Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News February 2023

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February 2023 Vol. 83 No. 8

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, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Steve Freese, president & CEO.

USPS number: 688-480.

Postmaster: please send address changes to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703.

Periodicals postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wis.

Send correspondence to Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Phone (608) 467-4650.

Web site: www.wecnmagazine.com.

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

Steve Freese WECA president & CEO

Dana Kelroy editor

Mary Erickson 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.

Please recycle

On the cover: Toy tractors such as WECA CEO Steve Freese’s One Ninety XT Allis-Chalmers are among the items that can be found at FFA Alumihosted farm toy shows held around the state.

Wisconsin

SYMBOL SEARCH

HIDDEN OBJECT GAME

Our January Symbol Search winner is Amy Becker, a member of Clark Electric Cooperative. She found the crown and said, “Okay! I gave up. Couldn’t nd the crown. Sigh. THEN my husband said he’d try.... He got out the detective magnifying glass, bright sunlight and found the crown! The gnat sized crown is on page 14, hidden on the base of the 3rd support column. That was a hoot! Thanks for the entertainment!”

Now we challenge readers to nd this toy tractor like those featured in our story on page 23. 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, and provide your permanent home or mailing address with your entry. Send entries by February 14.

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

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

SYMBOL SEARCH WECA

222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703

ONE-TWO PUNCH

December’s weather kept power providers on their toes. On page 8, Tim Clay talks about the December 15 storm that prompted implementation of the state’s mutual assistance program. Barely a week later, frigid temperatures and blizzard conditions delivered a second blow. This time, a diversi ed energy portfolio saved the day. Last month, Madison’s Wisconsin State Journal reprinted an opinion piece about that later-December storm, published originally in The Huntington (West Virginia) Herald-Dispatch Entitled “Fossil fuels kept lights on, homes warm,” it read in part:

“The arctic air that had hovered over much of the United States since the previous week had put so much strain on the regional electric grid that more than 60 million people from New Jersey to Illinois were asked to cut back on unnecessary use of electricity. The request showed the folly of destroying much of the power generation infrastructure that had supplied the region for decades in favor of relying on distant and unreliable sources of renewable energy.”

In our part of the country, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) manages the grid. According to MISO’s real-time data, just before 9:30 p.m. December 23, we were using 102,857 megawatts of power. Of that, 20,023 MW, just more than 19%, was supplied by wind, solar, and other sources. Eighty-one percent of our power needs at that critical time were met by coal, natural gas, and nuclear. Renewables have their place but on that night, with the grid pushed to its limits, it was fossil fuels and nuclear generation that kept us warm.

The Herald-Dispatch piece goes on to say, “Engineers and others continue to work on renewable sources and more economical nuclear power, but those sources are at least a decade away from being able to support the baseload needs of millions of people and businesses in normal times, let alone during a cold spell in December or a heat wave in July… It’s been this cold here before, and colder. It will be again. So why are the government and green energy proponents so eager to push us toward energy sources that can’t get us through this kind of weather?

Fossil fuels keep the lights on, buildings warm and people moving. It’s not wise to destroy the sources of energy that keep us warm and active in the kind of weather we had this past weekend. Or ever. But that’s what we’re doing…

The decarbonization of our energy infrastructure sounds great in theory, but in reality we’re still far from that goal. We should only move as quickly as technology allows while also recognizing that there may be limits to implementing our dreams of a carbon-free society.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Dana Kelroy Editor

Like millions of older Americans, I struggle with mobility. For years, I watched my quality of life slip away, as I was forced to stay home while friends and family took part in activities I’d once enjoyed. I thought I’d made some progress when I got a mobility scooter, but then I realized how hard it was to transport. Taking it apart and putting it back together was like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Once I had it disassembled, I had to try to put all of the pieces in the trunk of a car, go to wherever I was going, and repeat the process in reverse. Travel scooters were easier to transport, but they were uncomfortable and scary to drive, I always felt like I was ready to tip over. Then I found the So LiteTM Scooter. Now there’s nothing that can hold me back.

Years of work by innovative engineers have resulted in a scooter that’s designed with seniors in mind. They created Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that makes it virtually impossible to tip over. If you try to turn too quickly, the scooter automatically slows down to prevent it from tipping over. The battery provides powerful energy at a fraction of the weight of most batteries. With its rugged yet lightweight aluminum frame, the So LiteTM Scooter is the most portable

scooter ever—but it can hold up to 275 pounds—yet weighs only 40.8 pounds without the battery! What’s more, it easily folds up for storage in a car seat, trunk or even on an airplane. It folds in seconds without tools and is safe and reliable. Best of all, it’s designed with your safety in mind, from the newest technology and superior craftsmanship. Why spend another day letting your lack of mobility ruin your quality of life? Call now and find out how you can get a So LiteTM Scooter of your very own.

New Year, New Energy Tax Credits

New federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 are now available for consumers as the Biden administration seeks to improve energy efficiency and move toward more clean energy. There is a significant increase in the tax credits available for things such as heat pumps and electrical panels, and energy efficient windows and doors. The credits are available through 2032 and offer up to $3,200 per year to subsidize the cost of energy-efficient home upgrades including heating, cooling, and water heating.

Also, the state’s Residential Clean Energy program offers a 30 percent income tax credit for rooftop solar, wind energy, geothermal heat pumps, and battery storage through 2032, then drops to 22 percent for 2033 and 2034.

HOME Rebates

Now Available

Additional benefits are available from the state for lower- and moderateincome residents of Wisconsin. The state received $75 million in federal funds for the HOME Rebates program, which offers up to $14,000 per household for energy-efficient upgrades, depending on income.

The program covers up to to $8,000 for heat pumps, $4,000 for electrical panel/service upgrades, and $1,750 for heat pump water heaters. Investments in efficient electric stoves, electric clothes dryers, and insulation may also be eligible for rebates.

Evers Signs Second Energy Emergency Order

On Friday, January 6, Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #183 declaring an energy emergency in the state of Wisconsin, for the second time in a matter of weeks. Executive Order #183 exempts drivers working to transport fuel from state and federal restrictions for 30 days.

According to the governor’s office,

“Due to persisting challenges caused by weeks of severe winter weather and the impact it has on the distribution of residential heating fuel, including heating oil and propane, this Executive Order will allow for the swift and efficient delivery of these products throughout the state.”

In December Evers signed a 10-day order waiving hours-of-service requirements for lineworkers and certain requirements for drivers transporting fuel needed for home heating.

Dairyland Appoints New CFO

Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) has announced that April Wehling, Dairyland’s chief strategy officer, will succeed Phil Moilien as executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Moilien is retiring from the position, which includes oversight of accounting, finance, rates, financial forecasting, enterprise risk management, corporate budget, and supply chain.

Wehling joined Dairyland as controller in October 2016 and also served as director of the enterprise program management office and AVP, strategy. She also has more than two decades of experience working in finance and accounting.

Wisconsin Receives $6 Million for Broadband

Governor Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) announced the state will receive an additional $5,952,197 to plan “for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed internet throughout the state.” The funding, awarded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), is part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The funds will go to the PSC’s Wisconsin Broadband Office to support the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program planning process. BEAD planning funds will support capacity building with regional

and local government partners, technical assistance and outreach events, broadband mapping, and workforce planning efforts.

State Accepting Broadband Grant Applications

The state is now accepting applications for the latest round of broadband expansion funds. Governor Tony Evers and Rebecca Cameron Valcq, chair of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), announced $14.1 million will be awarded in the spring for the Broadband Expansion Grant Program from the Universal Service Fund.

The application period opened December 7, 2022, and ends on February 22, 2023. More information about the Broadband Expansion Grant Program can be found on the PSC website at psc.wi.gov.

Podcast Features Wisconsin Electric Cooperatives

Customers First! Coalition (CFC) featured Wisconsin electric cooperatives in its “Electric Wire” podcast. Rob Richard, WECA director of government affairs, led the discussion along with Kristin Gilkes, CFC executive director. Joining the conversation were Robert Cornell, general manager, Washington Island Electric Cooperative; Monica Obrycki, president and CEO, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative; Karen Newbury, director, Price Electric Cooperative; and Nate Boettcher, president and CEO, Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services.

The group covered how cooperatives differ from investor-owned utilities, and the benefits to members because of cooperation among co-ops. They also discuss energy generation and reliability, the new CHARGE EV network for electric vehicle charging at cooperatives, and bringing broadband to cooperative members. This podcast is the third in a series profiling the structure of different utility types.

You can listen to “Getting to Know Wisconsin’s Electric Cooperatives” wherever you get your podcasts, or listen and watch on the CFC YouTube channel.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

This month’s CEO message is a guest commentary from Tim Clay, WECA vice president of operations. WECA President and CEO Steve Freese is currently on medical leave.

Tim Clay WECA Vice President of Operations

Whether it was straight-line winds or a tornado this past summer, the damage was severe and took my power out for most of the week. Yet, a short distance away, my co-op’s linemen—joined by crews from Jackson Electric Cooperative— were working to clear twisted trees, replace broken electric poles, and repair powerlines to restore service to a community they had likely never visited before.

For more than 60 years, all of Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives have participated in a mutual assistance program that gives co-ops access to additional manpower and resources during times of emergency. Take, for example, the December 15 storm that affected several cooperatives and resulted in more than 35,000 co-op outages across the state.

As they say, what goes around comes around. AdamsColumbia, my electric cooperative that needed Jackson Electric Cooperative’s help last summer, ended up joining other line crews to help Jackson recover from the December 15 storm. In all, hundreds of co-op line crews and contractors from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin came to help eight electric cooperatives that took the brunt of the storm around the same time many people were making preparations for their Christmas vacation. In most cases, the individuals that come to help are under no obligation—they volunteer to do it—and knew they would be working in freezing temperatures, knew they would likely be working 16hour shifts, knew they would be working until they were no longer needed, and knew they would make a difference.

When disaster strikes, people tend to want to help, and I would have jumped at the opportunity to work alongside those line crews that were ultimately helping me when my power was out. However, I’m not a lineman and don’t have

the training to work on or near powerlines. Sometimes it’s hard to imagine that a powerline caught up in trees or lying on the ground is energized, and that’s often where people can become seriously hurt or worse by making a poor assumption. Utility crews are trained to always test and implement protections against a line becoming energized, for example, by an improperly connected home generator that can backfeed electricity into the electric system.

So instead of joining the line crews, I put my chainsaw to work, helping Jen and Randy, two people I had never met before, clear trees from their yard on County JJ.

I am always amazed by the professionalism of the hundreds of men and women working for electric cooperatives, striving to ensure the lights are always on. Even more so, dedication becomes their passion when Mother Nature throws a curveball. When working with our members doing our part in a disaster, I often speak with co-op employees still doing their job at the co-op, knowing that their own home was also damaged and without power from the same weather event.

This past snow/ice storm caused widespread damage in areas at levels not seen in decades. Yet, when the call went out for help to co-ops across the region, they responded like they always do. It was a challenge to even access powerlines, and in some areas, roads were impassible for days. Line crews worked in waist-deep snow in places where vehicles couldn’t go. In four days, employees worked more time than they normally would in two weeks. Just a week later, many of these same people returned to the phones and rights-of-way when an arctic blast hit the state on December 23 with wind gusts in excess of 50 mph and windchills below -30 in most parts of the state. My sincere appreciation goes to the men and women who choose this path of service and set aside their own lives when the focus becomes restoring electric power. Thank you for taking care of me and my family last summer, and for working so hard for all members in December and always.

REGAL

REPRESENTATION

Cooperative Director Marian Trescher look over a collection of memories from Hargrave’s reign as Miss Rural Electri cation in 1972.

At the start of her journey, Sandi Torkilson is crowned Miss Rock County Electric Cooperative in 1971.

About a month before her crowning moment at the 2023 Miss America Scholarship Program in December, Grace Stanke took her place on a panel of formidable experts at the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) annual meeting in Stevens Point to discuss nuclear energy and the role it can and should play in a clean energy portfolio (See “The Power of Grace,” WECN, January 2023). In doing so, the nuclear engineering student won over the room of co-op leaders with her command of the topic and her passion for educating the public, especially youth, about the merits and myths of nuclear energy.

Stanke, however, is not the first accomplished young woman to wear a crown in representation of the Dairy State, promoting issues that are important to electric cooperatives, nor is she the first to have earned the proud support of Wisconsin’s electric cooperative community.

Young women from electric co-ops throughout the state vied for a similar opportunity from 1962 to 1975, when Wisconsin participated in the national Miss Rural Electrification contest. Hosted by The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the Miss Rural Electrification program followed a pattern similar to that of the Miss America program. Participating electric co-ops would hold contests for young women between the ages of 17 and 21 whose families were members of their local electric cooperatives. The winners would advance to their respective statewide association contests for the opportunity to represent their state at the Miss Rural Electrification competition held at NRECA’s annual meeting, typically in February or March.

The program had all the familiar pageant elements, including behind-the-scenes interviews with the judges, an on-stage question-and-answer session, an evening gown competition, and even a swimsuit competition, although Wisconsin’s contests did not always include one.

The ultimate winner was crowned Miss Rural Electrification and spent the following year traveling the country as an ambassador of electric cooperatives, speaking

at national events such as the Future Farmers of America national convention, the Farm Electrification Conference, and the National Grange annual meeting.

Wisconsin wasn’t the most active among the statewide associations that participated in the Miss Rural Electrification program; interest tended to be heavier in the southern states. In fact, NRECA had been holding the competition for 12 years before Wisconsin got involved.

However, Wisconsin’s representatives held their own, with two Miss RE Wisconsins winning the national title during the state’s relatively short run in the program: Sandy Meissner from Clark Electric Cooperative, who won in 1968, and Sandi Torkilson of what was then known as Rock County Electric Cooperative, who won in 1972.

It’s About the Scholarships

Times have changed considerably since Sandy and Sandi won their crowns. Once fairly ubiquitous, pageants of the Miss Rural Electrification type began falling out of favor by the later 1970s and many disappeared. Even the iconic Miss America competition has been retooled over time to shift the focus to competitors’ accomplishments rather than their appearance. However, Torkilson—now Hargrave—said the Miss Rural Electrification competition was always about accomplishments and opportunities.

When she reunited recently with Marian Trescher, longtime Rock Energy Cooperative director who started the Miss Rural Electrification program at her co-op and chaperoned Hargrave as she traveled the country during her reign, both women recoiled slightly at a description in a historical account of the program.

“Well, for starters, they shouldn’t have called it a beauty pageant,” Hargrave said of what she’d just read.

“It was more about the scholarships you could win, and I just enjoyed being involved in things,” she added. “I was

The nalists for Miss Wisconsin REA in 1971. Sandi Torkilson is second from right.

a cheerleader, I was in the band, I was a majorette, I was really active in 4-H. This was something that seemed like another neat opportunity.”

Trescher saw the Miss Rural Electrification competition as a way to connect youth with the greater rural electrification program and get students involved with their own cooperative. She also recognized the program’s educational value.

“We were pushing the scholarships,” she said. “We were just encouraging students to be educated and get involved.”

Promoting Youth

Launching the Miss Rock County Electric Cooperative competition was largely an extension of what Trescher had already been doing. Her late husband, Howard, was first elected to the co-op’s board of directors in 1962. Trescher would eventually be elected to his seat after he died in 2004, but she was actively involved long before officially becoming a director, often typing up Howard’s board meeting notes and accompanying him to various meetings.

It was at one such meeting—a statewide annual meeting—when she first saw a Miss Wisconsin RE competition and wondered why her own co-op wasn’t involved.

Trescher immediately recognized the potential value in participating. Both she and Howard were already active in promoting youth involvement and would often take a member of the co-op’s own youth program with them to the statewide annual meetings to serve as a youth representative. One of those very youth—Morris Nelson—would eventually serve as a co-op director himself.

Rock County Electric’s manager at the time, Marty Oberdeck, was also active in community youth activities, having served on the fair board and as a 4-H leader, and Trescher said he encouraged such activity among his directors. With his support, Trescher organized Rock County Electric’s local contest, which debuted in 1968.

As a public school teacher, Trescher already knew which students were eligible and might be interested, and she had

no problem recruiting 11 participants for the co-op’s inaugural pageant. “It wasn’t hard to find contestants,” she noted.

Unlike other co-ops, Rock County Electric held its competitions separate from the annual meeting. Rock’s was held on a Saturday evening, which gave the event more of an entertaining, pageant-like feel. A local radio personality served as emcee.

“It was fun,” Trescher said. “We got the judges, we got the place, at some of them we had meals. We would start in the afternoon with judges doing the interviews and in the evening we’d have the talent competition.”

No swimsuit competition. “Heavens no,” Trescher said.

By 1971 Rock County Electric’s competition had evolved to the point where Trescher no longer had to recruit participants. Among the contestants that year was a Milton College music student named Sandi Torkilson, and Trescher said she thought right away that Rock

County Electric Cooperative might have a big winner.

“I thought she was exceptional,” Trescher said of Hargrave (Torkilson). “I had been to several of the national competitions with Howard before that so I knew what the judges were looking for. We were pretty confident.”

Well-Quali ed Candidate

Miss Rural Electrification had to have the poise to handle a full load of public-speaking engagements, sometimes in front of thousands of people. Her speaking engagements would also require a thorough understanding of, and appreciation for, electric cooperatives.

Hargrave’s background made her a solid candidate from the start. In addition to her school activities, which included Student Council and National Honor Society, Hargrave had served a number of leadership positions in her community. As a high school student she had attended WECA’s Youth Leadership Congress and was elected secretary of the Youth Board. She also held multiple offices for her local 4-H organization and was selected for several outstanding achievement awards. In addition, she served on a teen board for a local department store and modeled for three years.

A gifted musician, Hargrave performed a piano solo for the talent competition and ably handled her interviews and on-stage question.

“The interviews really centered more on the youth at that time and how they could make more of a connection with the adults in the program,” Hargrave explained. “It was about making youth aware of cooperatives, what they do, and what they can do, for the future.”

After she was crowned Miss Rock County Electric Cooperative, Hargrave’s focus was on the Miss Wisconsin RE title, which was determined at the WECA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee two months later. She won that title too, along with a college scholarship, and spent the summer appearing in some local parades and revisiting the Youth Leadership Congress, this time as a featured speaker, as she prepared for the national competition.

Sandy Meissner of Clark Electric Cooperative won the Miss Rural Electri cation title in 1968. She and Sandi Torkilson are the two Wisconsin representatives to have won the national title.

On to Nationals

At the end of February 1972, Hargrave accompanied the Treschers to Las Vegas for the NRECA annual meeting, where Miss Rural Electrification would be crowned at a pageant held March 1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hargrave recalled a whirlwind week of appearances and tours in Las Vegas with the other candidates, who quickly became friends.

“It was fun because we were all there for the same reason and it was amazing to meet all these people and hear about their states and their lives,” she noted.

Her newly formed friendships and the confidence gained from a year of public appearances no doubt helped calm the inevitable nerves as the competition began. Hargrave stepped onto a much larger stage than she was used to, with a huge crowd, bright lights, and live orchestra. She had admitted to being nervous for the swimsuit competition—her first—acknowledging to a local reporter beforehand that she “probably will fall walking in my shoes.”

But Hargrave didn’t stumble, not during the swimsuit competition nor anywhere else. By the end of the night she stood victorious as Miss Rural Electrification 1972, with a large contingent of family and co-op supporters in the audience.

“The orchestra played ‘On Wisconsin’ when I won and I just remember that being so exciting,” Hargrave said. “I was very surprised when I won. There were just so many wonderful girls there that any one of them would have made, I think, a very good queen.”

Hargrave discovered just how proud her community was when she returned home from Las Vegas. A blizzard had rerouted their flight and delayed their arrival, yet a crowd of supporters waited for several hours at Rock County Electric’s headquarters in Janesville to greet Hargrave upon her return.

“We were so proud, so happy! The co-op was so very proud,” Trescher said.

Speaking Circuit

That pride continued as Hargrave fulfilled her Miss Rural Electrification duties throughout the year, all while continuing her college classes. Her national crown came with a $1,250 scholarship—no small sum in those days—which helped Hargrave complete her studies at Milton College.

With Trescher as her constant companion and mentor, Hargrave made about one major appearance a month during her reign, including NRECA’s Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., where she met REA Administrator David Hamil; the American Institute of Cooperation meeting in Ames, Iowa; the Farm Electrification Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio; the FFA National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri; the NRECA Coopmanship Conference in St. Louis, Missouri; the National Grange Annual Meeting in Hartford, Connecticut; and the International Farmfest in Mankato, Minnesota.

Hargrave described her year as Miss Rural Electrification as an “overall wonderful experience.” She relished the chance to travel, something she had little opportunity to do growing up on a farm, and said she gained from each public appearance.

“Any time you can be speaking in front of people, you gain confidence,” she said. “And the more you do it, the more people you meet, the more you take away from it.”

Hargrave enjoyed the chance to represent electric cooperatives on the national stage so much that she recalls being in tears the following year in Dallas when she crowned a new Miss Rural Electrification. After her reign came to an end, she finished college, got married, raised two children, lived for a time in Florida, and enjoyed a successful career as a travel consultant, inspired by the travel opportunities she enjoyed as Miss Rural Electrification.

However, the Miss Rural Electrification program never really left her, as it helped shape the person she came to be. And, it seems, the crown is always still there.

“To this day, for whatever reason, I run into people who ask, ‘You were the REA queen, right?’ ” Hargrave said. “It is kind of cool.”—Mary Erickson

Left: Newly crowned Miss Rural Electri cation Sandi Torkilson walks the stage of the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 1, 1972. Right: Torkilson with REA Administrator David Hamil at the 1972 NRECA Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

Marian Trescher, left, at the rst Miss Rock County Electric Cooperative competition in 1968 with that year’s winner, Sandra Sagen. Trescher started the program at her co-op and organized each local competition through the nal one in 1974. In addition, Trescher chaperoned the winners throughout their reigns.

EASY WAYS TO CONTROL WATER USE

Conserving water at home can result in several downstream benefits and savings. Being mindful of home water use helps preserve the amount of water in our local reservoirs and reduces costs associated with water and wastewater treatment, including the cost of delivering it to the home (for those using a public water service).

Leaky toilets, showerheads, and dripping faucets can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water annually. Home water conservation can start by simply checking your house for any leaks and drips. Another easy way to conserve water is to limit running water when it isn’t necessary. For example, turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, and defrost food in the refrigerator or in the microwave instead of placing frozen food under running water.

Home gardens are another potential area for water conservation. Thoughtful planning can transform your home garden from a water drain to a water-efficient oasis.

Start planning your garden already by researching droughtresistant plants or those with minimal water needs. Group the plants by similar water needs to avoid waste by watering from plant to plant. Additionally, a drip irrigation system for plants that require more water can boost efficiency by using

less water over a longer period. Alternatively, set lawn sprinklers on a timer to limit water use and place them where the water will only reach plants, not pavement. Another conservation option is to use a rain barrel to collect water for non-potable purposes. Harvested rainwater is an ex-

The Department of Energy estimates that water heating accounts for about 20% of a home’s energy bill.

cellent option for watering ornate gardens and washing cars.

Another option for collecting water for the garden is to collect cold water that runs while you’re waiting on the water to heat. Every drop of running water you can utilize helps.

Reducing water use at home can also help lower your energy use. The Department of Energy estimates that water heating accounts for about 20% of a home’s energy bill. Switching to an energy efficient heat pump water heater can save considerable money on electric bills. Heat pump water heaters have higher upfront costs than storage tank models, but tax incentives and potential rebates can offset this cost. Check with your local electric cooperative to see if they offer rebates or a load management program.

If upgrading your water heater isn’t an option, there are small changes you can make to increase water heating efficiency. Reduce hot water use by switching to lowflow faucets and showerheads. You can also turn down the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees and insulate hot water lines to increase energy savings.

Leaky toilets, showerheads, and dripping faucets can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water annually.

Additional ways to conserve both water and electricity in the home include upgrading clothes washers and dishwashers to newer, more energy efficient models.

Turning o the tap while brushing teeth can save up to four gallons of water per minute, or up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four. Harvested rainwater is an excellent option for watering ornate gardens and washing cars.

Running these appliances only when full or selecting a “light wash” setting reduces water and electricity use. Washing dishes by hand uses more water than an energy efficient dishwasher, so avoid this method when possible.

If your home uses well water, it’s important to be mindful of water conservation, particularly in drier climates. Well pumps run on electricity and can be a source of higher energy bills. Dry, overpumped wells can cause the pump to run continuously, using excess energy in the process. Malfunctioning well pumps also lead to spikes in energy use. Regular maintenance can help identify problems, such as leaks and faulty intake, which can lead to increased use of both water and electricity.

As you can see, there are a variety of changes––some large, some small––that can help you conserve water at home. Regardless of how you do it, thoughtfully managing water use can protect our water supply and make significant changes on energy bills.

Katherine Loving writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

Being there, every minute, or every day. As your hometown electric cooperative, it’s not just our way of doing business, it’s our way of life. And as a Touchstone Energy ® Cooperative member, that means value that goes far beyond the energy we provide, value you can’t really put a price on.

YOUR SOURCE FOR POWER. AND INFORMATION.

SANDY AND THE GHOST: A BOOKSHELF STAPLE

The story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared in a booklet written for an advertising campaign for the department store chain, Montgomery Ward, in 1939. The store had been purchasing and giving away coloring books and decided to create their own inhouse, thus began the legacy of the well-known reindeer.

As a common means for promotion in the 20th century, books and pamphlets also became an educational vehicle for companies as well as a means for entertainment or reward.

Many of these products were produced through the 1960s and early 1970s, two authored by a Wisconsin housewife.

Author Melba “Rusty” Hoffland was a mother of six children who wrote for Wisconsin newspapers and produced a syndicated column, “Looking at it this Way.”

In 1966, she told the Wisconsin State Journal that she enjoyed writing children’s stories and pieces about family life, but found it difficult because she was “an atrocious speller and writing is real agony for me because of it. I spend half my time looking up words and it’s a terrible bore, but it’s worth it.”

Still, she managed to churn out stories for publication, as well as a marketing product for Wisconsin credit unions called “Mike’s Big Idea,” published in 1965.

In the story, the lead character, named after her son Michael, accidentally breaks his piggy bank and learns of a better way to save.

The book, published by Hagen Advertising, was designed to explain to grade school children how a credit union operates and was distributed by credit unions throughout the state.

Sandy and the Ghost

Engineers first harnessed the energy at Niagara Falls to generate electricity in 1896, and the first longdistance transmission—a 69.000-volt line strung on steel towers—between Northern Hydro Electric Company’s High Falls hydro plant and Green Bay was completed in 1910.

The state looked to introduce hydroelectric power stations using local rivers, but the expense made it difficult for private companies to pursue.

In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt established the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) as part of a program for unemployment relief.

The government then encouraged the creation of cooperative organizations to help develop their electrical infrastructure and it caught on quickly.

By 1945, Wisconsin’s last cooperative was organized and electricity became a state-wide utility available to all.

By the 1960s, life without electrical power had become a thing of the past.

That is when the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative, now the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, set out to educate youth on what was like during the “Cold Dark Time.”

—Kris Leonhardt, Multi Media Channels/Stevens Point Gazette

Rusty Ho and poses with one of her books, “Mike’s Big Idea,” for the Wisconsin State Journal. Photo courtesy of WSJ

Mystery solved! The following article by Kris Leonhardt ran in December in the Stevens Point Gazette. Leonhardt answered the questions we asked in our December magazine story “A Christmas Co-op Mystery.”

Curried Potato Pita Pockets with Green Apples and Currants

All recipes and photos courtesy of Potatoes USA.

Pita bread stu ed with a savory potato salad seasoned with curry spices, yogurt, aromatic vegetables, green apples, and currants.

CURRIED POTATO SALAD

3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and diced (1/2-inch)

Cold water, as needed

2 tsp and 1/2 Tbsp sea salt, divided (kosher salt can be substituted)

1-1/2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

5 large eggs

1 cup light mayonnaise

1/3 cup Greek yogurt

2 Tbsp curry powder

1/2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup red onion, nely diced (1/4-inch)

1/2 cup celery, nely diced (1/4-inch)

1 cup green apple, diced (1/4-inch)

1/3 cup dried currants (raisins can be substituted)

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Place the potatoes in a large pot of water with enough water to cover the potatoes by approx. 1 inch. Add 1 tsp of the salt. Bring the water to a boil and reduce the temperature to a simmer. Allow the potatoes to cook for approx. 15–20 minutes or until they are fork tender but not falling apart. Drain the potatoes and place in a bowl, drizzle with the vinegar, and stir gently. Allow the potatoes to cool.

To cook the eggs, place them in a medium-sized pot of boiling water with 1 tsp salt added. Cook the eggs for 11 minutes, drain, and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water. Peel the eggs and dice them into 1/2-inch pieces.

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, curry powder, sugar, lemon juice, and 1/2 tablespoon salt. Add the potatoes, eggs, red onions, celery, green apple, currants, and cilantro. Gently stir the potato salad until everything is well combined and allow it to cool completely in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours but ideally overnight.

SANDWICH

1 cup baby spinach

4 pita pockets, cut in half

To build the sandwiches, place a bed of the spinach in the cavity of each pita bread. Spoon the curried potato salad into each sandwich and arrange on a serving platter along with an assortment of fresh vegetables for garnish. Serve immediately. Serves 8.

SPLENDID SPUDS

CRUST

Potato and Vegetable Quiche

2 cups flour, plus 1/4 cup for rolling out pastry

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed, and kept cold until ready to use Small pinch of salt

1/4 cup cold water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add the flour, butter, and salt to a food processor. Pulse until you get the texture of fine breadcrumbs. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in enough cold water until it forms a ball, and immediately stop (you may not use all of the water). Remove the dough and knead a little on a floured board until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.

FILLING

6 oz purple potatoes, sliced 1/8-inch thick

6 oz orange sweet potatoes, sliced 1/8-inch thick

4 large eggs, room temperature

1/4 cup whole milk

Small pinch nutmeg

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2-1/2 oz fennel bulb, chopped small 2 oz leek, white and light green part only, cleaned and chopped into small pieces

While the dough is resting in the refrigerator, add the potato slices to a large pan of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes, drain, and lay out onto a towel to dry. Remove the pastry from the refrigerator and roll out onto a floured surface, one inch larger than the quiche pan. Roll the pastry over the rolling pin, lift, and place into a 9-inch round tart pan pressing the bottom firmly and the sides allowing the pastry to hang over the sides, do not trim. Do not stretch dough or it will shrink in the oven. Poke holes all over the bottom of the pastry using a fork. Lay a sheet of parchment paper over the pastry and fill the center with dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. While the crust bakes, add the eggs, milk, nutmeg, cheese, salt, pepper, fennel, and leek to a bowl; whisk to combine. Remove the crust from the oven and remove the parchment paper and beans. Trim the excess crust from over the edges to make it look pretty. Return the crust back to the oven, uncovered, for 5 more minutes until it starts to brown. Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool for a couple of minutes. Arrange the potato slices inside the pastry, saving 40 slices for the top, and pour in the egg mixture so it comes almost to the top of the pastry edge. Arrange more potato slices on top. Bake for approx. 25–30 minutes until the eggs are set. Allow the quiche to sit for 15 minutes before slicing. Serves 8–10.

Cheesy Potato Crescent Rolls

Light and u y Parmesan mashed potato- lled crescent rolls, baked until golden brown then brushed with an aromatic melted garlic herb butter.

1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 pkg (8 oz) crescent roll dough

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

1 Tbsp garlic, minced

1 Tbsp parsley, minced

Prepare mashed potatoes according to box instructions. In a bowl, add prepared mashed potatoes and parmesan cheese and mix until combined; set aside. On a clean table, unbox crescent roll dough and spread flat. Take a 1/4-cup scoop of mashed potato filling (for each crescent), spread evenly, then roll into a crescent shape (roll wide end to small end). Place rolls at an even distance from each other on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approx. 12–14 minutes or until light golden brown or according to manufacturer’s instructions. While waiting, in a small bowl melt the butter, then add garlic and parsley; mix. Remove baked crescent rolls, allow to cool slightly, and lightly brush melted garlic herb butter over rolls. Yields: 8 rolls.

Loaded Baked Potato Calzone

All the avors of a loaded baked potato encased in a golden-brown calzone!

2 cups mashed potatoes

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

1/3 cup bacon, chopped

1/3 cup green onions, chopped 1 egg

13.8 oz pkg refrigerated pizza dough

Gather all ingredients and equipment. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, add mashed potatoes, sour cream, mozzarella, cheddar, bacon, green onions; mix until fully combined and evenly distributed. Crack an egg and place in a bowl and whisk together to use as an egg wash; set aside. Unbox pizza dough, unroll, and spread on a clean surface. On one half of the dough, spread filling evenly. Then fold over other half of dough and tightly crimp edges together. The shape should be a half-circle. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cut air vents then brush egg wash over calzone. Place in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and slightly cool; serve. Serves 8.

READER RECIPES

Pickled Fish

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROGER KNORR, APPLETON

This recipe was given to me in the late ‘70’s by the lady in the cottage next door. They used it on many hammer handle-sized Northern Pike that were caught in lower Post Lake.

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

An online reader is looking for recipe ideas for Superbowl snacks.

SEND TO: WECN, Reader Recipes, 222 West Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703-2719 or jennifer@weca.coop.

2 cups vinegar

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 small onions, sliced

2 Tbsp whole allspice 1/4 tsp peppercorns 5 bay leaves 1 lb cut sh llets 1 tsp salt

Combine vinegar, sugar, onions, allspice, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Heat mixture to boiling, stirring until sugar is dissolved; cool. Place sh llets in a crock or jar and sprinkle with salt. Pour cooled vinegar mixture over sh. Cover crock or seal jar and refrigerate 24 hours before serving. Makes 1 quart.

Carrot and Cauli ower Bake

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROMAYNE LINDSTROM, IOLA

1 medium-sized cauli ower head 10 medium-sized carrots

1 (10.5 oz) can cream of celery soup

1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup breadcrumbs

4 Tbsp melted butter

Separate cauli ower into orets and simmer in salted water for 5 minutes; drain. Peel carrots and slice into 1/2-inch rounds; simmer in salted water for 10 minutes and drain.

Combine vegetables with soups and cheese. Pour into greased 3-quart casserole dish. Mix breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over top of casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

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/. Due to food safety issues, we cannot accept canning recipes.

Tropical Brittle

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROMAYNE LINDSTROM, IOLA

Nonstick cooking/baking spray

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1-1/2 cups macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 tsp coconut extract

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda 1 cup shredded, sweetened coconut, chopped

Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a heavybottomed 3-quart saucepan, mix sugar and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat and stir occasionally until temperature reaches 275 degrees on a candy thermometer (approx. 10 minutes). Stir in the chopped nuts; continue cooking and stirring occasionally for 5–7 minutes until the temperature reaches 305 degrees (hard crack stage). Remove from heat. Quickly stir in the extracts, baking soda, and coconut. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet, spreading it out to the edges with a greased wooden spoon or spatula. Cool completely. Loosen from baking sheet and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container for 2–3 weeks.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Almonds

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROMAYNE LINDSTROM, IOLA

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1/4 cup sliced almonds

2 lbs brussels sprouts, trimmed and thinly sliced

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fry bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until browned and crisp. Remove from skillet using a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain. Add the garlic and almonds to the bacon fat in the skillet and cook brie y over medium heat until toasted. Add the brussels sprouts and quickly toss to coat with the hot almonds, garlic, and bacon fat. Sprinkle the red wine vinegar over brussels sprouts and toss to coat. Cook until sprouts are wilted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in the bacon, and season with salt and pepper (to taste).

“The Greatest Show on Earth” is an expression usually associated with a three-ring circus, but for many people—especially those whose lives are connected in any way to the agriculture industry—no show could be more dazzling than one of the many FFA Farm Toy Shows held throughout the state.

SHOW TIME

FFA FARM TOY SHOWS ARE A TIME-HONORED TRADITION

Typically sponsored by local FFA alumni organizations, these toy shows are filled with displays of miniature farm equipment from every era and manufacturer imaginable, and at every possible scale. Among the tables of agriculture machinery might be displays of toy farm animals, stacks of farm-related games, and books of classic children’s stories. With vendors

In addition to tables lled with all types of toy farm equipment—vintage and brand new—many Farm Toy Shows include farm-related arts and crafts. Pictured above right is Del Norland, whose wife, Rita, worked for many years in Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative’s Darlington o ce, with his hand-crafted wooden tractors and trucks.

from all over the region displaying and selling so many different items, an FFA Farm Toy Show is a collector’s dream.

“Every one obviously is a little different,” said Dave Clausen of Amery, representative of Section 1 of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association. “You’ll have some guys selling brand-new farm toys, some selling vintage farm toys, some shows will have displays of whole farm scenes, and the 3D-printed displays are getting big. There’s a wide variety of things to see. And some guys will be selling cars and trucks in addition to the farm toys.”

Some shows are held in conjunction with pancake breakfasts, many include tables of farm-related craft items, and others offer fun activities such as pedal tractor pulls for young guests. What these individual shows have in common is that they’re all held in support of local FFA activities. Clausen said proceeds are used, for example, to cover travel expenses for FFA students traveling to the state and national conventions, or to purchase FFA jackets.

These FFA fund-raising staples are held at different times throughout the year, but many are held during the winter months (see page 26 for Farm Toy Shows in February and March).

Farm Toy Central

Helping to account for the wealth of agriculture toys on display at most FFA Farm Toy Shows in Wisconsin is the state’s location in proximity to Ertl, which was the biggest manufacturer of die-cast metal toys until it was acquired by another company a little over 20 years ago. Starting in 1945, Ertl produced farm toys for industry brands such as John Deere, Case, International, Case IH, Oliver, New Holland, Allis-Chalmers, and AGCO.

“We’re really fortunate because Ertl was such a dominant force and it’s in Dyersville, Iowa. It’s real close—it’s actually within driving distance,” said Steve Freese, CEO of the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA) and a collector of farm toys himself. “And the National Toy Museum is there, and then the antique store right next door has a second floor that’s entirely die-cast toys, with every model, every size.”

Among Freese’s own collection is a model One Ninety XT Allis-Chalmers tractor, made by Ertl, that he got for Christmas when he was 7 years old (pictured on the front cover of this magazine).

“It was the most modern tractor AllisChalmers made at the time,” Freese said. “My Dad picked it out for me, and I wore it out. The paint was gone, the tires were bald—everything. He had a friend who worked at Ertl down at Dyersville, and he restored it. So that’s a completely restored tractor, restored by the company that actually made it originally.”

It was Freese’s first—and only—toy tractor. By the time it was fully restored, Freese was old enough to recognize that his beloved tractor was special enough to be taken out of the toy rotation and elevated to collector status.

Below:

Above: Among WECA CEO Steve Freese’s farm toy collection is a D14 Allis-Chalmers, the tractor used on the Freese farm in Hazel Green.

Freese, at age 6, at the wheel of the family’s D-14 Allis-Chalmers for the rst time. He’s with his father, Joe.

Freese collects Allis-Chalmers farm toy equipment because it’s the only type of tractor that was used on the Freese farm when he was growing up. Included in his collection are (clockwise, starting upper left) a D14 with a hay mower, a Model G, a 9815 AGCO, and a 6080, likely the last model Allis-Chalmers made.

Allis-Chalmers Only

That special One Ninety XT would not remain Freese’s only model tractor. Today, a collection of different agriculture vehicles and implements, including that initial Allis-Chalmers, lines a shelf around his office at WECA’s headquarters in Madison. Some he inherited from his father, who was also a farm toy collector. Others are items he purchased at the auctions held annually in support of Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE), the political action committee that supports political candidates who protect the interests of electric co-ops. Still others are pieces he picked up at various FFA Farm Toy Shows.

Like many collectors, Freese focuses on a specific manufacturer. Some collectors choose their brand simply out of personal preference,

perhaps preferring the green John Deere models over the red Massy Fergussons. Others, like Freese, collect certain makes due to nostalgia and family history. All of Freese’s toy farm vehicles are Allis-Chalmers models, with their distinctive Persian orange color.

“The only tractors we had on the farm were Allis-Chalmers,” he explained, pointing to a D14 model. “I spent a lot of time on that tractor when I was a kid. Dad bought it new in 1958, we still have it on the farm. We use it regularly on the farm.”

The D14 model on Freese’s shelf even reflects a specific incident involving the tractor that Steve recalled from his childhood. He explained that his family’s tractor had a blade on the back of it for snowplowing, and after a fierce snowstorm his father took the tractor

to a neighbor’s home to clear the driveway and got hit by a car on the way home.

“The tractor flew 200 feet from the point of impact,” Freese said. “Dad went about 50 feet into the snowbank. He didn’t get hurt, but it broke both back wheels of the tractor. So the tractor should be all orange but the

Dioramas of farm scenes are a fun feature at many FFA Farm Toy Shows.

back wheels are white because that was the new color scheme that Allis-Chalmers went with.”

Another piece in Freese’s collection is a Model G, made for garden farmers. “It’s the only tractor AllisChalmers made with the engine in the rear end,” Freese added.

He also has a D14 model with a New Idea hay mower, distinctive because the tractor ran on LP gas, with the gas tank up front instead of in the rear. There’s also a 6080 model, one of the last Allis-Chalmers tractor the company made before divestitures transformed the company into Allis-Chalmers Energy and AGCO. And there’s a 9815 AGCO model that Steve’s son, Andrew, got when he was about 7, the same age as Steve when he got his One Ninety XT.

Memories and More

Freese is not unusual among collectors in that most of his toy farm pieces have some kind of personal significance for him. Wander around any FFA Farm Toy Show and you’re likely to overhear collectors fondly recalling a certain type of equipment that their grandfather used, or remarking on a toy that was a childhood favorite. Often you’ll see generations of families taking in a show together, sharing stories about the various pieces on display.

It’s these memories, more than the multitude of models, that make an FFA Farm Toy Show more than just a time-honored tradition. It may not, by definition, be the Greatest Show on Earth, but one could surely argue that an FFA Farm Toy Show is the Greatest Show in Rural Wisconsin.—Mary Erickson

Upcoming Farm Toy Shows

Central Wisconsin Farm Toy Show

Sunday, February 5, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Marsh eld Senior High School 1401 E. Becker Rd., Marsh eld, WI 54449

Darlington FFA Pancake Breakfast and Toy Show

Sunday, February 12, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Darlington High School 11838 Center Hill Road, Darlington, WI 53530

Annual Farm Toy Show

Sunday, February 19, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Circle B Recreation Center 6261 Hwy. 60, Cedarburg, WI 53012

Colfax FFA Alumni Toy and Craft Show

Sunday, February 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Colfax High School 610 University Ave., Colfax, WI 54730

Whitewater FFA Alumni Farm Toy Show Sunday, February 26, 8 a.m.-noon Whitewater High School 534 S. Elizabeth St., Whitewater, WI

Lodi FFA Alumni Toy Show Sunday, March 12, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Lodi Elementary School 115 School St., Lodi, WI 53555

New Holstein FFA Alumni Annual Farm Toy and Craft Show

Sunday, March 12, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 1715 Plymouth St., New Holstein, WI 53061

Thorp FFA Alumni Toy and Craft Show

March 26, 2023, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thorp High School 605 S Clark St., Thorp, WI 54771

This is not a complete list of 2023 Farm Toy Shows. To nd an FFA Toy Show near you, check with your local FFA Chapter or visit toyfarmer.com.

It was a perfect late autumn day in the northern Rockies. Not a cloud in the sky, and just enough cool in the air to stir up nostalgic memories of my trip into the backwoods. is year, though, was di erent. I was going it solo. My two buddies, pleading work responsibilities, backed out at the last minute. So, armed with my trusty knife, I set out for adventure.

Well, what I found was a whole lot of trouble. As in 8 feet and 800-pounds of trouble in the form of a grizzly bear. Seems this grumpy fella was out looking for some adventure too. Mr. Grizzly saw me, stood up to his entire 8 feet of ferocity and let out a roar that made my blood turn to ice and my hair stand up. Unsnapping my leather sheath, I felt for my hefty, trusty knife and felt emboldened. I then showed the massive grizzly over 6 inches of 420 surgical grade stainless steel, raised my hands and yelled, “Whoa bear! Whoa bear!” I must have made my point, as he gave me an almost admiring grunt before turning tail and heading back into the woods.

But we don’t stop there. While supplies last, we’ll include a pair of $99 8x21 power compact binoculars FREE when you purchase the Grizzly Hunting Knife. Make sure to act quickly. The Grizzly Hunting Knife has been such a hit that we’re having trouble keeping it in stock. Our first release of more than 1,200 SOLD OUT in TWO DAYS! After months of waiting on our artisans, we've finally gotten some knives back in stock. Only 1,337 are available at this price, and half of them have already sold!

Knife Speci cations:

• Stick tang 420 surgical stainless steel blade; 7 ¼" blade; 12" overall

• Hand carved natural brown and yellow bone handle

• Brass hand guard, spacers and end cap

• FREE genuine tooled leather sheath included (a $49 value!)

I was pretty shaken, but otherwise ne. Once the adrenaline high subsided, I decided I had some work to do back home too. at was more than enough adventure for one day.

Our Grizzly Hunting Knife pays tribute to the call of the wild. Featuring stick-tang construction, you can feel con dent in the strength and durability of this knife. And the hand carved, natural bone handle ensures you won’t lose your grip even in the most dire of circumstances. I also made certain to give it a great price. After all, you should be able to get your point across without getting stuck with a high price.

WANTED: Paying cash for WWII flags, daggers, swords, guns, etc. Also, lever-action rifles. 715-340-1974.

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

SEPTIC PROBLEMS: Do you have standing water on your drain field? Have you been told you need a new expensive septic system? I have an alternative that works, also comes with a warranty (no digging). Call toll free 855-797-6072 or email mmtagm@ yahoo.com.

OLD MOVIES TO DVD—Transferring 8mm, VHS, slides, and all formats. Saving family memories! Special on now! DVD Productions. Gene 715-827-2302.

C OLLECTOR LOOKING FOR ANTIQUE OR HAND-MADE LARGE TRAPS. For sale: smaller trapping traps. 715-563-6658.

WANTED: OLD BEER CANS AND BOTTLES. Let me know what you have. 715-8289414 Willing to travel. Paying cash.

WANTED: DEER TAGS, BACK TAGS. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, fisher, bobcat tags, party permits, old traps. 715255-9284 David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446.

FOR SALE: MODEL CAR COLLECTION 1/24 and 1/25 scale. Both plastic and metal, also some 1/18 scale. Call 715-533-6291. Leave message.

A BOOK FOR SENIORS AND CAREGIVERS. A Senior’s Guide for Living Well and Dying Well – Conversations that matter. Author A. Stuart Hanson, M.D. $19.95. Available at www.itascabooks.com.

FOR SALE: MODEL CAR COLLECTION 1/24 and 1/25 scale. Both plastic and metal, also some 1/18 scale. Call 715-533-6291. Leave message.

WANTED: JOHN DEERE SNOWMOBILES. Model year 1978 or 1984 (Mfg in 1977 or 1983). Contact Mike 715-297-0231. Mosinee, WI 54455.

Plants & Shrubs

HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Poplar, Hickory, Milkweed, Brown Eyed Susan Dogwoods, Ninebark, Cranberry, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, 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 and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072.

geri@weca.coop

Classifiedads 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 classifiedads must be paid in advance. There is no agency discount on classified. Make check or money order payable to: WECA. Mail to: WECN—Classified, Attn. Jennifer, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop. We reserve the right to refuse ads.

4 Snowmobile Show and Ride—Stetsonville. Centennial Community Center, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Raffles, contests, awards, food, and refreshments all day. For info, call 715-427-5441.

4 Candlelight Snowshoe, Ski, Hike— Willard. Five Seasons, 5–9 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Groomed trails from 1/2-to 1-1/2 miles. Snacks and refreshments will be provided around a bonfire or join us in our heated facility. For more info, visit our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/fiveseasonswillard or call 715-743-2046. Hope to see you there!

11 Jig’s Up Ice Fishing Contest—Chippewa Falls. The Edge Pub & Eatery and The View on Lake Wissota, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Scheels Kids Klub fishing event at 11 a.m.; prize distribution at 3 p.m. Participants may register one fish per $25 ticket. Over $80,000 in cash and prizes, including a 2-year lease on a Ford F150 truck! Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Gift card prizes for the top fish by weight in each category: northern, walleye, and pan fish. All state regulations and bag limits apply. For more info, visit www.jigsup.org or call Sheryl at 715-836-3377.

11 “Frozen” Fun—Shiocton. Navarino Nature Center, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Come and enjoy a fun-filled day at the beautiful Navarino Nature Center! There is something for every age including horse-drawn sleigh rides, children’s “Frozen” crafts, “Frozen” games, a bonfire where you can make s’mores, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and a delicious food menu to check out. Olaf will be there to hand out hugs! There will be guided hikes at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. It is free, except for the food, drink, and sleigh rides. The sleigh ride costs $5/person and is weather dependent. We have sleds, snowshoes, and cross-country skis you can use. Come in your “Frozen” best! For more info, call 715-7586999 or visit www.navarino.org under events.

18 Ice Fishing Contest—Holcombe. Lake Holcombe Pond, 12–3 p.m. The Lake Holcombe Lions is encouraging all children to get out and fish, because the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd largest fish registered in each of two categories wins money for their school. There will be food, raffles, lots of prizes, and fun. Lake Holcombe Pond is located north of Phat Bob’s.

21 Mardi Gras Pancake Supper—Cable. United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall, 5–7 p.m. The meal will include pancakes, toppings, sausages, ham, syrup, and beverages. Free-will offerings at the door will fund scholarships for graduating seniors in the Drummond Area School District. For info, please call 715-798-3066.

25 Ice Fishing Contest—Willard. Rock Dam Lake, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Prizes, raffles, and food. For more info, contact Jean at 715-512-0272.

25 Snowmobile Event—Wilton. Community Center, 7–10 p.m. Raffles, door prizes, food, and beverages with ticket and $5. Tickets available at the door or from club members. Meet Miss Snowflake! Will have trail access to event, weather permitting. For info visit us on Facebook or call 608-372-9050.

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, 222 W. Washington Ave. Ste. 680, Madison WI 53703-2719

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

1. EJ shows that Petey is “sooooo big.” Photo submitted by Andrew Draper, a member of Eau Claire Energy.

2. Thomas caught this 16 1/4-inch largemouth bass with the help of Grandpa Marshall. Photo submitted by Grandma Shirley Venz, a member of Price Electric.

3. Everly named her new kitten “Grape.” Photo submitted by Stephanie Sommer eld, a member of Oakdale Electric.

4. Raurie learns how to be a good chicken momma from her friend Sage. Photo submitted by Karen Hauri, a member of Rock Energy.

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