November 2025

Thanks for joining us at our Member Appreciation Open House

Over 300 members attended our Member Appreciation Open House event on Saturday, October 4. The first 250 members received a cozy winter beanie hat along with our 2026 co-op calendar. Photos can be viewed on our Facebook page.

Members indulged in a delicious meal from Moose Inn and received a sweet ice cream treat from our staff.

Members learned about Operation Round-Up, SmartHub features, youth leadership opportunities, took our Bright Ideas survey, and had the opportunity to meet companies we contract with. Linemen demonstrated the power of electricity with our hotline trailer.

Adams County Humane Society brought in furry friends looking for homes: Norm and Carla, two Doberman Pinscher/mix puppies, and Augustus and Kuro, two loving cats. Generous members donated over $400, along with other essential supplies.

Thank you for supporting our seventh cooperative principle, Concern for Community! We hope you enjoyed the open house and are glad you celebrated Co-op Month with us.

Make a Difference this holiday season

Our annual Toys for Tots program continues to make Christmas bright for local families in need, thanks to those who support our program. Last year, we donated toys, books, and stocking stuffers to nearly 3,000 children in Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara counties. Toy collection is in full swing and won’t last long. If you’re looking for a worthy cause that makes an impact locally, consider donating to Toys for Tots.

Toy Donations:

We’ve partnered with 70 business locations in our service area. We accept new, unused, and unwrapped donations. Learn about our donation sites.

Monetary Donations:

• ACEC
  Attn: Marketing
  PO Box 70
  Friendship, WI 53934

Request a Toy:

Visit friendship-wi.toysfortots.org and click “Request A Toy” to learn about the programs we work with. Contact the program in your area to learn how to apply for toys. We do not handle applications for families or distribute toys directly to families.

$3.2 Million Refunded to Members

• Allocations are typically processed in the spring, and this represents your ownership in the co-op. The more energy you use, the more patronage you will accrue.
• Retirements, or refunds, are processed in the fall, and this is when we pay out money to members.

Heating and Cooling Incentives

Are you in the market to upgrade your heating and cooling equipment? Focus on Energy offers rebates and instant discounts on a variety of energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment.

• Equipment that may qualify for a rebate includes smart thermostats, heat pumps, natural gas furnaces, natural gas boilers, variable-speed pumps, and multifamily-style equipment.
• Rebates range from $50 to $700. Get the details at focusonenergy.com/residential/heating-and-cooling.
• Ask your Trade Ally contractor if they work with a participating distributor and if the equipment you are choosing qualifies for a rebate or instant discount. Visit focusonenergy.com/trade-allies to find a Trade Ally near you.

Dixie Substation

Bill K., Bryce, Garrett, and Jason K. were busy this summer building the Dixie substation, located in central Adams County. Dixie is expected to go into service by the end of the year.

This substation will increase reliability in that area for existing and future members. We’ll be able to better support our grid when our system is functioning normally and when performing maintenance.

Added Security in SmartHub

SmartHub will be implementing Two-Factor Authentication (TFA) for all accounts. This adds an extra layer of verification on top of a user’s password when accessing SmartHub.

Instead of providing only a password to log in to SmartHub, TFA requires users to provide an additional code to ensure it’s really you accessing your account.

Choose to receive the code through a text message or email, or generate a QR code that can be scanned with an authentication app. Between these three options, you’ll be given a code to enter after logging in with your email and password like you do now.

Our customer service team is ready to assist with questions and to walk you through the process of setting up TFA for your SmartHub account. Give us a call at (800) 831-8629 for assistance.

Go Paperless!

The more members we have enrolled in paperless billing, the more money we can save on postage costs at the co-op. Members can view their bill statement and make payments through SmartHub in addition to our other payment options. As a thank you for enrolling, newly enrolled members will be entered to win a $25 bill credit (two winners will be chosen).

Log in to SmartHub at acecwi.smarthub.coop or through the mobile app to enroll in paperless billing by December 15.

Energy Tip

Safety Message

• Prepare your home. Pause deliveries, arrange snow removal, and have someone keep an eye on your home.
• Pack an emergency kit. Items to include are a phone charger, coats, blankets, food, water, and a flashlight.
• Buckle up and slow down. Increase your following distance and allow extra time to get to your destination.
• Inspect your car. Ensure tires are inflated and carry jumper cables, as cold weather can drain batteries.

Recipe

Taco Soup
Recipe from Michele Rice of West Bend, WI

Prep Time – 10 Minutes
Cook Time – 30 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 c beef broth
• 1 oz package of ranch dressing mix
• 1 oz package of taco seasoning
  16 oz can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
  16 oz can whole kernel corn
  8 oz can diced tomatoes with chiles

  16 oz can crushed tomatoes

  1 tsp salt

  1 tsp black pepper

  1 Tbsp chili powder

  1 tsp cumin

INSTRUCTIONS

• Brown beef and sauté onion, pepper, and garlic. Drain and add all other ingredients. Simmer for one hour.
• Optional – Top with shredded cheese, tortilla strips, Fritos, sour cream, cilantro, or chopped green onion.