July 2026
June 24, 2026
Help Us Stuff the BUs
Join us in collecting new, unused school supplies by dropping off donations at our Friendship office until July 31. 
Interested in making a monetary donation?
Please make checks payable to ACEC, and write “Stuff The Bus” on the memo line. Monetary donations can be mailed to ACEC, Attn: Marketing, P.O. Box 70, Friendship, WI 53934.
Donations will be given to Adams-Friendship School District, Pardeeville Lions Club School Supply Drive, and Waushara County Back-To-School Bash.
School Supply List of Needed Items
Keep your contact information current
From time to time, we may need to contact you regarding your electric service, send notifications about where our contractors are working, review billing information, and more. Be sure to keep your mailing address, phone number, and email address up to date on your account with us. To make changes, email acec@acecwi.com or call (800) 831-8629.
Attention Bird Watchers
Submit your bird photos by July 31 for a chance to be featured in our 2027 calendar.
Photo by Andrea Bulgrin of Fall River, WI
24/7 Power Outage Phone Number
In 2024, we updated our automated power outage phone number. As storms have caused outages, some members are still calling our old number. If you typically call in to report power outages, please update the number you call to (855) 957-3881.
2026 Scholarship Recipients
$199,000 Awarded to 187 Students
This year, we‘re featuring photos of first-time recipients. Students awarded a Jon Steinhaus Lineworker Scholarship to pursue a career in electrical power distribution have a bolt icon by their name.
Explore the Time-of-day Rate
As we continue to educate our members about rates, this month we’re diving into our Time-of-Day rate. With this rate, members can save money by shifting their energy consumption to off-peak hours of the day to pay less per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
The time frames are adjusted by season, based on our cost to purchase power. When the demand for energy is high, our price to purchase power is high. These “high” demand periods change throughout the year, and we change our peak periods accordingly.
This rate may be a good fit for you if you have the flexibility to shift when you consume energy throughout the year. To switch to the Time-of-Day rate, give us a call at (800) 831-8629. After switching, members must stay on the rate for one year. Visit www.acecwi.com/time-of-day for more details about this rate and to review seasonal peak shifts throughout the year.
Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
Last month, we sponsored David Oft from Markesan to attend Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., amongst a group of other Wisconsin youth leaders. David attended Youth Leadership Conference in 2025 and is continuing to pursue his leadership skills, learn about cooperatives, and gain memorable experiences.
Students had a busy and educational trip as they toured many historical memorials, learned more about the impact of cooperatives, and met youth leaders from across the country.
Avoid The Big Green Box
Please stay away from pad-mounted transformers (a.k.a. the big green box). While safe, they are not meant for touching, climbing, or landscaping. Pad-mounted transformers carry high voltages of electricity that serve many homes in our communities.
- DIG SAFE
Never dig near pad-mounted transformers. Remember to call 811 before you dig. - STAY SAFE
Contact us if something seems out of place or damaged. - PLAY SAFE
Never play on or near pad-mounted transformers. - PLANT SAFE
Plants should be 10 ft. away from the doors and 4 ft. away from the sides.
Loan Funds Available
Ready to grow your business? Consider economic development funding from your local electric co-op! With available loan funds ranging from $10,000 to $400,000, we’re here to help your business expand in our service area.
- Business acquisitions, construction, repair, or expansion
- Purchase and development of land, buildings, and facilities
- Start-up costs and working capital
- Feasibility studies or other “soft” costs
We want the communities and businesses in our area to do more than simply get by; we want them to grow and thrive. By investing locally, we are helping strengthen the future of the rural places we call home. Learn more about loans available.
Smart Thermostats
Save money on your home heating and cooling costs by purchasing a smart thermostat from Focus on Energy’s Online Marketplace.
The best part? Members get major discounts on name-brand thermostats like Google Nest, Sensi, and ecobee through our partnership with Focus on Energy. Instant rebates bring the starting price down to $39.99.
Safety Message
- Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from grates and trays.
- Place the grill on a stable surface, away from homes, deck railings, and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away.
- Never leave an active grill unattended.
- Use propane and charcoal grills outdoors only to prevent fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Recipe
BLT Dip
Recipe from Jill Prisk of Plover, WI
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 lb bacon
- Small bag of shredded lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1 c mayo
- Crackers of choice
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Cook and drain the bacon. Let the bacon cool, then dice cooked bacon into bacon bits.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded lettuce and cooked bacon.
- Fold in mayo. Add more or less for the desired thickness.
- Spread mixture into a 9 x 13 pan. Top with sliced cherry tomatoes.
- Serve with your favorite crackers.