Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News November 2022

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-mem bers for $13 per year or $35 for three years. Members pay $6.93 per year.

Published by the Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association, 222 W. Washington Ave., Ste. 680, Madison, WI 53703.

Steve Freese, president & CEO.

USPS number: 688-480.

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

Periodicals postage paid at Sun Prairie, Wis.

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

Web site: www.wecnmagazine.com.

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

Steve Freese WECA president & CEO

Dana Kelroy editor

Mary Erickson associate editor Julie Lund contributing writer

Ann Bailey graphic designer

Geri Miller advertising consultant

Jennifer Taylor editorial assistant

For advertising opportunities please email geri@weca.coop. The appearance of advertising or events does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. We reserve the right to refuse advertisers.

Please recycle

It’s the Principle

Foundation helps cooperatives support their local communities.

Grid Keeps Power Flowing

A new report reveals grid reliability is increasing despite new challenges.

On the cover: The grid keeps power owing despite new challenges.

Photo courtesy of Jolene Fisher, Dunn Energy Cooperative

Wisconsin Favorites

Rails turn to trails for Wisconsin recreation.

Kids & Critters

Cute co-op kids get cozy with their critters.

SYMBOL SEARCH

HIDDEN OBJECT GAME

It seems we may have been just a bit too sneaky last month when hiding the symbol. We heard from MANY readers that they just couldn’t nd it, but Debbie Micheal, a member of Jump River Electric Co-op, was one of very few readers that found the paint brush on page 20. “The paint brush is between the R and the K in the word FORK. This one was a hard one. I usually nd the symbol pretty fast. I had to call in a family member for help for this one. Thanks Greg!”

Even we can admit that last month may have been a bit too tricky, so this month we’ll randomly select two winners who can nd this railroad crossing sign for our rails to trails story. 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 November 10.

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

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

SYMBOL SEARCH WECA 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 680, Madison, WI 53703

Good luck!

VOTE ON NOVEMBER 8

I don’t need to tell you that election spending in our state has been o the charts this year—campaign ads have hit Wisconsinites every time they turn around, it seems. At a recent family gathering, even the kids parroted the slogans repeated ad nauseam through every form of media.

As Steve Freese said in his May column of this magazine: You will be absolutely inundated with radio, television, and print advertisements. A lot of negative noise will come our way. It is incumbent upon all of us to understand the real issues that a ect your electric cooperative and be informed when you have conversations with family and friends, talk to candidates, and eventually cast your ballot. Our goal here is to encourage you to vote. We will never tell you for whom to vote. We are con dent you will make an informed decision that will bene t you and our rural communities. We just ask that you be an active participant. Nothing is more important to the survival of a representative democracy.

Steve also pointed out that the political focus on Wisconsin puts emphasis on voter turnout, particularly in rural areas of the state. Shrinking populations in rural areas can a ect our representation, but a robust rural voter turnout can counter that.

Research the candidates and know where they stand on issues important to you, your cooperative, and your community. Then, make a plan to get to the polls on November 8. Go to myvote. wi.gov for information on polling places, sample ballots, and more.

Dana Kelroy Editor

State Pays more than $200M for Rent, Utilities

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced that more than 48,000 households have received assistance from the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) program, which covers rent and utility payments for lower income families affected by the pandemic. The total dollar amount spent now exceeds $200 million.

The program provides up to 18 months of financial assistance for current and overdue payments of rent and utilities, including water, electricity, gas, and internet.

More information about WERA is available by calling 1-833-900-9372, by emailing support@wera.help, or by visiting wiscap.org/wera.

State Senate, Assembly Candidates Participate in Energy Forum

Nine candidates running for western Wisconsin area Senate and Assembly seats gathered in Eau Claire last month to participate in the Candidates Energy Forum, sponsored by Eau Claire Energy Cooperative in partnership with local organizations. Jennifer Shilling, government relations manager at Dairyland Power Cooperative and former state senator, moderated the forum. She questioned the candidates on topics related to broadband expansion, electric reliability, and energy regulation including third-party financing.

Candidates in attendance are running to represent Senate Districts 23 and 31, and Assembly Districts 67, 68, and 93.

U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION

RESCO to Open New Warehouse in Stanley

Rural Electric Supply Cooperative (RESCO), a member-owned, notfor-profit electrical wholesaler, has officially announced plans to open a new warehouse and office facility in the town of Stanley.

The new 40,000-square-foot facility will be situated on 15 acres and offers greater access to inventory for electric cooperatives at a time when supply-chain issues are creating ongoing challenges.

Construction of the new facility will begin in spring 2023, with completion anticipated in early 2024.

Pierce Pepin, St. Croix Host 2nd Annual “Powered by Electricity”

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services and St. Croix Electric Cooperative teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Hope for Creation to host the second annual “Powered by Electricity,” which took place on Saturday, September 24, at UW–River Falls. The event aims to promote all things electric, and brought together local vendors, electric vehicle (EV) owners, and nonprofit organizations. Various models of electric vehicles were on display.

Riverland GM Jerry Sorenson to Retire

Riverland Energy Cooperative General Manager and WECA Board Director Jerry Sorenson has announced he will retire at the end of 2022 after more than 30 years.

Sorenson started his career at Trempealeau Electric as the manager of administrative and member services in 1991 and was part of the merger of Trempealeau Electric and Buffalo Electric in 1999. He has been general manager since January 1, 2014.

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from the CEO

VETERANS DAY MEANS A LITTLE BIT MORE TO ME THIS YEAR

This month’s guest commentary is from Rob Richard, WECA Director of Government A airs.

Ibeganthinking about this month’s column on September 9. Why such a specific date? It was really a culmination of three days that began on the 9th with a feeling of immense pride, followed by a celebration on the 10th, and then time for remembrance on the 11th.

My brother-in-law, Lt. Colonel Weston “BUBBA” Hoeper, officially retired as an F-16 fighter pilot from the Air National Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing in Madison. Walking away from flying one of the most formidable fighter jets in the world came with a whole range of emo tions for him, his family, and his friends. His September 9 “fini-flight” (final flight) at Truax Field was a celebration of his 21-year career. Immediately upon exiting the jet for the last time, Wes was greeted with a traditional hosing down of water, a few bottles of champagne, and cheerful applause. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow Air National Guard colleagues, we couldn’t help but beam with pride.

very special moment in the ceremony Wes returned Louie’s well-traveled wings back to the former F-100 pilot with barely a dry eye in the building.

Louie Landini, seated, is anked by (L to R) Lt. Col. Wes Hoeper, Col. Bart Van Roo, and Lt. Col. Benjamin Gerds.

We were reminded at his retirement ceremony that his journey all began with the stories and encouragement of a former Korean War F-100 pi lot from his hometown in Greenwood. A visit from Louie Landini to Wes’ fourthgrade class so lidified his de sire to fly, and in 2003 Louie was there in Del Rio, Tex., to pin his own wings onto Wes to help mark the beginning of

his aviation career. After 21 years of honorable service, multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Free dom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Resolute Support, Operation Freedom Sentinel, and Operation Spartan Shield, and 500 hours of air combat missions, in a

Rob Richard WECA Director of Government A airs

This was a quintessential mo ment. It was a generational moment. A Korean War veteran influencing a young boy to dream big and believe in something bigger than himself. I am confident that Wes’ journey will help influence another fourth-grader to do the same. More importantly, I thank God this kind of story plays out every day across this great country as the next generation is encouraged by some of our best and bravest to step up and defend America’s promise of liberty, freedom, and democracy.

September 10 was a celebration of an honorable mili tary career. It was also a celebration of Wes’ wife, Krista, his three kids, and the large group of family and friends that made up the emotional, physical, and mental support system needed along his journey. The sacrifices made by our military spouses and their families are tremendous.

I think Wes would agree that the day was as much about them as it was for him. It was a great party. However, it also reminded me that not all veterans receive this type of celebration, care, and love. Some are struggling. Over 6,000 veterans commit suicide every year. Four times as many troops and vets have died by suicide than the Global War on Terror since 2001. If any veteran reading this needs to talk, please call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 and Press 1.

Like many others, Lt. Colonel Hoeper joined the military ranks shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. It is a day that will never be forgotten. It is my generation’s Pearl Harbor. Most people who experienced that day know exactly where they were and what they were doing when the planes hit. It’s hard to believe it’s been 21 years. As much as we mourn the loss of so much life on that day, and the subsequent loss and sacrifice of so many of this country’s finest in lands far away, I can’t help but recall and dwell in the unity this nation experienced in the after math. We’re not there today and it worries me. It should worry us all.

This column isn’t just about Wes. This is for all our servicemen and women who have proudly served our country with distinction and honor. Their stories deserve to be shared as well. Maybe that could be a conversation starter with an active-duty member or veteran who you know, and then maybe Veterans Day will mean a little bit more to you this year as well.

In this season of giving thanks, electric cooperatives—and the communities they serve—can be thankful for a uniquely Wisconsin organization that enables co-ops to maximize their e orts in abiding by the seventh co-op principle, “Concern for Community.”

The Federated Youth Foundation (FYF) is a nonpro t organization formed in 1971 to administer a trust that Wisconsin co-ops of all kinds, including electric co-ops, use to support a wide variety of community projects.

“Our funding comes from unclaimed capital credits—or patronage—from cooperatives of all sorts, and what we then do in turn is provide that money back to the communities where it came from,” explained Ethan Giebel, FYF’s executive director. “That is done in the form of scholarships, which are the biggest piece of it, but then also charitable giving in the form of gifts to police departments, libraries, all sorts of nonpro t organizations, food pantries, and the list goes on and on.”

The result: In scal year 202021, FYF funds provided for 676 college scholarships and 215 charitable contributions, for a total of $992,910 in funds distributed in co-op communities throughout Wisconsin.

PRINCIPLE IT’S THE

FEDERATED YOUTH FOUNDATION HELPS COOPERATIVES SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

Capital Credits at the Core

The unclaimed capital credits that fund FYF reflect another coop principle, “Members’ Economic Participation,” which states that members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, their cooperative’s capital. Some of this capital is retained to offset operating expenses, and anything beyond the cost of doing business and maintaining a healthy balance is allocated to members based on energy use. The allocations are retired on a rotating basis determined by each cooperative’s board of directors, as financial conditions allow, and the capital credits are eventually returned to the members in the form of a check or bill credit.

Inevitably, some of these capital credits cannot be returned, either because a member has moved off the co-op’s lines without leaving a forwarding address, or a member has died without indicating a rightful heir. Whatever the reason, co-ops make a diligent effort to find all members who are owed capital credits, but some simply remain unclaimed.

Prior to 1955, these unclaimed capital credits were treated like dormant bank accounts that had to be forfeited to the state treasury after a certain number of years. A change in law enabled co-ops to retain these funds and use them for educational purposes; that’s when many of the coops launched the college scholarship

programs that are offered today.

This statute was later repealed, prompting cooperatives to establish a trust in 1971 into which the claims could be deposited. The trust, which became FYF, enabled the co-ops to continue using the unclaimed funds for local scholarships, but the money still wasn’t fully protected. That happened a little over 10 year later, when cooperatives submitted an updated version of Chapter 185, the basic law governing co-ops. This new version included a provision protecting co-ops from forfeiting their unclaimed capital credits if their bylaws provided that the money be used for “charitable or educational purposes.”

The revision was signed into law in 1985, solidifying cooperatives’ ability to put unclaimed capital credits to good use in their local communities.

FYF has aided in that effort by managing the trust so the funds can grow and do as much good as possible.

“Co-ops are able to build up their account as they wish so they can do something big at some point, if that’s what they choose to do,” Giebel pointed out, adding that many prefer instead to make more modest, but frequent donations to multiple local projects.

Each co-op has its own system for determining when and how its FYF funds will be utilized. Applications are submitted to the FYF board of directors, which ensures that the project meets the requirements of being educational or charitable in nature.

Scholarships and More

College scholarships for member students still account for a majority of the FYF-funded projects. The foundation’s 2021 annual report indicated that it distributed back more than $622,800 for scholarships to members in fiscal year 2020–21. However, FYF funds can be used for charitable contributions as well.

“With Jackson Electric, we try to use the Federated Youth funds as much as we can rather than take anything from the general funds for donations,” said Jackson Electric Cooperative’s Carol Blaken. As member relations manager at Jackson Electric and also secretary-treasurer of the FYF board of directors, Blaken is involved with both sides of FYF requests—applying for them and evaluating them for approval.

“For charitable giving, that’s really a broad definition,” she said. “You just need to be able to justify that you’re using the money for some kind of community organization, or justify the educational value of the donation.”

For example, she said Jackson Electric uses FYF funds to purchase livestock at the county fair. “We justify it as education for these youth because they’re involved in 4-H and FFA, and they are learning about their projects, they’re learning about finances, they’re learning about marketing their product, they’re learning about public relations,” she explained.

Utilizing FYF for such donations, she added, keeps the money in the community, where it was accrued.

“It’s not the co-op’s money,” she pointed out. “It’s the members’ money, so we put it back into the community.”

EV Emergency Education

Among the more recent, unique uses of FYF funds was an EV Emergency Training program for first responders hosted by Dunn Energy Cooperative at the co-op’s headquarters in Menomonie last month. Held over two evenings in October to accommodate all 19 emergencyresponse entities within the co-op’s service territory, the program attracted about 70 people each night. It included training in electric vehicle identification, fire suppression, extrication, and stabilization.

“It’s all very unique for EVs because of the battery and the way they start on fire,” said Jolene Fisher, Dunn Energy’s director of member and employee engagement. “The fire suppression is different with an EV than it is with a typical combustion engine, so you would go about it differently.”

With a noticeable uptick in EV use in the area over the past year, Fisher saw a need for this kind of training in the Dunn County area. She had even been approached by the local fire department a year earlier, inquiring about training, but at the time resources for such training were limited.

She and her firefighter husband attended a training

About 140 rst responders in the Dunn Energy Cooperative service area learned how to safely handle emergency situations involving electric vehicles at a training session the co-op hosted, utilizing its Federated Youth Foundation funds.

session in a neighboring county and found the information useful and necessary, but the presentation a bit heavy on talking and light on actually doing. “I just thought, ‘We can do so much better than this,’” Fisher said.

She did some research and found what she was looking for in EVsafe, a company based in Mequon that prepares first-responder teams to work with electric vehicle and electric infrastructure emergencies through hands-on, interactive training.

“The really nice part of this is we got a little ‘Cooperation Among Cooperatives’ [sixth Co-op Principle] worked in too,” Fisher said, noting that neighboring Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative loaned its Rivian for the event, so participants could work with a variety of EV models.

Picking up STEAM

Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) in Iola recently used FYF funds to launch another unique program, this one focused on the schools within the co-op’s

four-county service territory. Brenda Mazemke, CWEC’s manager of member relations, had learned of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) grant program offered by neighboring Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative and brought the idea to her own co-op for discussion. The CEO and board of directors were in favor of the program and decided to expand it even further, adding an arts component to the grant’s education mix.

“We wanted to add the art piece to it because we know how important art is to kids,” Mazemke said. “It helps them release some of their energies and relate to different concepts, so we were pretty excited to make it a STEAM grant rather than just a STEM grant.”

The grant was initially offered to five public school districts within the CWEC service area for STEAM-related projects, with the stipulation that the project must benefit as many students as possible.

Within just a few weeks of advertising the grant, the co-op received three applications from three separate schools: one for a super mileage vehicle students in the technology department would build from the ground up, learning about engineering and manufacturing in the process; another for an energy bike to be used in the science department and tech lab, teaching kids about electricity generation, fabrication design, and engineering; and a third for an urban search-and-rescue robot that students would design and build in the science and technology departments and then use to perform predetermined functions at Skills USA competitions.

CWEC’s Operation RoundUp board, which has been tasked with reviewing STEAM grant applications, approved them in October.

Mazemke said the co-op plans to evaluate the STEAM grant program after a year and determine whether it should be expanded to include other schools.

“We’re really excited,” she said. “Helping out the schools is so important right now. Their funds are really limited so anything we can do to help educate the kids is really important to us.”

Literacy Boost for Little Ones

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) in Ellsworth is using FYF funds to promote childhood literacy with the help of Dolly Parton. Yes, that Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) is a grassroots literacy program created by the country music star that provides one new, free book each month to any child from birth to age 5 within a participating affiliate’s area. Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives entered into a collaboration with DPIL in 2020 through which electric co-ops can launch a DPIL affiliate in their own communities. Liz Gunderson, communications coordinator at PPCS, watched a webinar about the program and knew it would be a good fit for her co-op.

“I watched that and thought, ‘This just screams Commitment to Community,’ ” Gunderson said. “We do a lot with scholarships for high school kids and college-age kids, and

this is basically a type of scholarship for younger kids, to get them ready for school.”

Gunderson began setting up a non-profit organization to oversee the program, as DPIL requires all affiliates to be non-profit groups and electric cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations. Establishing a non-profit group can be a lengthy process, and the co-op was eager to get the program started, so Gunderson reached out to Giebel at FYF to see if the foundation would serve as the non-profit affiliate in the interim. Giebel readily agreed, filled out the necessary paperwork, and PPCS was approved as an affiliate within five days. The co-op held its DPIL launch party in August 2021.

In accordance with DPIL’s requirements that affiliates offer the program to all children from birth to age 5 within their chosen territory, PPCS set up its program in Pierce and Pepin counties, where the majority of the coop’s members live.

Families sign their children up for the

Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services members Liam and Brielle Hager each get a free book in the mail every month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) through the DPIL a liate program their electric co-op launched, utilizing Federated Youth Foundation funds. Their furry friend Finn appears to be just as excited as they are.

Riverland Energy Cooperative makes numerous donations each year to a wide variety of community projects. Examples of the local organizations that have bene ted include the Gentle Lambs Day Care Center, which used its grant for the purchase of automated external de brillators, and the Arcadia Hummingbirds 4-H Club, which used its grant for materials to make eece blankets that the 4-H’ers then donated to hospitals, emergency services, and day cares.

program online, and each child is mailed an age-appropriate book once a month for five years, starting with simple board books and picture books for babies and toddlers and ending with a book entitled “Kindergarten, Here I Come” for the month the child turns 5. DPIL pays for the books, and the affiliate pays cost of the postage, which PPCS covers with its FYF funds. DPIL handles the actual mailing process.

PPCS currently has 714 children enrolled in the program, with 102 having already “graduated.” With census data indicating there are approximately 2,500 children up to age 5 in Pierce and Pepin counties, PPCS’ program has already exceeded the DPIL’s estimate of 20 percent participation in an affiliate’s first year.

“I’ve gotten tremendous feedback from families that are involved,” Gunderson said. “They’re so excited when the books come, and the books themselves are just wonderful.”

The Small Things

Some FYF-funded donations are smaller in scale, but large in impact due to the number of them. Riverland Energy Cooperative, for example, made about 50 FYFfunded donations within its service territory in 2021, contributing to everything from county fair needs, new scoreboards, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, school booster clubs, and 4-H projects, “pretty much anything involving kids,” according to Beth Alesch, Riverland’s manager of communications.

Price Electric Cooperative takes a similar approach, supporting multiple community projects that enhance life in the co-op’s northern Wisconsin communities. Price Electric’s 2022 FYF donations have supported a wide variety of local organizations including Price Ice Youth Hockey, which got new jerseys (sporting the co-op’s logo)

and socks; the Northwoods Players, a community theater organization that’s raising money for auditorium upgrades; Huey’s Hideaway, a children’s museum in nearby Medford for updates to the museum’s STEM room; and the Glidden Area Development Corporation, which is building a new pavilion at the Gordon Lake Beach.

Whatever the contribution—whether it’s modest or major; directed toward senior citizens or preschoolers; used for facilities, festivals, or food donations—co-ops are investing FYF funds in their local communities, making them better places to live. It’s just another way electric cooperatives stand on principle.—Mary Erickson

Among Price Electric Cooperative’s recent Federated Youth Foundation donations include a generous contribution to the Glidden Area Development Corporation to be used for a new ADA-compliant bathroom/changing room as well as a covered pavilion with a kitchen area at Gordon Lake Beach.

HOW THE GRID KEEPS RELIABLE POWER FLOWING

NEW REPORT REVEALS GRID RELIABILITY IS INCREASING DESPITE NEW CHALLENGES

TheNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation, also known as NERC, recently graded the nation’s grid on reliability. The report revealed the electric grid is highly reliable and continues to improve despite emerging challenges that may stress it in the coming years.

NERC’s “2022 State of Reliability” reports that the network of power plants, transmission lines, and associated equipment––often referred to as the bulk power system or BPS––repeatedly improved its performance over the last six years. That trend comes despite the challenges of adding more energy generated from renewable sources and facing extreme weather patterns.

The impact of widespread, extreme weather events has underscored the need to plan for extreme scenarios related to resource adequacy and energy supply. Spurred by federal policies and market conditions, a drastic decline in available power generation resources has made complex electric systems more difficult to balance. As the nation’s energy mix evolves and flexible generation (from sources that are fuel-assured, weatherized, and dispatchable) decreases, the risk of energy shortfalls is more likely.

Despite these challenges that lie ahead, when it comes to measuring grid reliability, the year 2021 saw improvement in both the year-over-year and five-year average.

To understand the NERC report, it helps to know the system that de-

livers your electricity is often described as the most complex machine in the world. The U.S. bulk power system is made up of more than 7,300 power plants and nearly 160,000 miles of high-voltage power lines. This system is responsible for delivering the majority of electricity to local utilities and their millions of miles of lowervoltage lines that ultimately connect homes, businesses, and other energy consumers to the electric grid.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation recently graded the nation’s grid on reliability. The report revealed the electric grid is highly reliable and continues to improve despite hurdles like severe weather patterns and a transition in how electricity is produced. Photo courtesy of Dennis Gainer, NRECA

Renewable fuels like wind and solar are clean energy choices, but they come with drawbacks for a smooth-running grid at any hour of the day. One major downside is they depend on whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. Photo courtesy of Ryan Landis

The electricity that the bulk power system carries to you must be generated at the exact same time as you flip the switch to use it. If that sounds like a mind-boggling job of high-tech coordination, it is. And the national grid does it every second of every day.

Despite that complexity and the widely reported threats like severe weather and cyberattacks, NERC says the grid continues to perform in a highly reliable and resilient manner overall, with year-over-year improvement, demonstrating the success of actions taken by the energy industry.

Here are a few of the major challenges the electric sector is facing––and NERC’s recommendations for facing these challenges head-on.

Extreme Weather

Given the frequency and intensity of severe weather that affects electric operations, NERC recommends a

shift in focus from just making sure there’s ample energy supply to putting measures in place to withstand, adapt, protect against, and recover from the impacts of extreme weather events.

Much of the NERC assessment focuses on the February 2021 event in Texas when six days of below-freezing temperatures left some people without power for as many as four days. NERC advises steps to provide more transmission connections across the country so power can be more easily shared. NERC also sets plans to better prepare equipment for cold weather, as many generating units failed in the freezing temperatures.

Bee ng Up Cybersecurity

Electric utilities repelled threats from what NERC called “increasingly bold cyber criminals” and referred to a relatively new term for using the internet for political and social protest,

POWERING MOMENTS

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

Given the frequency and intensity of severe weather that a ects electric operations, NERC recommends a shift in focus from just making sure there’s ample energy supply to putting measures in place to withstand, adapt, protect against, and recover from the impacts of extreme weather events, like this one near Oconto Electric Cooperative. Photo courtesy of Oconto Electric Cooperative

NERC has established the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center that gathers information about the latest cyber threats and advises utilities about safeguards to take that supplement existing cybersecurity programs.

“hactivism.”

Across the United States, electric cooperatives are working with national and local partners to fight cyber threats and add resiliency to establish relationships, provide tools, and share resources and training information to continuously improve cyber protection.

Increased Renewable Energy

Renewable fuels like wind and solar are clean energy choices, but they come with drawbacks for a smooth-running grid at any hour of the day. One major downside is they depend on whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing. NERC calls them “variable energy resources” and sees a long-term solution in large-scale batteries that can store renewable energy so it can be available whenever it’s needed. Although battery technology is rapidly improving, NERC notes that utilities should continue to rely on natural gas-fired power plants to produce additional electricity when renewable options aren’t available.

Today’s energy landscape is wide-ranging and rapidly changing, yet the U.S. electric grid continues to keep power flowing. Wisconsin’s electric cooperatives are working closely with grid operators to provide the dependable electricity you rely on every minute of every day.

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.

Introducing the world’s lightest mobility scooter with anti-tip technology

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

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Marinated

and

with

and

sesame

Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup with Dried Cherries

Recipe and photo courtesy of The National Turkey Federation.

1 cup turkey bacon, diced

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cups yellow onion, diced

4 Tbsp garlic, minced

1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced

1/2 cup red bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 cup celery, diced (no leaves)

1 cup carrot, peeled and diced

1/2 cup molasses

3 Tbsp cracked black pepper

1 Tbsp juniper berries, crushed 2 cups dried tart cherries

2 cups Madeira

8 cups smoked turkey, medium dice

2-1/2 gal turkey stock

4 cups wild rice, cooked

In a 4-gallon stockpot, render bacon with olive oil. When bacon is cooked, remove and reserve. Add onions, garlic, yellow and red peppers, celery, carrots, molasses, black pepper, juniper berries, * and cherries. Cook until molasses has formed a thick glaze over all vegetables. Deglaze with Madeira*. Stir in diced turkey and reserved bacon. Add turkey stock, and simmer for at least one hour. Thirty minutes before service, add cooked rice. Adjust seasonings, if required. Yield: 24 servings.

*Note: You may substitute 1/2 teaspoon of gin, a 1/2-inch sprig of rosemary, or 1-2 crushed bay leaves for the juniper berries, if unavail able. You may also substitute equal amounts of dark sherry, port wine, or red vermouth for Madeira, if unavailable.

RECIPES

Beef, Wild Rice, and Mushroom Bake

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Wisconsin Beef Council.

Wild rice gets a avor boost from ground beef, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. Try this easy baked dish today.

1 lb ground beef (90% to 95% lean)

8 oz assorted fresh wild mush rooms (such as cremini, shiitake, and oyster) or button mushrooms, sliced

1 (5 to 6 oz) pkg wild rice mix with seasonings

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, not packed in oil Water

1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add ground beef and mushrooms; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Remove drippings. Stir in rice, contents of seasoning packet, and tomatoes. Spoon beef mixture into 2-quart baking dish. Stir in water amount indicated in rice package direc tions, plus 1/2 cup additional water. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until water is absorbed. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese. Continue baking, uncovered, 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serves 4.

Wild Rice & Mushroom Stu ng

Recipe and photo courtesy of The National Honey Board.

1 cup wild rice

4 cups water, salted to taste

1 Tbsp oil

1/2 cup onion, minced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 tsp garlic, minced

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped

2 Tbsp parsley, minced

1/4 cup honey

In small saucepan, combine wild rice with salted water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until tender, approx. 45 minutes. While rice is cooking, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in onions, celery, and garlic; sauté until onion is translucent and celery is soft, approx. 7 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté until mushrooms are soft, approx. 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat. When rice is cooked, drain in a colander. In large bowl, combine rice and mushroom-onion mixture. Add apricots, parsley, and honey, stirring until mixed well. Serve warm as a side dish or use to stuff poultry. Makes 4 servings.

READER RECIPES

Steak and Sauce

RECIPE COURTESY OF SANDY DRESCHER, NEILLSVILLE

REQUESTS FROM OUR READERS

Jodi Wol is looking for pickled sh recipes. NOTE: Recipes need to be for refrigerator pickling, not canned.

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

2 lbs chuck or round steak

1 (2 oz) pkg dry onion soup mix

1 large green or red pepper, diced 1 (4 oz) can mushrooms

1 qt diced tomatoes, drained, juice reserved 2 Tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp pepper

Mashed potatoes

Cut meat into bite-sized pieces and brown. Place a large piece of aluminum foil into a 9-x13-inch cake pan. Inside of the foil, place the steak, soup mix, diced pepper, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Add the cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper to the reserved tomato juice to thicken, and pour over meat and vegetables in foil.

Seal foil into a packet and bake 1-1/2 hours at 350 degrees. Serve over mashed potatoes.

Favorite Tuna Casserole

RECIPE COURTESY OF GARY AND GRACE CLARK

Casserole

1 small onion, minced

1 Tbsp butter

3 cups cooked egg noodles, al dente and rinsed in cold water

2/3 cup frozen peas, defrosted

1 (12 oz) can tuna, drained 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

1/3 cup milk

1-1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 Tbsp parsley

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Sauté onion in butter until tender. Mix remaining casserole ingredients in large bowl, then pour into an 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish.

Topping

1 cup crushed Saltine crackers

1 Tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 Tbsp parsley

In a separate bowl, crush the crackers and stir in remaining topping ingredients, sprinkle over top of casserole. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

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.

Venison Stew

RECIPE COURTESY OF NANCY WEBER, WASHINGTON ISLAND

2 Tbsp oil

2 lbs venison stew meat

3 large onions, coarsely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 bay leaf

1 tsp dried oregano

3 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

3 cups water

7 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 lb carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces

Heat oil, add meat, brown all sides. Add onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, oregano, salt, pepper, and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Add potatoes and carrots; cook for 30–45 minutes.

Browning sauce (optional) 1/4 cup our 1/4 cup cold water

In a small bowl, mix our and 1/4 cup water. Stir into stew. Cook and stir until thick and bubbly. Serves 8.

Slow Cooker Turkey Sandwiches

RECIPE COURTESY OF JUDY STONEY, CLINTON

1 (4–5 lb) frozen, boneless turkey breast

1 (12 oz) container sour cream

1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup

Remove any string wrapped around turkey and any remaining skin. Place frozen turkey in slow cooker. Mix sour cream and soup together; pour over turkey. Set slow cooker on HIGH for one hour, then on LOW for 7 hours. Break up turkey with a fork and stir. Turkey meat should fall apart. Serve on buns. Serves 24.

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THE PINE LINE

With the holiday season and all of its accompanying hustle and bustle just ahead, now might be a good time to take a nice, quiet walk through the woods and soak up some solitude. A great place to do that is along the Pine Line Rail Trail, where you can take in some history along with the peaceful scenery.

The Pine Line is a 26.2-mile multi-use, all-season recreational trail that stretches from Medford in Taylor County to Prentice in Price County, crossing through both Taylor Electric Cooperative and Price Electric Cooperative service territories. Like most of Wisconsin’s well-known bike trails, the Pine Line is a transformed railroad bed.

The trail follows a section of the route the Wisconsin Central Railroad took from 1876 to 1988, transporting loads of the eastern white pines that grow abundantly in this region to sawmills. The railroad was a major force in the forested wilderness of northern Wisconsin in the late 1800s, linking the timber-rich areas that were too far from rivers and streams for river logging to major cities like Chicago and St. Paul, where lumber was in great demand.

With the tall stands of pine trees lining the trail— particularly in the northern end—it’s easy to get lost

in the past and imagine what the area was like during the lumber-boom era. The small, former whistle-stop communities connected to the trail add to its historical feel. For example, the City of Medford, where the southern trailhead is located, was created by the Wisconsin Central Railroad and a local lumber milling company. The train depot still stands in its original spot, fully renovated and now housing Main Street businesses.

Farther north the trail passes through the Village of Ogema in Price County, past a cluster of restored historical buildings including the original train station, which now serves as a rest stop, and the little red Larkin Schoolhouse built in 1883. Other quaint older buildings near the trail include the public library and the refurbished 1876 Ogema House Hotel.

However, the trail’s railway origins bring more than just historical significance to the Pine Line. Like other rail trails, the Pine Line offers comfortable, safe hiking/ biking thanks to a mostly level surface, separate from busy roadways. Trains needed a gentle grade to run efficiently, so train tracks bypassed the hills and valleys of the surrounding terrain, leaving an ideal path for biking or hiking after the lines were abandoned by the railroad companies.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN RAIL TRAIL EVOKES AREA’S LOGGING PAST

Rail Trail Hotbed

The trend of converting these abandoned rail corridors into public trails began in the 1960s, as railroad companies were closing lines at an increasingly rapid pace, according to Rails to Trails Conservancy in Washington, D.C.

At first, according to Rails to Trails, it was an informal transformation, with people instinctively walking along the old corridors where trains once traveled, exploring the bridges and tunnels and enjoying the scenery at an up-close, slower pace than a train ride allowed. Wisconsin is credited with establishing the first official rail

trail when the Elroy-Sparta State Trail opened in 1965.

In 1980, Congress passed the Staggers Rail Act, which largely deregulated the nation’s railroad industry and allowed discontinuation of unprofitable routes. This led to the abandonment of thousands of miles of railroad line throughout the early 1980s. Becoming concerned about the potential permanent loss of rail corridor, Congress amended the National Trails System Act in 1983 to allow for preserving inactive corridors for future rail use while providing for interim trail use, leading to a surge in rail-to-trail conversion.

Today, Wisconsin continues to be a leader in developing bike and foot trails along these former railway corridors. According to the latest Rails to Trails statistics, Wisconsin ranks fourth in the nation for having the most rail trails at 109, with a total of 1,920 miles.

Sights and Stops

The Pine Line was added to Wisconsin’s rail trail system when it was discontinued for use as a rail line in 1988 and Price and Taylor counties acquired it for use as a trail. The trail is covered with crushed limestone and granite in the southern end and

1. From December 1 through March 31, the Pine Line trail is open for snowmobiles and ATVs, provided the trails are declared o cially open for snowmobiling. The trail is not open for non-motorized use during these times. Snowmobilers can also access 500 miles of Price County and 300 miles of Taylor County snowmobile trails in the area. Photo courtesy of Price County Forestry Department. 2. Several bridges along the trail provide places to stop and take in the scenery. 3. The southern portion of the Pine Line trail, located in Taylor County, has a well-groomed, crushed-granite surface.

crushed gravel in the northern end. It’s still a work in progress, with surface improvements planned in the Price County portion as well as plans to eventually extend the trail farther into Prentice.

The trail’s namesake is still very much a dominant feature along the trail, but pine trees are not all there is to see. The southern end of the trail just outside of Medford passes by pastoral Wisconsin dairy farms, with red barns and black and white Holsteins dotting the landscape.

As the trail moves along north, past former railroad stop communities of Whittlesey, Chelsea, and Westboro, farms give way to hardwood forests and wetlands of the Black River Basin.

Crossing into Price County, the trail climbs gently over a glacial moraine near Ogema. This is an ideal spot to take a break at the restored train depot and get a bite to eat at Rail Trail Café before continuing on past more towering trees, cedar bogs, and swamps, toward Prentice, were the trail ends just outside the village.

The Pine Line crosses several streams and rivers, with bridges providing a place to stop and take in the wooded landscape and wetlands. Wildlife is abundant throughout.

Other sites near the trail route include Chelsea Lake County Park, a 45-mile segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the Mondeaux Hardwoods State Natural Area of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and Timm’s Hill County Park (see sidebar).

Walk, Run, Bike, or Ride

The Pine Line can be enjoyed on foot or on bike, with snowmobile and all-terrain-vehicles allowed from December 1 to March 31 provided the trails are declared officially open for snowmobiling. From May 15 to November 15, horseback riders may use the four feet of grassy area to the right of the trail, off the gravel. Hunting is prohibited along the trail at all times.

On the fourth Saturday of April each year, the trail’s 26.2 miles—coincidentally the exact distance of a marathon—are put to use for the annual Pine Line Marathon Run/Walk, although the course for 2023 calls for turning around mid-way through the trail so the race begins and ends at the same location at Medford City Park, by the Pine Line’s southern trailhead.

At this time of year, however, the Pine Line Rail Trail will bring peace and quiet, not to mention an appreciation for the area’s lumber-rich past.—Mary Erickson

Parking for the trail is available at the southern trailhead on S. Allmen Street in Medford and the northern trailhead in Prentice on Morner Road. The trail can also be accessed on municipal streets in Ogema, Westboro, Chelsea, and Whittlesey. For more information, contact Taylor County Tourism, www.taylorcountytourism.com or 715-748-4729, or the Price County Forestry and Parks Department, www.pricecountywi.net or 715-339-6371.

On Top of Timm’s Hill

ThePine Line Rail Trail is within striking distance of another Wisconsin must-see—Timm’s Hill County Park in Ogema. At 1,951 feet above sea level, Timm’s Hill is the highest point in Wisconsin, with an observation deck at the very top reaching even higher. The bird’s-eye view from the top of this tower is breathtaking in all seasons, but particularly in the fall when the leaves change color.

The park also o ers a variety of amenities including a boat landing and shing pier, a swimming beach, a shelter with electricity, play equipment, picnic tables and grills.

Access to the park at this time of year is limited to non-motorized tra c, with vehicle access from May through October. However, multiple trails cross and intersect around the area, with Timm’s Hill National Trail connecting with the Timm’s Hill Observation Tower Trail, which leads straight up to the observation tower.

Timm’s Hill National Trail also links to the Rib Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Trail, a 1,000-mile footpath across Wisconsin that roughly follows the outermost reach of the last glacier 12,000 years ago. In the winter, Timm’s Hill National Trail is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Timm’s Hill County Park is located at W3206 County Road RR, Ogema, WI 54459.

Photos courtesy of Glenn Sanderson

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its beautiful celebration of Packers football, the ring is engraved inside with “Go Packers!”.

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A V A IL A BLE O NLY FR O M T HE B R A DF O RD E XCH A NGE

Miscellaneous

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

WANTED: DEER TAGS, back tags. Trapping, bear, hunting licenses. Otter, bobcat, sher tags. Old traps. David Schober, W4234 Rock Creek Rd., Loyal, WI 54446. 715-255-9284.

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

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

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

FOR SALE: VINTAGE WOODEN WHEEL RUNNING GEAR. Excellent condition. Always stored indoors. Also vintage Ford truck box, in excellent condition. Photos on request. Manitowoc County. Phone 920-905-0068.

2 CYLANDER WISCONSIN ENGINE, COMPLETE. Hand crank start. $100. Montgomery Ward 10 HP engine, electric start. $50. 715-372-6540.

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

FOR SALE: GREEN BAY PACKER SPEED REPLICA HELMET. New, still in original package. $600 obo. Call or text 715-821-1651.

FOR SALE: 1940 FORD. 1-1/2 T C.O.E. Everything rebuilt as needed. 1953 Ford v-8 rebuilt. New paint. 2,000 new dually box. New glass. 12v. Good rubber. Very, very nice. Gene. 608-317-4233.

Plants & Shrubs

HARDWOOD AND CONIFER SEEDLINGS AND TRANSPLANTS. Thousands available, Oaks, Maples, Poplar, Hickory, Milkweed, Brown Eyed Susan Dogwoods, Ninebark, Cranberry, Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Spruce, Pine, Cedar, Food plot and grafted apple trees too, large bareroot shade trees including Autumn Blaze. Check us out on the web at www.paintcreeknursery.com, Facebook and YouTube also. Paint Creek Nursery, Cadott, WI 715-723-2072.

Real Estate

FOR SALE: NEW GARAGE DOORS. HAAS Insulated 770 raised panel with prairie view glass. R-Value 16.8. Almond color. All hardware included. 9’-x 8’-x 1-1/2” thick. Waukesha County. Call 262-751-0297.

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.

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1–18 Wisconsin Regional Arts Show—Chippewa Falls. Heyde Center for the Arts, all day. Creative, non-professional Wisconsin artists sell and exhibit their work for AWA state awards.

4, 5 Holiday Fair—Kendall. Community Hall, Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Crafts, arts, and food vendors. Admission is free. For more info, call Cheryl at 608-427-6665.

5 Fall Craft Show—Tomah. Cranberry County Lodge convention halls and the Masonic Center, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Large selection of many different crafts, wood crafts, flag boxes, knitted felt slippers, santas, snowmen, quilted items, American Girl clothing, alpaca products, gemstone jewelry, handwoven rugs, homemade candy, floral wreaths, baked goods, sweatshirt deco, stained glass, quilts, afghans, and kitchen towels. Lunch will be served. For more info, call 608-372-5121.

5 2022 Quilt Tour: Hope, Hugs and Healing— Menomonie. First Congregational, CedarBrook, Christ Lutheran, and Our Saviors churches; 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Five area quilt groups will show 400 quilts. Admission $15; students/kids free. For more info, call 715-962-3903.

8 Ham Supper—Stoddard. American Legion, 3:30–7 p.m. Stoddard United Methodist Church annual Election Day ham supper. Ham, garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, coleslaw, and dessert. Cost $15 per plate.

10 Hunters Stag—Chippewa Falls. Knights of Columbus Hall, 4:30–7 p.m. Cost is $15 at the door, includes meal with drinks, and chances to win cash. All are welcome. For more info, contact Ken at 715-723-7730.

12 Art Fest—Shiocton. Navarino Nature Center, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Many quality, one-of-a-kind art items, crafts, bake sale, food, and nature center items. Admission $1; children are free.

12 Holiday Craft Fair—Elmwood. Auditorium, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. A showcase of unique and loving hand-crafted items by many crafters. Refreshments and lunch available.

12 Holiday Fair—Colby. Lion Shelter, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Hosted by St. Mary Help of Christian Parish. Carryout homemade chicken dumpling soup or chicken wild rice soup for $7/quart or chili for $8/ quart. Artisan breads, stollen, scones, and other delicious homemade bakery treats, handcrafted wreaths, cookie walk, silent auction baskets, door prizes, free admission. For more info, call 715-223-3048.

19 Widow’s Fair—Merrillan. Elementary school, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Crafts, baked goods, raffle, door prizes, and Kiddieland. Menu: chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, and Main Street Cafe pies. Sponsored by the Alma Center Lions. For more info, call Jeanine at 715964-5441 or 715-896-0551.

19 Craft Fair—Platteville. High school, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. With so many amazing crafters and vendors, you will love the selection and choices available. Plan now to attend one of the biggest shows in the tri-states. You won’t be disappointed!

25–30 Jolly Jingle Shop Local Promo—Platteville. Downtown Platteville, all day. For every $10 you spend at select stores, you will earn a ticket to be drawn for prizes! Save your receipts and bring them into the Chamber of Commerce office to fill out your ticket. Weekly drawings will be done as well as a grand prize drawing.

25, 26 There Once Was a Barn Holiday Boutique— Willard. Barn at N9647 Gorman Ave., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. A holiday boutique located in the scenic hills, featuring artists and artisans displaying their work in a restored barn, decorated for the season. Come see works of wood art, furniture, glass, pottery, jewelry, paintings, rugs, soaps, maple syrup, books, baskets, ceramics, and many Christmas items. For more info, visit our Facebook page or call 612-708-0840.

26, 27 Craft and Quilt Shows—Elroy. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sat. craft show in the Royall Elementary school gym includes local crafters, direct sales vendors, bakers, and makers are displaying their wares. Sun. quilt show in the Royall Middle school gym. No admission fees. Interested in being a vendor, email Kari at elroyarechamber@gmail.com.

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YOUNG

1. Zoey gives one of her favorite chickens a squeeze. Photo submitted by Grandpa Thomas Zaremba, a member of Oakdale Electric.

2. Gwendolyn lets her pal Izzy Belle know that she is a good girl. Photo submitted by Grandma Debra Tokheim, a member of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services.

3. Miles has a true love for cows. Photo submitted by Grandma Judy Bauer, a member of Dunn Energy.

4. Mason proudly shows o his very rst sh. Photo submitted by Nicole Johnson, a member of Oconto Electric.

Upload photos directly to wecnmagazine.com through the “Submit a photo” tab.

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.

COOKING UP SOME KITCHEN SAFETY

Plug all countertop appliances like mixers and electric knives into GFCI outlets.

Don’t use extension cords with large appliances like refrigerators or ovens.

Keep electric cords from dangling over the counters, within reach of children and pets.

Source: Safeelectricity.org