Think carefully before “cashing out.” It’s popular now to take (above, center front) answered student questions as they all squeezed cash out of a home when refinancing, but your home is not an ATM. into a tower base to learn more about wind power and how the That money will have to be repaid turbines operate. sooner or later. And if home prices In the co-op careers part of the three-day retreat, lineworkers from drop after you refinance, you could Cherryland Electric, Midwest Energy, and HomeWorks Tri-County find yourself owing more on your Electric co-ops talked about their work and training, then helped mortgage than your house is worth. students gear-up to try climbing a pole and gave bucket truck rides. • Check with your current Twelve chaperones from the co-ops also discussed their differing jobs lender before you commit to any and education, and a hotline demonstration and electrical safety tips refinancing deal. Chances are, were shared by safety professionals from Great Lakes Energy and you may be able to save yourself quite a bit of money on closing HomeWorks Tri-County. costs while taking advantage of a lower interest rate. “Calculate” Other activities included watching a live TV 9&10 News newscast your move carefully! and a behind-the-scenes tour of the station, learning about energy There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to refinancing, efficiency and the co-op business model, and playing games and but a refinancing calculator, such as one at Bankrate.com, can help getting to know other teens from across the state. you decide whether or not refinancing makes “cents.” Co-op Teen Days is held annually at the Kettunen 4-H Center in Your home is one of your greatest assets—consider any related Tustin. Sixteen of the teens were chosen to attend the Rural Electric financing decisions carefully. Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., in June. Learn more about these – NRECA Insurance & Financial Services Dept. co-op sponsored youth programs at countrylines.com/youth. A New Fridge Can Save Energy refrigerator will operate for a very long time without problems, but that doesn’t mean it’s running at maximum efficiency. A If yours dates from the 1980s, replacing it could cut your electric bill by $100 (from the 1970s, save $200 per year), but only if you dispose of the old one. (Recycling allows the metal, plastic and glass to be re-used and keeps toxic chemicals out of landfills.) Visit energystar.gov to estimate how much energy your current unit uses and how much money a new one may save. More than a quarter of U.S. households own a second refrigerator, and that increases by 1 percent per year, notes a U.S. Department of Energy report. But these units are often older and less efficient models made before 1993 and use two to three times more energy. Participating co-ops and the teens they sponsored this year were: A second unit also increases air-conditioning costs since it produces Cherryland Electric – Brandon Acre, Jacob Russell, Lauren Sieloff, Grace heat. And because refrigerators are designed to operate in conditioned Wiesner, Alyssa Zuiderveen; Cloverland Electric – Rachel Hoffman, Emily rooms, keeping one in an area exposed to temperature extremes, such Markstrom, Julie Reed, Dorianne Shaffer, Paul Warner; Great Lakes Energy – Justin Dahl, Cade Dailey, Heidi Dill, Jennifer Herrema, Kaylee as porches, garages and basements, forces it to draw more running Kessler, Mackenzie Morison, P.J. Nemish, Matthew Richards, Heath Welch; power and adds $420 to $750 in energy costs over its lifetime. HomeWorks Tri-County – Rebecca Kirby, Tyler Orlando, Alli Rayburn, Blake When looking for a new unit, try a top-mounted freezer (uses Warchuck; Midwest Energy – Ashley Fogarty, Christine Polmateer, Jessica 10-25 percent less energy), and buy only the size you really need. Waldschmidt, Katelyn Waters; PIE&G – Krista Bursey, Allan Cramer, Lance Keep it running efficiently by vacuuming the coils once or twice a Miller, Carlos Portillo, Danielle Rhode, Judy Romel; Thumb Electric – year, and replace the door seal if it loosens or discolors. Chandler London; and Wolverine Power Cooperative – Nathanael Millen. – Brian Sloboda

6 | Michigan Country Lines LETTERS

tor building their many glass dents are the argument against Potholes, Roads, Gas Tax manufacturing plants all over that, the 25 gallons of gas in each [Mike Buda], are you seriously this old globe, and I’ve had many of our cars is a potential bomb saying we should raise the gas tax conversations with engineers and we seem to have managed (April Ramblings, “A Sure Sign of about nuclear power. Each of that quite well, so far. The main Spring”)? I do work for the power the Guardian plants has enough problem I see is our wonder- companies and can hardly afford standby power to run the plant ful “MEDIA” and whoever is to drive to work as it is. Drive on the winter, or whose curbside in the event of a failure. A 500 running it. They sure ran with a dirt road and lower the gas tax! box was damaged as was yours, ton-per-day plant runs 24/7 for the opportunity to mold public –Troy Nelson would be to put the vertical post 10-12 years. Guardian’s Venezu- opinion over the problem in into a 5-gallon bucket filled with ela plant is full-time stand-alone Japan didn’t they? I certainly agree with you on sand, then pour water into it. with a turbine generator because I agree with you that solar and potholes and road conditions in The frozen water adds rigidity fuel was so cheap there. wind are nice ideas, but they will Michigan. However, I cannot as well as added weight. You or I now live in a community out- never produce enough reliable agree that a higher gas tax is the your neighbors may find this info side of Weidman, MI, that has power to serve all the demands. answer. With the government helpful down the road, though of 523 lots and about 250 homes Who wants to duck under a and politicians now embracing course, I hope you won’t need it. and 175 full-time residents. I see windmill blade every time you alternative fuels and manufac- Do you realize the Postal no reason why we could not have want to go fishing? tures of vehicles beginning to Service actually makes an opera- our own nuclear power plant. – Frederick Hartway, Weidman produce such cars again, those tional profit? (It is not a profit- Placed, constructed, secured and vehicles are getting a free ride on seeking enterprise, so that word operated by trained personnel, More On Carrom Games the highways. Government has to isn’t used.) The reason for the of course. It could be sized for Enjoyed the “Game On” article find something else to tax other huge bookkeeping loss is that a maximum 400 homes and the in March about Carrom boards. than gas to fund road repair and federal law now requires the excess electricity could go to the One of the many games on the construction. USPS to pre-fund its portion grid and help for the payments. board involved shooting the This country constructed eco- of future retiree health benefits. There are many communities and wooden carroms into an inner nomical roads without regard to Other federal agencies do not towns around that could be set ring area with a central hole. If length of road service. Europe, face that mandate, nor does most up in this manner, do you agree? my recall is correct, the inner and possibly Canada, chose of the private sector. (Pension Are there any surplus nuclear ring was worth 15 points. Hav- to construct more expensive benefits have long been pre- submarine reactors available? ing learned to count by 15’s as a major roads that were designed funded. In fact, they’re probably Just kidding. child now comes in handy as an to last 100 years with minimal over-funded, according to a To show you how radical I adult in figuring out how much a repair. We are a throw-away recent audit, since no one hired am, I think we should be driving standard 15 percent tip would be. society, so we pay more to re-do in the past 25+ years receives the nuclear-powered autos. If acci- – Cal Frappier, Cross Village roads. We could change, but it old Civil Service pension.) would mean less road work per Anyway, I enjoyed your article, year or more road funding. and I’ll leave you with one addi- “Check out” the value Next time you’re at – Roland Braasch tional thought—the possibility of electricity! the grocery store, of rural mail delivery around the think about the way Thanks for writing. I’m just saying turn of the 20th Century became prices for bread, eggs, we get what we pay for, and my the impetus for farmers to seek and other consumer feeling is we shouldn’t complain improvements in rural roads, goods have risen over which led to numerous benefits the years. Electricity about bad roads if we can’t agree remains a value! to pay for good ones. Increasing the unrelated to the mail, such as gas tax is one option. Letting roads improved ability to move crops go back to dirt is another. I think to market, obtain mechanized most people would rather drive on equipment, attend fraternal Average annual price decent roads. – Mike Buda organizations, and so on. increase between – John Hayes, Grand Rapids 2000-2010: U.S. Mail Having just read your March About Nuclear Power Country Lines article about the Finally, I say again, someone mail, I’m offering my apprecia- with a common sense approach tion and a suggestion. to nuclear power (Craig Borr, I am retired from 35 years Comment, May). I’m 72 and with the Postal Service, as a retired from the engineering city carrier and in management department of Guardian Indus- support. Where I worked, our tries of Auburn Hills, MI. I am standard suggestion to customers not an engineer, but I worked as establishing new delivery during a designer and project coordina-

June 2011 | 7 YOUR CO-OP

Teens Learn About Electricity, Safety and Leadership

rom left, Alli Rayburn of Lyons, Blake Warchuck of Six Lakes, Becca Kirby Fof Edmore, and Tyler Orlando of Six Lakes represented HomeWorks Tri-County Electric at the annual Michigan Electric Cooperative Teen Days, held April 27-29 at the Kettunen Center near Cadillac. Their activities included a tour of the 9&10 News studios (including a live broadcast of the evening news); trying on lineworker gear and attempting to climb a utility pole; a ride in a utility truck bucket; a tour of the Stoney Corners Wind Farm; and a mock co-op board meeting. Blake and Alli each earned a $50 savings bond for their winning essays. Alli and Tyler were selected for the National Rural Electric Youth Tour, June 11-16, in Wash- ington, D.C. Photo - Cindy Zuker - Cindy Photo Four Scholarships Awarded to Area Students our area students earned $2,500 in of Blanchard, will study electrical or mechani- mation systems at Lansing Community Touchstone Energy® scholarships, made cal engineering at Valparaiso. College, transferring to Northwood for her Favailable by HomeWorks Tri-County A $250 scholarship each was awarded to bachelor’s degree. Electric Cooperative. Karol Chubb of Blanchard and Krista Fedewa The Touchstone Energy scholarship pro- Winning a $1,000 scholarship each were of Westphalia. gram will begin accepting applications for the Rachel Dyer of Grand Ledge and Jacob Chubb, the daughter of David and Shirley 2012-13 school year in January. High school Hutson of Blanchard. Chubb of Blanchard, will study exercise and seniors are eligible for one-time scholarships Dyer, the daughter of John and Noreen health science at Alma College. of up to $1,000. Adults returning to school Dyer of Grand Ledge, plans to study engi- Fedewa has returned to college part-time can receive a $250 grant. For more informa- neering at Michigan or Michigan State. to further her education. She is studying tion, watch homeworks.org. Hutson, the son of Rod and Mary Hutson business management and computer infor-

Jacob Hutson Rachel Dyer Karol Chubb Krista Fedewa

8 | Michigan Country Lines Jennifer Taylor | POLICY PERSPECTIVES

Regulatory Cause-and-Effect Stringent EPA regulations could cost consumers tens of billions of dollars.

or every cause, there beneficial coal ash recycling (about is an effect. The wind one-third of the fly ash created blows; a limb falls. in the U.S. is used as a Portland Cause-and-effect rela- cement replacement). The Electric Ftionships exist in the energy Power Research Institute (EPRI), industry, as well. For example, a nonprofit utility research group electric bills will climb if the that includes electric co-ops as U.S. Environmental Protection members, pegs the potential price Agency (EPA) moves forward tag from a hazardous CCB desig- with imposing a series of poten- nation at between $54.6 billion tially crippling regulations on and $76.8 billion over a 20-year power plants. Some of these period. new rules directly result from Electric co-ops have been court orders. actively urging the EPA through According to a report from comments, testimony and liti- the North American Electric gation to consider the negative Photo – ©iStockphoto.com/Jeremy Mayes – ©iStockphoto.com/Jeremy Photo Reliability Corporation, which consequences of higher electric oversees the nation’s bulk power grid, therefore their members’ electric bills. For bills in promulgating new rules. In fact, EPA mandates affecting cooling water example, in June 2010, the EPA proposed over 10,500 comments from co-ops and intake structures, coal ash disposal, inter- two possible approaches for managing coal their consumer-members were filed with state transport of air pollutants, and ash and other coal combustion byprod- the agency opposing regulating CCBs as hazardous air pollutants, including mer- ucts and residues produced when coal is hazardous. cury, could force electric utilities to retire burned to make electricity. One, nonhaz- Until the EPA’s various power plant or retrofit between 33,000 megawatts ardous regulation of CCBs, will ensure rules are finalized, the bottom line (MW) to 70,000 MW of generating that coal ash is handled safely and protect remains unknown—cause-and-effect capacity by 2015—power that will need not just the environment, but also jobs uncertain. But no matter what comes to be replaced in some way, and dur- and consumers. down the pike, electric co-ops are com- ing a period of rising construction costs. The EPA’s other option—to regulate mitted to working hard to provide you Another hurdle, reducing emissions of coal ash as hazardous, a determination with safe, reliable electric power at an greenhouse gases, including carbon diox- the agency has rejected before (the last affordable price. ide, from power plants presents an even time in 2000)—would hit coal-fired greater challenge. power plant operators with staggering Stringent regulations in each of these costs, send electric bills up, and eliminate targeted areas could potentially impose tens of billions of dollars of extra compli- ance costs onto the backs of utilities—and

June 2011 | 9 COVER STORY | Jan Tableman Jewel of West Michigan The Shelby Gem Factory produces beautiful, affordable gemstones and jewelry.

Larry Kelley demonstrates a ring vise— one of the major tools used at the Shelby Gem Factory to make jewelry. Larry and his wife Jo are members of Great Lakes Energy Cooperative.

cooking temperature,” Larry says. “It is rare to find a flawless natural ruby or sapphire.” Factory employees “grow” the crystals in eight high-temperature furnaces. Electric coils surround an iridium cup that can withstand temperatures of 3,500 to 5,000 degrees. Ingredients are combined in the cup and melted. A rotating rod, called a “seed,” is inserted in the center of the cup to circulate the liquid and prevent hot spots. Then, the seed is raised at a painstakingly slow pace, cooling the liquid and forming a large crystal. “It takes about three weeks to grow a dia- mond crystal, about a month to grow a ruby or emerald,” Larry explains. Using a diamond saw, the factory’s highly skilled craftsmen can cut hundreds of rough gems from a single crystal. Each gem is then placed on the faceting machine where 57 facets, or sides, are cut and polished. “When you facet a diamond, it has to be precise or it just doesn’t sparkle the way it should,” Larry says. The jewelry makers mount the gems in 14 karat yellow or white gold settings. Larry purchases the rough gold castings from a company in Louisiana, and then does the final polishing of the pieces on-site. Founded in 1970, the Shelby Gem Fac- Photos: June Kuiper/junekuiperphotography.com Photos: tory is truly a family affair. Larry’s wife Jo self-taught gemologist, Larry Kel- composition of a Shelby diamond is one of has been a full partner in the venture since ley has spent over 40 years refining many closely guarded family recipes, but 1979. Their son, John, has also grown up his “secret family recipes” to pro- because it does not contain carbon, it will helping his dad make exquisite jewelry, and duce dazzling diamonds, emeralds, not burn like a genuine diamond. now works full-time for the company. Arubies and sapphires that look like natural “All our white diamonds are flawless and “My son has an even better eye than I do gemstones. As a result, visitors to his Shelby D color like the most expensive genuine dia- for seeing the potential in a particular crys- Gem Factory can purchase stunning jewelry monds,” Larry reports. “No one will know tal,” Larry notes. at a fraction of the cost. the difference. In fact, many jewelers cannot Located about 15 minutes inland from “People often think that imitation stones tell.” The “D color” rating is the highest any Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Pentwater, the are not as good as the real thing,” Larry says, diamond can receive on the color scale cre- factory/showroom does most of its business “but in many respects, ours are better. Shelby ated by the Gemological Institute of America during the summer months. The showroom emeralds are about 1.4 times harder than The factory also produces man-made rubies is an interesting mix of glass cases displaying natural emeralds, so they will last longer.” and sapphires which are chemically and physi- the jewelry and science exhibits that detail Imitation stones are chemically different cally identical to stones dug from the ground. how the gems are made. than their natural counterparts. A natural “Most of the gems we make are nearly flaw- “On a rainy day, we will be overrun,” Jo diamond is made completely of carbon. The less, because we control the ingredients and says, “and some people come not knowing

10 | Michigan Country Lines The Shelby Gem Factory makes a replica of Princess Diana’s engagement ring recently worn by Princess Catherine. The original 18-carat sapphire

Photo: Shelby Gem Factory Shelby Photo: ring cost $65,000 in 1981. what they will find. But, they keep coming A map in the showroom filled with color- back because we make beautiful jewelry ful tacks represents the factory’s worldwide that looks like the real thing for a fraction clientele. The Kelleys’ devotion to service has of the cost.” created a loyal customer base that includes Jo attributes the factory’s recent increase three generations of some families. in sales to the faltering economy. A husband “I have had many young couples come in who might have spent $3,000 on an anniver- and tell me that one of their grandfathers gave sary gift a few years ago will come into the their grandmother a ring from here, their showroom and select a comparable piece of own parents got their wedding rings from jewelry for $300. Another Great Lakes Energy here, and now they want a Shelby diamond, member, Linda Kotzian of Shelby, can testify. too,” Jo notes. “The first ring my husband bought me Shelby Gem Factory builds many custom as a gift shortly after we were married came pieces for their clients, too. The high cost from Shelby Gem, since he couldn’t afford a of insuring genuine gemstones has caused ‘real’ diamond back then,” Linda recalls. “The many jewelry owners to have inexpensive setting was beautiful and it’s still my favorite replicas made so the originals can remain in ring, although I did replace the synthetic the family safe. diamond with a real one a few years ago.” “On the other hand, I had a lady come in They also sell ‘real’ diamonds, she says, “but with only one earring and asked if we could the synthetic stone was as beautiful as any make her another one. I told her, sure, we diamond, and the ring brought me a lot of could match the earring perfectly, and asked admiring comments over the years.” her what happened to the other one,” Jo Their showroom has been a tourist draw laughs. “Turns out her parrot pulled it out in Shelby for years, Linda adds, since it high- of her ear and ate it.” lights the unique process they use to produce The Kelleys love their work because jewelry the synthetic gems, and “I didn’t realize until purchases are generally made to celebrate I glanced at their website that they make special occasions, so most of their customers ‘more varieties of synthetic and imitation are very happy people. Of course, the final gems than anyone else in the world.’ And price tag may have something to do with all in little ol’ Shelby, MI!” those smiles, too.

The crystal below, made by Larry Kelley, is a piece of the “Shelby Simulated Diamond” made at the Shelby Gem Factory. The crystals “grown” at the Factory come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Craftsmen cut the crystals into much smaller pieces to create individual gemstones. Visit shelbygemfactory.com or call 231-861-2165 for information.

June 2011 | 11 OUR ENERGY | Magen Howard & Megan McKoy-Noe

Managing Costs Issues largely outside the direct control of your local co-op will impact electric bills in coming years.

fter two years of declines, the price amounts of basic resources— tag for building power plants along with engineering and and buying utility equipment is skilled labor expertise— and climbing once again. An improv- push up prices for items like Aing world economy and hikes in costs for oil, timber, steel, nickel and skilled labor, fuel and raw materials are driv- concrete. ing expenses up. These higher prices likely After a brief downturn due will affect electric bills over the long-term. to the global recession, world- “Electric co-ops have an obligation to keep wide commodity prices have the lights on and electric bills affordable at a rebounded—steel soared 42 time when costs for components needed to percent between 2009 and construct generation, upgrade existing power 2010, while copper, used for plants, expand transmission facilities, and wire and to ground electrical modernize distribution systems are steadily equipment, topped record rising,” acknowledges Glenn English, CEO highs of $4.50 per pound

of the National Rural Electric Cooperative earlier this year. Basin ElectricPhoto: Association (NRECA). “Combined with the For new coal-fired and A project engineer and manager inspect the gate value dur- costs of complying with new regulations, nuclear power plants, over- ing air blows at a substation that is under construction. The these are pressures that will affect electric bills all costs jumped 25 percent air blows process removes debris from the new power plant’s in years to come—all of which are largely and 37 percent, respectively, piping before startup. The 385-net megawatt coal-based beyond the control of local co-ops.” compared to the year before, power plant will be complete this summer. reports the U.S. Energy Infor- Keeping the Lights On mation Administration. Capital costs for a The bottom line? A portfolio of power The North American Electric Reliability pulverized coal plant now average over $2,800 plants that cost $100 billion to erect in 2000 Corporation, the nation’s bulk power grid per kilowatt (kW), while a nuclear plant runs would cost about $215 billion today. watchdog, estimates the U.S. will need to about $5,300 per kW. build 135,000 megawatts (MW) of new gen- Wind generation capital costs increased, as Hometown Effects eration by 2017 to meet demand. Facilities well—about 21 percent, to $2,400 per kW For most local electric co-ops, the biggest already on the drawing board, though, will for land-based wind farms, and 50 percent, expense involves buying power. Wholesale only deliver 77,000 MW. Electric co-ops— to $5,975 per kW, for turbines placed off- power purchases can account for as much experiencing average annual load growth shore. Geothermal power plants also leaped as 75 percent of your co-op’s budget, which well above the levels of other electric utili- 50 percent, to $4,140 per kW. also impacts your electric rates. ties—estimate they will need to bring about On the other hand, costs for solar power Then there’s basic operations—everything 12,000 MW of new generation on-line over dropped. The cost to build photovoltaic from replacing poles and wire to maintain- the next decade. arrays, which convert sunlight directly to ing rights-of-way and fueling line trucks. “However, this generation will be the most electricity, decreased 25 percent, to roughly Costs for these activities continue to escalate. expensive in history, coming at a time when $4,755 per kW. But for both wind and solar, Between 1990 and 2010 in the north-central construction materials like steel, copper backup power from coal or natural gas must part of the nation, for example, prices for and concrete are shooting upward,” English be built to be available when the wind isn’t utility poles, towers and fixtures skyrock- remarks. blowing and the sun isn’t shining. eted 98 percent while transformers spiked The past 20 years have witnessed nations Natural gas-fired power plants, both 154 percent. in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East peaking units (operate only when electric transform themselves from backwater prov- consumption crests) and baseload (full-time) Regulations on a Roll inces into economic “tigers,” particularly in facilities, currently boast the most stable Looming government regulations also pose the areas of manufacturing, tourism, informa- costs. Total costs are generally much lower for a threat. The U.S. Environmental Protection tion technology and financial services. Flush combustion turbines and other natural gas Agency (EPA) is considering four major rules with cash, these countries have embarked on generation equipment. This is true because that could become game-changers for electric unprecedented construction binges, erecting they are manufactured in a factory and utilities: cooling water intake, coal ash dis- thousands of power plants, factories, residen- assembled on-site. Coal and nuclear plants, posal, interstate transport of air pollutants, tial high-rises and office towers. however, are built from the ground up—a and using the best available technology to Projects of this scope commandeer vast more costly and time-intensive process. curb power plant emissions. In addition, the

12 | Michigan Country Lines LIVE WIRE: Help Electric Co-ops Battle Copper Crime

ould you risk being hit by lightning for $100? Seems a bit ludicrous, but desper- ate times cause folks to do foolish things. W Thefts of copper, bronze and aluminum to sell for scrap metal are on the rise at abandoned commercial buildings, empty homes, and—most dangerously—at power agency has begun regulating greenhouse substations near neighborhoods. This theft from co-ops and other electric utilities causes gases from new and modified large station- power outages, additional maintenance and expenses, diminished service reliability, and in ary sources, including coal and natural gas some cases, serious injury or death (to lineworkers, as well as the thieves). power plants, under the federal Clean Air In Michigan, a man was recently fined $5,179 and faces a prison sentence of two to 15 Act. The bulk of these EPA regulations years for copper theft from a Wolverine Power Cooperative substation. In Oklahoma, electric are due to court-imposed decisions and co-op members are facing a $1 million repair bill because thieves wrecked a substation for deadlines. just $100 worth of copper. In New Mexico, a man was found dead beneath a power pole, “It’s entirely possible tighter emissions electrocuted while trying to cut copper wiring from a live transformer. A Texas man died standards and other rules will have a multi- when he cut into a live power line while trying to steal copper. Similar accidents have been billion dollar impact on the cost of doing reported across the country. business for electric co-ops,” says Kirk “To a would-be thief, stealing copper may seem like a quick way to make a buck,” says Joe Johnson, NRECA senior vice president McElroy, loss control specialist and safety consultant for the Michigan Electric Cooperative of government relations. Association. “But it’s illegal, costly, and it’s not worth a life. Working with any metal and electricity is a dangerous combination, even for trained employees using proper equipment.” Combating Rising Costs It’s hard to understand why folks would put their life on the line for a few dollars, but In May, thousands of co-op leaders trav- many law enforcement officials believe that methamphetamine users are responsible for eled to Washington, D.C., to call for more much of the problem. certainty on how electricity generation The price of scrap copper fluctuates, but has increased 542 percent since 2001. Your electric will be regulated. co-op uses copper to ground equipment, protecting it from power surges and lightning by “Co-ops need Congress’ help to break giving electricity a safe path to the ground. A lot of copper wire is also used in substations, out of the planning gridlock and set the where high-voltage electricity arriving from distant power plants is stepped-down before it rules for power generation today and in travels to your neighborhood. Then, another transformer near your home—either mounted decades to come,” stresses English. “Not on a utility pole or in a (usually green) box on the ground—lowers the voltage again so knowing the rules is costing us valuable you can use the power at home. Copper is an essential component every step of the way. time and delaying critical decisions. Until Lineworkers are highly trained professionals who understand the dangers of working with the government provides more certainty, electricity and take proper safety precautions. To protect the public, utilities surround their electric co-ops, along with the rest of the substations with secure fencing and warning signs, but some thieves will not be deterred. utility industry, are hamstrung in making Please help your electric co-op keep equipment safe, prevent outages, and save lives by informed decisions to provide generation helping to prevent these thefts. Consider installing motion-sensor lights outside your home and reliable power for our future.” or business to deter thieves, storing tools and wire cutters in a secure spot while you’re away, Following orders and deadlines set by and if you work in construction, do not leave any wires or plumbing unattended or leave court orders, the EPA in recent years has loose wire at the job site, especially overnight. begun issuing regulatory proposals that If you notice anything unusual, such as an open substation gate, open equipment, or a will affect power plants, however, what hanging wire, call your local electric co-op immediately. If you see anyone other than util- the final regulations will look like remains ity personnel or contractors around substations or other electric facilities, call the police. unclear. “Rest assured, local electric co-ops are working together to keep your electric bills affordable,” relates Craig Borr, CEO of the Michigan Electric Cooperative Asso- ciation. “We’re controlling costs through innovation. No matter what government mandates come our way, we’ll continue to put you, our members, first.” Michigan electric co-ops are “Looking Out for You.” Photo – GMEC Photo Sources: Cooperative Research Network, The arrow shows where the copper wiring was cut off. The photo at right is an example of extreme NRECA Strategic Analysis, U.S. Energy copper theft in Michigan. Thieves used a chain saw to topple a transformer power bank pole and Information Administration, Handy- other tools to get the copper coils inside the transformer. A large quantity of oil from the trans- Whitman Index of Public Construction Costs former spilled on the ground, which is also a disregard for environmental safety.

June 2011 | 13 GARDENING | Neil Moran

Hanging Baskets Add Beauty and Color

very year people spend good money these did best in the shade. Not so. buying hanging baskets to add a little They also can stand full sun most of color to a patio or other living space. the day (10-12 hours) and require But by mid-summer there are com- very little deadheading. What’s more, Eplaints that plants, once so pretty, are now they’ll flower right up until the threat looking like a wig on a scarecrow. of a fall frost. There is a way to keep hanging baskets looking good all summer, but first you have Geraniums to choose the right varieties. Geraniums are another good choice. They require much less deadhead- Petunias ing. When deadheading is necessary, Popular for the last few decades, petunias there are fewer blooms to maintain. hold their beautiful blooms all summer long. Geraniums also don’t mind a little However, they’re not exactly maintenance- (note the “little”) neglect during the free. They require regular deadheading and summer, especially in the watering constant watering. Wouldn’t you rather be at department. They flower better when This dipladenia (or mandevilla) is also good for hang- the beach or lounging in a chair than sweat- they’re a little on the dry side. And ing baskets because it’s very tolerant of direct sun, ing over a hanging basket as you pluck every don’t forget, there is a beautiful trail- beautiful, and easy to maintain. last spent bloom? ing type of geranium that comes in So, let’s cool it on the petunias. Maintain- white, pink and deep red. of sparing the lakes and streams of harmful ing three to four baskets of petunias instead fertilizer run-off, I suggest you use an organic of a dozen will save you a lot of deadhead- Top Tips or slow-release fertilizer, along with occasional ing time. Placing them in a protected area Here are some more tips for maintaining feeding with a water soluble fertilizer, to keep in partial shade or dappled sunlight will beautiful hanging baskets while (hopefully) them fed all summer. further reduce maintenance time. Another getting more R & R this summer: 4. To keep plants from drying and looking thing folks may not know about petunias is 1. Water regularly. Hanging baskets will ragged, hang the baskets in a spot near your you can cut them right back to the rim of require almost daily watering in hot weather. home that is protected from strong winds. the container about midsummer. Then, place Rain doesn’t count as a watering unless there “It really depends on the variety in the them in full sun, water and feed well, and is a flood warning! hanging basket, but keeping them well they’ll come back better than ever. 2. Water well with a large watering can, or watered and fertilized is key to having suc- better yet, one of those water wands. Water cessful hanging baskets all summer,” says Mix it up should be streaming out the bottom of the Danielle Ernest, public relations and brand There are other plants that make great-look- container when you’re done watering. development coordinator for Proven Win- ing hanging baskets. A favorite are the tuber- 3. Feed regularly. Plants in a hanging basket ners. “If they get a bit leggy, go ahead and ous and fibrous begonias. I always thought require lots of fertilizer. However, for the sake give them a haircut.”

Scaevola Petunia This is another common variety for hanging Okay, for you petunia devotees, there baskets. It’s leafy, with medium-sized flow- are some irresistible varieties out there, ers that come in white and deep lavender. including Proven Winners’ “Pretty Much Calibrachoa Picasso®,” a “supertunia” with violet purple This petunia-like plant, also known as “mil- Bacopa flowers edged in lime green. lion bells,” comes in many colors. Ones to With its petite white flowers, bacopa is a look for are Superbells® “Blackberry Punch nice complement to baskets of large flow- Vines and Foliage Calibrachoa,” and “Coralberry Punch ering begonias in a backyard living area. Don’t forget the vine plants. These no-fuss Calibrachoa,” both from Proven Winners. “Bridal Showers,” a variety that is loaded plants are sometimes mixed in with flow- Calibrachoa requires a little less mainte- with little white flowers, is a common ering plants in a hanging basket. Look for nance than petunias, but is nearly as showy. variety. Bacopa demands a little break from trailing plants like vinca vine, licorice vine, Hang this one in a protected, partial shade the sun or it too will fizzle out before the English ivy and Boston ivy. area to keep it looking good all summer. season ends.

14 | Michigan Country Lines michigan-made

Memories and History of Vernors Ginger Ale It’s a true Michigan product with the same great taste that it had in the beginning.

lived in the northwest section of ing cards or on a hot summer day. My Detroit from 1936 to 1953. My fam- husband and I occasionally have a boston ily was middle-class, but we did not cooler for dessert. My mom always served have any extra money for luxuries and her evening guests a boston cooler. It was Ipop was not an item on my mom’s shop- her trademark. ping list. A pound of hamburg went a long Today, Vernors is part of the Dr. Pepper way in a variety of dishes. If we ever did Snapple Group. I called to see where it have soda, it was Vernors. (My father did was made and they said at various plants, not believe that caffeinated pop was good but some is still made in Detroit. Eighty Marjory Burden Priest for you, and he also thought we might percent of the sales for Vernors is in become addicted.) Michigan, but Ohio and Illinois also sell different,” and that is still the motto for A very special treat was a boston cooler quite a lot of it. My husband and I have it today. James was a pharmacist clerk at (not named after Boston). My mom had trouble buying it in Florida, but you Higby and Sterns Drug Store in Detroit would put vanilla ice cream in the gin- can find it there. It is in Florida because of when he was called off to fight in the Civil ger ale. Once in a great while I would be the Michigan retired folks who go there War in 1862. He stored a secret mixture of surprised to find Vernors in my glass of in the winter. It was not mass distributed 19 ingredients including ginger and vanilla milk. Another way my mom used it was until 1980. in an oak cast. Four years later he returned on special days, like Thanksgiving, when James Vernor opened a drug store on to discover that the aging process had it would be mixed with grape juice for a Woodward, where it was first sold at his deliciously transformed his mixture into special zing. soda fountain. In 1896, he closed the drug the distinctly robust taste of Vernors that My brother, Gar (of Petoskey/Pickerel store and went into the ginger ale business. we drink today. His son said later that he Lake and St. Petersburg, FL), remembers It passed thru several owners but was sold came up with it after the war. Nevertheless, the large Vernors bottle plant and head- in 1966, and Vernors shares the title of today’s Vernors is still aged in oak barrels quarters on Woodward Avenue just one America’s oldest surviving soft drink with the way James Vernor did it years ago. It’s a block from the Detroit River. Hires Root Beer. true Michigan product with the same great My sister, Cathy (of Lewiston, NY, and The legend about Vernors is that James taste that it had in the beginning. summers at Pickerel Lake), remembers the Vernor had been trying to come up with a The bottle today shows the little gnome taps they had to pour the ginger ale and a drink that was like one he had tasted from mascot used in 1900. It says, “A Michi- circular bench in the middle of the floor. Dublin, Ireland. He said “it was deliciously gan original from 1866.” It also says in I remember the excitement of going a circle that it is “Barrel Aged 3 Years there and my father saying we could drink • Bold Taste.” So, let’s give Vernors a as much of it as we liked. It cost thumbs-up for being a Michigan favorite 5 cents a glass right from the tap. for 145 years! I still love it today. It’s good for settling Thanks to Marjory Priest for submitting the stomach and to drink along with play- ©drpeppersnapplegroup.com her favorite Michigan-made product.

Tell us about your favorite Michigan-made product and we may write about it. MADE IN MICHIGAN Please share why you like it, and if you have a unique story to go with it, please include that and send to [email protected] or mail to Michigan Country Lines, 2859 W. Jolly Rd., Okemos, MI 48864. We are especially looking for products that people may not have heard much about. Photos are encouraged, but they must be attached as a jpg to an email or sent as a print (photos printed on computer paper are not acceptable).

June 2011 | 15 FAMILY | Lisa Doublestein Strong Dads Make Strong Families

here is a ruckus in the playroom. I look in; my daughters, ages 5 and 3, are pink marshmallow puffs of dress- up—feather boas, high heels and Ttutus out to there. My husband has pulled down a large plastic toy bin from the closet. The three of them are gathered around, sink- ing their hands deep into the bin and coming up with awful-looking creatures adorned with molded plastic muscles and alien faces. My husband whispers theatrically, “Long ago, in the land of Eternia...” When Trevor first began telling the girls stories about He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (a cartoon he watched as a child), I was horrified. The epic battles between good and evil, the archenemy Skeletor and the darkness of it all contrasted too much with the Madeline books I’d been pushing. But when Trevor revealed that he’d kept all of his corresponding toys, I knew He-Man’s days were over in our house. My girls would recoil at those creepy things. Alas, they love the toys. And while some of them do have a bit of magic to their design, port enforcement and anti-poverty efforts I know that’s not the reason. When the toys to father-absent homes in 2006. come out, Trevor and the girls run through But we are not without hope on the father the house together, weaving enchanted tales front. Groups like the National Fatherhood of heroism and hiding under the dining room Initiative are working to encourage men to table creating “command central.” It is unlike get going on the daddy business by educating Here are some easy ways to share your anything else they do in their sparkle-filled fathers who don’t feel confident with their interests with your child—it’ll be fun for lives. It’s invariably special. kids, by equipping families and communities both of you! And as it turns out, research says it’s with resources for their fathers, and by raising doing them some good. One study found a collective high-five for the dads who are out PLAY SPORTS: Both boys and girls love to learn about and play like the teams that children who were securely attached to there playing catch with junior. you cheer for. their fathers were better problem solvers than It’s true that I don’t love when my daugh- children who were not attached to their dads. ters tell our priest about how Evil-Lyn and GO FOR A HIKE: Tell your kids why you In a study of preschoolers, children whose Stinkor were defeated by Snout Spout just enjoy being outside. Point to bugs, trees fathers were responsible for at least 40 per- before we headed out to Mass. And packing and plants as you go. Ask your kids what cent of childcare tasks had higher cognitive a tin He-Man lunchbox crafted 30 years ago they like about the outdoors. development scores and a greater sense of (certainly without the safety standards we LISTEN TO MUSIC: As long as the lan- mastery of their environments than children enjoy today) is not what I had envisioned guage and content is appropriate, sing whose fathers were less involved. five years back, when our ultrasound picture along and dance to the tunes you like On the flip side, children who live absent painted a pink future. Yet they’re two of the with your child. their biological fathers are, on average, at least reasons I list when I tell Trevor why I think PLAY GAMES: Children ages 3 and up two to three times more likely to be poor, to he’s a great dad. can learn simple card games like Uno, War use drugs, to have educational, health, emo- Without dads, our kids are only getting and Go Fish, and board games like check- tional and behavioral problems, to be victims half of the story. And even when they’re zany, ers and Candy Land. These pave the way of abuse and to engage in criminal behavior when they rile the kids up before bed or when for more complex games you can play as than their peers who live with both parents. their basketballs end up in the flower garden, they get older. And in the U.S., one out of every three kids they’re doing just what nature intended— lives apart from their biological father. helping kids (and their brains!) grow. LEARN: Ask your kids to tell you about It’s costing everyone a pretty penny, what they like. Let them “teach” you about what they’re into these days. Praise Lisa Doublestein is a regular Country too. The federal government spent at least them for their efforts and skills. $99.8 billion on programs like child sup- Lines freelance writer, educator and mom.

16 | Michigan Country Lines

HOME COOKING | Jennifer Hansen

sour cream, onion, garlic, steak sauce, sea- soned salt and pepper. Pour into a shallow 1½-quart baking dish. Combine bread Casseroles & Pot Pies crumbs and cheddar cheese; sprinkle over cas- serole. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Serves 4. Janice Harvey, Charlevoix Turkey or Chicken Almandine Casserole 3 c. chopped, cooked turkey or chicken 1 can cream of chicken soup, do not dilute 1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained 1 4-oz. can mushrooms, drained 2/3 c. mayonnaise 1/2 c. chopped celery 1/2 c. chopped onion 1/2 c. sour cream 1 8-oz. can refrigerated crescent rolls 2/3 c. shredded Swiss cheese 1/2 c. slivered almonds A staple at potlucks and gatherings, casseroles come in as much variety 2-4 T. melted butter as the people who serve them. Thanks to all who sent in casserole and In a large saucepan, combine turkey, soup, pot pie recipes! Find hundreds more recipes at countrylines.com. water chestnuts, mushrooms, mayonnaise, celery, onion and sour cream; heat over Puff Pastry Chicken Pie 1 12-oz. can refried beans medium heat until bubbly. Pour into a 1 sheet frozen puff pastry 1 small onion, finely minced, divided 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Separate rolls 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 4-oz. can green chilies into two rectangles. Place over hot mixture. 1 med. onion, chopped 4 fajita-size flour tortillas Combine cheese, almonds and butter in a 1/2 c. frozen peas In a medium bowl, mix together cooked bowl; sprinkle over crescent top. Bake at 1/2 c. frozen corn chicken, 1/4 cup enchilada sauce, 1/3 of the 375° for 20-25 minutes until brown. Yield 1/2 c. frozen carrots minced onion, and 1/2 cup of the shredded 6-8 servings. 3 c. chicken broth cheese; set aside. Pour about 1/4 cup of enchi- Judi Fanning, Kalkaska 2 T. flour lada sauce in the bottom of a deep dish pie 4 T. butter plate or spring form pan. Place one tortilla Chicken and Potato Casserole 1 t. salt over sauce in pan bottom. Spread beans over 8 chicken breasts, fried and cut in chunks 1/2 t. pepper tortilla; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese and 1/3 8-10 c. shredded potatoes Grease a 12-inch round deep-dish pie pan. of the minced onion. Top with second tortilla; 1/2 c. sour cream Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a large cover tortilla with chicken mixture. Top with 2 cans cream of chicken soup saucepan over medium heat, melt butter; third tortilla; pour remaining enchilada sauce 1/2 c. Miracle Whip® add chicken and cook for 5-8 minutes. Add over and top with remaining minced onion. 4 oz. Velveeta® Cheese onion and cook until slightly translucent. Cover with foil and bake at 400° for 20 min- 2 T. chopped onion Add flour and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes. utes. Remove from oven; turn oven to broil. 1½ c. crushed corn flakes or cracker crumbs Add chicken broth; continue to stir and cook Remove foil cover from pan; sprinkle with 1/2 c. melted butter until broth thickens, about 5-7 minutes. remaining Muenster cheese and place under Spread potatoes in a greased 9x13-inch pan; Meanwhile, remove puff pastry from freezer broiler. Broil until bubbly and slightly brown. top with chicken. In a saucepan, heat sour to thaw. Add salt, pepper, corn, carrots and Mary Gorshe, Suttons Bay cream, soup, Miracle Whip, cheese and peas; cook an additional 5 minutes. Remove onion; pour over chicken. Combine crumbs from heat and pour into prepared pan. Place Cottage Green Noodle Casserole and butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake, pastry sheet on top of pan; cut three slits in 1/4 lb. green noodles uncovered at 350° for 45 minutes. pastry. Sprinkle pastry with salt and pepper. 2 c. cottage cheese Lavina Coblentz, Fredericksburg, IN Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until top is 1 c. sour cream 1 onion, minced golden brown. Remove from oven and let Send in your recipes! If published, 2 cloves garlic, minced set for 5 minutes before serving. you’ll receive a kitchen gadget. Send Danielle Cochran, Grayling 2 t. steak sauce in: fresh herb recipes by July 15, 2 t. seasoned salt Enchilada Pot Pie pudding & custard recipes by 1/8 t. pepper Aug. 15 and lamb & veal by Sept. 2 10-oz. cans green enchilada sauce, divided 1/2 c. soft bread crumbs 15. Mail to: Country Lines Recipes, 2859 2 c. shredded Muenster cheese, divided 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese W. Jolly Rd., Okemos, MI 48864; or email 1 large chicken breast, fully cooked and Cook noodles in boiling salted water until [email protected]. shredded tender; drain. Combine with cottage cheese,

18 | Michigan Country Lines Corned Beef & Cabbage Puff Sweet Hot Turkey Salad and garlic powder. Cook, covered on high for Pastry Pot Pies Casserole 5 minutes, stopping to stir halfway through 14 ozs. cabbage, cut into 1/2 x 4-inch strips 2 cans crescent rolls or sheet dough cooking time. Stir in broccoli pieces, 1/2 can 3 T. unsalted butter 2 c. cooked, chunked turkey French fried onions and Parmesan cheese. 3 T. flour 12 ozs. whipped cream cheese Arrange fish fillets diagonally in a single layer 1 c. milk 1 c. crushed pineapple, well-drained on top of rice mixture and sprinkle lightly 1 c. grated Gruyere cheese, about 4 oz. 1 c. shredded Swiss cheese with paprika. Cook, covered on 50 percent 1 T. plus 1 1/2 t. coarse-grained mustard 1 c. dried cranberries, cherries or currants power for 18-20 minutes or until fish flakes 1/4 t. freshly grated nutmeg 1 c. fresh, diced apples easily with fork and rice is done. Rotate 1/4 t. dried dill weed 1 c. crushed pecans or cashews dish halfway through cooking time if your cayenne pepper 3/4 c. diced red onion microwave does not have a turntable. Top 8 oz. very thinly sliced cooked corned beef, black pepper to taste fish with cheddar cheese and sprinkle with cut into 1/2 x 4-inch strips Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non- remaining half of onions. Cook uncovered 2 17-oz. pkgs. puff pastry, thawed stick spray. Place one roll of crescent rolls or on high for 1 minute or until cheese melts. 1 egg beaten with 1 t. cold water sheet dough in bottom of pan; set aside. In Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Cook cabbage in a large pot of salted boil- a large bowl, gently fold all other ingredients Patricia Coyle, Watervliet ing water until tender, 5-8 minutes; drain. together, except second crescent roll or sheet Squeeze dry in a towel. Melt butter in a dough, until mixed well. Place mixture in Italian Casserole large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. baking dish; spread evenly. Top with remain- 1 lb. spaghetti noodles Add flour and stir 3 minutes. Whisk in milk, ing crescent roll or sheet dough. Bake at 350° 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef cook until mixture is smooth and very thick, for 35-45 minutes. Serve immediately. 1 large onion, diced whisking constantly, 4-5 minutes. Gradually Robin Musselman, Charlotte 1 can tomato soup mix in Gruyere. Add mustard, nutmeg, dill 1 can cheddar cheese soup and cayenne pepper. Stir in corned beef and Chinese Beef Casserole 1 t. dried oregano cabbage; cool. 2 lbs. ground beef 1 t. onion salt Divide filling among six 1-cup ramekins. 1 c. chopped onion 1 t. garlic salt Roll one piece of pastry out on a lightly 1 c. chopped celery grated cheese of choice floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 1/4 c. soy sauce Brown ground beef and onion; drain. Add out rounds 2¼-inches larger in diameter than 2 cans cream of mushroom soup soups; stir until well-mixed. Stir in spices ramekins, using a bowl as a guide; reserve 1 14-oz. can bean sprouts, undrained and simmer while preparing spaghetti accord- scraps. Brush one side of each round with egg 1/2 t. pepper ing to package directions. Drain spaghetti; and water glaze. Arrange glazed side down 1 c. uncooked long grain rice combine with sauce and pour into a 4-quart on top of ramekin, pressing firmly against 1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained casserole dish. Top with grated cheese of sides of ramekin 2 c. frozen peas, thawed choice. Bake covered, at 350° for one hour. and pushing up 1 5-oz. can chow mein noodles Joan Clairmont, Bark River slightly at rim; do Brown meat, onion and celery; drain. Stir not press down on in soup, bean sprouts, soy sauce and pepper; Meat Pie Roma rim. Seal pastry to bring to a boil. Pour into a greased 3-quart 1 lb. ground beef sides with tines of baking dish. Stir in uncooked rice and water 1/2 c. chopped green pepper fork. Repeat proce- chestnuts. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 1/2 c. chopped onion dure with remaining pastry. Brush tops and minutes. Uncover; stir in peas and sprinkle 3/4 c. water sides of pastries with glaze. Score tops in with chow mein noodles. Bake 15-20 minutes 1 6-oz. can tomato paste grid pattern, do not cut through pastry. Roll longer until heated through. Yields 8 servings. 1 t. salt out scraps to 1/8-inch thick. Cut out 2-inch Linda Slais, Lewiston 1/2 t. oregano design of your choosing. Brush with glaze. 1/4 t. garlic powder Arrange on baking sheet, glaze side up. Place Herb-Baked Fish & Rice 1 can refrigerated biscuits pies on baking sheet. Refrigerate designs and Casserole 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese, divided ramekins at least 30 minutes. (These can be 1 1/4 c. hot chicken broth 6 oz. sliced mozzarella cheese prepared up to 6 hours ahead). 1/2 c. uncooked white rice Brown meat; drain. Add green pepper, onion, Position baking rack in center of oven. 1/4 t. Italian seasoning tomato paste, water and seasonings; simmer Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes until pastry 1/4 t. garlic powder 10 minutes. Line a greased 9-inch pie plate is golden brown and filling is hot. Transfer 1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped broccoli, with biscuits; sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan pies to plates; arrange one design on top of thawed and drained cheese. Fill with 1/2 of the meat mixture; top each pie and one on each plate. Serves 6. 1 2.8-oz. can French’s® French Fried Onions with 2 slices of cheese. Top with remaining Faye Starr, Bloomfield Hills 1 T. grated Parmesan cheese meat mixture and Parmesan cheese. Bake 1 lb. unbreaded fish fillets, thawed if frozen at 400° for 15-20 minutes. Cut remaining paprika to taste cheese into strips; place on top of meat pie 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese and return to oven. Bake until cheese melts. In an 8 x 12-inch microwaveable casserole Makes 6-8 servings. dish, combine broth, rice, Italian seasoning Cathy Nichols, Portland

June 2011 | 19 HOUSE & HOME | John Bruce & Carol Rich Photo – Hamilton Parker Company Parker – Hamilton Photo Landscape Architecture – Greenscapes Photo

LEFT: Paved walkways help reduce muddy traffic in your home. How to Pave a Patio RIGHT: It’s important to consider drainage issues when planning your patio. re you tired of tracking mud and choose different sizes and shapes. dirt from the yard into the house? Regardless of the pavers, most do-it-your- ripping up old roadbeds and used as a base Do you want an outdoor space for selfers choose a sand-based patio base over for new roads. Level the gravel using a piece entertaining or just getting out of a mortar-joined one because sand is more of scrap lumber. Athe house when it’s nice outside? forgiving (and less expensive) and allows for Pour sand on the gravel. A general rule of If you answered yes, then a patio may be much easier removal when necessary. thumb is to subtract the depth of the pavers right for you, and there are many choices The next step is to create a frame. Metal from the depth of the borders, but it’s good for do-it-yourself installation on virtually border material or treated lumber is widely to have a minimum of 1 to 2 inches. Level any budget. Selection of materials is a good used. Lay-out the selected area with stakes the sand carefully with a screed made from starting point to help determine how much and string. Using a flat-bladed shovel and scrap lumber, or a 2x6. money you’ll need to spend. maddox, dig out the area to about 4 to 6 Place the pavers together according to To choose the right kind of paver for your inches deep (depending on the depth of the desired pattern using string tied from space, your first decision is—clay or concrete? border material and pavers). It’s also a good one edge of the frame to the other to ensure “Select the color and style that you want idea to use a soil compactor (from equipment straight placement. Fill gaps between the to achieve, and that will give you the bench- rental stores). pavers with sand by using a kitchen broom. mark to decide which manufacturer is most If odd sections of reclaimed concrete are Mist the area with a garden hose nozzle and likely the right fit,” explains Adam Lewin, used, then mark where more soil needs to repeat this process twice, then again about a president of Hamilton Parker Company, be removed with white spray paint or lime week later or if pavers become wobbly. a building supply company with stores in and adjust the depth as necessary to fit the If using reclaimed concrete, dig a bed about Delaware and Columbus, OH. sections. Cut landscape fabric to fit the area 3 inches deep and about an inch bigger in Clay pavers are popular because they have a and apply so that weeds and roots won’t grow diameter than each paver. Place the landscape deep color that doesn’t fade over time. Manu- up through the gravel or sand. fabric, add sand over the weed barrier and facturers like Belden Brick (distributors in Carefully install the frame, making sure even out with a rake. Set the broken concrete Bay City and Grand Rapids, MI), Pine Hall that the angles are true. If using pavers of in place and fill the gaps with sand and mist Brick (seven MI distributors) and Whitacre- uniform depth, place enough gravel or, to help settle the sand. Step on each piece Greer offer products that are perfect for home preferably, class 2 base material, to provide a and rock it from side to side. If wobbly or use. Concrete pavers, like those produced by minimum depth of roughly 1 inch over the uneven, fill in with more sand until each Reading Rock, offer an especially wide choice area. Class 2 base material is generated by piece is stable. of sizes, shapes and colors. There are other patio options for the Lewin recommends that you narrow down do-it-yourselfer. While not really a patio, your choices by considering the kind of look Patio Drainage a “floating deck,” or a wooden deck built you want. For example, do you want a blend When planning your patio, make sure close to ground level is a project explained of colors or a solid appearance; a style that’s it slopes away from any structures and on numerous websites. classic old-world, rustic or clean lines; bev- has adequate drainage. The patio can Environmentally friendly products such eled edges or a dry, pressed look? be built with a channel around the sides as PolyPavement™, a liquid soil solidifier, are A low-cost option is to create your own that will drain water and can be covered sold in 5-gallon buckets and may be applied patio by using reclaimed concrete. Re-using with metal grills that look like part of the by one of two methods. Diluted PolyPave- old or broken concrete pieces that are readily patio. The channel can also be connected ment (polypavement.com) can be either available from construction or demolition to your property’s main surface drain- mixed or compacted into the soil or sprayed sites also helps the environment by reducing age port, likely a storm sewer, by buying on compacted soil and allowed to dry. The drainage pipes. resulting surface is suitable for traffic, is the the amount of debris that goes into landfills. Visit doityourself.com/stry/how-to- Install them as you would any other pavers, plan-patio-drainage-to-avoid-drainage- same color as the soil, and twice as strong as but understand that they may be quite heavy problems for more details. asphalt. The downside is that not every kind and of varying thickness. For added interest, of soil is suitable.

20 | Michigan Country Lines

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June 2011 | 21 HOUSE & HOME | James Dulley

Get Comfortable: Ways to Even Your Room Temperatures

Nearly every house has some problems keeping all the rooms evenly warm or cool.

he heating, cooling Installing a duct booster fan and ventilation sys- can help get more air flow to tem (HVAC) is one problem rooms. These fans of the last design fea- are designed to fit into the Ttures considered when a house ducts (round or rectangular) is built. In addition to keeping near the furnace blower, and the house perfectly comfortable some can sense when the year-round, other considerations blower starts and they turn such as total installation costs on automatically. Others have and monthly utility bills are their own thermostat or can factors that must be evaluated. be connected to the main There are many reasons why Vasic – ©iStockphoto.com/Sloboden Photo blower controls. various rooms do not stay warm Register booster fans, which or cool enough even though mount over the they have similar-sized ducts. outlet register in A common reason is the num- a room, can also ber and orientation of win- help. These are eas- dows. South-facing windows ier to install than can transmit much heat into a room, caus- lose more heat through their walls, and have a duct booster ing it to overheat in summer. North-facing more joints that can leak heated or cooled air fan, provide more windows, especially old, leaky ones, can before it gets to the intended room. This adjustable duct room temperature make a room chilly in winter. Both of these Check the damper plates in the ducts near thermostat is easy to control, and plug problems can be lessened by installing new the furnace to be sure the ones leading to the install and it controls into a standard problem rooms are not partially closed and when the booster fan windows or insulating shades, but there will comes on. wall electric out- still be some variations. blocking air flow. Try partially closing the let. It has its own The walls of the ducts, especially on sheet dampers leading to the other rooms. You may thermostat so it comes on only when the metal ducts, may be losing or gaining heat have to close them quite a bit to notice the main blower is running, and the small fan as the air makes its way from the furnace effect, but doing so may force more heated motor uses only about 30 watts. or central air conditioner to the rooms. To or cooled air to the rooms that need it. The The following companies offer booster make this even worse, heating ducts are often settings of the duct dampers to each room fans: Aero-Flo Industries, 219-393-3555, located under windows. This positions them will likely have to be changed from summer aero-flo.com; Field Controls, 252-522-3031, on cold or hot outside walls and takes space to winter because the heat gain/loss varies fieldcontrols.com; and Suncourt Manufac- from the wall insulation thickness. with the changing seasons. turing, 800-999-3267, suncourt.com; and A simple method to check this is to hold a Hang a thread from a stick and hold it register deflectors: American Metal Products, thermometer in the register outlet air flow in near all the joints in the ducts to locate air 800-423-4270, americanmetalproducts.com; each room. If there is a significant difference leaks. Seal these leaks with tape or duct joint and Deflecto Corporation, 800-428-4328, in the temperature, wrap insulation around sealing compound. Don’t just use cheap gray deflecto.com. as much of the duct as you can reach. Where duct tape, as it often comes loose in a year the duct runs vertically through a wall, there or two. Use either aluminum foil duct tape Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to is not much you can do other than open the or black Gorilla® duct tape. Gorilla tape is James Dulley, Michigan Country Lines, 6906 wall and install insulated ducts. easier to apply and holds up for many years. Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or Another reason for uneven temperatures Also, don’t forget to make sure the room visit dulley.com. is that not enough heated or cooled air is register baffles are fully opened. Installing getting to those problem rooms. As a rough a deflector over the register can help direct evaluation, hold your hand over room out- heated or cooled air out into the room. This James Dulley is a nationally let registers to compare the air flow rates. If is particularly true when air-conditioning recognized mechanical engineer a room is far from the indoor blower, the because cool air tends to hang near the floor writing about home energy duct creates more air flow resistance. This and not circulate throughout the room. Move issues for the National Rural is exacerbated by the fact that longer ducts furniture so it is not blocking the air flow. Electric Cooperative Association.

22 | Michigan Country Lines DHP158-02_7.3125x10_Layout 1 4/25/11 8:22 AM Page 1

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Wolverine Partners with DNR On Wildlife Habitat Project

olverine Power Cooperative partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this spring to build new habitat for wildlife Wspecies along its transmission right-of-way in the Haymarsh Lake State Game Area. “Early in the year, I contacted the DNR wildlife office serving Mecosta County to discuss routine vegetation maintenance planned for our transmission system in the area,” says Adam Helminiak, utility forester for Wolverine. “My conversation with Pete Kailing, wildlife biologist for the DNR, led to a mutual interest in wildlife habitat improvement projects.” After a field visit to Wolverine’s right-of-way northeast of Big Rapids, Kailing suggested forming brush piles using detailed specifications for rabbits, grouse, ground-nesting song birds, and other wildlife. Wolverine and its clearing contractor, Trees, Inc., used trees produced from vegetation maintenance work to form the structures. “In addition to ensuring the reliability of our transmission system through our right-of-way maintenance work, we were able, in this instance, to take our efforts a step further to enhance wildlife habitat in the area,” Helminiak explains. Wolverine has worked with a number of groups, including the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Conservation Resource Alliance, and the Walloon Lake Trust and Conservancy, to improve wildlife habitat on its rights-of-way. The cooperative received the NWTF’s Energy for Wildlife Corporate Achievement Award in 2009, which recognizes success in integrating wildlife conservation into right-of-way management. Piles of brush were stacked along Wolverine’s right-of-way in Mecosta “One of our four core values at Wolverine is County to create new habitat for small animals, including rabbits and environmental stewardship,” Helminiak says. grouse. Wolverine worked with the Michigan Department of Natural “We are committed to the thoughtful use of our Resources on the project. natural resources.”

DEQ Holds Public Hearing for WCEV Air Permit The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) held a public hearing on the air quality permit for the proposed Wolverine Clean Energy Venture (WCEV) power plant in May in Rogers City. The DEQ considered comments from the public regarding new emission regulations enacted by the federal government that apply to the WCEV development. Department staff members will review the public comments and then approve, approve with modifications, or deny the air permit. The WCEV development has two components—a baseload power plant and a wind farm.

24 | Michigan Country Lines YOUR CO-OP

Information For All Help Members Find Unclaimed Checks HomeWorks ome former HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative members, Rural TV of Michigan, and HomeWorks Tri-County Propane customers were due to receive capital Tri-County Electric Scredits or inactive account refund checks, which remain uncashed. Members We have tried to deliver these checks by mail, to the last address given to us by the person or business listed. If you know one of the people listed below, or have a our cooperative offers a pro- current address at which we can contact them, please call HomeWorks at 517-647- gram called the Tri-County 7554 or 800-562-8232. YElectric People Fund, which You can also contact us by email at [email protected] (or use the “Contact is funded through the voluntary Us” link at our website, homeworks.org.) rounding up of your monthly utility bill to the next whole dollar amount. Tri-County Electric Cooperative Capital Credit Refunds (2006-07) An all-volunteer board of directors Werner Estate, Virginia Portland, MI appointed by the member-elected ANR Production Co. Jackson, MS board of HomeWorks Tri-County Fairchild, Tami Mt. Pleasant MI Electric Cooperative is charged with Harnack, Michael R. Stanton, MI distributing the funds throughout Klick, Robert Weidman, MI the co-op’s service area to support Lake Isabella Resort Plymouth, MI charitable efforts in and around the Mobil Oil Corp. Dallas, TX communities we serve. Morey Estate, Norval K. Weidman, MI People Fund dollars have been Mush, James S. Stuart, FL granted to educational programs, Ore-Ida Foods Inc Greenville, MI fire departments, medical emergency Reed Jr., George D. Lansing, MI groups, recreational senior organiza- Schneider, Edwin A. Perrinton, MI tions, numerous local charities, and Walker, Mark Paw Paw, MI many local families and individuals. Wayne M. Marzolf Clare, MI A copy of the People Fund’s annual Wilson Communications Detroit, MI report, detailing contributions, is Rural TV of Michigan Refund (2006) available and has been highlighted Tinning, Thomas Eaton Rapids, MI in previous issues of Country Lines magazine. All grants made are also Tri-County Propane Refund (2007) listed on our website, homeworks.org. Option One Irvine, CA Your participation in the Tri- County Electric People Fund is voluntary. If at any time you wish to discontinue participation in the People Fund Reaches Out to People Fund, please let us know and we will be happy to remove your Families, YMCA, Library account. If you are participating, your oung athletes in Ionia County, monthly bill is rounded up to the Vermontville area readers, and Eaton next whole dollar amount. If your bill YCounty residents who need hospice is $78.42, it would be rounded up to services will benefit from your donations to $79. The 58 cents is then contributed the Tri-County Electric People Fund. How To Apply For a Grant by HomeWorks on your behalf to the Each month when you round up your Write to 7973 E. Grand River Avenue, People Fund, to be used as explained energy bill to the next dollar, you help sup- Portland, MI 48875. We’ll send you an above. A customer’s average annual port grants like these, made by the People application form, grant guidelines, and contribution is about $6. Your annual Fund board on April 13: other helpful information. You’ll also find contribution to the People Fund is • $500 to Ionia County YMCA to buy information and application forms on tax deductible and is reported on equipment for recreation programs. our website at homeworks.org. your monthly statement in January • $1,544 to Vermontville Public Library of the following year. toward e-reader start-up costs. How You Can Help For more information on the • $2,600 to Eaton Community Hospice Tri-County customers can opt in or Tri-County Electric People Fund, in Charlotte to purchase furniture. out of the voluntary Operation Round you can contact the co-op office by • $2,500 to a Mecosta County family Up program at any time. Just enclose a mail, or call 877-466-3957, menu toward housing expenses. note with your bill payment, or call us option one. • $1,900 to a Clinton County family at 800-562-8232. toward housing expenses.

June 2011 | 25 COUNTRY LINES MARKET

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALE, KALKASKA, MI – 100 seating, active TWO-BEDROOM HOME – On 2 lots in Atlanta, restaurant with 2-bedroom home on approximately $23,000. Land contract possible, 989-785-4110. PIANO TUNING PAYS – Learn with American 5 acres, near many trails and lakes, $279,000. Tuning School home-study course. Tools included. Contact [email protected] VACATIONS 800-497-9793. 3-BEDROOM BREVORT LAKEFRONT – Vacation CARS & TRUCKS LAKE COUNTY HUNTING ACREAGE – 80-400 acre home, 20 minutes north of Bridge. parcels available. Cranberry Lake 80 acres, $145,000. [email protected], 316-721-3420, LOW MILEAGE ENGINES – Big savings. Price Sauble River 80 acres, $139,000. North West Realty, lakefrontvacationrental.com includes delivery and 1-year parts warranty. Mileage 231-745-4646. NorthWestRealty.biz verified. Call today, 901-266-9996. WANTED lowmileageengines.com NEW LOG HOME, DRUMMOND ISLAND – 100 BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK – Goose, fish decoys. HEARTH & HOME feet Lake Huron, 36 x 26 x 10 pole building, concrete 248-877-0210. floor, boat ramp, $285,000. 231-258-5645. T&G PANELING, LOG SIDING – Trim lumber, WANTED TO BUY – Doodle Bugs Tractors, 1940s-70s custom. D&D Products, 231-832-3100. 9.9 ACRES LOGAN TOWNSHIP – Mason County, pickup and panel trucks, Divco delivery trucks. Call, septic, well, power, great hunting, $26,000 or make leave message, 231-652-6421. MISCELLANEOUS offer. 231-750-4129, leave message. FREE BOOKS/DVDs – Soon the “Mark of the Beast” will be enforced as church and state unite. Let the FURNISHED, 3-BEDROOM – 2-bath, air condition- Bible reveal. The Bible Says, POB 99, Lenoir City, TN ing, double-wide over looks Little Traverse Bay, 37771. 888-211-1715. $47,900. 231-487-0071. [email protected] 163.8 ACRES, ISABELLA COUNTY – Beautiful piece FOR SALE, DRAG LINE – 248-249-0355. of hunting property. Small older trailer, small barn, [email protected] electric, pond, mixture of cedar swamp, wooded rolling high ground and 20 tillable acres, $320,000. OUTDOORS 616-209-2230. SAWMILL FOR SALE – $4,995. New portable band saw, saws 36-inch x 16 feet logs. 231-288-0066. MUSKEGON RIVER, RIVER FOREST – Lot 17, near Hersey. 240 feet frontage, gorgeous sunset GARY’S STUMP GRINDING – Cheaper by the dozen. view down the river, older but functional mobile. 800-870-3871 or 231-587-9296. Peaceful retreat, asking $42,900. 269-731-2822. Lower energy Usage and Costs! REAL ESTATE Businesses HISTORIC HOME AND ESTATE SALE – July 8-10, Typical KWH Savings of 8 - 20% GRAYLING ADULT FOSTER CARE – Home for sale. 2011. Perrett family mansion for sale and antiques Six private rooms. 231-649-6842. ranging from 1880s to present. 404 W. Mansion Homes St., Marshall, MI 49068. This Victorian-era federal- Reduce HVAC Cost 10% Min - Guaranteed! FOR SALE, 200 FEET FRONTAGE – Morley Pond, style marvel was built in 1855 with a grand view near damn, good fishing. 313-386-0924. of the Brooks Memorial Fountain. Being part of the Marshall historic landmark district, it boasts (269) 267-4008 49 ORGANIC ACRES – 3 miles west of Traverse City, 10-foot ceilings, 4 bedrooms, 2½ baths, 2 fireplaces, MI. M-72 frontage, two roads, house, farm buildings, a summer porch and all original doors, woodwork appraised 2005, $730,000, asking $500,000. and hardware. Asking price $225,000. For private

517-663-5013. tour or questions, please call Marie, 989-217-0934.JUNEAD.indd 1 5/13/11 12:46 PM

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Classifiedad rates: s $1.50 per word or symbol ($15 min.) for co-op members running nonbusiness ads s $3 per word or symbol ($30 min.) for co-op members running business, agent or broker ads; and all ads for non-co-op members Each initial, group of figures, phone number, abbreviation, e-mail address and website address counts as one word. Hyphenated and slashed words count as two or more words. Ads are subject to editor’s approval and editing and are only accepted as space permits. For member rate, attach your mailing label. To pay by credit card, include card number, exp. date, address related to the card, Keeping your tires properly inflated and signature with ad. M/C or VISA only, please indicate which. Send your printed or typed ad and check made payable to MECA (advance payment required) by 15th of month prior to publication improves gas mileage for the average to: Country Lines, 2859 W. Jolly Rd., Okemos, MI 48864, or email [email protected]. vehicle by around 3 percent, saving up Call 517-351-6322, ext. 201, for more information. No classifieds accepted by telephone. to 20 gallons of gasoline per year. Or, place your order online at countrylines.com, and ads will be posted for no extra charge until the next issue of the magazine is published. Source: Alliance to Save Energy

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June 2011 | 27 YOUR CO-OP

New Energy Star® Rebates Your Board Save Energy, Money In Action eeting at Blanchard on April 25, f you’re looking for ways to save energy We’ll give you $25 when you replace an Myour board of directors: and lower your energy bills, Energy Opti- older, less efficient dishwasher with a new • Heard a presentation from Wolverine mization has some new rebates that may ENERGY STAR® dishwasher. Power Cooperative regarding proposed be just what you’re looking for. To be eligible for the clothes washer and rate increases, to take effect July 1, and I dishwasher rebates, you must have an electric adopted a resolution in support of water heater. Wolverine’s rate filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. We’re still offering rebates on CFLs; in fact • Reviewed a 10-year financial forecast the rebate has increased to $1.50 per CFL, and the co-op’s current loan portfolio. with a limit of 12 per member. Another energy-saving idea is to replace • Learned the co-op has begun devel- We offer CFLs for just 50 cents each in our your current ceiling fan with an Energy Star® oping its next four-year construction Blanchard and Portland offices, so you can qualified ceiling fan with a light kit. work plan. get an instant rebate – no filling out forms We’re offering a $15 rebate for each ceil- • Made a $1,000 donation to the or waiting for the check! ing fan with a light kit that you purchase NRECA International Foundation, and install, with a limit of four per member. helping underdeveloped countries Reduce your “phantom” electricity costs build electrical systems to rural areas by purchasing a smart power strip and we’ll using the cooperative model. give you a $20 rebate, with a limit of two The $50 rebate on an Energy Star clothes per member. • Read and approved “Board Policy washer continues. These washers reduce 303—Wage and Salary Administra- energy and water use by over 40 percent, tion,” and “Board Policy 304—Use compared to older models, and they spin of Cooperative Vehicles.” clothes two to three times faster to extract • Reviewed results of a past cost-of- more water. A smart power strip will either automati- service study, and possible affects of cally stop the draw of energy for all peripheral moving more of the co-op’s distribu- devices when it has detected that the primary tion costs from the energy charge to device has gone into sleep or standby mode the monthly availability fee. or, on some models, when the primary device • Adopted a resolution setting each You could upgrade your clothes dryer is turned off. district’s annual membership meeting at the same time as the washer, and get an Visit michigan-energy.org for a full listing date and official membership count. additional $25 rebate. of rebates, programs and qualifications, or To be eligible for this rebate you must call 877-296-4319 to learn more. • Reviewed March 2011 preliminary replace an electric dryer that has no moisture financial statements, and learned there control sensor with an electric dryer with a Nick Rusnell is were 91 new members in the past two moisture sensor. This sensor automatically HomeWorks Tri-County months. shuts off the machine when the clothes are Electric Cooperative’s • Acknowledged the March safety dry so the running time is reduced and you energy advisor report, with three safety meetings held. use less energy.

HomeWorks members have used Co-op Connections® Card Consider using solar lights for outdoor pharmacy benefits lighting. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity that can be stored in a battery 3,014 times, saving $74,298.30 and tapped at night to make light. Check If your local business can offer HomeWorks members a Co-op manufacturer’s’ instructions to make sure your solar lights are situated to receive sufficient Connections discount on your products or services, call Jayne sunlight to recharge each day. Graham at 517-647-1252, or email [email protected]. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy

28 | Michigan Country Lines YOUR CO-OP Member Meetings Draw Record Crowds Photo - Nick Rusnell Photo Alyvia Spousta, 5, of Bannister, was this year’s At Chippewa Hills High School in Remus, District 7 members enjoyed a light meal and first prize winner, taking home an iPod touch a neighborly visit before the meeting. Margit Kriskywicz of Stanwood sat with Louise from the District 5 meeting at Fulton. and Douglas Christiansen from Rodney. Photo - RandyPhoto Halstead

This year’s program featured a Hot Line Safety demonstration put on by retired Great Lakes Energy lineworkers Bob Kettle, left, and Wayne Bumstead. These families braved the cool temperatures at Eagle to see the demonstration. Photo - RandyPhoto Halstead ABOVE: Former board member Pete Ondrus talked with system engineer Chris Jensen after the meeting at Fulton. RIGHT: Nick Rusnell, at right, demonstrated how a smart power strip works after the Eagle meeting.

June 2011 | 29 RAMBLINGS | Mike Buda

Lifetime Guarantee e’ve been doing some laugh about the Buda family’s seemingly cheddar cheese broth that I would liken remodeling. I think it’s a rite constant focus on food—what we’re going to inside-out pierogis, the traditional of passage that you fix up to have for the next dinner, what Sun- Polish-filled dumplings. Since I can’t find the place when you retire. day breakfast will look like, what we ate a reference to a soup like this online, I’m WEither that or move. But we like our native the last time we met. I guess food is our guessing it’s the happy result of pierogi Michigan, and we haven’t agreed on a bond. We don’t overeat, or go overboard preparation gone bad. You see the potato place in the state we’d rather call home, so on junk food, but we also don’t abstain theme here? By the way, we discovered here we are. from so-called unhealthy food. My mother that you can’t get regular white potatoes I’ve been putting drawer pulls on our loves Kentucky Fried Chicken. My dad in Minnesota, only reds and russets (think new bathroom vanity and I Idaho for baking). It noticed that they come with seems the potato chip a lifetime guarantee. I don’t Multi-grain Flapjacks makers have cornered know how these simple metal Lightly butter, oil or spray griddle and the market on good bands can go wrong, but I sup- place over medium heat; heat electric old Michigan white pose offering a lifetime guaran- griddle to 350 F. potatoes. tee for something that can’t go Whisk together in a large bowl: My favorite meal is bad is pretty cheap. There’s no 1 c. white whole-wheat flour (a breakfast. I’ve learned downside for the company. lighter flour with all the benefits of how to make great We’ve got a fancy coffee regular dark whole wheat should be pancakes that are maker that’s developed a tic available in most groceries) good for you, but taste after only three months: It 1/2 c. white all-purpose flour so good they could turns on and off a half-dozen 1/3 c. cornmeal double as dessert. This times before it finishes brew- 1/3 c. old-fashioned or quick-cooking 1/4 c. honey recipe is adopted from ing a pot. When I emailed the rolled oats 3 large eggs The Joy of Cooking manufacturer’s customer sup- 1/2 c. total of any combination of Pour the wet ingredients over the (1997), with additions port service, they suggested wheat germ, flaxseed meal, oat bran, dry ingredients and gently whisk and substitutions to we first clean it according to or any other fad grain of the day them together, until just combined. make them healthier. It 1/2 c. chopped walnuts (For blueberry pancakes, add fresh or their instructions (we already makes about two dozen 2 T. brown sugar thawed berries to batter now.) had) and then let them know 2 t. baking powder Spoon 1/4 cup batter onto the grid- 4-inch pancakes. We if there are further problems. 1 t. salt dle, spreading out into rounds. Cook freeze them, separating With the limited warranty, 1/2 t. baking soda until the tops are dotted with bubbles, them with waxed paper, shipping wouldn’t be free. 1/2 t. ground cinnamon then flip and cook the underside until then thaw them at a Really? We made the effort to pinch of ground nutmeg lightly browned. Serve immediately low microwave setting buy their product, but they Whisk together in another bowl: or keep warm in a 200 F oven. before briefly crisping can’t make the effort to make 2 c. fat-free or low-fat milk Serve with maple syrup, favorite them up in the toaster. sure we get something that 5 T. unsalted butter, butter blend or yogurt, fruit, or a combination of If you want to give works? substitute, melted these. the fathers in your It would be nice if every- family a healthier meal thing came with a lifetime on Fathers’ Day, serve guarantee, including us. However long our continues to enjoy braunschweiger. I think them these pancakes for breakfast—bacon ‘lifetime’ is, we can experience any number McDonalds’ Sausage McMuffin with really goes well with them—or for dessert of malfunctions, some fixable, some not, Egg is one of the culinary wonders of the with strawberries and whipped cream. and they can appear at any age. What we world. I can’t guarantee they’ll fix what ails can’t do is send ourselves back to the man- When Barbara and I visited my parents them, but I guarantee they’ll like them. ufacturer for a replacement. in Minnesota in April, we made them a What we can do is take better care of few of their favorite meals. One is fondly ourselves to give ourselves a chance for the called “Potatoes, Tomatoes and Meat,” best possible lifetime. It’s kind of like our which consists of potatoes, tomatoes and Mike Buda is editor house: keep up with maintenance and give meat. Another is Polish-style potato pan- emeritus of Country Lines. it an occasional makeover. cakes, with potatoes, egg and flour fried to Email Mike at mbuda@ Science suggests we can do two things a crispy edge and a soft center. You really countrylines.com or comment for the best chance at a high quality of life: can’t walk after eating them. My brother on his columns at stay active in mind and body, and eat well. Tom and his wife, Jackie, recently made countrylines.com/column/ My family is good at eating. Our in-laws them a soup with potato dumplings in a ramblings

30 | Michigan Country Lines In today’s economic climate, the choices of investments you make are more important than ever. And with skyrocketing prices of natural gas, propane and fuel oil, many investors have found that a WaterFurnace geothermal comfort system is a smart choice. WaterFurnace geothermal systems tap into the clean, renewable energy found in your own backyard to provide savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. For more information and an analysis of savings potential, contact your local WaterFurnace dealer. It’s money in the bank.

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ENERGY OPTIMIZATION Want a FREE michigan-energy.org energy saving kit 877.296.4319 3681 Costabella Ave OR discounted energy efficient products? Blanchard, MI 49310 7973 E Grand River Ave To receive a FREE energy saving kit, simply complete HomeWorks’ FREE Portland, MI 48875 do-it-yourself Online Energy Audit to better understand, manage, and reduce energy costs! Visit michigan-energy.org (select HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative and choose Online Energy Audit Program) to learn more and START SAVING!

Not looking for a complete energy saving kit? Stop by the HomeWorks offices in Blanchard or Portland to purchase the energy saving products below at a discounted rate.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs for $0.50 each After Instant Rebate | Limit 12 bulbs per account

Smart Power Strip for $5 each After Instant Rebate | Limit 2 per account

Rebates and programs are available to Michigan residents only and subject to change and availability; restrictions may apply. Items purchased must be installed in a home that receives service from HomeWorks. For a complete list of participating utilities, visit michigan-energy.org.

Learn about our programs at michigan-energy.org • Questions? 877.296.4319