Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News January 2025 Eau Claire
1940
January 2025
DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW
A NEW YEAR FOR NUCLEAR
EVERCHANGING, FASTGROWING DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT HIDDEN TIMBER SOUL SANCTUARY
You don’t have to lower the thermostat to control your heating bills. WaterFurnace geothermal systems use the clean, renewable energy in your own backyard to provide savings of up to 70% on heating, cooling and hot water. And because WaterFurnace units don’t use any fossil fuels or combustion, the EPA calls it the most environmentally friendly and cost e ective way to condition our homes.2 Contact your local WaterFurnace dealer to learn how WaterFurnace is good for the environment, your budget and the feeling in your toes.
YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS
Arcadia/Mondovi Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001
Ashland/Iron River Brown Plmbg & HVAC (715) 682-0444
Beaver Dam/Green Lake Air Care, Inc. (920) 356-8860
Black River Falls/ Stevens Point Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676
The Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News (Formerly Wisconsin R.E.C. News) has been published monthly and distributed since July 1940 to members of Wisconsin’s non-pro t, consumer-owned rural electric cooperatives. It is available to non-members for $13 per year or $35 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year.
Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Rob Richard, president & CEO.
USPS number: 688-480.
Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200.
Periodicals postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wis.
Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Phone (608) 467-4650.
Website: www.wecnmagazine.com.
Co-op Members: Please send address changes to your local electric co-op. Contact information can be found on page 18.
Rob Richard WECA president & CEO
Dana Kelroy editor
Beth Alesch associate editor
Julie Lund contributing writer
Ann Bailey graphic designer
Geri Miller advertising consultant
Jennifer Taylor editorial assistant
For advertising opportunities please email geri@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising or events does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers.
On the cover:
Janet Martens drives her sleigh through the snow at the Northwoods Harness Club’s Sleigh and Cutter Rally. Story on page 24.
Please recycle
Cover photo courtesy of JoAnn Jardine Studio One Photography
The increasing need for power a ects electric co-ops and their members.
The energy industry sees a resurgence in interest for nuclear energy.
Dashing through the snow at the Northwoods Harness Club Sleigh and Cutter Rally.
Kids & Critters
Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.
SYMBOL SEARCH
HIDDEN OBJECT GAME
Winning our December search was Annie Wendt, a member of Dunn Energy Cooperative. Annie said, “I found it on page 20! Right behind the rice pudding pear tart title! Very tricky! I just wanted to say, thank you for having this symbol search. My grandma and I would do this every month, before she passed away a few months ago. I continue to do it in honor of her memory.”
Now, we challenge you to nd this cardinal in honor of Annie’s grandma, Joan May. Remember that the symbol can be anywhere and any size. One randomly selected winner will receive a Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News kitchen kit. One entry per household, please, and provide your permanent home or mailing address with your entry. Send entries by January 10.
Enter via the “Symbol Search” link on the homepage of wecnmagazine.com. You can also enter by mail (don’t forget to include the name of your cooperative):
As we get further into the cold months of winter, we want to take this opportunity to remind readers about energy assistance available for Wisconsin households.
The Department of Administration o ers heating and electric assistance to quali ed households through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP).
For more information on WHEAP and how to apply for energy assistance, please call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947), or visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov.
Dana Kelroy Editor
CRUISE THE SOUTHEAST
SOUTHEAST SEA ISLANDS
On this enchanting 9-day cruise from Charleston to Amelia Island, experience the charm and hospitality of the South. In the comfort of our modern fleet, travel to some of the most beautiful historic cities in America. The fascinating sites you visit, the warm people you meet, and the delectable cuisine you taste, come together for an unforgettable journey.
Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly
NEWS BRIEFS
Thompson Named ACE Award Recipient
Former Eau Claire Energy Cooperative (ECEC) President and CEO Lynn Thompson has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Ally of Cooperative Electrification Award (ACE), the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association’s highest honor. The ACE Award is presented each year in recognition of outstanding contributions to Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives.
Thompson was nominated for his ingenuity and professionalism as CEO, including his exemplary mentorship, community leadership, and financial expertise. He championed many causes during his time at the cooperative and was a leader in broadband expansion, beneficial electrification, and renewable energy.
Thompson worked as a public accountant before starting his cooperative career as the office manager at ECEC in 1991. He was appointed chief executive officer in 2009 and held that position until his retirement in 2022.
WECA seated its new board of directors at its November annual meeting in Wisconsin Dells. Back row (left to right): Robert Cornell (Washington Island Electric Cooperative), Dan Hillberry (Richland Electric Cooperative), Les Dokkestul (Jackson Electric Cooperative), Alan Wilkie (St. Croix Electric Cooperative), Kurt Harris (Jump River Electric Cooperative), Monica Obrycki (Eau Claire Energy Cooperative), and Cynthia Thorman (Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative). Front row (left to right): Steve Johnson (Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative), Karen Newbury (Price Electric Cooperative), Barbara Miller (Rock Energy Cooperative), Allen Jicinsky (Clark Electric Cooperative), and Craig Buros (Vernon Electric Cooperative).
Linemen Awarded Inaugural WECA Cooperative Hero Award
Barron Electric Cooperative lineworkers Aaron Holten and Tyler Romsos are the recipients of the inaugural Cooperative Hero Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary character in a life-saving effort either on or off the job.
On a hot day in June, the lineworkers were replacing a meter socket at a Barron home when they discovered the homeowner collapsed in a shed with a gash on his head. They called 911 and used their first aid and safety training to tend to him until first responders arrived.
The homeowner was treated for dehydration and made a full recovery. He expressed his gratitude to both men for their “care and concern.”
Vernon Electric wins 2024 Leifer Award
Vernon Electric Cooperative has been chosen as the recipient of the 2024 N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award for its Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News local page content. Trevor Clark, manager of communications & member relations, is the local pages editor.
This is the second time in three years Vernon Electric Cooperative has won this award and the fifth Leifer for Vernon overall since this publication began offering awards of excellence in 1966. This year’s judge praised the co-op for its elements of human interest throughout the local pages.
Fox Selected as Recipient of Potthast Award
Dee Fox, safety compliance officer for a group of electric cooperatives, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Herman C. Potthast Award. The Job Training & Safety (JT&S) Committee selected Fox for her outstanding service, dedication, leadership, and cooperation, with an emphasis on safety.
Fox works as a shared resource for Dunn Energy, St. Croix, Barron, Pierce Pepin, Central Wisconsin, and Price Electric Cooperatives. She has aided in the development of compliance practices, record keeping, disaster recovery planning, OSHA preparedness, employee training, and more.
At the awards ceremony held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) Annual Meeting, recipients of the inaugural Cooperative Hero Award, Herman C. Potthast Award, N.F. Leifer Memorial Journalism Award, and Ally of Cooperative Electri cation Award (ACE) were o cially honored. Pictured (left to right) are Aaron Holten, Tyler Romsos, Dee Fox, Trevor Clark, and Lynn Thompson.
NEW YEAR BRINGS RENEWED LOOK AT KEY ISSUE FOR COOPERATIVES
About a year ago, we asked you, WECN’s readers, to actively engage in a legislative issue brewing in the State Capitol.
You may recall in the last few months of last year’s legislative session, the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) was making a push to enact a Right of First Refusal (ROFR) law to ensure that new transmission projects in Wisconsin are built by the state’s incumbent transmission providers, one of those being Dairyland Power Cooperative in La Crosse.
That legislation, companion bills Assembly Bill 470 and Senate Bill 481, cleared the state Assembly on an overwhelming bi-partisan voice vote, but a last-minute procedural move in the Senate killed the measure by preventing it from coming up for a vote in that body.
WECA spent many hours talking to rural legislators representing cooperative service territory, urging them to support it because it preserves Wisconsin’s ability to control our own energy transmission destiny with your best financial interests in mind.
When it’s introduced again this legislative session, ROFR will give the state’s incumbent transmission utilities—Xcel Energy, American Transmission Company, and Dairyland Power Cooperative— the “right of first refusal” to build long-range transmission projects within their service areas. As the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), essentially the air traffic controller for the power grid across 15 states and Manitoba, Canada, expends tens of billions of dollars to authorize the construction and maintenance of transmission lines to meet tomorrow’s energy demands, we believe it is imperative to have a system in place that supports rural communities and provides safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to all of you.
we’ll spend more time discussing at length the merits of the legislation in future issues of WECN. One important thing for you to remember is that all these transmission projects that are being built in the MISO footprint are regionally cost-shared, which means we all pay. If out-of-state entities build the lines, there will be no margins on the investment to share with cooperative consumer members (yes, that’s you). You might ask, “Isn’t this anti-competitive?” No, that argument is a red herring. Costs are kept down because procurement, construction, and materials are all competitively bid. Additionally, ROFR does us all a huge favor by keeping the federal government out of the process and this saves us money and time. Instead, all these projects get mandatory oversight by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin—where it should be.
Quite simply, the Right of First Refusal legislation is the most cost-effective and time-efficient tool to build these transmission projects, and it rightfully allows your cooperative to participate so you can benefit.
Scan this code with your smartphone camera, or go to voicesforcooperativepower.com.
The incoming legislature will have a lot of new faces. WECA and your member electric cooperatives will certainly spend time introducing ourselves to the new legislators and making reacquaintances with those returning, but we will need your help in educating them and getting a unified and cohesive message out on ROFR. Many of you have already signed up for an advocacy and communication tool that we utilize, Voices for Cooperative Power (VCP). VCP is an effective online tool that can connect you quickly with your elected officials or keep you up to date on major state and federal energy policy decisions.
This issue is quite complicated, which is why
I strongly encourage you to use the QR code on this page or go to the VCP website to get signed up and make your voice heard on energy issues that matter most to you and your electric cooperative. There will be a time in the coming weeks and months that we’ll ask you to engage on ROFR. Will you be ready?
Rob Richard WECA President and CEO
Across the U.S., people use a growing amount of electricity at work, at home, and with the growth of electric vehicles (EVs), even on the road. Facilities like warehouses and factories require a large, steady supply of electricity 24 hours a day. By 2022, data centers accounted for 2.5% of the nation’s consumption of electricity—and by 2030, they’ll use 7.5% of all electric power.
THE EVER-CHANGING, FAST-GROWING DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY
How the increasing need for power a ects electric co-ops and their members
When rural electric cooperatives first strung power lines from farm to farm, across arroyos, and through remote forests less than a century ago, most members had but a handful of light bulbs to power. With time, they added appliances like refrigerators, but we’re sure they couldn’t begin to imagine the number and variety of electrical devices in today’s homes and garages.
Across the U.S., people use a growing amount of electricity at work, at home, and with the growth of electric vehicles (EVs), even on the road.
The demand for electricity increased by 2.5% in 2024 and is expected to grow by 3.2% this year. That was after co-ops saw a 4.8% increase in 2022. Through 2029, the nation’s peak demand is projected to grow by 38 gigawatts. That would be like adding another California-sized state to our nation’s power grid.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the development of massive data center facilities, often placed in electric co-op service territories to take advantage of inexpensive land and fewer neighbors to complain. By 2022, these facilities accounted for 2.5% of the nation’s consumption of electricity––and by 2030, they’ll use 7.5% of all electric power.
Data centers and facilities like warehouses require a large, steady supply of electricity 24 hours a day. That means the electric co-ops supplying them can’t rely on intermittent sources of electricity such as solar or wind energy to handle the additional load. Instead, they need more of what’s known as baseload or always-available power, much of which is currently generated by burning fossil fuels. The more we depend on technology, the more we’ll need reliable baseload generation.
Yet that’s a problem, because at the same time Americans are using more electricity, power providers are being forced to shut down reliable sources of baseload power such as coal and
nuclear power plants. Many large coal plants have been converted to use cleaner-burning natural gas, but others have been deemed too costly to convert and are prematurely being shut down. More than 110 gigawatts of always-available generation—enough to power about 35 million homes—is forecast to retire by 2033.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s forecast expects coal-fired generation to drop to half of today’s levels by 2030. Renewable energy will capture a growing share of the supply, but as noted, much renewable energy is not reliable enough to provide baseload power.
As electricity powers a growing share of life’s tools and conveniences, overall demand is expected to continue its steady growth through 2050. A great example is the efficiency of electric heat pumps. Federal and other subsidies and tax advantages are powering significant
growth in their share of the home heating market.
In other words, at the same time everyone is using more electricity than ever, the supply of the most reliable source is drying up. Add in the uncertainty created by public policy debates around energy and climate change, and you can begin to understand why 19 states face a high risk of rolling blackouts between now and 2028.
The energy industry studies demand closely because construction of all types of generation is costly and lengthy––often longer than a decade from groundbreaking to entering service.
As renewables become more efficient and cheaper to produce, their share of the power mix will only continue to grow. Someday soon, battery technology may reach the point where large-scale storage of renewable generation becomes possible, but until then, we’ll need more of those alwaysavailable power sources.
One more factor plays a key role in the ability of co-ops and the rest of the nation’s power industry to keep up with demand. That’s the supply chain, in which too few U.S. suppliers simply can’t keep up with the nation’s needs for power equipment. When a co-op orders new transformers, it may have to wait two years or more for delivery and pay a significantly higher price.
Expect to hear more about the challenges created by record demand for electricity in the coming years. Electric co-ops are managing and preparing for demand in many innovative ways.
For more than four decades, business writer Scott Flood has worked with electric cooperatives to build knowledge of energy-related issues among directors, staff, and members. Scott writes on a variety of energy-related topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 electric co-ops.
A NEW YEAR FOR NUCLEAR
“Nuclear is certainly having a moment,” said Christine Csizmadia, senior director for state governmental affairs and advocacy for the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). “We’re seeing this huge increase in interest from state policymakers, from people like yourselves, from governors’ offices, from everyone.”
Speaking to stakeholders and interested parties in Wisconsin during the Wisconsin Public Utility Institute’s (WPUI) U.S. Energy Overview on December 4, 2023, Csizmadia joined other leaders in the nuclear industry in talking about the seismic shift in the advancement and expansion of nuclear energy, including new technologies, that has been a long time coming.
“I’m adamantly pro-nuclear. I’ve said the same thing now for 15 years,” concurred Robert Bryce, an author, journalist, and speaker who researches and reports on issues related to energy policy and politics. Presenting at the 2024 Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association annual meeting, Bryce said, “If you’re anti-carbon dioxide and anti-nuclear, you’re problackout.”
Nuclear energy has the unique distinction of bipartisan support, earning the backing of both pro-business Republicans and some pro-clean energy Democrats, including President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden.
Walking the grounds of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Service’s new Trenton Solar array last fall, Democratic Governor Tony Evers acknowledged that a clean energy transition will require more than renewable, intermittent resources such as wind and solar.
Robert Bryce
“This is great. I love this stuff, but at the end of the day, we can’t rely only on this,” said Evers, who added that we need to meet carbon-free energy goals. “Nuclear has to be part of it, I know people all across the country are coming to that same conclusion. Something’s got to happen relatively soon, and the sooner, the better, from my point of view.”
The sense of urgency is prompted by recent historic weather events. Hurricane Helene did catastrophic damage not just on the coast but 500 miles inland, killing more than 200 people and causing an estimated $50 billion in damages
across six states. While scientists are quick to note recordbreaking extreme weather events will happen with or without global warming, the consensus is that warmer temperatures fueled Helene’s ability to hammer the inland areas with torrential rains that led to deadly flash floods in areas that were not at all prepared.
The
“Worst” Nuclear Accident in the U.S Nuclear energy’s resurgence comes as leaders in the nuclear industry have had success in debunking myths about the dangers of nuclear energy, which still, quietly and safely provides 20% of the nation’s energy, even as its fleet, built mostly in the 70s and 80s, is aging.
Three Mile Island, the Pennsylvania site of what is known as the worst nuclear plant accident ever in the United States, is now slated to reopen, 45 years after the incident. And now, we know how bad the accident wasn’t. Radiation testing and tracking done immediately after the 1979 meltdown and for years afterward shows the fear of catastrophic health impacts due to radiation exposure simply never materialized.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average exposure to nearby residents was comparable to a chest X-ray. The EPA’s conclusion that health impacts from the accident at Three Mile Island were “negligible” was confirmed in detail by scientists at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Energy (DOE), the state of Pennsylvania, and several independent research groups. The worst nuclear plant accident ever in the United States resulted in no fatalities, no injuries, and no significant radiation-related health effects, either in the short or long term.
But the damage was done. Anti-nuclear activists used the accident to spread misinformation and fear. As a result, you could say nuclear energy was canceled. Many states, including Wisconsin, passed laws banning the construction of new nuclear plants, and NRC permits came to a halt.
But the tides are turning. Wisconsin was the first state to repeal its nuclear ban. Former Governor Scott Walker signed legislation ending the moratorium and opening the door to nuclear energy expansion in 2016, and other states soon followed.
“The removing of nuclear moratoriums is steadfast,” Csizmadia said. “We’re very excited to see the number of states that have taken this action. Wisconsin, you get a big round of applause for being the first ones to do this years ago.”
Minnesota is one of 10 states that still has a moratorium
on new nuclear in place, even though it has one of the most ambitious clean energy laws on the books. Governor Tim Walz signed legislation that requires 100% clean energy in Minnesota by 2040, a challenging task without the option of adding carbon-free, baseload nuclear energy.
According to the NRC, the Three Mile Island meltdown was caused by the combination of a mechanical failure and lack of training, which prompted sweeping changes in the industry, bringing safety to the next level. Constellation Energy renamed the facility the “Crane Clean Energy Center” and hopes to have it up and running again by 2028, pending permits.
Wind and Solar Waning
Fueled by government subsidies, utilities have built new wind and solar generation at record levels in recent years, but as Bryce pointed out in his presentation, it still doesn’t add up to nearly enough to power the planet or the nation. Sharing Statistical Review of World Energy data, he showed that global spending on wind and solar topped $4.7 trillion from 2004 to 2023. As a result, generation increased from 0 to 6%. But world energy usage increased 40% during that time, fueled by bigger coal and natural gas increases.
“So, despite almost $5 trillion spent on wind and solar, hydrocarbons grew 3 times faster than wind and solar combined during that time,” Bryce said. China and India, which continue to build coal plants, are increasing emissions at 10 times the rate at which the United States is cutting.
“We’re not going to change this trajectory on our own,” Bryce said. And certainly not with wind and solar alone.
He adds that the renewables have even greater challenges, as more communities are pushing back on building wind farms and solar arrays that blanket valuable farmland. Bryce has been tracking what he says is a sharp increase in project rejections over the past three years all across the country. Just as nuclear is having its moment, the intermittent renewables appear to be
losing their shine.
Nuclear energy isn’t just clean, it’s compact, by comparison. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), wind requires 360 times more land to produce the same amount of energy as an average nuclear plant, and solar arrays require 75 times more space than a nuclear plant. According to DOE data, a single nuclear plant generates almost as much energy as every single wind turbine standing in Wisconsin today, and that’s assuming the wind is blowing.
Perhaps the greatest benefit nuclear energy has over wind and solar is its reliability. According to the EIA, nuclear energy has the highest capacity factor of any energy source, by far. Intermittent wind and solar come in dead last.
“It is the height of foolishness to be making our most important energy network, the electric grid, dependent on the weather,” Bryce said, noting that total wind production actually decreased in 2023 compared to 2022 due to “wind droughts.”
Federal energy policy resulting in less baseload coal generation and more wind and solar is threatening the grid, according to oversight agencies, who predict the risk of blackouts will only get worse as demand for power increases due to demand from data centers, beneficial electrification, and electric vehicles.
That’s more reason that Bryce says the time for more clean, reliable nuclear energy is now: “Energy security is national security. Energy realism is energy humanism. And I’m
absolutely pro-human and pro-energy and unapologetic about it, and I think you should be as well.”
The Resurgence of Nuclear
Further fueling the resurgence of nuclear power is the rapid development of new nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), a scaled-down version of traditional nuclear plants built off-site, at a reduced cost, requiring even less land. Currently, at least 39 companies are vying to play in the SMR space.
“Over the next 10 years, we expect to see 23 early site permits, 18 construction permits, and eight combined operating licenses,” said Michelle ZietlowMiller, public engagement manager for Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) at the Idaho National Laboratory. “Many of the utilities are currently focused on SMRs. However, there are multiple entities that identified large reactors are of interest, as well as microreactors.”
In February of 2022, Dairyland Power Cooperative signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NuScale Power to evaluate the potential deployment of NuScale’s advanced nuclear technology. Those discussions are ongoing, according to President and CEO Brent Ridge.
Going
“Nuclear is moving forward. It’s going to happen in the U.S. somewhere between the next 5 to 10 years,” Ridge said. “It has to happen. If you’re against carbon dioxide, you have to be for nuclear.”
In March, Dairyland Power marked the end of an era by demolishing the Genoa #3 coal plant. It is sites like this that industry leaders say are prime for new nuclear development.
“The most valuable piece of a coal plant is really the transmission line and the rights to the grid that are already established at those sites. And the fact that it’s already been developed for industrial application,” Zietlow-Miller said.
In 2022, DOE published a comprehensive study of existing and retired coal plants to show how many sites may be suitable for an advanced reactor. Investigating Benefits and Challenges of Converting Retiring Coal Plants into Nuclear Plants found 80% of sites would be suitable, including three in Wisconsin.
The report doesn’t identify where the sites are, but it’s clear Genoa could be an option for a nuclear plant because it had one before. The La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor shut down in 1987.
“We think either the Alma or the Genoa site would be great to transition our coal sites to clean, reliable nuclear power,” Ridge said last fall. “We are absolutely interested in it going forward.”
Zietlow-Miller said 70% of job skills required for coal plant workers carry over to nuclear, so transitioning plants brings a built-in workforce, a major infusion of cash to the local economy, plus long-time job security, as new nuclear plants can operate for 80-100 years or longer.
Forward Even with the wind at the back of the nuclear energy resurgence, barriers remain. The current ban on the import of uranium from Russia is problematic, although government incentives are in place to spur the domestic production of nuclear fuel.
Also, utilities are still concerned about potential cost overruns of building new nuclear plants, particularly with new technology, like SMRs. None are in operation yet in the U.S. that can demonstrate the economic feasibility in a commercial setting.
Speaking at a panel on nuclear energy hosted by Dairyland Power Cooperative just before the November election, Congressman Derrick Van Orden committed to working to expedite nuclear energy expansion.
“I understand the emerging technologies need to have some type of subsidies before they become commercially viable, he said. “We’re going to get the White House and Senate and maintain a majority in the House, so we’re going to have about a two-year window to really hyper-focus on these things,” Van Orden said.
“Just do for nuclear what’s been done for renewables,” Ridge replied.
Van Orden’s election prediction was spot-on. Republicans secured the trifecta, winning both houses and the presidency. President Joe Biden recently set a goal to triple nuclear capacity in the nation by 2050 and pledged $1 billion in support for SMRs, but it will be up to the Trump Administration and Republicans to move it forward.
All indications are that they will. The party platform states, “Republicans will unleash energy production from all sources, including nuclear.”
Nuclear energy is indeed having a moment. And it’s only just beginning.—Julie Lund
AWHAT’S AHEAD IN 2025: PROGRESS, PROJECTS, AND POSSIBILITIES
By Monica Obrycki, President and CEO
s we look to 2025, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is preparing for a year aimed at enhancing reliability, supporting member needs, and planning for the future. While it's impossible to cover everything in a single article, here's a glimpse of some of the exciting projects and efforts we're undertaking to continue providing value and reliability to our members. From infrastructure improvements to innovative energy solutions, the projects ahead reflect our mission to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable power while investing in the future.
One major project in 2025 includes upgrades to our load management program. This program, which helps reduce energy demand during peak times, benefits members who participate by offering special rates or bill credits. This year, we'll be replacing a portion of the outdated receivers with advanced models that allow for better communication and even more effective energy management. This ongoing project ensures we can continue providing savings and efficiency for years to come.
Maintaining reliability through infrastructure rebuilds is also on the calendar. Each year, we replace miles of aging overhead and underground power lines identified through system reliability studies. Some scheduled projects for 2025 include upgrades along Highway 12 and single phase projects in the townships of Bridge Creek, Fairchild, and Ludington. These improvements ensure our system meets modern standards and minimizes outage risks, keeping power flowing safely and reliably to your homes and businesses.
Grant funding will allow us to take on additional projects in 2025. Through $1.1 million in funding from the Department of Energy, we'll rebuild 10 miles of overhead line near Augusta and install smart reclosers in the same area. These upgrades will strengthen reliability and provide long-
term benefits to members in those communities.
In addition to these system improvements, we're planning for a renewable energy initiative. Eau Claire Energy Cooperative is part of a statewide partnership with nine other Wisconsin cooperatives to develop 37 megawatts of solar energy. Our service area includes a 2.5-megawatt solar array, with construction set to begin in 2025. This collaboration ensures a cost benefit to our members and increases our local renewable energy generation.
Members may also notice some changes to their electric bills in 2025. One potential enhancement is the inclusion of demand information, which reflects the highest amount of energy peak used at once during the billing period. This is something we are exploring to provide members with more insight into their energy usage patterns. By offering greater visibility into energy usage patterns, we hope to give members more tools to understand and manage their energy costs effectively.
Beyond these projects, 2025 also marks the beginning of a new strategic planning cycle. Every three years, our board and staff set goals that guide the cooperative's direction. Previous plans have brought advancements in system technology, workforce development, and community engagement, all while maintaining our focus on reliability and affordability. The next cycle promises even more progress as we continue to shape a strong and sustainable future.
While this is just a glimpse of what's ahead, each effort reflects our commitment to serving members with innovation, care, and a dedication to reliable and affordable energy. 2025 promises to be a year of progress, and I'm excited for the opportunities it holds for all of us. By working together, we're building a brighter future—one project, plan, and possibility at a time.
Nestled in the scenic countryside of Wisconsin, Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary offers a unique blend of playful goats, serene alpacas, and rejuvenating yoga. Kristina and Tiffany turned a dream into reality, creating a space where joy, healing, and connection take center stage—an ideal destination for those looking to start the new year with a fresh perspective.
The idea for Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary sprouted during a life-changing goat yoga experience Kristina and Tiffany shared in Galena, Illinois, in 2019. The pandemic, combined with personal loss, inspired the couple to reevaluate their lives and pursue their vision of a sanctuary.
“I’ve always dreamed of having a hobby farm with goats and alpacas,” Kristina shares.
“Coupling that with creating a space for others to heal through yoga made it all come together.” After relocating to Wisconsin in 2022, Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary was born.
Finding Joy at Hidden Timber
Soul Sanctuary: Goat Yoga and New Beginnings
Starting Fresh with Joy and Connection
Since opening, the local community has embraced Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary. Many participants bring friends or out-of-town guests to share the fun, and regular visitors are rewarded with a VIP punch card for free classes. The sanctuary has also partnered with local businesses for unique events and plans to expand collaborations during the offseason.
Hidden Timber isn’t just about yoga. The sanctuary offers private bookings for celebrations and team-building events, life coaching sessions led by Tiffany, and wellness retreats featuring holistic healing practices. Tiffany’s children’s book, Beans and the Magic Sanctuary, based on the real-life adventures of their farm cat, Beans, is also a hit with visitors.
Hidden Timber’s goat and alpaca yoga classes offer participants two distinct experiences. Goat yoga is lively and lighthearted. The playful goats trot into the studio, eagerly seeking animal crackers and affection. “The goats are so silly, you can’t help but laugh and find joy again,” Kristina says. “They keep you present and in the moment, which is what yoga is all about.”
Alpaca yoga, on the other hand, offers a calm and zenlike atmosphere. While alpacas are shy and less interactive than goats, their quiet presence adds a sense of peace and curiosity to outdoor sessions. “They’ll silently watch the class, occasionally approaching participants,” Kristina explains. Whether attendees are stretching, giggling at the goats, or simply soaking in the tranquil vibes, every session is tailored to meet individual needs. “Some people come for the yoga, while others are content just petting a goat. Both are perfectly okay,” Kristina adds.
As the new year begins, Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary provides the perfect setting for fresh starts and personal growth. “We hope participants leave lighter, happier, and more connected than when they arrived,” Kristina says. “The goats and alpacas remind us to find joy, laugh, and focus on the here and now” —something everyone should consider as we set our intentions for the year ahead.
Why Try Goat Yoga?
Kristina has simple advice for those new to goat yoga: “Come with no expectations and be open to the experience.” Thanks to the goats’ unpredictable and curious nature, each class is unique. Participants should also dress in casual “play clothes,” as the goats are known for their hands-on enthusiasm!
Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary is all about connection— whether it’s finding joy through animal interaction, achieving inner peace, or building bonds with loved ones. As the calendar turns to a new year, this sanctuary is the perfect place to embrace positivity, mindfulness, and a fresh start.
For updates on classes, pop-up events, and merchandise, follow Hidden Timber Soul Sanctuary on social media!
Know a business or individual that would be great for a member spotlight? Email Taylor at tskibba@ecec.com or call 715-832-1603.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 88TH ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting is a special time of year for Eau Claire Energy Cooperative! Cooperation among cooperatives is one of the guiding principles we live by, and this year, we’re showcasing how these partnerships help us maintain reliable service and keep costs affordable. It’s our opportunity to highlight the power of cooperation and how working together with our partners strengthens our cooperative and benefits you, our members.
The annual meeting is your chance to learn more about the partnership ECEC has with Rural Electric Supply Cooperative (RESCO). RESCO, a supply cooperative ECEC partners with, will share insights on how cooperative collaboration ensures reliable service and cost savings for member-owners. You’ll also hear financial updates, recognize the Concern for Community Award recipient, and have the opportunity to interact with cooperative employees. Members who attend the meeting in person will also be entered to win one of ten $100 bills!
As an ECEC member, you play a crucial role in guiding the cooperative’s future and electing the Board of Directors. This year, we’re making it easier than ever for you to participate. For the first time, you can cast your vote online through your SmartHub account! Voting online is fast, secure, and convenient— giving you the power to make a difference at your cooperative right from your home.
Mark your calendar and join us at the 88th Annual Meeting of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Florian Gardens. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., the meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will follow. Whether you vote online or attend in person, your voice makes a difference. We can’t wait to see you there!
Absentee ballots available after February 3, 2025
Absentee ballots can be requested by calling our o ce at 715-836-6461, submitting a request online, scanning the QR code, or by lling out the form below and returning it to the cooperative by no later than March 4, 2025 by 3:00 p.m. to: Eau Claire Energy Cooperative Attn: Corporate Secretary P.O. Box 368 Fall Creek, WI 54742-0368
Absentee Ballot Request
(please print)
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone #
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Download the SmartHub app or visit www.ecec.com/my_account/smarthub
WHAT’S IT COST?
These costs can be used as a general guide. Speci c products usage/costs may vary.
ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
4 hours per day=$.72
$21.60 per month
900-WATT HEAT TAPE
24 hours per day=$2.59
$77.70 per month
ELECTRIC BLANKET
8 hours per day=$.19
$5.70 per month
1500-WATT SPACE HEATER
8 hours per day=$1.44
$43.20 per month
8214 Hwy 12, P.O. Box 368, Fall Creek, WI 54742-0368 www.ecec.com
Taylor Skibba, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Emergencies & outages: Toll FREE 800-927-5090
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Diggers Hotline: 811 or 1-800-242-8511
Call 3 working days before you dig.
ECEC will be closed on January 1 for New Years Day.
Smokey Minestrone
STEW FOR YOU
Recipe and photo courtesy of the National Pasta Organization at www.sharethepasta.org
Classic minestrone is a tasty crowd-pleaser, but this smokey minestrone recipe kicks up the avor by adding a chipotle puree to give the soup an unexpected and delicious hint of spice. With leeks, carrots, celery, zucchini, and greens all added to the mix, it’s a great way to get more vegetables into your diet.
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup nely chopped leek, well-rinsed
1/2 cup nely chopped carrot
1/2 cup nely chopped celery
1 (28 oz) can tomatoes
4 cups (32 oz) no sodium added vegetable, chicken, or beef stock
2 Tbsp pureed chipotle pepper
3 oz mini bow tie or other small pasta
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 cups (8 oz) leafy greens such as escarole, kale, Swiss chard, or spinach, roughly chopped
1-1/2 cups zucchini, large dice
1 (14 oz) can cannellini beans, drained
2 Tbsp prepared pesto sauce
Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the oil and sauté the leek, carrot, and celery until softened, approx. 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stock liquid, chipotle, and pasta. Break up the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer until the pasta is done, approx. 10 minutes.
Stir in the greens of choice, diced zucchini, cannellini beans, and pesto. Cook until the greens are wilted and the zucchini is softened, approx. 5 minutes. Taste once more and adjust seasoning to taste.
Divide between 6 bowls.
RECIPES
Chicken and Red Lentil Stew with Greens and Sweet Potatoes
Recipe and photo courtesy of the National Chicken Council. .
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1-1/2 lbs chicken thigh meat, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/2 tsp dried coriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
4 cups chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, reserve juice
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rounds
2 small potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup red lentils
1 large bag (12 oz) spinach, cleaned and chopped
2 Tbsp freshly chopped cilantro, divided
6 Tbsp plain yogurt or sour cream
In a stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken cubes and sprinkle with salt and cayenne pepper. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally to brown all sides of meat cubes. Add garlic, ginger, and onion. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes. Add dried spices (cumin, mustard, coriander, cinnamon) and brown sugar and stir until combined. Add broth and tomatoes with juice; bring to a boil. Add carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Return to boil, reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes. Add lentils, cover, and simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Using a fork, check to be sure vegetables are soft. When soft, add spinach, stir to combine until spinach is wilted. Add one tablespoon of cilantro. Serve in soup bowls. Garnish each bowl with a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream, if desired, and remaining chopped cilantro. Serves 6.
2 oz dry shell pasta
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup roughly chopped shallot
2 Tbsp roughly chopped garlic
1 tsp thyme leaves
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups fish stock
Cioppino with a Twist
Recipe and photo courtesy of the National Pasta Organization.
For a simple seafood stew, this 30-minute Cioppino is a delicious weeknight dinner solution!
1/4 tsp saffron threads
1 cup (8 oz) roughly chopped tomatoes
6 oz mussels (approx.12 pieces)
8 oz shrimp (approx. 12 large pieces)
8 oz preferred fish, cut into bite-sized chunks
4 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta shells according to package directions; drain and reserve. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and sauté shallot, garlic, and thyme until aromatic, approx.1 minute. Add the wine, fish stock, saffron, and tomatoes to the pan and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover, and steam until the shells open, about 5 minutes. Discard any mussels that don’t open. Add the shrimp and fish and cook until cooked through, approx. 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Divide between 4 bowls and garnish with parsley.
STEW
Biscuit Beef Stew
Recipe and photo courtesy of the Home Baking Association. Warm up with this homemade biscuit beef stew, a cozy and hearty meal perfect for chilly winter days. While snow akes fall outside, the rich aroma of tender beef, savory vegetables, and u y biscuits will ll your kitchen, making every bite a comforting treat. Enjoy this dish with friends and family for a memorable evening.
2 lbs beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup pearl onions
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 (32 oz) can tomatoes, chopped
2-1/2 cups hot water
1-1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 cup potatoes, peeled, cubed
1 cup carrots
2 Tbsp all-purpose white flour
Cold water
DROP BISCUITS
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
STEW: In a large pot, brown beef and onions in oil. Add tomatoes, including liquid, hot water, salt, pepper, and sugar. Heat to boiling; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until beef is tender, approx. 1-1/2 hours. Add marjoram, thyme, potatoes, and carrots. Cover and simmer an additional 30 minutes until vegetables are tender. Mix flour with enough cold water until smooth; gradually stir into beef mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Transfer stew to a deep casserole dish.
DROP BISCUITS: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix all-purpose baking mix, butter, and sour cream until well blended. Drop by spoonfuls onto hot stew mixture and bake 10 minutes or until biscuits have browned. Makes 5–6 servings.
NOTE: If you have a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, you may cook the stew on the stovetop, add the biscuit dumplings, then bake as directed.
READER RECIPES
FIESTA TATER TOT HOTDISH
RECIPE COURTESY OF TONY GATES, ARKANSAW
REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS
An online reader is looking for recipes that use rutabagas.
SEND TO: WECN, Reader Recipes, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102 Middleton, WI 53562-2200 or jennifer@weca.coop
Submit your favorite recipes to be featured on our reader recipe page. Email to jennifer@weca.coop or submit directly at http://wecnmagazine.com/submit-a-recipe/.
PLEASE NOTE: Recipes submitted must include quantities for all ingredients. If no measurements are used, your recipe will not be printed. Due to food safety issues, we cannot accept canning recipes.
1-1/2 lbs ground beef
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 oz) can cheese soup
1 (32 oz) bag frozen tater tots
1 (10.5 oz) can nacho cheese soup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground beef and onion; drain. Add cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup and cheese soup; mix well. Pour into a casserole dish and layer the tater tots on top. Pour the can of nacho cheese soup over tater tots and bake for 1-1/2 hours.
HARPY’S CASSEROLE
RECIPE COURTESY OF MAXINE WARD, BELLEVILLE
I made up this recipe when we were just a young family with 3 young children (2 boys and 1 girl). We were very poor and could not run to the grocery store or order out. Not knowing how this would turn out, I took a chance...it became one of our favorites... especially for our son, Harlan, who was known as HARPY.
1 lb ground beef, browned
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
5–6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 (14.75–15.25 oz) can whole kernel corn, do not drain
1 (14.75–15.25 oz) can creamedstyle corn
Paprika (to taste), for garnish
Dried parsley (to taste), for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown the ground beef, then add onions, celery, salt, and pepper; drain fat. Add peeled and sliced potatoes to the beef mixture, mix. Grease a 9-x-13-inch casserole dish. Put mixture into casserole dish; add a can of whole corn to top of potato/meat mixture, spreading to cover entire dish. Add a can of creamed corn to the top, spreading to cover. Sprinkle paprika and parsley akes on top. Bake for 1-1/2 hours until potatoes are tender. Serve.
CHOW MEIN NOODLE HOT DISH
RECIPE COURTESY OF MARIAN BILLS, BROWNSVILLE, MN
1-1/2 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup celery, chopped
2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 oz) can chicken rice soup
1 (10.5 oz) can mixed vegetables, reserve liquid
1 (4 oz) can mushrooms, reserve liquid
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 cups chow mein noodles
Brown together ground beef, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix in remaining ingredients and reserved liquids, add additional salt and pepper if needed, and pour into a prepared casserole dish. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.
CHICKEN STUFFING CASSEROLE
RECIPE COURTESY OF MARILYN HINES, ELLSWORTH
4 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk or half & half
1/2 stick butter, melted
1½ –2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 (8 oz) pkg or approx. 3 1/4 cups dry stu ng
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease a 9-x-13inch baking pan. Pour chicken, both cans of soup, and milk or half & half into a baking pan. In a bowl, pour melted butter and broth over stu ng. Mix gently until all is coated. If it seems dry, add more broth. Sprinkle stu ng over chicken mixture in a baking pan; mix. Cover with foil and bake for 20–30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–20 minutes or when it is browned on top. May add shredded cheese the last 5 minutes of baking.
EASY BREAKFAST QUICHE
RECIPE COURTESY OF FERN GERKE, TOMAH
2 cups milk
4 eggs
3/4 cup biscuit mix (such as Bisquick)
1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen broccoli; thawed, chopped, and drained
1 cup cooked ham, cubed
8–12 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-x-13-inch pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat together milk, eggs, biscuit mix, butter, and Parmesan cheese. Batter will be lumpy. Stir in chopped broccoli, ham, and cheddar cheese. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until eggs are set, and top is golden brown. NOTE: You may include any ingredients you like in the egg mixture. Suggestions: bacon, sausage, onions, mushrooms, etc.
PAST RECIPES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AT WECNMAGAZINE.COM/RECIPES. CLICK “SEARCH RECIPE ARCHIVES.”
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As the holiday season wraps up, images evoked from one of the season’s most popular songs bring us into the new year. The catchy sing-along “Jingle Bells” was written in 1857 and describes a scene of the times:
Dashing through the snow
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight, oh!
For the past 36 years, members of the Northwoods Harness Club have been recreating that nostalgia with their annual Sleigh and Cutter Rally. Held this year on January 18 at the Northern Pines Golf Course and Event Center, this
family-friendly event is sure to take attendees back in time. Spectators can expect more than two dozen drivers from Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa to maneuver horse-drawn cutters, bobsleds, and vintage sleighs dating back to the 1800s.
Typically, at a sleigh rally, the vehicles are on runners. However, there wasn’t enough snow last year, so exhibitors switched to wheels to run on the frozen ground of the golf course. The event draws a variety of horse-drawn vehicles.
“Many are brand new, shiny out of the production room,” said Janet Martens, event organizer and member of Bayfield Electric Cooperative. “Some are homemade. We often have restored sleighs from places like Russia, Germany, Sweden, and Norway from back into the 1800s.”
“There are sleigh bells, oftentimes as old as the sleighs themselves,” said Martens. “There will be ornate oil lamps and lanterns, and even charcoalburning foot warmers that were used to combat the cold and dark dreary nights. Those charcoal-burning foot warmers are pretty rare, and some people do have them in their sleighs to complete their outfits.”
Taking the nostalgia for a bygone experience even further, exhibitors go to great lengths to be as historically accurate as possible, down to their authentic period costumes of beaver pelt hats, horsehair blankets, and fur hand muffs. There is even an educational table of items used in the 1800s for attendees to see.
Attendees can expect a wide variety, not only in the types of vehicles and elaborate costumes, but also in the horsepower used. Martens describes the equine athletes as varying from big draft horses to little ponies 40 inches tall. But don’t be fooled by their small stature.
“Ponies were for many years in the distant past used as draft animals in the coal mines in Ireland and Scotland,” said Martens. “They pulled
heavy loads, so ponies are deceptive in their size; they’re very strong and resilient little critters.”
Martens recognizes the importance of remembering equine historical contributions.
“Driving horses is probably the most, I don’t want to say dying sport, but people don’t understand what goes into it anymore because there are not a lot of carriage and sleigh drivers around anymore. We want to open up people’s eyes to the history and the role of the equine in settling our country. They helped us in wars; they delivered goods. The horse itself is an incredible creature; so big, so strong, yet willing to work with us,” said Martens.
After moving around to many
venues around Ashland, Superior, and Duluth over the years, the sleigh rally settled in Iron River last year. On Bayfield Electric Cooperative lines, the Northern Pines Golf Course and Events Center has been a good fit.
“It has a really nice lodge where people can watch the competition down the hill from inside the lodge. We have indoor/outdoor speakers, so as the announcer provides a description of the vehicle and the driver and what they’re wearing, everyone around can hear,” said Martens.
The event entails 17 competitive classes, including classes for junior drivers under 18. Junior drivers always ride with an experienced driver to provide support. The junior drivers
compete in reinsmanship, which has them driving a set pattern by communicating with their horses using the reins, voice commands, and whip. Other classes are judged on equine breed, authentically restored sleighs, and period clothing. There’s even a Northwoods special class that’s a costume competition based on humor and creativity. A judge determines class winners and distributes awards sponsored by area businesses. The entire event is sponsored by the Iron River Chamber of Commerce, of which Bayfield Electric Cooperative is a member.
“We have almost every business in Iron River involved in this one way or another. We have the strong support of all the local veterinarians, and it’s really good to have our community come together for this event,” Martens said.
When asked what she hopes attendees will take away from the event, Martens said, “Number one is some enjoyment for the day, then some education about horses and driving, and finally an opportunity to think about the past and how important horses are to us. We need to nurture interest in horses.”
“We provide a fun show for the spectators, and it’s nice to have it in the middle of winter when it’s so cold and dark,” said Martens. “It gets people outside and moving around.”
Making spirits bright, indeed.—Dana Kelroy, photos courtesy of JoAnn Jardine Studio One Photography
The 36th Annual Sleigh and Cutter Rally will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10 a.m.–3:00 p.m.. Hosted by the Northern Pines Golf Course and Event Center, 69420 Airport Road, Iron River, Wisconsin.
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WANTED: Paying cash for WWII ags, daggers, swords, guns, etc. Also, lever-action ri es. 715-340-1974.
WANTED: DEER TAGS, BACK TAGS. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, sher, bobcat tags, party permits, old traps. 715255-9284 David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446.
CHAINSAWS WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. Buying 1 or 100 McCulloch, Pioneer, Jonsereds, Echo, STIHL, Homelite, Remington, Mall. Buying all brands and sizes. Non-running, running, siezed, parts. Let me know what you have - will travel. Call Chainsaw Mike at 715-828-9414.
THROW YOUR HOME MOVIES IN THE TRASH! Or pro transfer 8mm, VHS, slides, audio, and all formats to DVD or ash drive. Gene DVD Productions 715-827-2302.
WANTED: COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR VINTAGE SPORTS CARDS 1986 or older. 608-343-3503.
WANTED: BEAR TRAPS, large odd traps, and lever-action ri es. Traps for sale: beaver, coyote, and Newhouse traps. 715-563-6658.
E-BIKES FOR SALE. Let me get you on the right e-bike. Recycle Bike Shop Mobile, Boyceville, WI. Call or text Bicycle Larry 715-702-1452.
STORM SHELTERS AND SAFE ROOMS, custom built. 815-985-3175.
STEP-IN SHOWER—Transforms your existing tub into a safe step-in shower in just one day. Call 608-726-0769.
AKC REGISTERED English Springer Spaniel Puppies. Please call or text for more information. 715-577-8155. Holcombe, Wisconsin.
2019 COACHMAN CATALINA LEGACY, model 263HSCK. 30 ft with one slide. Great condition. Two bunks and a queen master, replace, and air conditioner. ($23K) Contact 920-604-0345. Reuben. Oconto, WI 54153.
CHIPPEWA VALLEY BEE EXPO. April 12, 2025. Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Honeybees, pollinators seminars, cooking with honey, youth programs, education, and awareness expo. See us on FB on Chippewa Valley Bee Expo.
FOR SALE: 2 TIMBERKING SAWMILLS. 1220 diesel, 1400 gas w/hyd. The 1220 is new. John 715-881-0820
Plants & Shrubs
HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Hybrid Poplar, Hickory, Milkweed, Aspen, Dogwoods, Elderberry, Cranberry, Balsam, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, fall food plot and grafted apple trees too, large bareroot shade trees including Autumn Blaze. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI. 715-723-2072.
Real Estate
5 ACRES, WEST PEPIN COUNTY, small house with 640 sf garage. Last appraisal $263K, sell $245K. 612-805-2685.
Classi ed ads reach more than 152,000 mailboxes. RATES: For non-members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $25 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $1.25 each. For members of Wisconsin rural electric co-ops: one insertion, $14 minimum (up to 20 words); additional words, $.70 each. Count name, address, and phone number as part of ad. Please include zip code. FOR PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP, please include your address label from your copy of the magazine. FREQUENCY DISCOUNTS: 2% discount for 3 months; 5% for 6 months; 10% for 12 months. DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the ad is to appear. All classi ed ads must be paid in advance. There is no agency discount on classi eds. Make check or money order payable to: WECA. Mail to: WECN—Classi eds, Attn. Jennifer, 6405 Century Ave., Ste. 102, Middleton, WI 53562. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.
WATCH FOR HAZARDS IN THE WAKE OF WINTER STORMS
When snow, winds, and freezing rain strike, they can leave behind dangers even after the storm has passed. When you head outside during and after a winter storm, keep the following safety tips in mind:
l If you see power lines on the ground, stay away, warn others to stay away, and call 9-1-1. Lines do not have to be arcing or sparking to be live. Also, be aware that drifting snow can cover up a downed line.
l If you are in a car that’s come in contact with a downed power line, stay in the vehicle and call for help. Wait for the utility crew to arrive and deenergize the line. Warn others not to approach the car.
l If you must exit a car that has come in contact with power equipment because of threat of re, jump out and away with both feet together. Then hop away while continuing to keep both feet together to avoid becoming a conductor of electricity.
Source: Safeelectricity.com
POWERING YOUR LIFE
WISCONSIN EVENTS January 2025
1–31 Winter Feeding Eagles—Alma. Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Watch winter-feeding eagles as they congregate, often in large numbers, to fish the open waters below Lock & Dam #4. View them from inside the comfort of the Wings Over Alma Center. For more info, call 608-685-3303.
5 Winter Fun—Cornell. Camp Nawakwa, 1–3 p.m. Snowshoe, sled, explore, make s’mores, and enjoy hot chocolate around the campfire. Dress for the weather— everything else will be provided. The Chalet Lodge will be open for warming up and bathroom breaks. The event is free, but donations are accepted. Reservations not required, but are appreciated. For more info, or to make reservations, please email OurNawakwa@gmail.com.
11 Special Occasion Dress Sale—Neillsville. High School main entrance, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Bring your clean, gently-used dresses (prom, wedding, first communion, quinceañera, mother-of-the-bride, etc.). Cost is $5 per dress entered and you choose the price listed for each item. Cash or check only. For more info, email kaasselin@gmail.com or 715-797-4525.
11 “Buckets N Boards”—Reedsburg. Area High School CAL Center, 2–4 p.m. A high-energy percussion comedy including songs, tap dancing, and family fun with this Disney cruise headliner and award winner. Reserved tickets are $20; 18 and under are $10. Bring the kids and grandkids! For more info or to make reservations, call 608-768-8928 Ext. 1190.
11 Winter Festival—La Farge. Kickapoo Valley Reserve, all day. A wonderful family event that highlights outdoor winter activities. Activities subject to change due to weather conditions. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more info, call 608-625-2960.
16 Vintage Snowmobile “Challenge” Ride— Hayward. Flat Creek Lodge, all day. For more info, call 608-295-5795.
18 Ice Fisheree—Nekoosa. Lake Sherwood Lodge, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Family-friendly activity. Registration $15 adults, $5 children under 12. Cash payout for largest northern, bass, walleye, and largest overall fish. Children compete for trophies for panfish. 715-325-4066.
18 Learn to Cross-Country Ski—Fall Creek. Beaver Creek Reserve, 8–10 a.m. Check your new year’s goals off your list by learning the basics of cross-country skiing! Ages 10 to adult. Please dress according to the weather. Program subject to cancellation in the event of adverse conditions. Register by Jan. 16.; no walk-ins. The cost is $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers. For info, email bcr@Beavercreekreserve.org or call 715-877-2212.
23 Grateful for Our Growers—Iola. Rustic Grill at Glacier Wood Golf Club, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Agricultural workers have a higher percentage of depression, anxiety, and suicides than the overall population. Waupaca County Suicide Coalition is hosting this free event featuring a panel, keynote speaker, resource tables, and a meal for farmers and guests.
22 Red Cross Blood Drive—Iola. IolaScandinavia Aquatic & Fitness Center, 12–5 p.m. Red Cross needs your blood. Call 1-800-REDCROSS to pre-register at your local center. Walk-ins also accepted.
23–25 GrassWorks Grazing Conference— Wisconsin Dells. Chula Vista Resort, all day. Networking, learning, and exploring the latest in grazing practices. Gathering hundreds of graziers, researchers, and professionals, this annual event features over 30 sessions led by experts, offering insights into a wide range of grazing topics. From improving soil health and water quality to supporting graziers’ livelihoods, attendees engage with innovative ideas and practical solutions. The conference serves as a hub for growth and connection in the grazing world. For more info, call 715-289-4896.
25 Vintage and Antique Snowmobile Show— Spencer. Swampstompers Club House, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sled registration at 9 a.m.; registered sled voting and the Radar Run at noon; and jalopy ride at 1:30 p.m., weather permitting. Table raffle winners and awards at 3:30 p.m. Swamp Stomper Olympics activities include a carburetor toss, drive belt toss, and a track throw. Chili and burgers available. Spectators free, $8 fee to enter snowmobiles. DNR requires all machines used on trails to be properly registered. For more info, email Jeremiah at Bonitzcustom@gmail.com or call 715-581-0390.
25 Phillips Flurry Snowshoe Run/Walk— Phillips. School Forest at W9199 N. Worcester Road, 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Offering both a 5k and 10k distance. Custom swag and a post-race meal included in entry fee. Everyone is welcome! Wisconsin state snowshoe championships. For more info, contact the race director at info@phillipsflurry. com or 715-339-2190.
26 Intro to Ice Fishing—Fall Creek. HalfMoon Lake beach parking lot (615 Randall St, Eau Claire), 1–3 p.m. Hosted by Beaver Creek Reserve. New anglers welcome! This course will cover the basics of ice fishing and allow plenty of practice time. Dress in warm layers and prepare to be out on the ice. Bring an ice fishing rod if you have one, limited poles will be available. No experience necessary, family participation is encouraged. An active fishing license is required for ages 16+. Children under 16 must have an adult present; all ages are welcome. Cost is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. No walk-ins. For more info, email bcr@beavercreekreserve.org or call 715-877-2212.
Upload events directly to the wecnmagazine.com through the “Events” tab.
Wisconsin Events is a public service for our readers. Due to space limits, we may need to eliminate details, so be sure to include a phone number (with area code) where callers may obtain more info. If we receive more listings than space allows us to print, we reserve the right to select those we believe will be of interest to the greatest number of readers. Please no virtual events. Events can also be mailed to: WECN, Events, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. DEADLINE: 1st of the month prior to the month in which the event is to appear.
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photos directly to wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit
1. Nora snuggles with Roxy. Photo submitted by Grandparents Gail and Jim Ellenberger, members of Rock Energy.
2. Everly loved to sit on the porch with her good friend Chopper. Sadly, Chopper recently passed away. Photo submitted by Grandma Cindi Del Fiacco, a member of Oakdale Electric.
3. Sam says “good morning” to his cows as they eat their breakfast. Photo submitted by Dan Flock of Vernon Electric.
ENERGY SAVINGS SCAVENGER HUNT
Saving energy at home is a great way to help the environment (and save money). With the help of an adult, look for ways you can save energy around your home. Use the tips below to get started, then check o the areas where you’ve identified ways to save!
TASK: Bright Ideas
Ensure your home uses energysaving LED bulbs. If you find incandescent or CFL bulbs, replace them with LEDs.
TASK: Empty Rooms
Turn o lights and ceiling fans in unoccupied rooms to conserve energy.
TASK: Sealed for Savings
Check windows to make sure they are closed and locked. Sealed windows help prevent air leaks, which saves energy.
TASK: Set to Save
Check the thermostat to see if it can be adjusted a few degrees (either lowered in winter or raised in summer) to conserve energy used for heating or cooling your home.
TASK: Slay Energy Vampires
Energy vampires are devices that consume energy even when they’re not being used. Unplug these items, like phone chargers and tablets, when you’re not using them.
Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 6405 Century Avenue, Suite 102, Middleton, WI 53562-2200. Please include the name of your electric co-op. Photos will be returned.
