Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News May 2023

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Clintonville/Oshkosh

Hurley/Park Falls

New Lisbon/Shamrock

Sturgeon Bay/Denmark

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

Cashton/Sparta

Flock’s Htg & A/C

(608) 269-1500

Chaseburg/Viroqua

Flock’s Htg & A/C

(608) 269-1500

Van’s Refrigeration

(920) 833-2051

Cornell/New Auburn

Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Dodgeville/Baraboo

Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Eau Claire/Osseo Water Source Htg & Clg

(715) 833-9001

Escanaba/Iron Mountain

GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Green Bay/Onedia

Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Hudson/Stillwater

Geothermal Concept (612) 481-4020

QS Plmbing & Mechanical

(715) 685-4330

Madison Black Earth

Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Marinette/Peshtigo

GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Marengo/Ashland

QS Plmbing & Mechanical

(715) 685-4330

Menomonie/Bloomer

Water Source Htg & Clg

(715) 833-9001

Neillsville/Medford

Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

Deans Refrig. & Heating (608) 372-6928

Oconto/Rhinelander

Van’s Refridgeration (920) 833-2051

Oseola/New Richmond

Sustainable Htg & Clg (651) 462-1300

Princeton/Waupon

All Phase Geothermal (920) 763-2301

Redwing/Wabash

Earth Energy Htg & Clg (507) 421-3156

Richland Center/ Viroqua

Strang’s Htg Electric Plmb (608) 647-2855

Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Tomah/Oakdale

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

Wasau/Rhinelander

Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

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

Winona/Pepin

Earth Energy Htg & Clg (507) 421-3156

Wisconsin Rapids/ Marshfield

Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

sun...

...by using the Earth.

YOUR LOCAL WATERFURNACE DEALERS

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 Milleradvertising 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

SYMBOL SEARCH

HIDDEN OBJECT GAME

MAY IS FOR BICYCLES

Our April Symbol Search winners are Holly and Charles Basting, members of Price Electric Cooperative. “The lemon is located on the front cover to the left and above the upside-down printed address label. Took a long time to nd it and we almost “soured” on the idea of continuing to look, but we like a good challenge and nally persistence paid o .”

This month in honor of National Bike Month, we challenge you to nd this bike. 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 May 15.

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

Good luck!

We certainly have a theme running through this month’s magazine: bikes.

Be it the e-bike feature on page 13, the Wisconsin Favorites story about bicycling the 400 State Trail on page 24, or the bike hidden this month for the Symbol Search, we sure know how to celebrate May Bike Month.

I’d speci cally like to thank reader Rand Friedenfels, a member of Taylor Electric Cooperative, for contacting us about e-bikes. Rand is an e-bike enthusiast and wants others to better understand how e-bikes can work for them. He wrote: “Hi, you guys always talk EVs, but only the big stu —cars, trucks, charging stations. E-bikes are the entry-level option! Write on them, promote them!”  Thanks for your suggestion, Rand. Aside from bikes, this month, we look at how hydroelectric generation might be a good source of more power, especially with our location right along the Mississippi River. On page 20, we also share beef recipes because, after all, May isn’t just Bike Month. It’s also Beef Month. Finally, be sure to also check out the reader recipes on page 22. Last spring, we received some spring-centric recipes, and we’ve held them all year to share with you now.

Happy May!

Dana Kelroy Editor

Dairyland CEO Appointed to National Nuclear Task Force

Dairyland President and CEO Brent Ridge has been appointed to the Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) Used Fuel Executive Task Force. Based in Washington, D.C., the NEI is the policy organization of the nuclear technologies industry and provides strategic guidance and support on used fuel-related legislative, policy, and legal issues.

“It is an exciting time for nuclear power and I am pleased to be part of the conversation on America’s clean energy transition,” said Ridge. “NEI’s vision is a world powered by clean and reliable energy, which nuclear provides through zero carbon emissions, fuel security and support of renewable resources.”

Dairyland and NuScale Power signed an agreement in 2022 for Dairyland to evaluate the potential deployment of NuScale’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology as a safe, reliable, and carbon-free energy solution.

RESCO: Transformer Shortage is Far From Over

RESCO President and CEO Matt Brandrup was the guest on the “Power Hungry Podcast” recently and delivered some dire news about the transformer shortage, saying the renewable energy transition and electric vehicle expansion means transformer manufacturers continue to compete for materials, and the EV rollout is amplifying the need to upgrade residential transformers to meet the needs of home charging.

“We’re just in the infancy stages, in terms of utilities having to upgrade their transformers, upgrade the secondary conductor serving that transformer,” Brandrup said, “and so we’re going to see that demand pressure to increase transformer size for many, many years.”

Brandrup said the new transformer standard the Department of Energy (DOE) is working on rolling out, which requires new transformers to be slightly more efficient and use a certain type of steel, will exacerbate the issue. Under the new requirement, transformers would be larger and more expensive.

Minnesota, Illinois Consider Ending Nuclear Bans

Evidence of a national resurgence in new nuclear generation continues as Illinois and Minnesota take steps to end moratoriums.

The Illinois State Senate has passed legislation that would delete language on its books reading “no construction shall commence on any new nuclear power plant to be located within the state,” opening the door to both traditional, large nuclear reactors and new, small modular reactors. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

In Minnesota, lawmakers are considering a bill that would launch a study on the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of generating power with advanced nuclear technology, a potential first step toward overturning the ban on new nuclear in that state.

Wisconsin ended its 33-year ban on new nuclear generation in March 2016.

Evers’ Budget Plan Includes Clean Energy Initiatives

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has a long list of clean energy initiatives and other spending in his 2023–25 budget proposal. While the state has a projected surplus of $7.1 billion by June 30, the spending in Evers’ proposal would exceed revenues by an estimated $5.2 billion in 2024 and $1.3 billion in 2025, the largest imbalance of any budget on record, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum Budget Brief.

The clean energy proposals are related to building out electric vehicle charging infrastructure, requiring utilities to invest more in Focus on Energy, expanding clean job opportunities, and expediting the clean energy transition in the state.

Singerhouse Joins UWCC Advisory Committee

Jesse Singerhouse, general manager and CEO of Dunn Energy Cooperative, has joined the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives Advisory Committee.

Former Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative CEO Mike Wade served on the UWCC Advisory Committee until he left Wisconsin to take the position of CEO at Wild Rice Electric Cooperative in Minnesota.

UWCC takes an in-depth look at how cooperatives operate, and how they can be improved, particularly in the area of governance including board elections, term limits, and training.

Governor Evers Announces Launch of Clean Economy Coalition

Governor Tony Evers helped celebrate the launch of the Clean Economy Coalition of Wisconsin (CECW). Founding members include Action for the Climate Emergency, Audubon Great Lakes, Clean Wisconsin, Elevate, The Nature Conservancy, RENEW Wisconsin, Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter, Slipstream, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, Walnut Way Conservation Corp., Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action, and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association.

The groups says its purpose is to “shape and advocate for policies that support a 100 percent carbon-free state by 2050.” The group also advocates and acts for policies to achieve 100 percent zero carbon new residential and commercial buildings by 2030 and will push to phase out the use of natural gas in existing homes and businesses.

Dairyland Power Receives National Tech Award

Dairyland Power Cooperative has been named a CIO 100 Award Winner by Foundry’s CIO, one of the most prestigious awards in the technology industry.

The CIO 100 Awards honor organizations or companies for using IT in innovative ways to deliver business value. The group specifically cited the Dairyland Systems Modernization (DSM) program for delivering business value through innovation. The program is focused on improving processes and systems.

SPRING IS A TIME FOR ADVOCACY

on clean energy projects or to gain approval to modernize their systems. Without a more efficient permitting process, clean energy goals with established timelines are almost certainly unachievable. This is further exacerbated by lawsuits challenging the permitting process that often hold up projects for many more years.

Steve Freese President and CEO

Springtime always brings new opportunities to work with our state legislators and the Wisconsin delegation in the U.S. Congress. This year was no different. In March, we had the chance to host Education and Lobby Days for our members. This event allows electric cooperative representatives to meet with our elected officials in Madison to discuss issues important to the success of our operations and the members and communities they serve. Similarly, in April, a smaller contingent traveled to Washington, D.C., for the legislative conference that the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association hosts each spring. There, we met with members of Congress to talk about issues important to Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives at the national level.

For electric cooperatives to keep the power flowing, several utilize Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loans to help finance infrastructure projects. Our advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and Madison is done so our member cooperatives can continue to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.

In Washington, we talked about the importance of RUS loans, especially when the government’s policies will result in thousands of miles of new transmission powerlines and new power generation assets to significantly reduce carbon emissions within the electric industry.

Funding for RUS loans and many other elements, including funding to support agriculture and nutritional programs, must be re-authorized every five years through the Farm Bill, which is up this year. We asked our members of Congress to support programs that help electric cooperatives. We also discussed the necessity of overhauling the federal regulatory permitting process—it often takes years for co-ops to get permits to move ahead

In Madison, we lobbied against community solar legislation that could harm our members. We are not opposed to solar as a renewable energy source in Wisconsin. In fact, our members continue to build community solar arrays and are currently looking at the feasibility of additional systems. Our concerns, however, focus on three primary issues: cost shifting, reliability, and consumer protection.

Cooperatives build solar systems with all members in mind, not just a select few, and costs/savings are shared accordingly. Unfortunately, the community solar legislation being considered in Madison would shift system costs to other utility customers who wouldn’t receive any of the benefits. It’s not a fair ask, especially since the legislation virtually eliminates the business risk for developers by requiring the state to set lofty community solar buy-back rates that come out of the pockets of the ratepayers.

It’s essential to recognize that the significant addition of community solar—an intermittent power source— creates costly reliability issues. Ultimately these costs will be borne by all its consumers. How? Intermittent power sources provide power some of the time, yet we all expect to have power all of the time. Therefore, electric utilities must have a backup power source, such as a natural gas power plant that runs when community solar doesn’t, to ensure there is always power. Reliability comes with a cost, whether it’s used or not.

Recently, I wrote about the potential of being swindled by a solar developer and shared a few cases in Wisconsin. Most solar developer contracts are for 20 years or more. That’s a long time, and with little to no oversight, you surely hope all of the promised benefits will materialize. Having consumer-friendly laws in place certainly seems like an appropriate step in the long-term interests of both the developers and their customers.

Though much of our advocacy for electric cooperatives occurs in the spring, we’re looking out for your best interests year-round. But unfortunately, there are always political attempts to exploit what we have worked so hard to create and other efforts that are not in the best interests of our communities. It’s why we need to be engaged in conversations with our elected officials on legislation that will affect all of us.

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HARNESSING HYDRO: COULD THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI BE THE KEY TO CLEAN ENERGY?

Ever since he was young, growing up on a dairy farm near a stream in Fond du Lac County, Ed Hass has greatly appreciated earth’s most abundant natural resource—water. So years later, when he settled near Ellsworth on Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services lines, he purchased land along a quarter mile of Isabelle Creek, which flows into the mighty Mississippi, to make his home. With the nation’s secondlargest river as a nearby neighbor, Hass has long considered that the Mississippi, which runs more than 2,300 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, may hold a wealth of untapped power potential.

known as hydroelectric, is quietly holding its place as the solid leader in the carbon-emissions-free renewable energy resource category. In December 2022, according to the Energy Information Administration, hydropower provided 4% of electricity generation in Wisconsin, making up almost 40% of our renewable mix. In the United States, hydropower makes up more than 6% of generation and solidly outperforms wind, solar, and biomass. And globally, hydropower accounts for 16% of generation and 60% of the renewable mix.

Ed Hass

“I’ve always been a proponent of hydropower because it is sustainable,” Hass, who currently serves on the board of directors for Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services, said. “You don’t have to wait for the sun to shine or the wind to blow. It doesn’t have a carbon footprint. It doesn’t have nuclear waste, and it’s readily abundant.”

While wind and solar continue to grab the renewable energy headlines, hydropower, also

But while hydro generation has held steady over 50 years, its market share has greatly diminished with the increased use of electricity generated by coal and natural gas. So even with the social and political push for a clean energy transition, increasing hydro in the mix is an approach that’s been dead in the water.

There is an almost ubiquitous dissent about the possibility of expanding hydropower, particularly on the Mississippi. It’s a “working river” where barges are critical to transporting goods and fuel to the north and south. It’s too shallow. It’s too slow. And the biggest, most obvious argument—it’s too flat. You need a large “head” or pool of water with

Photo courtesy of DPC

Lock and Dam No. 4 near Alma.

a steep vertical drop-off to harness electricity from water.

Or… do you?

Hass, who studied natural resources at UW-Stevens Point and holds a master’s degree from UW-Madison, has been doing his research and found where there is a will, there may be a way. Much like what is happening with nuclear and the development of new small-scale reactors, there is developing technology in the world of hydro.

“We’re moving away from the legacy power plants to more of a distributed generation scenario where we’re going to see a lot of smaller generation sources rather than relying on a few big ones, and certainly, I think hydro energy ought to be part of that picture,” he said.

Options beyond traditional high dam hydropower include low-head hydro, where a dam is constructed (or an existing dam is used) and allowed to fill with water, which generates electricity when released back into the river. In the pumped storage option, water is pumped to a reservoir during off-peak hours, then released to generate power when needed. And an even newer alternative involves working with the sloping river’s changing elevation in the Midwest landscape.

“Imagine as you’re going upstream, the elevation of the land and the river changes, and gravity pushes the water downstream. If you could build conduit or large pipe that would run parallel to the river and allow water to be diverted to fill that reservoir by gravity, then you wouldn’t have to pump water up into it, and that would even be more efficient because you would avoid the cost of pumping water up into the

reservoir,” Hass explained.

The beauty of harnessing energy from hydro in the Upper Mississippi is that it already has 29 existing locks and dams from Minnesota to Missouri, including eight between Hastings, Minnesota, and Genoa, Wisconsin. Many of them are aging and due to be renovated, upgraded, or replaced. Hass says this is the perfect time to consider adding new hydro-generation without further disrupting the river or the ecosystem that depends on it.

Hass isn’t the only one who thinks now is the time to explore the options to expand hydropower. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates locks and dams. It reports that several factors, including new technologies that cater to

smaller hydropower projects, the expansive tax credits for clean energy projects, and a streamlined permitting process, are generating interest from utilities and developers. Still, to elevate the movement, Hass says, will require help from Congress and the Department of Energy.

He spearheaded an action to bring a resolution to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which reads: We support legislative and regulatory initiatives which promote the development and implementation of technologies to generate hydroelectric power through the existing lock and dam system on the Mississippi River. We support legislative and regulatory initiatives that enable funding for research

and development, technical design, and for upgrading existing and new dam and pump storage hydropower facilities that incorporate low-head capacity hydroelectric power generation.

During the business meeting portion of NRECA’s PowerXchange 2023 annual meeting in March, WECA President and CEO Steve Freese explained that this would be a first step. “We really want to have an opportunity to look at using Congress, as we did in 1929 to create the lock and dam system, to figure out whether or not hydroelectric dams are viable on the Mississippi River, because we don’t know,” he said, “We don’t want to impact the barge traffic because 60% of the traffic that goes through lock #11 is agricultural products—basically corn and soybeans, as well as coal that goes to our generation plants. We need to have the ability to have Congress really address this and instruct the Department of Energy and the Army Corps. of Engineers to work with us.”

The membership voted 582–39 to adopt the resolution.

The Wisconsin-led push to pursue the expansion of hydropower is rooted in history. The first hydroelectric power plant to sell electricity in the United States was built in the Badger state, coming on-line on the Fox River near Appleton in 1882, decades before commercial wind and solar generation, making Wisconsin the nation’s birthplace of carbon emissions-free renewable energy.

Hass wants to see the state’s leadership trend continue as he works to generate discussions about the benefits and opportunities of expanding clean, reliable hydroelectric generation. He said, “I really think it’s the prime, opportune time. That’s what I feel with most things in life, that in order for an idea to develop roots and take off, it has to be at the right time. And this is it. If we can capture energy from currents in the ocean, I would certainly think we could capture energy from a major stream flowing in the middle of the country.”

You can lead a Hass to water, and he’ll sure make you think.—Julie Lund

A barge enters U.S. Lock and Dam No. 6 near Trempealeau. Steve Freese, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, addresses the membership of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association during their resolutions meeting to advocate for hydroelectric generation using the Mississippi River’s lock and dam system.

E-BIKE EMERGENCE

Electric bicycles, or e-bikes, are becoming more and more popular, both for recreation and transportation.

If you’ve considered purchasing an EV but aren’t quite sure, some say an e-bike is a nice, entry-level option to the e-vehicle market.

e-bike basics: Electric bicycles don’t look much different than traditional bikes at quick glance, but look closer to see a small electric motor, battery, and control panel on the frame. They can be as much as 20 pounds heavier than regular bicycles. However, weights continue to drop as the market matures (along with entry-level prices, which still hover at $1,000 and up).

Power plants, batteries, riding ranges, and features vary among the brands and models, but the industry has developed three standard classes of e-bikes: Class 1 has a motor that you can set to gently assist you as you pedal, and it maxes out at 20 miles per hour (this is the most common e-bike available for rent or bike-sharing); Class 2 also reaches 20 mph but has a throttle-powered mode that does not require pedaling; Class 3 bikes are pedal-assist only, but they can reach 28 mph.

Larry Theberge, Dunn Energy Cooperative member and owner of Recycle Bike Shop, LLC, offers advice on e-bike purchases. First off, he says, don’t just order a bike online. Instead, visit a local bike shop. “Sit on one live. It’s going to change your whole opinion. It’s not what you think it’s going to be. It’s going to be a thousand times more.” Plus, by working with a local shop, a buyer can later resolve problems with the bike with an actual person, said Theberge.

Consider your

skill level: Be honest about your ability and the type of riding you’re planning (road or trail, hills or flat ground, short or long commutes); outfitters will use that information to determine which size and style of e-bike to recommend, and how much power assist you’ll need. “You get to choose how much power that you want, how much assist you want,” said Theberge. “They all feel different. One bike can be very gentle to take off. Or the next, ‘Oh wait, I want to squeal tires like I got a new Mustang and take off.’”

“You need to match the personality of the bike to the personality of the person,” he added.

E-bikes really can accommodate all skill levels.

“That’s what’s nice about an electric bike. You don’t have to be a jock to ride it,” said Theberge. “My prized customer is Mike. He’s 84 years old, has a pacemaker, and compromised lungs, and

Photo courtesy of MeLinda Schnyder

he loves being outside. On a fabulous day, he would go for a 5-mile ride [on a conventional bike]. He’s riding an e-bike now. He’s going on 40-mile rides.”

Find out where you can ride

safely and legally: You should follow the same bicycle safety precautions as with a traditional bicycle (see the accompanying sidebar). Be considerate while riding on trails with others; riding by at 20 mph can startle a pedestrian. You’ll need to research where you’re allowed to ride an e-bike. If you’re renting, check to see if the outfitter has restrictions (for example, whether you can take the bike into sand) and ask about areas such as parks that don’t allow motorized bicycles. Resources such as People For Bikes’ Ride Spot app and local bike shops include information on where to ride.

• Only buy or rent e-bikes certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (look for symbols such as UL, ETL, and CSA).

• Use the original battery, power adapter, and power cord supplied with the device, or a manufacturerrecommended and/or a testing laboratory-certified replacement.

• Plug the e-bike directly into a wall outlet when charging (not an extension cord), and charge in a safe area, like a garage.Make sure there are no other nearby combustibles, and consider adding a smoke detector where the e-bike will be charged.

• Monitor the e-bike or e-bike battery when it is being charged. When asked about recommendations for the best place to ride, Theberge replied, “Outside your door.” He urges riders to go where it’s convenient and safe.

Follow the Rules of the Road

The League of American Bicyclists’ ve Rules of the Road prepare you for safe and fun bicycling no matter where you’re riding.

Follow the law: You have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Obey tra c signals and stop signs. Ride with tra c; use the rightmost lane headed in the direction you are going.

Know

battery

and

charging safety: The lithium-ion batteries that power devices like e-bikes and scooters must be used properly to avoid overheating—when the batteries are poorly made or charged too long, they can cause fires.

The New York City Fire Department issued a bulletin addressing the issue, providing this advice:

“Wisconsin is fortunate to have some of the best bike riding, and the bicycle trails are always fabulous. The views are just unbelievable,” he said. Theberge’s advice for someone considering getting into e-biking? “Don’t wait. Do it now. What are you waiting for?”—Dana Kelroy with MeLinda Schnyder, a freelance journalist based in Wichita, Kansas.

Be predictable: Make your intentions clear to everyone on the road. Ride in a straight line and don’t swerve between parked cars. Signal turns and check behind you well before turning or changing lanes.

Be conspicuous: Ride where people can see you and wear bright clothing. Use a front white light, red rear light, and re ectors when visibility is poor. Make eye contact with others and don’t ride on sidewalks.

Think ahead: Anticipate what drivers, pedestrians, and other people on bikes will do next. Watch for turning vehicles and ride outside the door zone of parked cars. Look out for debris, potholes, and other road hazards. Cross railroad tracks at right angles.

Ride ready: Check that your tires are su ciently in ated, brakes are working, chain runs smoothly, and quick release levers are closed. Carry tools and supplies that are appropriate for your ride. Wear a helmet.

Source: The League of American Bicyclists

Dunn Energy Cooperative member and owner of Recycle Bike Shop, LLC, Larry Theberge is an e-bike enthusiast and exhibitor at EV Experience, an electric co-op event held each fall at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire to promote e-vehicles.

Photo courtesy of Larry Theberge

BEST IN CLASS BEEF

Mexican Beef Chopped Salad

1 cup cilantro leaves

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1/3 cup soybean oil

2 cloves garlic

3 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 lb ank steak, trimmed

6 romaine lettuce hearts, nely chopped

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced

Salt and pepper

Puree cilantro, rice vinegar, soybean oil, garlic, and lime juice in blender until smooth. Reserve 1/3 cup dressing to a small bowl; set aside. Place remaining marinade in a large bowl with steak; marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature or refrigerate for 3 hours.

Combine the romaine hearts, cilantro leaves, tomatoes, and avocados on large platter.

Preheat grill to medium-high. Remove steak from the marinade, place on grill. Cook, ipping once, approx. 3 minutes per side for medium rare (135 degrees) or until desired level of doneness. Let steak rest for 10 minutes. Slice into thin strips.

Drizzle salad with reserved dressing, tossing lightly. Top with sliced beef. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 6.

Recipe and photo courtesy of U.S. Soy, via The Soy Connection.

Chili Loaded Baked Potatoes

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Mushroom Council, via Mushrooms Canada.

Looking for a weeknight meal that comes together in a snap? These Mexican-style baked potatoes combine all the fun avors of Mexico into a meal the whole family will love.

6 large russet potatoes, cleaned

8 oz fresh cremini mushrooms

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 lb lean ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 oz pkg Tex-Mex seasoning

2 Tbsp adobo peppers in chipotle sauce, puréed

26 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

Salsa

Sour cream

Guacamole

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pierce potatoes several times with a fork and place on a baking tray. Bake for 45–60 minutes or until softened all the way through.

While potatoes bake, place mushrooms in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until finely chopped. In a large saucepan, brown mushrooms, onion, and beef approx. 10 minutes. Add garlic, Tex-Mex seasoning, adobo peppers, and tomatoes. Simmer 15–20 minutes, allowing flavors to combine and sauce to thicken.

Split baked potatoes lengthwise and spoon in meat mixture. Top with black beans, corn, cheddar cheese, and chopped cilantro. Serve with a side of salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Serves 6.

Beef & Asparagus Pasta Toss

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Wisconsin Beef Council.

Classic steakhouse avors in an easy pasta bowl! Ground beef and asparagus are tossed with pasta and parmesan cheese for a quick dinner.

3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta

1 lb fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 lb ground beef (93% lean or leaner)

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup minced shallots (approx. 2 large)

1 Tbsp minced garlic

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Cook pasta in salted boiling water 10 minutes or until almost tender. Add asparagus; continue cooking 3–4 minutes or until pasta and asparagus are tender. Drain well. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef; cook 8–10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet with slotted spoon; pour off drippings. Heat olive oil in the same skillet over medium heat until hot. Add shallots and garlic; cook 3–4 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Add beef; toss to mix. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Combine beef mixture with pasta and asparagus in a large bowl; toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serves 4.

Honey Beef & Broccoli Bowl

Recipe and photo courtesy of The National Honey Board.

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 cup beef broth

4 cloves garlic, grated

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated or finely minced

1 tsp chili paste

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp corn starch

2-1/2 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, cubed

2 cups white rice, cooked

1-1/2 lbs broccoli florets, about 2 crowns

Sesame seeds

2 green onions, thinly sliced

Inside the bowl of a slow cooker, place honey, soy sauce, beef broth, grated garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, chili paste, onion powder, pepper, and corn starch. With a whisk, combine all ingredients. Place cubed beef inside slow cooker and toss to combine with sauce until all beef cubes are covered. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. In the last 30 minutes of cooking, prior to serving, cook 2 cups of rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, steam broccoli in a steamer or microwave. In the final 5 minutes just prior to serving, add sesame seeds and green onions to the beef. To serve, build a bed of approx. 1/3 cup cooked rice, and top with beef and steamed broccoli. Serves 6.

READER RECIPES

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.

AUNT MARGARET’S RHUBARB PIE RECIPE COURTESY

OF CLAUDIA BARTZ, SURING

The crust may be delicate, but the pie tastes great.

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

In Honor of Memorial Day, we are looking for wartime or military recipes.

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

CRUST

1 cup our 1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbsp sugar

6 Tbsp butter

1 egg yolk

Blend the our, sugar, and salt together in a bowl. Work butter into the our mixture and add egg yolk. Pat crust into an 8- or 9-inch pie pan.

FILLING

1-1/2 cups chopped rhubarb

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup sugar

1 cup sour cream or buttermilk

1 tsp orange zest

Place chopped rhubarb into the bottom of pie crust. In a bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, sour cream (or buttermilk), and orange zest. Pour this mixture over the rhubarb and bake at 375 degrees for approx. 50 minutes, until the lling is rm and the fruit is tender.

RAMP DROP BISCUITS

RECIPE COURTESY OF DARLENE SEELOS, CORNUCOPIA

4 cups (approx. 20 oz) all-purpose our

1 tsp baking soda

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp sugar

1-1/2 tsp salt

1 cup (8 oz) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2/3 cup young ramps (approx. 12 ramps), bulbs chopped ne and leaves cut into thin strips

2 cups buttermilk, plus more for brushing

Freshly ground black pepper

Set rack in center of oven and preheat to 400 degrees. In bowl of a stand mixer, combine our, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Turn mixer to LOW speed, then add butter and mix until it is reduced to pea-sized or smaller pieces, approx. 4 minutes. Add ramps and then drizzle in buttermilk. Once buttermilk is mostly absorbed, turn o mixer and carefully fold any stray our or buttermilk into the dough with a rubber spatula. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. Scoop dough into 1/2cup mounds, leaving at least 2 inches between each biscuit on all sides. Brush with buttermilk and sprinkle with pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, rotate pan, reduce heat to 350 degrees, and bake for another 15–20 minutes until lightly colored on top and rm to the touch. Allow to cool slightly before eating. Yield: 12 biscuits.

OLD-FASHIONED RHUBARB PUDDING CAKE

RECIPE COURTESY OF JERRYANN MALDONIS, MEDFORD

4 cups diced fresh or frozen rhubarb

1-1/2 cups sugar, divided

1/4 cup shortening

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup our

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb and 1 cup sugar. Cook over medium heat for 12–15 minutes or until rhubarb is tender. In a small bowl, cream shortening and remaining 1/2 cup sugar; beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the our, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Beat until just combined. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch square baking dish. Pour rhubarb mixture over the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30–35 minutes.

CHERRY-RHUBARB FREEZER JAM

RECIPE COURTESY OF SHERIE JOLES, MONDOVI

4 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 (3 oz) pkg cherry gelatin

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie lling 1/8 tsp almond extract, optional

In a large saucepan, combine the rhubarb and sugar; let stand for 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 10 minutes or until rhubarb is tender. Remove from heat. Stir in gelatin powder until dissolved. Stir in cherry pie lling and almond extract. Ladle into freezer containers. Makes 5 cups. Store in refrigerator for 3 weeks or in the freezer for 1 year.

RHUBARB DUMP CAKE

RECIPE COURTESY OF DAWN BLOTZ

1 lb rhubarb, chopped (approx. 3 cups)

1 cup sugar

1 (3 oz) pkg strawberry gelatin

1 box yellow or white cake mix

1 cup water

1/4 cup melted butter

Put rhubarb into the bottom of a 9-x13-inch baking pan and sprinkle sugar over rhubarb to cover. Sprinkle powdered gelatin over sugar, then sprinkle dry cake mix over powdered gelatin. Pour water over cake mix and drizzle with melted butter. Do not stir. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Clients Are Saying

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.

It Out Alive

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.

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!)

The Grizzly Hunting Knife $249 $79* + S&P Save $170

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

*Special price only for customers using the offer code. 1-800-333-2045

Your

OFF THE RAILS AND ON TO TRAILS

Back in the days before divided highways crossed the state and nonstop flights were readily available, the fastest way to travel from Chicago to Minneapolis was to ride the rails. Starting in 1939, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad offered the 400, an express train that got its name from the 400-mile journey it made from city to city in about 400 minutes, sometimes climbing to speeds of 100 miles an hour.

That train ran until 1963, but a 22-mile stretch of railbed that it once traveled along is still very much in use. Known as the 400 Line for its role in the famous Chicago-toMinneapolis journey, this former railbed was converted into the multiuse 400 State Trail in 1993 and now takes excursionists from Reedsburg to Elroy, passing through both Vernon and Oakdale Electric Cooperative territories.

The path is no longer known primarily for the speed at which it can be traveled, however. These days, users of the 400 State Trail traverse the path at a slower pace—on foot or by bike—that allows for taking in the majestic scenery as the trail crosses the Baraboo River (11 times!), passes through wetlands and pastures, and winds along the towering sandstone bluffs of the Driftless Region.

And although the 400 State Trail doesn’t extend the full 400 miles of its namesake train route, the trail is one

of four interconnecting rail trails that together offer an impressive 100-plus miles of continuous trails through western Wisconsin.

It’s one of Wisconsin’s premier rail-to-trail biking trails, although use is not limited to bicycles. With snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing available in the winter, and even horseback riding allowed on a parallel stretch between Wonewoc and La Valle, the 400 trail makes for a fun adventure at any time of year. This spring, however, is an especially great time to visit, as the trail will mark its 30th anniversary in early June. This milestone will be celebrated at a number of coordinating events at the five communities along the trail’s path (see sidebar).

After the 400 train was discontinued, Askren explained, the area’s economic focus shifted to tourism, with many visitors drawn to the many outdoor recreation opportunities available thanks to the Baraboo River and the beautiful topography of the state’s Driftless Region. The former railbed, however, still sat unused, abandoned since the early 1970s.

That’s when Ron Nelson, then manager of Wildcat Mountain State Park, spearheaded efforts to turn the former railbed into a multi-use trail. Nelson was also in charge of developing the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, which is credited as the nation’s first official rail trail by Rails to Trails Conservancy. That trail opened in 1965 and connects to the 400 State Trail at the Elroy trailhead.

Community Lifeline

The anniversary events will not only pay tribute to the trail’s rich history, but they’ll also celebrate how the 400 State Trail has come, if not exactly full circle, at least back around.

Vernon Electric Cooperative member Lisa Askren is a member of the Friends of the 400, an organization of volunteers from each community along the trail’s path who help with trail improvement and promotion. Askren now lives in La Valle, but she grew up in Wonewoc and fondly recalls visiting the local five and dime as a child and seeing everything in the store rattle as the train passed through town. When the train passed through for good, the communities lost more than the familiar rattle.

“All these little towns were booming when the trains were there,” Askren said. “That’s what I remember. A lot of these towns had multiple businesses. We had three or four grocery stores, we had shoe stores, we had furniture stores. When the train left, so did a lot of those businesses.”

Opened in 1993, the 400 State Trail brought a different kind of business back to the former whistlestop communities along its path. The shoe stores and furniture stores gave way to ice-cream shops, bike stores, canoe stores, campgrounds, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, gift shops, and art galleries—all great opportunities for a trail pitstop.

“A lot of these little communities now depend on tourists, and that’s what the 400 brought—tourism,” Askren said.

Stops Along the Way

There are still reminders of the trail’s original purpose along its path. Two of the original depots still stand at each end of the trail, both restored and repurposed.

In Reedsburg, where the trail begins, the historic 1905 depot now serves as the trailhead and is home to Reedsburg’s Chamber of Commerce. This depot is open seven days a week and offers a large adjacent “park and ride” for trail users. Chamber staff is available to provide information to trail users as they begin their journey.

The 400 State Rail Trail follows the Baraboo River, o ering plenty of opportunities to spot wetland bird species along the way, is a great place to view wildlife. The trail crosses the Baraboo River 11 times. Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery!

Photos courtesy of Friends of the 400

From Reedsburg, trail users head north along the lowland valley of the Baraboo River, crossing streams and marshes as the trail parallels the river, and passing through a tunnel as it approaches La Valle. This community boasts multiple outdoor recreation sites, including Lake Redstone, Dutch Hollow Lake, and Hemlock County Park. It’s also home to a vibrant local art community.

Farther north, the trail passes through Wayside Park, with a picnic shelter and parking, as it approaches the mid-point of Wonewoc, where there’s a launch site for canoing and kayaking and several campgrounds within easy reach of the trail.

After Wonewoc, the trail continues on to Union Center and ends at Elroy, where it connects to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Once a prominent railroad center, Elroy’s rail history is evident throughout the community. The former depot has been fully remodeled and converted into Elroy Commons, a perfect place for a trail stop with restrooms (including showers), a picnic area, playground, and Trail Shop. An historical museum, open on weekend afternoons from Memorial Day to Labor Day, features a working model railroad display depicting the city in its railroad heyday.

From end to end, the trail passes through varying landscapes with breathtaking scenery, and wildlife of all kinds at every turn. No doubt the speedy 400 train offered an impressive journey, but the 400 State Trail experience is one to savor.

Mary Erickson

Saturday, June 10

30th Anniversary Celebrations Along the 400 State Trail

Travel the trail on Saturday, June 10, and stop for celebrations at each of these five communities along the way. Start by picking up a passport, available from a Friends of the 400 representative at each location, and have it stamped at each stop. Completed passports will be entered into a prize drawing at the next Friends of the 400 board meeting.

Elroy – Friends of the 400 representatives: Jessica Bashirian (President), bashirian@centurytel.net, 608-462-8286; JoAnn Blonien, joblonien@yahoo.com, 414-550-7866

• Enjoy ice cream social and prizes.

Union Center – Friends of the 400 representatives: Becky Fara, becky.farra@gmal.com, 608-462-5075; Nancy Benish, nancybenish@yahoo. com, 608-495-0331

• Bike safety/rodeo from 10–11 a.m. at the basketball courts in Union Center. Bring your own bike and helmet. Pre-registration may be required. Parents should attend with their children.

• Water and snacks provided along with attendance gift .

Wonewoc – Friends of the 400 representatives: Kathy De Nure, kdenure@centurytel.net, 608-464-3220; Bill De Nure, bdenure@centurytel.net, 608-464-3220

• Ride the 400 Trail on the 40&8 train mockup from Wonewoc to Union Center and back. These were the French boxcars that were used to transport doughboys to the front lines during World War 1. They were so named for their capacity to hold 40 men or 8 horses.

• Wonewoc annual Family Fun Day, with street food vendors, craft show, 5k run, games, and more. Contact Jane Fry 608-566-6800 for more information.

LaValle – Friends of the 400 representatives: Joanna Slama, djsslama@mwt.net, 608-393-8750; Lisa Askren, LMASKREN@mwt.net, 715-556-0442

• Raffle Baskets (need not be present to win).

• Smoothie Bike sponsored by LaValle Library.

• Art at J. Pearson Art Gallery and Bobby C. Art Gallery.

• Craft show at Mill House.

• Local food provided by the LaValle Legion.

• Kidz Zone

• Trail and River rescue demonstrations by the LaValle Fire Department.

• Car Show and Chicken BBQ at Border Rider’s Land.

• Free gift at Friends table for the first 50.

Events are pending; for updated information visit 400statetrail.org, contact the Reedsburg Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-844-3507, or contact one of the Friends of the 400 listed in the sidebar at right.

Reedsburg – Friends of the 400 representative: Bev Hoege, bhoege@gmail.com.-608-495-0648

• Drawings for trail-related prizes.

• Snacks and refreshments served throughout the day.

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER READY FOR SUMMER?

A professional tune-up is the best way to ensure your air conditioner is operating at peak e ciency. However, there are simple steps you can take yourself to help make sure your air conditioner is ready when the mercury rises.

Clear the surroundings of the air-conditioning unit. Remove any twigs, leaves, and grass clippings that have built up around the outside of your air conditioner, impeding air ow to and from the unit. Cut back any plants growing nearby.

Check the lter.

Replace lters according to manufacturer’s recommendations, typically every 30–60 days for at lters, and up to 90 days for pleated lters. Filters trap dust, pollen, and other pollutants. A blocked lter will decrease your air quality and the air conditioner’s e ciency.

Clean the outside of the unit. Shut o power to the air-conditioning unit and then use a garden hose to gently clean any debris out of the ns.

Source: energy.gov

Get a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats enable you to set the temperature higher when no one is home, which saves you money and adds to the life of your air conditioner.

WANTED: Paying cash for WWII ags, daggers, swords, guns, etc. Also, lever-action ri es. 715-340-1974.

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, sher, bobcat tags, party permits, old traps. 715255-9284 David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446.

WANTED: PEDAL CARS, tractors, trucks, planes, boats, and related items. The older the better. Any condition. Karl 608-482-4783. Leave message.

FOR SALE: RACING HISTORY BOOKS. Hales Corners, Beaver Dam, Cedarburg, Slinger Super Speedway. $15 each plus mailing. Dave 414-430-2142.

WANTED: PORTABLE SAWMILL SERVICE to mill logs near Hatfield, WI. Call Tom 920-843-1349.

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.

“FEEL-THE-HEAL” Go to Ebay & search Blacksmith Salve”. The most powerful healing salve on the planet.

WHOLESALE - OFFSET PRINTING. Circulars-Envelopes-Postcards. Price list. Send (address label) Iron Age Printing, W4411EC 2-Mile Rd, Neillsville, WI 54456.

OLD MOVIES TO DVD / FD - Pro transferring 8mm, VHS, audio, and all formats. Saving family memories! DVD Productions Gene 715-827-2302.

FOR RENT: 2 BR CABIN ON BIG ROUND LAKE , Hayward, WI. Next to water. Sleeps 5. Great beach. Call Janet 715-558-5803.

COLLECTOR LOOKING FOR ANTIQUE OR HAND-MADE LARGE TRAPS. 715563-6658 For sale: smaller trapping traps, lever-action ri es from 1800’s.

AKC REGISTERED ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL PUPPIES. Please call or text for more information. 715-579-2547. Holcombe, Wisconsin.

Plants & Shrubs

MCKAY NURSERY COMPANY - Wisconsin

Grown Since 1897. Provider of quality shade & ornamental trees, fruit & owering trees, evergreens, shrubs, perennials, ground cover, and vines. Design services & delivery available. Contact Eric at ezlandscapewi@ gmail.com or call 608-462-3197. “Your McKay Independent Sales & Service Provider.”

MORE THAN 152,000 MAILBOXES EACH MONTH

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, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703. Ph: 608-467-4638. Email jennifer@weca.coop.

We reserve the right to refuse ads.

WISCONSIN EVENTS May 2023

1–31 Nature Photography Exhibit—Alma. Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Open Thursdays through Sundays. For more info, call 608-685-3303.

1–31 Bloomin’ Greenhouse Tour—Clark County. Various locations, all-day. Annual self-guided tour of Clark County’s many greenhouses & garden centers. Annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, grasses, trees, shrubs, hostas, daylilies, fairy garden supplies, garden art, home décor, and more! For a brochure, 715-255-9100.

5–7 Fish-N-Fun Festival—Montello. City Park, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Entertainment for everyone and admission is free! Carnival, food trucks, vendor fair, axe throwing, petting zoo, live entertainment, and lots more! Street dance on West Street, Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

6 Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale—Chaseburg. Village Hall, 7–10:30 a.m. Carry-out or dine-in, homemade pastries. Vendors on display from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. including rosemaling, jewelry, plants, homemade crafts, and more.

6 Rummage Sales—Chaseburg. Village-wide, all-day.

6 Brat and Hot Dog Sale—Chaseburg. Middle Coon Valley Church, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

6 Pancake & Sausage Breakfast—Camp Douglas. Clifton Park Shelter, 7–11 a.m. $5 All-you-can-eat.

6 Parkinson’s Community Walk & Awareness Event—LaCrosse. Myrick Park, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Family friendly community event to bring awareness to Parkinson’s disease. Includes a walk, live music, resource booths with demonstrations, kids’ corner, and food trucks.

6 Opening Day at Beckman Mill—Beloit. Rock County Park, 12–4 p.m. Museum and gift shop open. Mill will be in operation grinding corn. Chili, corn muffins (made with corn meal from the mill), drinks, and dessert available for purchase. No admission charge, but donations appreciated. 608-751-1551.

6 Fishers’ Community Breakfast—Fennimore. Castle Rock Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 7–10:30 a.m. Enjoy breakfast on opening day of inland waters fishing. No charge; free-will offering appreciated. Located 9 miles east of Fennimore at the intersection of County Q and Crow Valley Road.

6 A Night in the Desert Belly Dance Show— Fall Creek. High School, 7–10 p.m. Come and enjoy a family friendly show by Samsara, with amazing belly dancers from all over Wisconsin and Minnesota. 715-579-2026.

7 Charcoal Chicken Dinner—Greenwood. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Drive-thru only. Half-chicken meals only; $10. Meals includes chicken, potato salad, baked beans, bun, and dessert.

13 Perennial Plant Sale—Richland Center. Community Center, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Perennial plant sale and Animal House food trailer fundraiser event, serving traditional Chicago dogs, Wisconsin brats, and Maxwell Street Polish sausage. 608-647-6453.

13 Grant County Master Gardeners Plant Sale—Lancaster. Schreiner Memorial Library, 9–11 a.m. Zone hardy shrubs and perennials, annuals, and vegetables.

19, 20 Yard Sales—Bowler area. Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Maps at JPP’s Food & Gas and Kropf’s Meat Market. Includes ‘Rummage for a Reason’ sale at Grace Bible Church, with furniture, tools, toys, piano, clothes (including plus size), and food sales.

20 Walk MS 2023—La Crosse. La Crosse Center, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Site opens at 9 a.m., walk steps off at 10 a.m. Walk MS® brings together people for a powerful purpose: To End MS Forever. 262-369-4419.

20, 21 Trillium Festival—Stockholm. Rustic Road Gallery, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Will provide a road map for a self-guided driving tour of blooming Trillium wild forest flowers. Also a soundscape experience, native plant sale, local beekeeper and Wisconsin master naturalist on hand.

21 Red Cedar Classic Car Club Car Show— Menomonie. Dunn County Recreation Park, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

26 Donut Fry—Jim Falls. United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Advance orders appreciated. 715-382-4397.

27 Flea & Craft Market—Coloma. Community Park, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Food and beverages available, bathrooms and parking at the park. 715-340-1232.

28 Huge Indoor Rummage Sale—Winchester. Scholl Community Impact Group Arena, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Sellers & buyers needed. Tired of low turnout at your garage sale? Sell with multiple families. 715-493-3534.

28 Native Plant Sale—Town of Sherman. Pavilion (3063 West State Hwy. 182), 11 a.m.–3 p.m. 60 varieties of perennials; 50 native to Wisconsin. All plants are grown by a Springstead resident and are pesticide-free. 715-574-3601.

29 Honor Ride—Neillsville. The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Several route starting points around Wisconsin. Scenic routes have brief fuel stops. All routes converge at the American Legion in Neillsville for raffles and then riders travel together to The Highground. Lunch and a 3 p.m. Memorial Day ceremony. Advance registration online at www.thehighground.us.

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.

Upload

1. Mya loves her pet chicken. She can pick it up and carry it around or give it a ride in her buggy. Photo submitted by GreatGrandma Suzanne Froeschle, a member of Dunn Energy.

2. Anna and her kitty Cheddar say cheese for the camera. Photo submitted by Grandpa Skip Nordahl, a member of Jackson Electric Cooperative.

3. Libby and her dog Copper nap together after a long day playing outside. Photo submitted by Deanna Oliver, a member of Jackson Electric.

4. Ava is ready for adventure with Pumpkin and Spice. Photo submitted by Grandma Cynthia Morgan, a member of Scenic Rivers Energy.

KEEP THE KIDS SAFE AT HOME

Use safety covers on unused outlets. Consider installing tamper-resistant receptacles with built-in shutter systems that prevent small objects from being inserted into the outlet. Replace missing or broken wall plates so inner wiring components are not exposed and within reach of little hands.

Keep electrical cords and gadgets out of sight.

Source: SafeElectricity.org

Send photos of kids with animals, along with a brief description, to WECN Magazine, 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703. Please include the name of your electric co-op. Photos will be returned. If in good-resolution, electronic format, photos may also be uploaded via wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab. By submitting, sender implies that he/she has rights to and owns the image, and grants WECN permission to use the image. By submitting, the parent or legal guardian also authorizes us the right to publish the image.

WELCOME ROAD WARRIORS!

Pack your bags! It’s a great time to hit the open roads. North Dakota is full of unforgettable, affordable adventure. From can’t miss Theodore Roosevelt National Park, to larger-than-life roadside attractions and fun urban escapes, come see why we love it here.