Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News July 2023 Eau Claire

July 2023

FROM PROBLEM TO PROSPERITY

CATASTROPHE CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR FIBER INTERNET ON WASHINGTON ISLAND

Arcadia/Mondovi

Water Source Htg & Clg

(715) 833-9001

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/Coon Valley

Flock’s Htg & A/C

(608) 269-1500

Clintonville/Oshkosh

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

Ellsworth/Lake City

Comfort By Design (715) 273-3658

Escanaba/Iron Mountain

GPS Htg & Clg (715) 732-2111

Friendship/Waupon

All Phase Geothermal (920) 763-2301

Your

Green Bay/Onedia

Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Hudson/Stillwater

Comfort By Design (715) 273-3658

Janesville/Fort Atkinson

Don Martin Htg (608) 758-9882

Madison Black Earth

Modern Htg & Clg (608) 767-2689

Marinette/Peshtigo

GPS Htg & Clg

(715) 732-2111

Menomonie/Bloomer

Water Source Htg & Clg (715) 833-9001

Neillsville/Medford

Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

New Lisbon/Shamrock

Deans Refrig. & Heating (608) 372-6928

Oconto/Rhinelander

Van’s Refridgeration (920) 833-2051

Osceola/St. Croix Falls

Comfort By Design

(715) 273-3658

Plymouth/Fond du Lac

Advanced Custom Geothermal (920) 894-3999

Prescott/Hastings

Comfort By Design

(715) 273-3658

Richland Center/Viroqua

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

Siren/Superior Earth Energy Systems

(715) 566-0735

Spring Valley/Amery

Comfort By Design

(715) 273-3658

Sturgeon Bay/Denmark

Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Tomah/Oakdale

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

Wasau/Angtigo

Van’s Refrigeration (920) 833-2051

Westby/La Crosse

Flock’s Htg & A/C (608) 654-5522

Wisconsin Rapids/Warens

Northern Indoor Comfort (715) 937-2676

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July 2023 Vol. 84 No. 1

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.

Join

On

Washington Island’s Robert Cornell shows Governor Tony Evers a cross-section of the new cable connecting the island to the mainland of Door County. The new cable not only restored power, but includes 24 strands of ber, allowing the co-op to o er reliable, high-speed, ber-to-home internet service on the island.

Photo courtesy of the O ce of Tony Evers

SYMBOL SEARCH

Our June Symbol Search winner is Lori Tietz, member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative. She found the glass of milk on “Page 20 at the top of the toothpick. Whew this one was hard. Could not nd without a magni er.”

This month, we challenge you to nd this butter y. 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 July 15.

RECIPE CONTEST WINNER

We’reexcited to share the winner of our casserole recipe contest. It’s for a Wild Rice Lasagna and was submitted by Ann Noble from Hayward. She said, “I love reading the magazine recipes each month and was so happy to see this contest! I’d love to share the best ‘casserole’ you’ll ever taste! As a consultant, I created this fabulous and simple recipe for the Minnesota Cultivated Wild Rice Council many years ago and have been asked for the recipe every single time someone has tasted it! (You could substitute ground beef or ground turkey for the Italian sausage if you wish.)”

Enjoy!

Wild Rice Lasagna

1 lb bulk Italian sausage, hot or mild

1/2 cup diced onion

1 (9–10 oz) pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

4 cups shredded Italian blend or pizza blend cheese, divided

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning

3–4 cups cooked wild rice (do not overcook)

1 (20–26 oz) jar prepared marinara or spaghetti sauce

1 (16–20 oz) jar prepared Alfredo sauce

Fresh basil chi onade, optional as garnish

In large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, partially brown the sausage; add onion and stir and cook until sausage is no longer pink; let it cool slightly. Stir in spinach, 1 cup cheese, eggs, Italian seasoning, and wild rice; set aside.

In the bottom of greased 9-x-13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce. Top with half of the wild rice mixture, half of the marinara sauce, and half of the Alfredo sauce, spreading each layer evenly. Sprinkle with 1-1/2 cups cheese and layer once again with the remaining wild rice mix, marinara, Alfredo, and cheese.

SYMBOL

Good luck!

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for approx. 35–45 minutes, until cheese is beginning to brown and pan is heated through. Let sit approx. 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Garnish with basil chi onade. Serves 12–15.

Note: Freezes well after baking. Thaw before reheating in moderate oven.

Dana Kelroy Editor

DPC Hosts “All In” Annual Meeting

In June, members of Dairyland Power Cooperative gathered at the La Crosse Center for the co-op’s 2023 annual meeting. There were 361 voting delegates in attendance. The theme of the meeting was “All In,” representing Dairyland’s commitment to its mission to improve the quality of life for cooperative members.

Co-op leaders reported Dairyland is financially stable despite supply-chain disruptions, including coal deliveries, rising interest rates and inflationary pressures over the past year, with margins of $18 million exceeding the budgeted margin of $16.5 million. Dairyland is returning $4.9 million in capital credits to members this year, bringing the 81-year total to $149.6 million.

President and CEO Brent Ridge talked about how the co-op is using innovation and researching new technologies as it remains focused on providing safe, affordable, and reliable power during this time of transition to cleaner energy.

St. Croix Names Dooley as CEO

The St. Croix Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has announced the selection of Rob Dooley to serve as the cooperative’s next president and CEO. Dooley has been serving as interim head of the co-op since March.

Dooley has 29 years of experience with cooperatives. He began his career as a lineworker at Victory Electric Cooperative in Dodge City, Kansas, and has been with St. Croix for 22 years, holding the positions of lineworker, assistant line superintendent, and line superintendent. In 2018 Dooley was promoted to operations manager and has been an integral part of the co-op’s leadership team, according to the board.

Biden Signs Bill to Raise Debt Limit, Streamline Permitting

Last month President Joe Biden signed into law a bipartisan bill that raises the U.S. debt ceiling until January 1, 2025, avoiding a first U.S. government default. The $31.4 trillion public debt limit is now suspended until after the 2024 presidential election.

The bill also seeks to expedite permitting of energy projects to support the clean energy transition. This includes the first-ever reforms of the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and a two-year limit on environmental impact statement reviews of major federal energy projects.

Carbon Dioxide Levels Show “Near-Record Surge”

Carbon dioxide levels measured in May of 2023 are up from May of 2022, according to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which reports the increase is a “near-record” surge. CO2 levels peak in the Northern Hemisphere in May, and this year’s monthly average was 423.78 ppm, up 3.0 ppm increase from May of 2022, the fourth largest increase in 65 years.

WECA, Dairyland Testify in Support of ATV/UTV Bill

Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association and Dairyland Power Cooperative leaders testified in support of a bill that would allow electric cooperatives to operate all-terrain vehicles (ATV) or utility-terrain vehicles (UTV) on highways. The Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities held the hearing May 16 on Assembly Bill 105, which is authored by Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake) and Representative Chanz Green (R-Ashland).

The Department of Transportation (DOT) currently allows ATV or UTV use when owned by a municipality, state agency, or public utility, or by the

Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, while engaged in an emergency or if the operation is directly related to the functions of that entity, but electric cooperatives have not been included in that definition of a public utility.

Evers Releases Clean Energy Plan Progress Report

One year after the Evers Administration released the state’s first Clean Energy Plan, the newly formed Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy released the Clean Energy Plan Progress Report. The report details a comprehensive approach including policies and programs, investments, goals, and next steps. According to the report, the goal is to have 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2050, and also lower energy bills for families, reduce reliance on out-of-state energy sources, invest in job and apprenticeship training, and create more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.

Washington Island Electric Receives $2.5 Million Grant

The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin has awarded Washington Island Electric Cooperative a $2.5 million (matching) grant to help complete the final phase of broadband expansion on the island. The news came the same day that Governor Tony Evers made a scheduled visit to the co-op to talk about the project.

“We’ve been able to partner with the folks on Washington Island to bring broadband internet here, and eventually we will have broadband at every single household that wants it,” Evers said.

When the underwater power cable that leads to the island was damaged in 2018 and had to be replaced, the co-op took the opportunity to add fiber lines, making the fiber internet project possible.

The PSC awarded a total of $16.6 million from the state’s Broadband Expansion Grant Program to 24 projects that will expand broadband internet to 6,042 residential and 276 business locations across the state.

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TIME TESTED

Steve Freese President and CEO

The Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association (WECA), which publishes this magazine, was established in 1936, becoming the first association representing electric cooperatives in the United States. From that first meeting in April of 1936, we have adhered to the seven principles guiding all cooperatives. Principle number 2 is Democratic Member Control. WECA prides itself as a democratic organization controlled by our 24 distribution cooperatives and our one generation and transmission cooperative (G&T), which are the members.

This democratic member control starts when you go to your cooperative’s annual meeting and elect the men and women who will serve on your local cooperative board. The WECA board members are elected among the membership from four districts and are accountable to them. Each electric cooperative has equal voting rights. These members representing your cooperative will actively participate in setting policies and making decisions that guide WECA.

Each July, the representatives of the membership of WECA will meet in their respective district meetings to fulfill that democratic member control outlined in Principle 2. These districts have six distribution cooperative members, and one district includes the G&T. Each district has two directordirector board seats and one manager-director seat to provide balance for the statewide board. The member co-ops also help set the position your statewide takes on resolutions offered by the membership from Wisconsin and nationally. These resolutions provide the framework I and the staff follow when it comes to lobbying on issues and taking positions on

regulations and legislation that affect the operations of your electric cooperative. These resolutions also provide broad guidance on what we write and communicate to you in this very magazine. It also sets forth direction on the education programs we provide for the directors and staff of each member cooperative.

This democratic process has really served Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives well. I share this with you so you have some background on why we do the things we do on your behalf and on behalf of your own cooperative. Not everything we do has unanimous support, but like any democracy, the will of the majority provides the direction we go. Always remember that principle number 2 starts with you. If you want to help your cooperative continue providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity, you should participate in the democratic process that has been tested over time.

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FROM PROBLEM TO PROSPERITY

Catastrophic event creates opportunity for ber fast internet on Washington Island

Washington Island’s history is replete with serendipitous solutions to challenging situations. Take Prohibition, for example. When alcohol was outlawed in 1920, Tom Nelsen, who owned a dance hall and pub on the island, got a pharmaceutical license and served bitters to island patrons instead. The potent, sharp, tangy, 90 proof liquid was originally used to treat stomach ailments in soldiers. To this day, Nelsen’s Hall Bitters Pub is still open for business on Washington Island, and newcomers can be added to the “Bitters Club” log after they down a shot. The novelty-turned-tradition has stood the test of time, and Washington Island is the world’s single largest consumer of bitters, according to Angostura. That’s what you call bittersweet.

fields, the fiery sunsets, and the mere tranquility of it all.

“Why wouldn’t you want to come to Washington Island?” Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers quipped during a recent visit there.

But maintaining, or growing, a resilient community with family-supporting jobs in an isolated area has unique challenges which require creative solutions.

Take, for example, the events of June 2018, when the unthinkable happened. The massive underwater cable that powered the island failed due to catastrophic damage from ice shoves. While Washington Island Electric Cooperative fired up generators that would run until a temporary patch was in place, the area’s economic future hung in the balance.

“That was a really dark time,” recalled Hoyt Purinton, owner of the Washington Island Ferry Line and Washington Island Electric Cooperative board member.

Turning lemons into lemonade, or bitters into the state’s longest running bar business, is symbolic of the resiliency of the island. Located beyond the tip of the Door County peninsula, 7 miles off the mainland, the island is quaint and cultural, inhabited by 700 committed folks year-round, a population which more than doubles in the summer as people flock to the island, which is accessible only by boat, for the lavender

The race was on to secure emergency funding and work to replace the damaged cable before winter weather set in, and it was then that the co-op’s manager, Robert Cornell, an island native, did what islanders do. He took something that was potentially devastating and found a creative solution that not only resolved the cable issue but opened the door to providing internet fiber service. Cornell identified the opportunity to bring in broadband and worked with Nsight to include 24 strands of fiber in the new underwater power cable, allowing the co-op to offer reliable, high-speed, fiber-tohome internet service to homes and businesses on the island, for the very first time.

Last October, the Washington Island School, which was the co-op’s first electric customer when the island was electrified in 1945, became the first building to be connected to the fiber internet service. To date, more than 100 members are connected. Evers visited the

“We’ve been able to partner with the folks on Washington Island to bring broadband internet here, and eventually we will have broadband at every single household that wants it. And it will change the lives of people here. It’s so important, not just for health and emergencies, but businesses, and quality of life.”—Governor Tony Evers

co-op in May, the same day the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin awarded Washington Island a $2.5 million grant to help complete the broadband expansion project, which many believe will help diversify the economy and draw more people to the island year-round.

“We’ve been able to partner with the folks on Washington Island to bring broadband internet here, and eventually we will have broadband at every single household that wants it,” Evers said. “And it will change the lives of people here. It’s so important, not just for health and emergencies, but businesses, and quality of life.”

Board President Orion Mann recalled to Governor Evers the difficulty the island faced during the pandemic. “Suddenly you’re in a position where you are trying to teach your kids at home and you find out the internet doesn’t work on the island; it was so difficult,” he said. “The same for businesses. But thanks to Robert’s forward thinking when the cable failed, now we are innovators and leaders, and we are able to offer so many more opportunities on the island, like people starting home businesses.”

While all co-ops operate under principles including “concern for community,” Washington Island’s efforts go even beyond that. By building the fiber connection in conjunction with the cable repair, they not only restored reliable power, but are building a brighter economic future that will reach every corner of the island’s 24 square miles. The change is already happening, every single day.

“When our motel was hooked up to the fiber about six weeks ago or so, everything just changed drastically,” said Joel Gunnlaugsson, a ferry boat captain and motel owner who was born and raised on the island. “Our guests, which include contractors and other workers, are able to go out and do their work during the day and then come back and are able to do paperwork or whatever follow up they need to do, with reliable internet, where before we were so limited. We just had dial-up or DSL internet before.”

Hoyt says reliable internet has made all the difference in the ferry business.

“Even on the water, the need for data is inescapable,” he said. “And before we would have three or four failovers, always at peak times while our (ferry) lines are the longest, because the county became saturated. We were literally and figuratively dead in the water. To think of how far we’ve come, from that low point four years ago when the cable failed, until now, it’s just incredible.”

Mike Gillespie is also a Washington Island native, and a teacher, who “boomeranged” back home in 2014 after completing a bachelor’s degree from Carthage College and spending several years teaching English as a second language in Beijing, China. Like many on the island, Gillespie is a multi-tasker,

joining his father in his plumbing business where they have recently added several skilled workers.

“I have seen the island grow and change so much over the past 30 years,” Gillespie said. “Recently, I’ve seen a resurgence in younger people choosing to make Washington Island their home, which is encouraging. Ours is an aging population and service workers are vital to sustaining this community. The addition of fiber optic internet service on Washington Island is already proving to be a huge benefit to business owners.”

Gillespie added that in addition to adding efficiencies to his business operations, having fiber internet will

Governor Tony Evers met with the Washington Island Electric Cooperative (WIEC) board of directors during a May visit to the island, the same day the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin awarded Washington Island a $2.5 million grant to help complete the broadband expansion project. Evers got a tour of the cooperative, including the room housing the broadband headend operations, from WIEC Manager Robert Cornell. Photos courtesy of O ce of Tony Evers

Washington Island Electric Cooperative’s broadband expansion project is key to diversifying the island’s economy, nearly 95% of which is now tourism-based, and drawing more people to live here year-round, according to community leaders and business owners. Left: Washington Island Electric Cooperative Board President Orion Mann takes inventory at the island’s grocery store. Center: Jan Fisco works the register at the Island Outpost, which now uses ber internet to run point-of-sale at the register and also to provide service to people who use the dock. Right: Mike Gillespie recognizes the huge

ber optic internet service not just for business, but also online education opportunities.

“Needless to say, now actually having fiber internet, it’s an unbelievable improvement in our daily lives,” Fisco said. “It’s just made things possible that weren’t before.”

Also, according to representatives from the Door County Medical Center, improved medical services are now available, as more people take advantage of telehealth appointments, including virtual urgent care. Members are now able to communicate with health care providers at the island clinic, and at the mainland, without leaving home.

Joel Gunnlaugsson captains the Arni J Richter, one of the Ferry Line’s two ice breakers. Gunnlaugsson, who was born and raised on the island, says he has constant worry about the sustainability of the community where he still lives with his own family, including four kids. After high school he left the island, went to college, and landed an internship at a Green Bay company that did electrical technology for paper-making. When the economy took a downturn, he was laid o . He already had a captain’s license from working the ferry before, so he went back to what he knew. But with ber internet service available on the island, Gunnlaugsson said the future is bright.

allow his wife, Dani, to attend college full-time online this fall, and his two children, ages 8 and 4, both benefit from online education opportunities several days a week.

While they wait for their plumbing office to get connected Gillespie is actually renting a “wired” space for their plumbing business from another native islander, Steve Fisco. Fisco and his wife live in a cabin that was occupied by his grandparents in 1930s, then purchased by his parents, and later renovated by his family. He recalls the days of running to the phone booth outside of the telephone company building to make a call.

Gunnlaugsson says, quite simply, the future is bright. “Going forward this is really going to change and enhance the ability for people to work remotely or come up here for vacations and be able to bring their work with them, and hopefully some people will want to move here with their families and keep the younger generation growing and keep kids in our school. What this is really doing is keeping the island’s sustainability level going.”

But the price of progress can be steep sometimes. When asked if all the good that comes with an island connected could take away some of the remote charm, Cornell says, he’s not worried.

“You still have to take a boat for 7 miles to get to a bigbox store. I think we’ll be okay,” he said, smiling.

A perspective that is definitely less bitter, more sweet.

Julie Lund

Note: Joel Gunnlaugsson also serves on the board of directors for the Washington Island Electric Cooperative, following in the footsteps of his great aunt, Anna Gunnlaugsson, an incorporating member of the board that first worked to electrify the island in 1940. Board President Orion Mann is the grandson of George Mann, also a founding member of the co-op, as well as the founder of the family General Store, which still operates on the island.

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PROVIDING YOUR OWN POWER DURING AN OUTAGE

How to sort the many choices in home generators

If you’re wondering whether to buy a home generator in case of a power outage, you’re not alone. Backup power sources have gotten so popular that manufacturers now o er a wide range of choices.

Options run from pull-start gasoline models costing a few hundred dollars to permanent outdoor installations for several thousand dollars. That variety makes it easier to get exactly what you want, but harder to choose.

A good first step is to think about what you want a home generator to do. Do you just want to keep your phone charged?

Do you want to make sure food doesn’t spoil in your refrigerator?

Do you want to make sure you have heat and air conditioning through an extended outage?

Answering those questions will require you to know the wattage of the appliances you want to run

so you know the capacity of the generator you need.

You might also ask if you really need a generator. The average U.S. home is without power about seven hours a year. Is that enough to justify the expense and attention?

Another part of your planning should be contacting your electric co-op to get their expert advice on the best and safest fit for your home.

Here’s what to know about the four basic choices in home generators:

Portable generators are small enough that you might even

take them on camping trips. The costs for these can vary—from more than $2,000 to as low as $400. Most should be able to run a refrigerator or a window air conditioner. Special attention to safety is required. They should never be used indoors, not even in a garage. The carbon monoxide they produce can be deadly in minutes. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 85 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gasoline-powered portable generators. Portable generators should be operated more than 20 feet from the house and be connected only with outdoor extension cords matched to the

Most standby generators are permanently mounted outside the home, then connected to the home’s electrical system. Standby generators run on propane or natural gas, and they must be installed by a professional electrician.

Most portable generators are powerful enough to run a refrigerator or a window air conditioner. Special attention to safety is required, and they should never be used indoors, not even in a garage.

Photos courtesy of Canva

wattage being used. Look for models with a carbon monoxide detector and automatic shutoff.

Appliances should be plugged in to the generator—the generator should never be plugged into an outlet or your home’s electrical system.

You should also spend the money to have an electrician install a transfer switch. That acts as a mini-circuit breaker to protect your appliances and can be an easier way to connect the house to the generator.

Inverter generators are higher-tech versions of standard portable generators. The power they produce changes to match what the appliances are using, so although they are a little more expensive, they use fuel more efficiently and make less noise. The same safety guidelines apply to both inverter and standard portable generators.

Standby generators can cost $7,000, plus installation, but they have the benefit of turning on automatically during a power outage and running your whole house. A standby generator is typically a permanently-mounted outdoor unit that’s connected to your home electrical system and runs on propane or natural gas. It must be installed by a professional electrician.

Power stations, also known as batteries, charge themselves up while the power is on. They’re not as powerful as some of the other options, and can be more expensive, but they’re quiet, easy to operate, and some are designed to look good hanging on the wall. They can cost between $400 and $6,000. One common use of power stations is to pair them with rooftop solar panels so that electricity from the sun can be available even at night.

With intense storms and our reliance on electronic devices, power outages can be a bigger concern these days. Technology now gives you many choices for how to react, whether you want to make sure you’re never without power, or you’re willing to just light a candle and wait for the lights to come back on.

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

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

FIREWORKS SAFETY

Fireworks displays are best left to the experts; however, if you choose to use legal reworks, keep the following safety tips from the National Safety Council in mind:

• Never allow young children to use reworks. Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.

• Anyone using reworks or standing nearby should use protective eyewear.

• Use reworks away from people, houses, and ammable material, and never point or throw them at another person.

• Light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

• Soak spent and unused reworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

• Consider safer alternatives to sparklers, which can burn at about 2,000 degrees, for young children. Glow sticks are a safer option.

WATER SAFETY

If you’re planning to spend your Fourth of July at the lake, keep these safety tips from Safe Electricity in mind:

• Do not swim around docks with electrical equipment or boats plugged into shore power.

• If you are in the water and feel electric current, shout to let others know, try to stay upright, tuck your legs up to make yourself smaller, and swim away from anything that could be energized.

• If you own a boat and/or dock, make sure it has proper safety equipment, complies with applicable standards and codes, and is checked out at least once a year.

GRILL SAFETY

Electric grills are a safe option for preparing your July 4 picnic because there are no ames, gases, or carcinogens. However, you should still consider some basic safety tips:

• Do not leave the grill unattended.

• Turn o and unplug electric grills after use and before cleaning.

• Inspect the power cord, plug, and heating element before you plug in and operate an electric grill.

• Never expose/immerse an electric grill cord in water.

“We’re here to serve you.” We’ve all heard this phrase countless times. These words may sound generic, but to us—your local electric cooperative—they mean everything.

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative was created to serve our community. When we were formed, neighbors banded together and created our co-op. In our case, it was the only way the community could bring electricity to the rural areas where there was none. In doing so, Eau Claire Energy Cooperative helped the community thrive. That mission-focused heritage is the golden thread that is woven throughout our history.

Today, we are continuing to power the community. While our focus has remained steady on providing reliable energy to our members, today’s energy landscape and consumer expectations are far different than they were decades ago. That’s why we’re adapting, to keep pace with changing technology, evolving needs, and new expectations.

Serving as your trusted energy advisor means we want to help you save energy (and money) and provide advice and information on a broad range of energy topics. For example, if you’re looking for ways to save energy, check out our website (www.ecec.com) for energy-saving tips and ideas to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Consider scheduling an energy audit to identify ways you can save energy at home. Eau Claire Energy can recommend vendors to contact. You could even qualify for a rebate for the audit! Understanding how your home uses energy can help determine the best ways to modify energy use and thereby keep more money in your wallet.

If you’re considering a rooftop solar installation, our energy advisors would be happy to help you weigh pros and cons. Investing in a solar system is a major decision, and it’s important to fully understand the costs, responsibilities of the parties involved, cooperative policies on distributed generation, and potential energy savings. We will look at the total energy picture and help you determine the best options for your home. We understand that homeowners must undertake their due diligence, and we’re here to help you through that process. In a similar vein, we recognize that many members are considering electric vehicle options. ECEC provides information about EV charging and electrical requirements to our members so you can make informed decisions about EVs. We also offer SmartCharge to our members. SmartCharge offers installation of an electric vehicle charger, charger rental, and unlimited overnight charging for a flat rate of $35/month. No matter what our members drive, we want to help you achieve energy savings.

So, the next time you hear Eau Claire Energy Cooperative use the phrase “we’re here to serve you,” we hope you know that we mean it. Service is deeply ingrained into who we are. We continue to evolve with the times, and in return, we’ve found additional ways to serve you and provide more options for you to power your life.

We’re here whenever you need us. Connect with us online, in person, through the SmartHub app, or our social media channels. However you choose to connect, please let us know how we can serve you better.

We continue to evolve with the times, and in return, we’ve found additional ways to serve you and provide more options for you to power your life.

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative’s Youth Ambassadors met one last time for the school year to celebrate our graduating seniors and tour CVTC’s new Transportation Education Center. Dean of Agriculture, Energy, Construction & Transportation Adam Wehling led the group on a tour throughout the entire campus, highlighting the wide variety of training and career opportunities available in the transportation sector including auto body repair, auto mechanic, diesel mechanic, and more!

This year, we celebrate as four of our Youth Ambassadors graduate. Colin, Keyliana, Ashley, and Kenzie were congratulated with a certificate of completion as well as a gift to remember their Youth Ambassadors experience. We wish them nothing but the best with the bright futures they have ahead!

Interested in joining Youth Ambassadors? Throughout the school year, Youth Ambassadors meet once per month for educational learning sessions, eld trips, and community service projects followed by lunch. The regular Youth Ambassador season will begin again in September. If this sounds like fun to you, apply today!

tour CVTC Transportation Education Center!

1 2 3 4 5 10

TIPS

Clear the Air: Open windows to allow fresh (free!) air to circulate.

Cook Outside: Enjoy a few hours of sunshine by using your grill or smoker to add festive avors to meals.

Search and Seal: Cracks and spaces let conditioned air outside; seal them with caulk and weather stripping. Check for gaps between stationary objects like door and window frames.

Natural Light: Open blinds and curtains, and turn o the lights to take advantage of the natural light and save energy.

Be Fan Friendly: Use ceiling fans to circulate air ow. If your ceiling fans are still in winter mode, switch them so the blades turn counter-clockwise, pushing the cool air down towards you. Just remember to turn the fans o when you leave the room; fans cool people, not rooms.

6 7 8 9 10

Atmospheric Adjustment: Remember to adjust your thermostat settings for the summer months, keeping it as high as comfortably possible and turning it up when no one is home. Use a programmable thermostat if you tend to forget to adjust the thermostat yourself.

Tune Up: Schedule an appointment with your HVAC technician to identify any potential problems with your system.

Peak Savings: Plan household chores that require electricity, such as laundry and running the dishwasher, during o -peak hours when energy demand is low.

Take Charge: Consider disconnecting electrical devices you don’t use regularly until you need them. Plugged-in devices use energy even when not in use.

Monica Obrycki, President and CEO

Taylor Skibba, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

8214 Hwy 12, P.O. Box 368, Fall Creek, WI 54742-0368

www.ecec.com

Lobby Hours: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Thursday; 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Friday

Non-emergencies: 715-832-1603

Emergencies & outages: Toll FREE 800-927-5090

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Diggers Hotline: 811 or 1-800-242-8511

Call 3 working days before you dig.

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CHERRY ON T P

No Bake Choco Cherry Pie

Recipe and photo courtesy of The National Honey Board.

3 Tbsp butter, melted

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup honey, divided

1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup plain Greek-style yogurt

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

1/4 tsp almond or vanilla extract

24 fresh cherries, pitted and halved

1/4 cup chocolate syrup

Combine butter, graham cracker crumbs, and 2 tablespoons honey in a small bowl; spoon and pat into a 9-inch pie plate. Chill at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, microwave chocolate chips on high in a medium bowl in 30 second intervals until melted.

Blend yogurt and cottage cheese with a hand-held blender, stand blender, or a food processor until very smooth. Pulse in remaining 2 tablespoons of honey, melted chocolate, and almond or vanilla extract. Spoon into chilled crust. Arrange cut cherries around perimeter of pie. Chill until rm (approx. 4 hours). Drizzle with chocolate syrup and serve.

Emily’s Cherry-Almond Braid

Recipe courtesy of the Home Baking Association via the Kansas Wheat Commission and photo courtesy Red Star Yeast.

CHERRY-ALMOND FILLING

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chopped whole or slivered almonds

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped well (may substitute with pitted Bing cherries)

2 tsp almond extract

2 Tbsp flour

In a bowl, mix all filling ingredients thoroughly. Filling should make enough to fill two or three braids.

BASIC SWEET DOUGH

1 cup milk, scalded

1/2 cup cold water

1/3 cup sugar

1 pkg (2-1/4 tsp) active dry yeast

1 egg

1 tsp salt

4-1/2 to 5-1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbsp softened butter or margarine

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix scalded milk, water, and sugar; let mixture cool to 115 degrees then sprinkle yeast over top. Add egg, salt, and 2 cups flour; beat with mixer for 2 minutes. Add oil and 1 more cup of flour; beat until mixed. Stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Change to a dough hook attachment and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Lightly cover bowl with oiled plastic wrap; let rise until doubled. After dough has risen, punch down; divide equally into 2 or 3 equal portions. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest approx. 10 minutes. Roll one portion of the dough into a long rectangle. Cut 1-inch strips about onethird of the way into both long sides of the rectangle. Spread the uncut center area of the dough lightly with softened butter or margarine. On top of the center of the dough, sprinkle half or one-third of the cherry-almond filling. Criss-cross the dough strips over the filling to make a braid, seal the ends, and repeat with the remaining portion(s) of the dough. Place each completed braid on a parchment-covered cookie sheet, cover lightly, and let rise until doubled. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and a thermometer reads 190–195 degrees. Makes 2 or 3 braids. You may leave the braids plain or, when cool, drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze, if desired.

3 large eggs, room temperature

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

2/3 cup whole milk, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

RECIPES

Cherry Almond Dutch Baby Pancake

Recipe and photo courtesy of the Home Baking Association. This dish whips up quickly. Throw the ingredients into a blender, pour the batter into a piping hot pan, and 25 minutes later you have a lovely Dutch Baby. Breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this recipe is delicious!

1/8 tsp sea salt

4 Tbsp softened butter

2 cups pitted and halved sweet cherries, divided Confectioners’ sugar for garnish

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place an 8-inch cast iron pan in oven. In a blender, blend eggs until frothy. Add the flour, milk, vanilla, and almond extracts, and sea salt; blend until smooth. Rest mixture for 15 minutes while the oven heats. When oven is preheated, add softened butter to the pan and return to oven. When butter is melted, remove and swirl around pan to completely coat bottom. Do not allow to burn. Be extra careful, pan is very hot! Pour batter into heated pan, immediately sprinkle 1 cup prepared cherries evenly over batter. Return to oven. Bake for 20 minutes until the dough puffs. Don’t be tempted to open oven! Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cherries, dust with confectioners’ sugar, cut, and serve. Serves 4.

Sautéed Chicken Cutlets with Cherry Port Sauce

Recipe and photo courtesy of The National Chicken Council.

2 cups chicken broth

1 (14.5 oz) can tart cherries, drained, and juice reserved

1/2 cup port wine

2 Tbsp dried cherries

1 Tbsp flour

2 Tbsp butter, divided

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

8 chicken cutlets (approx. 1 lb), thinly sliced

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 shallot, chopped

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp fresh thyme

2 cups prepared wild or brown rice

In a small saucepan, combine chicken broth and drained cherry juice. Boil over high heat and reduce to 1/2 cup. In a small bowl, combine the port and dried cherries; reserve. In another small bowl, blend together flour and 1 tablespoon butter to make a smooth paste, reserve. While broth mixture is reducing, sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken. In a large sauté pan, melt remaining butter and olive oil over medium heat. Brown sliced cutlets until golden, approx. 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and cover with foil. In the same pan, add the shallot and sauté until soft and translucent, about 1 minute. Add port and cherries; stir to scrape up browned bits on bottom of pan. Bring to a boil and reduce slightly by boiling for approx. 1 minute. Add reduced broth/cherry juice and lemon juice and boil for another minute. Stir flour/butter paste into the sauce. Cook over medium heat for approx. 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Add can of tart cherries and thyme to pan; stir to combine. Return chicken to pan along with any accumulated juices; warm for one minute. Serve chicken cutlets over wild or brown rice. Spoon sauce and cherries over cutlets.

READER RECIPES

SLOPPY JOES FOR A CROWD

RECIPE COURTESY OF MARY STENBERG, MASON

I make this recipe frequently. Leftovers freeze well.

5 lbs ground beef

1 Tbsp salt

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.

CRAB DIP

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROMAYNE LINDSTROM, IOLA

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

An online reader is looking for readers’ favorite recipes using blue cheese, gorgonzola, or similar cheeses.

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

1-1/2 tsp pepper

2 cups onion, chopped

6 celery ribs, chopped

1 (14 oz) bottle of ketchup

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup prepared yellow mustard

3 Tbsp sugar

1/3 cup cider vinegar

30 hamburger buns

In a very large skillet, brown the ground beef, drain the fat. Season meat with salt and pepper; add onions and celery and continue to cook until they begin to soften. Transfer meat and vegetable mixture to a large saucepan or slow cooker. Add ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, sugar, and vinegar. Stir to combine and cook an additional 30–45 minutes in the saucepan or for an additional 1 hour on HIGH in the slow cooker; stir occasionally. Serve on buns. Makes 30 Sloppy Joes.

FISH FILLETS IN CUCUMBER SAUCE

RECIPE COURTESY OF RUTH SCHMIDT, STEVENS POINT

1 medium cucumber, chopped or diced into 1/4-inch pieces

1 Tbsp dill

4 Tbsp margarine, divided

1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

1/3 cup low-calorie sour cream

1 medium tomato, chopped or diced

1/2 tsp salt

2 lbs sh llets*, thawed

Combine cucumber, dill, and 2 tablespoons margarine in a 4-cup glass measure. Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes until margarine is melted. Stir in soup, sour cream, and tomato; set aside. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons margarine and salt in a 2-quart microwave dish. Microwave 1 minute until melted. Arrange sh llets with thick edges toward outside of dish. Pour sauce over sh and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 12–15 minutes or until sh akes easily. Let stand covered for 5 minutes before serving. The sauce is also good served over rice.

*Note: Cooking time is intended for thicker pieces of sh, such as cod or salmon. If using thinner sh like Tilapia, check frequently while microwaving to adjust cooking time accordingly.

8 oz cream cheese, softened

8 oz imitation crab meat, torn

1 small bunch green onions, chopped

3 Tbsp chili sauce

1 Tbsp Miracle Whip

1 dash Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients together. Serve with crackers.

CHRISTINE’S BAKED BEANS

RECIPE COURTESY OF CHRISTINE O’BRIEN

1 large onion, chopped

1 (32 oz) can pork and beans

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup light brown sugar

4 Tbsp ketchup

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/2 lb uncooked bacon, cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a Dutch oven, mix all ingredients and place bacon pieces on top. Bake covered 45–60 minutes.

REUBEN DIP

RECIPE COURTESY OF ROMAYNE LINDSTROM, IOLA

12 oz prepared corned beef, chopped

10 oz shredded Swiss cheese

16 oz can sauerkraut, well-drained and chopped

2/3 cup thousand island dressing

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Put into a prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Serve with rye bread chips.

For the Man Who Gives Everything and Expects Nothing

Ifyou’re anything like my dad, you give your family everything. Your name, your time, your values — the people in your life know they can depend on you for practically anything. In exchange for imparting all of this energy and experience, you expect nothing in return.

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BACK TO NATURE

Community Converts Former Highway Department Property into Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area

It’s easy to imagine, when wandering through the peaceful oasis that is the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area, that it has always been this way, as Mother Nature intended. However, the story behind this beautiful, secluded bit of wilderness has a few unexpected chapters. Not too long ago this land was owned by Dunn County, used by the highway department as a gravel pit and a place to store cleared trees and other roadway refuse.

A few signs of the area’s former life are still visible, like the old service road leading into the property. However, that little strip of asphalt now leads to 146 acres of pristine nature including two miles of Red Cedar River frontage, a pond, some open prairie, and towering woodlands, all home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Less tangible but just as beautiful as the natural features is the community embrace that made this transformation possible. Individuals and local organizations worked together to restore the property and make it available to the public for hiking, fishing, canoeing/ kayaking, snowshoeing, birdwatching, geocaching, or just plain basking in nature’s peace and quiet.

“It took a community that believed in this becoming a public property,” said Katherine Stahl, a member of the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area management committee. “It’s a wonderful story of the power of a couple of people to get an idea going and then a community coming together to make it happen.”

Preservation Potential

The place was always beautiful, even during its highway-department years. Colfax-area residents enjoyed the scenery at what was known locally as “The Ferry Pit” as much as they were able when it was under county ownership and access was limited. Stahl is one such resident. As a longtime volunteer for various conservation organizations such as Prairie Enthusiasts, Stahl has a keen

eye for native wildlife. She recalled passing the property one day a couple of years ago and spotting Rudbekia, a native plant with colorful, daisylike blooms. She wondered if there could be a native remnant inside the enclosed property.

Stahl contacted the local conservation department and learned the area was still actively used by the highway department, so it wasn’t a candidate for preservation. However,

Stahl was undeterred. She talked to a neighbor who used to canoe along the Red River there and they got to thinking how nice it would be if the property could be opened up for the public to use again. She decided to take a closer look.

“So I walked in there and there is a very small native remnant but there’s some open areas and it was just lovely,” Stahl said, “and I thought, boy, we could take these open areas

Colfax Red Cedar Preserve has a variety of ecosystems within its 146 acres, including a pond, the Red Cedar River, prairie, and woods.

and open it up to prairie, and there are some wooded areas to the west where it’s great for warblers and other birds, and then you have the river that has swans and all kinds of bird life, as well as the pond there. The variety of ecological niches there is just incredible.”

Interested residents reached out to the county highway department to gauge interest in turning the property over to the Town of Colfax for public use. The highway department was indeed interested; inquiries were made to the parks department, which supported the idea but wasn’t able to take over management of another park. Committed to claiming the property for preservation, the Colfax contingent determined they would manage the area themselves and sought ways for the town to assume ownership.

“The highway committee was wonderful to work with,” Stahl emphasized. “They tried to make it financially reasonable for the town to get [the property] but they couldn’t just give it over.”

The group turned to the Landmark Conservancy, a nonprofit conservation organization that works with private landowners who wish to conserve their land in perpetuity, to help obtain a grant through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. A couple of donors stepped in to bridge the gap between the town’s purchase of the property and the release of grant funds.

A Heap of Helping Hands

When ownership turned over to the Town of Colfax in 2020, a volunteer management committee was formed to oversee restoration of native habitat and other improvements to the property. “We have a number of volunteers come out to help manage it,” Stahl said. “It’s a committee made in heaven—they’re just can-do people.”

Various community partners have contributed to the restoration efforts, which are ongoing. For example, the Colfax Fire Department conducted prescribed burns on the property to aid in habitat restoration as volunteers work to bring back more native vegetation.

“There were a lot of invasives there so that is something we’re going to be working on,” Stahl said. “We’ve taken out a lot of honeysuckle and a lot of buckthorn. So as we take that out we’re trying to open the forest for other native plants to come in, and then in the open area, if we could get a variety of native grasses out there and native vegetation, that will bring in more bird life and be a better habitat for other wildlife.”

Local businesses and organizations have stepped up to help with donations of time, talent, materials, and funds for various improvements. Among them is Dunn Energy Cooperative, which provided a grant through its Operation RoundUp program that will be used to add an accessible pier at the pond so visitors with mobility challenges can enjoy fishing or observing nature over the pond. Construction on the pier, as well as installation of a paved path toward the pier, was set to begin this summer.

Check

what you’ll nd

Individuals have donated the benches and picnic tables that are placed strategically throughout the property, providing places to sit and enjoy the view. A group of geocaching enthusiasts makes an event of collecting trash from the preserve and taking it out as they put their geocaches in place.

Help has also come from visitors who have come out to enjoy the property and ended up pitching in, sometimes in unexpected ways. “For instance, a couple came out and there was some old fencing wire out there, and they asked if they could take it out,” Stahl said. “They did it all themselves—got rid of the old wire and restored the posts. Who signs up to take down old fencing? That just gives you an idea of what the community is willing to do.”

Outdoor Classroom

Dr. Keith Gilland, a biology professor at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie and a member of the preserve’s management committee, has brought his students to the preserve to conduct studies on a range of topics including trees, vegetation management, and small mammals. His students have also done significant work in removing the invasive Siberian elm.

“We’ve just been absolutely blessed with all the wonderful things the University of Wisconsin-Stout students have done out there in terms of their studies and their hard work,” Stahl said. “And as they’re doing these things to help the preserve they’re also learning about habitat improvement. It’s really

one of those win-win things.”

Educational opportunities are not limited to the local high schools and university, however. Every visitor to the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve is, essentially, a student. “It’s a wonderful place to learn about the land right around us,” Stahl pointed out.

To aid in that effort, retired Colfax High School biology teacher Mark Mosey, another member of the preserve’s management committee, walks through the property regularly to see what’s blooming, what’s growing, and which little creatures— furry or feathered—are making their appearance. He jots his observations down on a display at a kiosk set up at the park’s entrance, so visitors know

what to look for.

In addition, the management committee hosts occasional educational events for the public at the preserve, including group hikes, science and exploration days, and nature classes.

The property has come a long way since its gravel-pit days. You could say this former Ferry Pit had a fairytale ending.—Mary

Erickson

Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area is located at E8509 State Road 170, Colfax, WI 54730. Visit www.townofcolfax.com or follow Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area on Facebook for more information.

Wild Bergamot

Water Lily

Tule Bluet Damsel y Viceroy Butter y

Swamp Milkweed Dragon y

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.

FOR SALE: RACING HISTORY BOOKS. Hales Corners, Beaver Dam, Cedarburg, Slinger Super Speedway. $15 each plus mailing. Dave 414-430-3183.

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.

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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.

FOR SALE: 2-SEATED SURREY WITH A FRINGE ON TOP. Completely redone 7 years ago & changed over to rubber with poles & lls. Not used since. $3,000. Roberts hitch wagon, set up for 8-horse hitch. Used in 5 shows for 6 years. Show cart and 20 ft enclosed trailer with winch enclosed in it. It is set up with wheel channels and ramps. Package deal $12,000. Bernie Stuttgen, located in Thorp, in central WI, 54771. 715-669-5588. lazysshires@centurytel.net

E-BIKES FOR SALE: Let me get you on the right e-bike. Recycle Bike Shop Mobile, Boyceville, WI. Call or text Bicycle Larry 715-702-1452.

STEP-IN SHOWER —Transforms your existing tub into a safe step-in shower in just one day. Call 608-726-0769.

FOR SALE: FARMALL A TRACTOR. $3,200, newer paint, new rear rims/tires, gas tank cleaned/coated, 12-volt, always garaged, located Herbster, 54844. Call/text Dale 612-965-1636.

FOR SALE: WOOD, SIDING, AND BEAMS FROM BARN. Also doors in excellent condition. Also steel roof sheets. Questions, call 608-762-5783.

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 608-387-4287. “Your McKay Independent Sales & Service Provider.”

Real Estate

5 ACRES WITH 256 SQ FT CABIN. Electric heat & AC. 18x12 ft deck. 12x19 ft 1-car garage w/AC. Large, U-shaped driveway. $59,900 Thorp, WI. 224-733-6482.

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geri@weca.coop

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 July 2023

1–8 Sesquicentennial—Boscobel. Various locations, all-day. Boscobel is celebrating 150 years! Beard contest, dress contest, fine arts show, calling contest, bands, history tours, and more.

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! 715-255-9100.

1 Arts and Crafts Fair—Phillips. Elk Lake Park, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Arts and crafts fair, axe throwing, children’s museum, and 3-on-3 tournament.

3 Church Open House—Millston. Union Church, 1–4 p.m. The church, a national and state historic site, has many needed repairs and will be having an open house fundraiser. Donations will be accepted.

4 July 4th Celebration—Jump River. Community Park, all day. Tractor and truck pull. Parade at 11 a.m. Horseshoe tournament, kid’s tractor pull, food, and drinks. Fireworks at 10 p.m. 715-668-5220.

4 Pancake Breakfast—Thorp. Yellowstone Park, 7–11 a.m. Breakfast buffet. Ages 12 and up are $9; 6–12 are $5; and under 6 are free.

4 July 4th Celebration—Platteville. Legion Park, 9 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Opening ceremony in City Park honors veterans. Enjoy Heritage Days at The Mining & Rollo Jamieson Museums with games and demonstrations. Live music, kid activities, and ball tournaments at Legion Park. Fireworks in the evening.

4 July 4th Celebration—Phillips. Elk Lake Park, 2–11 p.m. Parade downtown at 2 p.m., then head to Elk Lake Park for the celebration until fireworks at dusk.

5 Brat Fry—Iola. Sentry grocery store, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. There will also be a bake sale in addition to the brat fry.

7–9 Blue Hills Fest—Bruce. Village Park, Fri. 4–10 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Baseball, corn hole, bands, food, crafts, fireworks, parade, raffle, games, and more! For more info, call 715-532-5972.

11 Concert in the Park—Coloma. Community Park, 5:30–8:30 p.m. The Del Ray’s from Oshksoh will be performing. Cruise in with your 1970s or older vehicle. Music from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Brats, hot dogs, and beverages at 5:30 p.m. No rain date.

14 Culpepper & Merriweather Circus— Phillips. Price County Fairgrounds, 5–10 p.m. Fun for the family.

15 Vietnam Veterans Reunion—Neillsville. The Highground (W7031 Ridge Rd), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Lunch 12:30–1:30 p.m. “Vietnam Experience” exhibit of historic military impressions. “Tet Offensive 1968” book signing by Carl Bogar Jr. UH-1H Huey helicopter will be landing at 10 a.m. weather permitting. To RSVP and for more info, 715-743-4224.

15 Quilts in the Vineyard—Westby. Branches Winery, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Vernon County Quilt Guild show featuring 100+ classic and modern works. Raffle quilt, chance baskets, wine sales, wine tasting, and lunch. Admission $5. 608-634-9463.

15 Student Ride-a-Thon and Open House— Babcock. Jeremiah’s Crossing, 1–5 p.m. Fun for kids, entertainment, raffle, silent auction, tours.

15 Garden Walk—Viroqua. Various locations, 3–7 p.m. Enjoy the beauty created by the gardeners and support the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. 608-625-2960.

15, 16 Antique Expo, Tractor Pull and Expo, and Car Show—Phillips. Price County Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat. antique tractor pull, bake sale. Sun. car show. Both days music, food, beverages, children’s activities, an old log school, and a mystery item. 715-339-2254.

15–22 Hometown Festival Week—Platteville. Various locations, all day. Events include Southwest WI Music Festival, berry festival, Christian music festival, ice cream social, and fish boil. Arts and crafts fair at end of the week.

16 Charcoal Chicken Dinner—Stanley. Otter Lake County Campground, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Dinner 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Music 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. by Nashville recording artist Red Higgins and The Freedom Train Band. Bring your lawn chair. 715-644-1099.

21, 22 The Boogiedown—Hillsboro. Driftless Music Gardens, all day. Music by the Amrchair Boogie Band. Live bluegrass music.

21–30 “Then and There, Here and Now”— Wittenberg. WOWSPACE, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Opening reception Fri., July 21 from 4–8 p.m. Exhibit open Sat., July 22, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Sun., July 23 and 30 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Historic exhibit of Wittenberg businesses 1882 to 2023.

22 Gardens in Bloom Tour—Eau Claire. Various locations, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 8 beautiful area gardens. Tickets at Festival Foods.

23 Car and Farm Toy Show—Ellsworth. Pierce County Fairgrounds, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Music by Rock Man and breakfast and lunch on the grounds. 715-273-5552.

26–30 Monroe County Fair—Tomah. Recreation Park, all day. ‘Butterfly Encounter,’ antique tractor show, puppets, The One Man Band and Bot the Robot, magic and balloons, Ag Venture Center, midway/ carnival rides, kid’s talent show, ranch rodeo, music, and more! 608-372-2081.

28 Chris Kroeze Concert—Ellsworth. Pierce County Fairgrounds, 7–10 p.m. Food, beer, and beverages available on cash basis. 715-273-6874.

28–30 Onefest Christian Music Festival— Chippewa Falls. Northern Wis. State Fairgrounds, all day. Featuring Skillet, Tauren Wells, Colton Dixon, more.

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. Ben and Ellie look out the window for chipmunks.

Photo submitted by Isabella Baeten, a member of Oconto Electric.

2. Fisher has a conversation with the family’s chickens. Photo submitted by Papa Myron Skierka, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric.

3. Shealyn cuddles a baby goat. Photo submitted by Great-Great Uncle Robert Horkan, a member of Oakdale Electric.

4. Copper welcomes home his new baby brother, Grayson.

Photo submitted by Paula Rew, a member of Central Wisconsin Electric.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

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