Text Box: While traveling on Old 27 between Clare and Harrison this past summer, I was pleasantly surprised to notice that the large brown two story on the East side of James Hill had erected a new sleek looking wind turbine. I wanted a “green conscious” story for the Spring Newsletter, so I sleuthed till I found the property owners. I requested a tour and interview. Fortunately I didn’t have to wait long. Helene and Dan Vosso granted the tour and interview, they even arranged to have the distributor of the wind generator be available to answer questions. On the day of the interview, I arrived to a strong and steady west wind. I was impressed to see the wind efficiently spinning the blades. It looked effortless and to my amazement, surprisingly quiet. I later learned the model they had chosen was called the Whisper. The Vossos family moved to this site in 2005 having been from the Detroit area. Helene is attending Flint’s U of M nurse practitioner course. Dan holds investment properties, trucks and is a builder. They purchased the 40 acres at 6263 S. Clare Avenue and had the Hershberger Contractors start their 3100 square foot home. It was important to be green and save money. It was a conscious effort in their choices. A stainless steal outdoor wood burner fuels their hot water needs. In the rest of the house everything is electric. They use energy efficient lighting. They would like to invest in solar panels. You can only take it one step at a time. Dan’s contact is Allan O’Shea, Wind & Solar Energy Coordinator for Contractors Building Supply, Inc. “A Green Company.” After noticing steady wind currents while sitting on their upstairs wrap around porch, Dan did some research and came across the wind generator. Allan explained that to get the right fit between property owner and wind generators, many factors come into play. Getting a building permit was one step Dan had to take. You should always check local zoning to be sure of what’s required in your area. The company does a wind audit to find the best three spots on the property to erect the unit. Then they recommend models that would work well for the location. Wind generators should be at least fifteen feet above the tree line. “Whisper” is a 70 foot tall; 180 pound horizontal wind access system that will pivot 360 degrees to follow the wind. It is wired to a 2-way radio remote unit with a 1000- foot range allowing you to monitor and change settings. You can download energy performance data to your personal computer inside your home. The units have a 30-year lifespan and a 5-year, 100% guarantee. Dan offset some of the installation costs by doing some of the earthmoving himself. He said that his costs were about $10,000. Spring and winter electric bills had run $200 to $300 a month. Now with the wind generator he saves about $55 to $65 a month. That’s over a 25% savings for a residential setting. Most residential units are 35-50 feet tall, with a 1.8 kW capacity rating. They run between $11,000 and $15,000 installed. There are much bigger class 3 and 4 agricultural and commercial systems, ranging from 200 to 400 feet tall. These are too cost prohibitive for the average person to own. Towards Cadillac on the Missaukee/Osceola line a 2.5 mega watt wind system is being installed. That’s three times larger then the wind system at the Mackinaw Bridge Allan says, “That’s the biggest in the U.S.” The Agricultural systems do have a 30% tax write off. As of yet, we don’t have a tax write off for residential. There are Bills in Congress waiting for action to be taken that would give tax relief. Text Box: Melt down 1 cup of suet and 1 cup of chunky peanut butter in a sauce pan. Stir up well then pour it into a bowl and add 1 cup of each of the following ingredients: diced apples, sunflower seeds, nuts, rolled oats. Mix and let cool off. Pour into a 8”x8” pan and freeze. When firm, cut into 4”x4” blocks, insert them into suet cage feeders. Now find your favorite sitting spot next to a window, hang the feeders in a tree close by and sip hot cocoa while you enjoy Michigan’s Winter Wonderland. Below are some fast facts about the robust little Cardinal. The Cardinals are found in North and South America. They are named for the red plumage (similar to that of a Catholic cardinal’s vestments) of the males. Because of their bright coloring they make an easy target for the Red Tailed Hawk and other species. So be sure to provide bushy cover for them to hide in close to feeders. The females are less colorful sporting more of a tan color with only a hint of blush coloring. They have a strong bill and their diet consists mainly of seed and berries. Cardinals can be found over wintering in Michigan. They mate in early spring. Nests are loosely woven and are usually started in tall bushes such as honeysuckles or roses. Text Box: A Winter Treat for Cardinals & Other Birds

If the winter doldrums have already set in this season try getting the family together to whip up this bird feed recipe and prepare to enjoy many hours of  entertainment with the birds and your family.
Text Box: According to the American Wind Energy Association, The U.S. Senate approved creation of a new small wind turbine tax credit as part of a broad-ranging farm policy bill, but farmers, home owners, and small business owners will have to wait until at least next year for this proposal to become law. AWEA and its member companies worked all year to build support for the Investment Tax Credit or ITC and to advance it further through the Legislative process. Under the Senate farm bill, the small turbine ITC, would cover 30% of the cost of a system up to a level of $4000 for residential or commercial applications. The credit would be available for one year, through Dec 31, 2008. Earlier this year , the House of Representatives passed its version of farm legislation (H.R.2419) containing a similar version of the small wind ITC. Some time after Congress returns next year, House and Senate negotiators will attempt to reconcile the differences between these bills. Only then could a final farm bill be sent to the President to be signed into law. The small turbine ITC had also been contained in an earlier version of an energy policy bill, but was removed along with all other tax items at the insistence of the Bush Administration and the inability of the Senate to break through a procedural hurdle. Thanks to the Vossos and Mr. O’Shea for their help with this story and for their willingness to support the District Dan and Helene have decide to franchise into the Business. The Business is called Clare Renewable Energy and the e-mail address is sunnywindyacres@yahoo.com if you would like to speak to them. I think I’m going to hop in the car and go try to find that giant windmill up by Cadillac and then maybe over to the thumb of Michigan where there’s a wind system called Harvest Wind Farm. Of course I’ll see you at the Annual Breakfast and Spring Tree Sale If you find that this subject has put wind in your sails, then you’ll want to mark your calendar for Saturday morning, March 1, 2008 at 9:00 AM, to come listen to a power point presentation by Allan O’Shea and get current on wind. Text Box: Clare Conservation District 2008 Annual Scholarship Award This will be the 7th year the Clare Conservation District offers a scholarship question to graduating high school seniors of Clare County for a $150.00 scholarship. Students must complete an application and submit a Letter of Recommendation, along with a 500 word essay on the topic question. This year’s topic is “List four invasive plant species and how their presence has harmed Michigan’s environment.” Deadline: The essay is due at the Clare District Office by the close of business at 12:00 noon, April 21, 2008. Forms are available at our office or your school’s guidance or principal’s office. Text Box: FOR SALE Seedling Semi-Automatic Transplanter For Sale: A Whitfield Forest Equipment, Forestland II, Model F85-3PT, (Full Cab) Heavy Duty Use. To be used behind at least an 80 horsepower Tractor. Asking Price: $8,000 All inquiries or appointments to view may be made by calling the District Office at: 989-539-6401 Monday-Friday 8:00 a. m. to 12:00 noon