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July/August 2011 Vol. 31, No. 8 Editor Gail Knudtson Associate Editor Doug Snitgen Design Editor Cindy Zuker Publisher Craig Borr Editor Emeritus Mike Buda 15 20 22 DEPARTMENTS COLUMNS FEATURES Michigan Country Lines, USPS- 591-710, is published monthly, except August and December, 6 Readers’ Pages 9 Comment 10 Lively Lansing with periodicals postage paid Scholarships, Youth Engaging Washington Ways to experience at Okemos, MI, and additional Tour, letters, CFLs Doug Snitgen our capital city offices. It is the official publication of the Michigan Electric Coopera- Lori Lanspeary tive Association, 2859 W. Jolly Rd., 18 Home Cooking 13 Michigan-made Okemos, MI 48864. Eggplant Reusable canning lids 12 Our Energy Subscriptions are authorized for members of Alger Delta, Cher- Gail Knudtson Taking an energy ryland, Cloverland, Great Lakes, 24 Wolverine Power* detour HomeWorks Tri-County, Midwest DEQ air permit hearing 14 Outdoors Megan McKoy-Noe Energy, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, and Thumb electric cooperatives Nancy Tanner Kayaks gain paddle- by their boards of directors. Sub- sport popularity 15 Monkeyball scriptions are $6 per year. 26 Marketplace Don Ingle Takes Hold Postmaster: send address changes to Country Lines, 2859 Classifieds from readers A silly game swings W. Jolly Rd., Okemos, MI 48864. 20 Gardening to sport level Letters to the editor should be Hypertufa containers Andrea Osters sent to the same address. Phone Rita Henehan 517-351-6322. Email: knudtson@ countrylines.com. Association officers are Tony 22 House & Home Anderson, Cherryland, chairman; Ken Swope, Midwest Energy, 1st YOUR CO-OP Energy efficient decks vice chairman; Robert Schallip, James Dulley Cloverland, 2nd vice chairman; Eric Pages specific to your Baker, Wolverine Power, secretary- treasurer; and Brian Burns, Presque electric cooperative: 30 Ramblings Isle Electric & Gas, past chairman. 1, 4-5, 8, 25, 28-29, 32 More close Craig Borr is president and CEO. encounters Unsolicited letters, photos and Mike Buda manuscripts are welcome. Country *Not in all editions Lines, however, will not be respon- sible for their safe keeping or return. The appearance of advertising does not constitute an endorse- ment of the products or services advertised. Display ad representatives: Michigan–Kissman Consulting 517-244-1844 National Country Market 512-441-5200 Michigan’s Electric Cooperatives Change of Address: Please notify your electric cooperative. See On the Cover countrylines.com page 4 for contact information. A young Lansing Lugnuts baseball fan meets the team’s mascot, Big Lug. Photo – Brendan Dwyer/Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau July/August 2011 | 3 Board of Directors Exercise Your Membership Right Robert Thurow Chairman his issue of Michigan Country reading infrastructure and look to future 819 W. Chauvez Rd., Scottville, MI 49454 Lines contains a mail-in ballot initiatives like paperless billing. 231-757-3430 that allows you to fill the three The progress we’ve made must con- Mark Carson Vice-Chairman openings on the Great tinue because there are still TLakes Energy Cooperative many areas on our system 01950 Anderson Rd., Boyne City, MI 49712 231-582-0688 Board of Directors. where reliability is a concern. Your right to vote gives Adequate financial resources Susan Scott Secretary you the unique ability to must be available to ensure 10653 15 Mile Rd., Evart, MI 49631 elect representatives whose that all members enjoy the 231-250-4017 decisions will be guided by a same high level of reliable Edwin Estelle Treasurer responsibility to act on your service. 8317 Alba Rd., Elmira, MI 49730 behalf as a member. That is Your board faces many chal- 989-732-7424 just one of the fundamental lenges in its mission to meet Steve Boeckman differences between Great the needs of Great Lakes Paul Byl Director Great Lakes Energy Lakes Energy and other energy President/CEO Energy members. In addi- 9941 W. Buchanan Rd., Shelby, MI 49455 providers. You’re more than tion to the big investments 231-861-5911 a customer to us; you’re a required to improve our elec- Dale Farrier Director member who shares in the ownership and tric distribution system, there are power 4400 U.S. 131 N.E., Kalkaska, MI 49646 operation of the cooperative. supply issues that threaten our ability to 231-258-4454 As your elected delegates, the board’s keep electricity reliable and affordable. decisions help determine how well we That’s why your vote is so important. Robert Kran Director can provide reliable and affordable power. Please take a few minutes to read over the 7380 N. Tuttle Rd., Free Soil, MI 49411 231-464-5889 Strong board leadership has enabled us to candidate biographies (pp. 28-29) inside make major reliability improvements in this issue and cast your vote for three Larry Monshor Director the last five years that have reduced aver- candidates. 1541 Thumm Road, Gaylord, MI 49735 age outage times and benefitted thousands Your co-op’s staff and employees, 989-705-1778 of Great Lakes Energy members. Improve- empowered by the board, are looking out Richard Walsworth Director ments in technology have made it possible for you. Exercise your right as a member 3701 N. 48th Ave., Mears, MI 49436 for us to implement an automatic meter to vote—it’s the cooperative difference. 231-873-2418 Public Act 295: The Clean Renewable and Energy Efficient Act President/CEO: Steve Boeckman Annual Energy Optimization Report 888-485-2537 Great Lakes Energy Cooperative MPSC Case Number U‐15817 Communications Director/Editor: Dave Guzniczak Great Lakes Energy contracted with the Michigan Electric Cooperative Association 231-487-1316 (MECA) to administer the Energy Optimization efforts in order to comply with P.A.-295. MECA filed a 2½ year Energy Optimization plan with the MPSC on Feb. 18, 2009, as required by P.A. 295. This EO plan was approved by the MPSC on May Boyne City Headquarters: 12, 2009, and we began launching energy optimization programs in June 2009. 1323 Boyne Ave. Boyne City, MI 49712 CLEAResult Consulting, Great Lakes LLC, was selected to implement the Hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. M–F Residential, Commercial Industrial Programs, and the Energy Optimization (EO) Phone: 888-485-2537 website michigan-energy.org. CLEAResult has subcontracted with Franklin Energy, JACO, Enercom, and the Michigan Community Action Agency Association to assist with EO program delivery. To report an outage, call: In 2010, Great Lakes Energy collected $1,797,151 through the Energy Optimization 1-800-678-0411 surcharge and spent $1,330,599, resulting in an overcollection of $466,552 which will be applied towards the 2011 EO Program delivery expenses and goal achievement. gtlakes.com Great Lakes Energy achieved 12,181.6 mWh of energy savings in 2009–2010. The full report can be obtained at michigan-energy.org or at michigan.gov/mpsc. 4 | Michigan Country Lines GREAT LAKES ENERGY Coloring Contest Winners: 2011 Coloring (L-R) Nathan Winchel, Jeb Stewart and Daniel Smith. Contest Winners hanks to everyone who entered our Thanks to all co-op coloring contest this year. Congratu- kids who entered! T lations to the following kids whose prize-winning entries included great ideas for saving energy. 4 years and under 1st place: Nathan Winchel, Wayland 2nd place: Zack Dust, Fountain 3rd place: Anna Zielinski, Gaylord 5-7 years old 1st place: Daniel Smith, Gaylord 2nd place: Jack Ledig, Pellston 3rd place: Cayden Gray, Hart 8-10 years old 1st place: Jeb Stewart, Custer 2nd place: James Brown, Evart For more energy saving ideas for kids, 3rd place: Katherine Ledig, Pellston visit touchstoneenergykids.com. michigan-energy.org Members-only Pricing! 877.296.4319 Your electric cooperative is offering Available Rebates members valuable rebates for the purchase 3474 Alaiedon Parkway; Suite 600 $1.50 Per CFL (limit 12) Okemos, MI 48864 and installation of ENERGY STAR® products. Must be ENERGY STAR compliant Rebates are available for items purchased at Per Ceiling Fan w/ Light Kit any store. $15 (limit 4) Must be ENERGY STAR compliant Per Smart Power Strip* (limit 2) Visit michigan-energy.org (click on your $20 Must include 1 uncontrolled socket utility and choose Residential ENERGY STAR connected to a primary device Program) to learn more about the energy- saving products and download rebate $25 Per Clothes Dryer (limit 1) applications. Per Dishwasher (limit 1) $25 Must be ENERGY STAR compliant *Smart power strips are also available for purchase online Per Clothes Washer (limit 1) at a discounted price; however, rebates do not apply. $50 Must be CEE Tier Rating of 2 or 3 Must be a Michigan resident and cooperative member to be eligible for this program. Items purchased must be installed in a home that receives service from a participating cooperative. For residential accounts only while supplies last. Restrictions may apply. Learn about all of your electric co-op’s programs at michigan-energy.org • Questions? 877.296.4319 July/August 2011 | 5 READERS’ PAGES & LETTERS Scholarship Winners Announced Life-changing Experience! ayla Bischer and and Katrina Gregg, KBrandon Gregg graduated from have each won a $1,000 Edwardsburg High scholarship from the School where he served Michigan Electric on the student council, Cooperative Association the National Honor Society, and received (MECA). Kayla Kayla, daughter of Bischer an academic award Thumb Electric Co-op for excellence. He also members Daniel and received a Michigan Sharon Bischer, graduated High School Athletic Back row (L–R): Alyssa Zuiderveen, Grace Wiesner, Alli Rayburn, Katelyn from Harbor Beach High Association Scholar Waters, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Ashley Fogarty, Kaylee Kessler, Jenni School with an academic Athlete Award this year. Herrema and Dory Shaffer. Front: Justin Dahl, Carlos Portillo, Tyler Orlando, letter for maintaining Brandon played varsity Heath Welch, Cade Dailey, Nate Millen, Matthew Richards and Allan Cramer.