Ohio Cooperative Living - March 2018 - Butler

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

OďŹƒcial publication | www.butlerrural.coop

JANUARY MARCH 2018

gardening issue

Special

Improve the look, health, and productivity of YOUR garden!

Also inside Buzzards, bears, and big bad wolves

Ohio’s Blarney fascination

Member Interactive: Baby faces

THE SIMPLE CHOICE FOR ENERGY SAVINGS Replacing a major appliance?

Purchasing ENERGY STAR-certified appliances is a great way to save energy.

As an electric cooperative member, you have access to free information on how to save energy and money. Contact your co-op and learn about the latest technologies to keep your home running efficiently.

ohioec.org

EnergyStarAppliance.indd 1

6/12/17 10:34 AM

INSIDE

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

SPECIAL ISSUE:

GARDENING 24

BETTER YIELDS

Looking for a productive — and tasty — kitchen garden?

Here are a few tips to power up your planting and maximize your yields.

26

ULTIMATE RECYCLING

Don’t toss out those kitchen scraps — instead, turn them into a rich addition to your garden soil through composting.

28

FASCINATING SHAPES

Everyone knows to use different colors and textures to add variety to a flower garden. Here’s a few suggestions to add unique shapes to the mix as well.

FEATURES 34

OHIO BLARNEY

The Buckeye State is doused in Irish influence, and nowhere is that more evident than in the numerous places and events named after the Blarney Castle.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

1

UP FRONT

C

Back to Guatemala Electric cooperatives were founded in the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. Co-ops brought light to rural America, and that partnership lit the way for us to carry the tradition beyond our borders. In 2016, linemen from across Ohio’s electric cooperative network mirrored that effort for our international neighbors in Guatemala. We brought power to the village of La Soledad, changing lives, providing hope for the future — and providing perspective on the impact we can have on underserved people still today.

This month, we’re going back; the people of Las Tortugas in Guatemala’s rainforest region need our help. Guatemala remains one of the poorest countries in Latin America. More than 75 percent of Guatemalans live below the poverty line. In rural areas, it’s worse. Rural residents make up two-thirds of Guatemala’s population, yet they only comprise one-third of the country’s income and consumption. Little things can mean a lot to people living in such conditions.

We sent a small team to Las Tortugas in September 2017 for preliminary engineering and field planning with the region’s electric utility company. Early this month, 17 volunteers, primarily linemen, from cooperatives around Ohio are heading that way to bring electric service to the nearly 600 people who currently live in startlingly primitive conditions. Without electric service, so much of what we take for granted — refrigeration, sanitation, running water, lighting, motorized equipment — is nearly impossible. With help from students at a local trade school and many of the village’s residents, our volunteers will work long, hard days, in hot and humid conditions, connecting more than 100 homes to the modern world.

It’s going to be a long and difficult trip for those who have volunteered to leave their homes and families for the duration of the mission. The work will be performed the old-fashioned way — without the benefit of lift trucks and other modern equipment.

All the poles will be climbed, all holes will be hand-dug, and all transformers will be manually raised.

We have already seen — both here in the 1930s and on our first trip to Guatemala in 2016 — that the time, the work, and the expense that these efforts require are all well spent on a brighter future. Please keep our men in your prayers as they spread the good fortune of our circumstances and goodwill of our people to those much less fortunate.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

Pat O’Loughlin

President & CEO Ohio's Electric Cooperatives

We brought power to the village of La Soledad, changing lives, providing hope for the future — and providing perspective on the impact we can have on underserved people.

March 2018 • Volume 60, No. 6

OHIO

COOPERATIVE LIVING

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd.

Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 memberinteract@ohioec.org www.ohioec.org Patrick O’Loughlin Patrick Higgins Jeff McCallister Samantha Kuhn Anita Cook

President & CEO Director of Communications Managing Editor Associate Editor Graphic Designer

Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Pat Keegan, Pamela A. Keene, Toni Leland, Catherine Murray, Paul Wesslund, Kris Wetherbee, and Rick Wetherbee.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. With a paid circulation of 294,359, it is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved.

For all advertising inquiries, contact GLM COMMUNICATIONS 212-929-1300 sales@glmcommunications.com

MORE INSIDE DEPARTMENTS 4 POWER LINES

A LOOK AT RENEWABLES: Renewable energy sources are

becoming more popular with the public, but most are not yet ready to carry the electric load.

6 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE BUZZARDS, BEARS, AND BIG BAD WOLVES: A look at the Great

Hinckley Hunt of 1818.

10 CO-OP PEOPLE BACKYARD CONSERVATIONIST: One Firelands Electric Cooperative member has created a diverse nature preserve in the middle of farm country.

15 GOOD EATS SPRINGTIME SAMPLER: Put the early-season harvest from your

garden to use in these tempting dishes.

23 CO-OP OHIO O’LOUGHLIN HONORED: The CEO of Ohio’s statewide electric

cooperative service organization has earned a prestigious communications award.

38 CALENDAR The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215, or call 1-800-282-0515.

Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101

Cooperative members: Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes.

WHAT’S HAPPENING: March events and other things to do.

40 MEMBER INTERACTIVE BABY FACES: Readers share a peck of priceless pictures of the

next generation.

IN THIS ISSUE

Hinckley (p.6) New London (p.10) Columbus (p.23) Delaware (p.23) Van Wert (p.23) Cleveland (p.37) Toledo (p.37) Worthington (p.37)

Alliance for Audited Media Member Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

3

POWER LINES

BY PAUL WESSLUND

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Here are the basics of a small but important source of your electricity

Electric cooperatives work hard to ensure their members have access to the cleanest, safest, most affordable and reliable power possible. They keep up with both technology and trends to maintain that balance through sunny, hot summers; gray, bone-chilling winters; and everything in between.

These days, renewable sources such as solar energy and wind power are growing in popularity,

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

though they still make up a pretty small portion of the energy sources that generate the electricity we use every day — about 6 percent of the energy consumed by Ohio electric cooperative members — because they still provide neither the affordability nor the reliability to balance the other demands.

Here’s a crash course in how wind, the sun, and water generate electricity.

DID YOU KNOW? Approximately 15 percent of the nation’s electricity is generated from renewable energy sources, like hydro, wind and solar power. That percentage may seem low, but renewable energy generation is gaining momentum.

6.5%

generated by hydropower.

5.6%

0.9%

generated by wind.

generated by solar.

*Additional sources, like geothermal and biomass, contribute to the 15 percent of renewable energy generation.

Source: Energy Information Administration

Solar energy

Wind power

Solar energy generates only about 1 percent of the nation’s electricity, though that’s a significant increase from just five years ago, when the number was too small even to report for the U.S. Department of Energy. Solar growth is expected to continue as long as costs fall, technology improves, and people figure out better ways to use solar energy.

Use of wind power has increased significantly as costs have decreased. Wind power generates nearly 6 percent of the nation’s electricity. Ohio cooperative members get as much as 30 megawatts of power from the Story County Wind Energy Center in Iowa — of course, that depends on how windy the weather is at a given time.

In photovoltaic generation, when certain materials get hit by sunlight, their atoms spit out electrons — and electricity is simply a stream of electrons. Wafers of these materials, called photovoltaic cells, are combined and integrated into solar photovoltaic modules to harness the energy in that stream.

In a way, wind generates electricity the same way as traditional sources such as coal (which is the source of about 93 percent of power used by Ohio co-op members): by spinning a turbine that creates an electricity-producing magnetic field. The difference is that wind turbines are turned by enormous propeller-like blades designed to catch gusts of moving air. Obviously, they require wind to generate power, and so can’t be counted upon from one day to the next.

Solar power is produced in different levels: Utility scale refers to large banks of solar panels owned and operated by an electric utility or other large organization, producing many megawatts of solar energy. Industrial solar installations can range from several kilowatts up to multi-megawatts, and can be placed on office rooftops, over parking lots, or on land near industrial and commercial enterprises. Residential solar installations are installed primarily on individual rooftops to power individual homes. Community solar allows groups of neighbors to take advantage of a larger scale they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access.

Community solar, which is offered by many of Ohio’s electric cooperatives, can ease the higher expense of self-owned rooftop solar. The co-op builds a large solar installation and sells shares in the project to members interested in an investment in renewable energy. It allows a homeowner to avoid both maintenance of their own system and the hassle of sorting out different offers from rooftop solar vendors.

Hydroelectric power Another way to turn an electricity-generating turbine is to harness the power of water as it flows. It doesn’t create greenhouse gas or other chemical pollutants by burning fossil fuel, though large-scale hydro typically calls for building a permanent dam across a river valley and flooding the area behind it.

Another option is to put hydroelectric generators directly in rapidly flowing rivers to capture power — Ohio cooperatives use 55 megawatts of power from the turbines underneath Niagara Falls, for example; it’s about 4 percent of the power used by cooperative members in Ohio every day.

PAUL WESSLUND writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

5

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

BUZZARDS, BEARS, The story of the Great Hinckley Hunt of 1818

6

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

and

,

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION

BIG BAD WOLVES O

hio, the Buckeye State, was admitted to the Union in 1803, but even 15 years later it remained a very wild place — too wild, in the opinions of some settlers, and they determined to do something about it, frontier style.

Near Hinckley, in the northeast quarter of the state, large predators — mainly black bears and timber wolves — were killing livestock almost nightly. Writing in 1890 in The American Field, one of the early outdoor magazines of the time, a Captain Milton B. Pierce said that the settlers were “seriously embarrassed” by the many wolves ravaging their sheep. In one incident alone, wolves slaughtered more than 100 sheep over several wilderness farms. In addition, bears often raided hog pens.

To put an end to the depredation threatening their livelihood, the pioneers came up with the idea of conducting a grand hunt, one that would encompass the entire township. At dawn on the day before Christmas in 1818, some 600 men and boys (many recruited from around the state) surrounded Hinckley Township. Most of the men carried a firearm, likely a musket. The boys were armed with either bayonets or large butcher knives mounted on long poles.

Once everyone was in position, the signal was shouted down the line to begin moving slowly forward, toward the center of the circle.

Almost immediately white-tailed deer began bounding from cover in high arching leaps, tails erect; wolves ran in confused circles, searching for escape routes; bears lumbered toward the hunters in such numbers as they had never seen before. And above the melee flew flocks of wild turkeys, trying to make their escape over the line of firing hunters.

The carnage was over by late afternoon. Taken in the hunt were more than 300 deer, 21 bears, 17 wolves, and countless numbers of smaller game such as turkeys and raccoons.

Only two hunters were reported injured. The game animals — deer and turkeys — were divided equally among the men, many no doubt consumed the next day as family Christmas dinners. The predators were skinned for their pelts — a $15 bounty was paid for each pelt, many of the carcasses left to rot.

Known as a “circle hunt,” the Great Hinckley Hunt of 1818 was the largest of its kind ever held in Ohio.

W.H. “CHIP” GROSS (whchipgross@gmail.com), a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative, is Ohio Cooperative Living’s Outdoors Editor.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

7

Buzzard town Today, the small town of Hinckley is famous for one thing: buzzards, also known as turkey vultures.

There’s even the likeness of a buzzard on the town’s logo. Officials used to claim that the vultures returned to Hinckley and the surrounding area from their migration trip south each winter precisely on March 15. It’s a myth, of course. During some years of milder weather, the birds return weeks earlier.

But hey, it’s an excuse for a late-winter party.

The Buzzard Day celebration this year at Hinckley Reservation, a Cleveland Metropark, is set for Thursday, March 15, and there is a tie-in to the Great Hinckley Hunt. Legend has it that vultures were first attracted to the area by the stench of the thawing predator carcasses left behind from the Great Hinckley Hunt of 1818. That, too, is myth.

Vultures return to Hinckley each year — both then and now — to take advantage of the high rock ledges in the area, on which they nest and roost.

Since 2014, Sharon Hosko, manager of Brecksville Nature Center, has been the official “Buzzard Spotter” for Cleveland Metroparks.

“On March 15, people begin gathering as early as 6 a.m. at the Buzzard Roost at Hinckley Reservation Metropark, before it’s even daylight,” she says. “And we begin watching for the soaring turkey vultures around 7 a.m. It’s definitely a ritual of spring in this part of Ohio.”

Hosko added that anywhere from 50 to 200 people usually attend, depending upon the weather. “We’ve been doing this every year since 1957, and people still come from across the country. Some come every year.”

Then, the following Sunday — this year, March 18 — there is a bigger celebration in downtown Hinckley, organized by the Hinckley Chamber of Commerce.

Included in the festivities is a popular breakfast at the town hall where “buzzard pancakes” are served, the proceeds going to local scholarships.

— W.H. “CHIP” GROSS For more information, go to www.clevelandmetroparks.com or www.hinckleyohchamber.com.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

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MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

9

Backyard

BY W. H. “CHIP” GROSS

CO-OP PEOPLE

I

conservationist

t’s easy to find Joe Bodis’s property in Huron County, a few miles southeast of New London, Ohio. Just look for the house surrounded by “weeds.”

In actuality, those “weeds” are a carefully planned and developed island of wildlife habitat in a sea of corn and soybean fields. “When I first moved in, neighbors used to stop and ask when I was going to mow the weeds,” Bodis says. “Now they ask what things they can do on their property to attract wildlife.”

A retired pharmaceuticals salesman and member of Firelands Electric Cooperative, Bodis moved to his 5 acres in 2002.

“My passion is bluebirds, and it was a dream of mine to create a habitat that would be attractive not only to bluebirds but also to as many wild bird species as possible,” Bodis says. “I put up 10 bluebird nesting boxes every spring, and the bluebirds use one or two of them.

The other boxes are used by nesting tree swallows.”

Bodis estimates that over the years his nesting boxes have fledged more than 100 young bluebirds and

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

some 700 tree swallows. Bodis’s property also has attracted many red-winged blackbirds and other songbirds, various hawks and owls, wild turkeys, ring-necked pheasants, and an occasional bald eagle. The larger mammals he’s seen include coyote, red fox, and white-tailed deer. “I’ve actually seen doe deer give birth on my property twice,” he says.

His next project is to add a water feature to his property — a small, L-shaped pond for fish, frogs, turtles, and water birds.

DIY: Getting started If you own a few acres of land — or even a decentsized backyard — and would like to create the type of wildlife habitat Joe Bodis has, first have a plan in mind and make a rough sketch of what you’d like your property to eventually look like. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife (http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov), is a great place to begin, as the agency has lots of free information about creating wildlife habitat on small parcels of ground.

A co-op member has created his own diverse nature preserve in the middle of farm country

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

11

BY PAT KEEGAN

THE EFFICIENCY EXPERT

THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR

A little research can ensure you get just the right person for your job

R

enovations can be the perfect time to improve your home’s energy efficiency. To make sure you get those energy savings, it’s important to do some planning right from the beginning.

The first step is to educate yourself so you can be in control of your project. Helpful, easy-to-understand energy-efficiency information is available for virtually any area of your home and any renovation project.

Just be sure to use reputable sources, like www. energy.gov, www.energystar.gov, or in many cases, your local electric cooperative.

You can use your newfound knowledge to ask the right questions of potential contractors. Ask about the product to be installed, the energy savings it should yield, and whether it will improve comfort. Because energy-efficiency installations and construction are specialized, most measures are unlikely to be installed correctly unless the installer has experience — and hopefully some appropriate training or certification.

You may decide you’d like to hire a small specialty contractor or a larger general contractor. Either way, it’s crucial to hire someone with a contractor’s license, a local business license, and three types of insurance: liability, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. Check references to verify that the contractor has a solid history of cost-control, timeliness, good communication, and excellent results — including significant energy savings. You might learn that your lowest bidder has a tendency to increase the price after the job has begun.

As you choose between contractors, quality should be an even more important consideration than price.

Poor-quality energy-efficiency work will not deliver maximum savings.

Once you have settled on a contractor, be sure to get a written contract, which should include details such as who will be doing the actual installation; the

An energy auditor can help you determine the work you will hire a contractor to do.

specific R-value of any insulation being used, if you’re insulating; the make, model, and all efficiency ratings if you’re replacing a furnace or air conditioner; and who must pay for the necessary building permits.

Finally, be cautious about pre-paying. Keep the upfront payment as low as possible; set benchmarks the contractor must meet to receive the next payment; and make sure a reasonable amount of the payment is not due until the project is completed, the work passes building inspections, and you are fully satisfied.

PAT KEEGAN writes on efficiency issues at www. collaborativeefficiency.com.

If possible, hire a contractor with energy-efficiency training and certification such as ACCA or NATE for HVAC work, or BPI for a range of specialties.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

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GOOD EATS

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHERINE MURRAY

Springtime sampler There’s no surer sign of spring than those first fresh delights from the garden after a long, gray winter, and some of those crops will be ready for harvest any time now. Put those early-season delicacies to mouth-watering use in these tempting dishes!

FEBRUARY MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

15

FRESH HERB AND WHEAT BERRY SALAD Prep: 10 minutes; Servings: 8 2 c ups thinly sliced 4 cups cooked wheat radishes berries 1 shallot, chopped fine 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 1 cup fresh mint, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar chopped

2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. water 1/2 tsp. salt

Mix wheat berries, parsley, mint, and radishes together in a medium bowl. Mix remaining ingredients in a separate bowl, pour over the wheat berry mix, and stir. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Per serving: 167 cal.; 4g total fat; 0.6g sat. fat.; 2.1g fiber; 26g total carbs; 5g protein; 536mg sodium.

RICE PUDDING WITH STRAWBERRY RHUBARB SAUCE Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 11/2 hours | Chill (if desired): 2 hours; Servings: 6–8 1 lb. strawberries (tops 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup water removed), chopped 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup Arborio rice 1/4 cup water 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup sugar 5 rhubarb stalks, 3/4 cup milk chopped For the rice pudding: Bring water to boil in medium saucepan. Add rice and salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is gone, about 20 minutes. Uncover rice and add milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Increase heat to medium-low and cook uncovered, stirring frequently to prevent liquid from boiling over. Cook until all but 1/4 inch liquid has been absorbed by the rice. (Pudding should remain easy to stir, even after refrigerated. If it becomes sticky or solid, add more milk at any time.) Cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally to avoid a film on top, about 30 minutes.

For the sauce: Combine rhubarb, strawberries, water, and sugar in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, stirring constantly until fruit is soft and sauce thickens. Spoon sauce over rice pudding and serve warm or cold. Store rice pudding and sauce separately in fridge for up to a week.

Per serving: 210 cal.; 5g total fat; 3g sat. fat; 2.5g fiber; 38g total carbs; 5g protein; 195mg sodium.

SPRING MINESTRONE SOUP Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes; Servings: 8 2 cans (14 oz.) diced 1 bunch spring onions tomatoes 3 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup peas 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup small shell pasta 4 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups water 1 cup chopped carrots 2 Tbsp. minced parsley 4 cups vegetable broth 1 tsp. dried basil

1½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. black pepper 2 cups cooked white beans (cannelini or great northern) 2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach

Finely chop spring onions, discarding the green tops. Measure olive oil into large stock pot and heat on medium. Add onion, celery, garlic, and carrots to pot and sauté until onions become translucent and carrots begin to soften, about 7 minutes. Add vegetable broth, tomatoes with juice, peas, pasta, water, and spices to pot and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Add beans and spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve hot.

Per serving: 316 cal.; 7g total fat; 1g sat. fat; 11.5g fiber; 49g total carbs; 17g protein; 2024mg sodium.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

ASPARAGUS, MUSHROOM, AND CHIVE QUICHE Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 1 hour; Servings: 8 2 cups asparagus, tough ends 11/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces more for rolling 1 clove garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup cream 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice and chilled 3 large eggs 5 Tbsp. snipped chives 1/2 tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. ice water 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 Tbsp. olive oil dash of nutmeg 2 cups mushrooms, sliced dash of cayenne To make the crust, combine fl our, salt, butt er, and 3 tablespoons of chives in a food processor. Pulse in 1-second bursts unti l the mixture becomes crumbly. Drizzle in ice water and pulse in 1-second bursts unti l dough begins to sti ck together. Gather dough and form a ball. Roll out crust and fi t into a 9-inch pie or tart pan, pressing crust into corners.

Place in freezer for 10 minutes. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line crust with parchment or aluminum foil and fi ll with pie weights, dried beans, or dry rice. Make sure the weights are snug against the sides of the pan. Bake 10 minutes. Remove weights and parchment. Bake another 5 to 10 minutes unti l the dough is golden brown. Let cool. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees. With 1 tablespoon olive oil, sauté mushrooms unti l lightly browned. Set aside. With 1 tablespoon olive oil, sauté asparagus, sti rring occasionally unti l lightly browned. Combine remaining ingredients and whisk unti l well blended. Pour into cooled crust, then add the sautéed mushrooms, asparagus, and garlic. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, unti l center is puff ed but jiggles slightly when picked up. Remove from oven and allow to cool 15 minutes before serving.

Per serving: 245 cal.; 17g total fat; 9g sat. fat; 1.5g fiber; 18g total carbs; 6g protein; 410mg sodium.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

MAINTAINING RIGHT-OF-WAY IS CRUCIAL TO RELIABILITY & SAFETY A right-of-way, or ROW, refers to the strip of land underneath and around power lines that Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has the right to maintain and clear.

Trees must grow at a distance far enough from electric lines where they will not cause harm to people or disrupt electric service. A Mike Murray general guideline of DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS maintaining a safe ROW is 10 feet of clearance on either side of the primary lines and 15 feet of overhead clearance above the highest wire on the pole.

Clearing the ROW is critical to keeping your lights on. On average, 15 percent of power interruptions occur when trees, shrubs, or bushes grow too close to power lines.

To cut back on potential tree-related problems, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative operates an aggressive tree-trimming program. Asplundh, the cooperative’s current ROW clearing contractor, looks for foliage growing under lines, overhanging branches, trees that could pull down a power line if they fall, and trees that could grow into lines.

It’s a job that’s never done — by the time crews finish trimming along almost 850 miles of our primary distribution lines, vegetation has started to grow back at the starting point. That is why we operate on a four-year cycle. Every four years, the cooperative’s ROW clearing contractor will be trimming and cutting trees and other vegetation that may interfere with power lines in your area.

An insect called the emerald ash borer has damaged or killed many ash trees in our area. Many of these trees have been taken down already, but a lot of dead or dying ash trees are left and could cause damage to our lines. We are aware of the potential impact the ash trees could have on our system and have increased tree trimming throughout the next few years.

There are many ways Butler Rural Electric Cooperative provides you with safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. One of the most crucial ways is referred to as rightof-way clearing.

Ash trees outside our ROW will be evaluated to determine if they are a threat to our system. If they do pose a threat, we will cut them down for our members. In order to hold down costs, the cooperative will only cut down the tree. The member will be responsible for all cleanup (limbs, trunk, brush, etc.).

Our ROW clearing program only applies to primary electric lines. If you have trees that need to be trimmed near secondary lines, which are the lines from the transformer to your home, contact the cooperative and we will instruct you on how to safely trim the vegetation. Many times, we will drop the line for you or your contractor, allowing the vegetation to be safely cut. Once the work is complete, we will energize the line again.

Thank you for your help as we work together to keep electricity safe and reliable. To report trees you think may pose a problem, call 513-867-4400 or e-mail mikem@butlerrural.coop.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

19

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, OH 45056 The 81st meeting of the members of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., will be held on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at Millett Hall, Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Dinner and registration will begin at 5 p.m., and a business meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. to take action on the following matters: 1. The report of officers, trustees, and committees;

2. The election of three (3) trustees of the cooperative;

3. All other business which may come before the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.

In connection with the election of three (3) trustees scheduled for this meeting, the following members have been nominated for trustee by the committee on nominations of the cooperative pursuant to the code:

District #2 District #5 District #1 Milford Township Wayne and Madison townships Israel and Oxford townships

John Emerson 9524 State Route 177 College Corner, Ohio 45003

James Meador 2757 Scott Road Oxford, Ohio 45056

David Evans 3721 Riggs Road Oxford, Ohio 45056

Susan Melton 6176 State Road Somerville, Ohio 45064

Robert Hoelle 4681 West Elkton Road Hamilton, Ohio 45011

David Evans, Secretary/Treasurer Dated: Jan. 31, 2018

$50 BILL CREDIT WINNERS

Reily Fire Department & EMS Fish Fry

Did you attend the cooperative’s Annual Meeting in 2017? If so, you could be the winner of a $50 bill credit! All attendees who did not win a bill credit at the Annual Meeting are eligible to win.

Congratulations to the January winners!

The Reily Fire Department and EMS annual allyou-can-eat fish fry is on Friday, March 23, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Reily Community Center on Reily Millville Road. Donations are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Children 3 and under are admitted free.

Pat Cipollone William Eisele Thomas Humbach Ronald Martin Russ Obermeyer

20

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

Friday, March 23

Carry-out is available. Proceeds benefit the Reily Fire Department and Life Squad.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

2018 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES Three board seats will be up for election at the Annual Meeting on April 26. Members can run for the board of trustees when their district’s seat is up for election. Members who were eligible to run for the board of trustees in 2018 were sent a Trustee Interest Form with their bill in July 2017. The nominating committee is responsible for finding qualified candidates to run for the board of trustees. The committee is made up of 18 members from all of the cooperative’s voting districts. The nominating committee interviewed cooperative members who were interested in being on the board and chose two candidates from each district to run for the board of trustees. The candidates who were nominated and consented to run for the board of trustees are listed below and on the following pages.

DISTRICT 1

Israel and Oxford townships

John Emerson

David Evans

John Emerson is a resident of Israel Township and has been a cooperative member for 14 years. He is the owner of JM Emerson Property Management and JME Innovations Custom Tool Inventions Manufacturing. John believes the cooperative’s board of trustees should focus on alternative energy sources in case future federal government administrations threaten to close coal-fired generating plants. He is interested in serving on the board of trustees because he would like to contribute to the community. John has served as a committee member of a homeowners association in the past and is an active member of his church.

David Evans is a resident of Oxford Township and has been a cooperative member for 21 years. He works for Art Evans & Sons Painting. David has been a cooperative trustee for 11 years and has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates. He would like the board of trustees to focus on maintaining the financial stability of the cooperative while maintaining a reliable electric system and to keep an open mind about alternative energy. David is an active member of the Brookville Road Baptist Church and has volunteered to help renovate a Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

20A

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

2018 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES DISTRICT 2 Milford Township

Jim Meador

Susan Melton

Jim Meador is a resident of Milford Township and has been a cooperative member for 38 years. He is retired from a 30-year career at Miami University as a central steam plant stationary engineer. Jim has been a cooperative trustee for 11 years and has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates. He believes that over the next few years, the board of trustees should focus on renewable energy and on keeping rates affordable.

Beyond the cooperative and utility business, Jim thinks one of the biggest challenges in our local community is keeping young adults in our area once they are finished with school. He has been an active member of the Milford Township Fire Department since 1978 and has served as the assistant chief for almost 15 years. He has also been on the Miami Federal Credit Union board since 1999.

Susan Melton is a resident of Milford Township and has been a cooperative member for 18 years. She is an IT director for Dayton Physicians Network and earned her master’s degree in health administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. Susan believes that over the next few years, the board of trustees should focus on implementing more solar into our community and prioritize education about solar’s affordability. Beyond the cooperative and utility business, she thinks one of the biggest challenges in our local area is high-speed internet access, as many areas still have slow internet connection. Susan is on the advisory council for the Miami University Department of Computer and Information Technology and helped develop the Health Information Technology degree program at Miami.

20B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

DISTRICT 5

Wayne and Madison townships

Bob Hoelle is running unopposed. The cooperative’s Code of Regulations allows one candidate per district to run unopposed for the Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees.

Robert Hoelle Robert (Bob) Hoelle is a resident of Wayne Township and has been a cooperative member for 39 years. He is a semi-retired farmer. Bob has been a cooperative trustee for 17 years and has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates. He believes that over the next few years, the board of trustees should continue to focus on providing cooperative members with safe, reliable, and affordable electric power from an adequate energy source. Beyond the cooperative and utility business, Bob thinks some of the biggest challenges in our local area are the opioid crisis and the condition of our roads and bridges that need to be repaired or replaced. He is an active member of the Butler County Farm Bureau, served as a Wayne Township trustee for 36 years, and served on the board at Southwest Regional Water District for 13 years.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

20C

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees

ABSENTEE VOTING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER CONTROL Cooperatives are controlled by their members, and each member has one vote. Trustees are elected by the members, and as a result, control remains in the hands of the members.

20D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

S

even Cooperative Principles set Butler Rural Electric Cooperative apart from other utilities and businesses. These principles lead the cooperative to do business in a better way every single day. The second cooperative principle is Democratic Member Control. This principle states that members vote for trustees who represent them on the board of trustees, which governs the cooperative.

In the past, the cooperative’s annual meetings served as the forum for electing trustees because all voting was required to take place during the meeting. Beginning this year, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members will have the opportunity to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots ensure that all members have a voice in the democratic process of their cooperative. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s attorney, Tom Humbach, will oversee the election process.

WAYS TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING Voting will continue to take place during the cooperative’s Annual Meeting.

The 2018 Annual Meeting is Thursday, April 26, at Miami University’s Millett Hall, 500 East Sycamore Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the business meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote for trustees at the meeting. Absentee ballots are a convenience for members who are not able to attend the meeting. If you vote by absentee ballot, you will not be permitted to vote at the Annual Meeting.

AT THE COOPERATIVE’S OFFICE You can vote in the lobby of the cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford. Voting in the office will take place during the cooperative’s normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ballots will be available in the office beginning March 26 through April 26. You can also pick up a ballot at the cooperative’s office and return it by mail. Absentee ballots will not be accepted at the Annual Meeting.

BY MAIL-IN BALLOT The cooperative will mail you an absentee ballot, which you can return by mail or bring to the cooperative’s office. Absentee ballots will be accepted March 26 through April 26. You can request an absentee ballot before March 26, but it will not be sent to you until March 26. To request an absentee ballot, please contact the cooperative’s office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 513-867-4400 or 800255-2732. Absentee ballots will not be accepted at the Annual Meeting.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

20E

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Proposed Code of Regulations & Articles of Incorporation changes At the Annual Meeting on April 26, cooperative members will have the opportunity to discuss and vote on changes to the Code of Regulations and Articles of Incorporation. The following pages outline the proposed changes. The changes reflect ways the cooperative is improving capital credits by continually streamlining the process to stay up to date. The changes also eliminate redundancy between the Code of Regulations and Articles of Incorporation. Copies of the Code of Regulations and Articles of Incorporation will be available at the Annual Meeting. If you would like a full copy prior to the meeting, please contact the cooperative’s office by calling 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732 or by e-mail at butler@butlerrural.coop.

Proposed Code of Regulations changes

the patron in cash in pursuance of a legal obligation to do so and the patron had then furnished the Cooperative corresponding amounts for capital.

ARTICLE VII NON-PROFIT OPERATION

All other amounts received by the Cooperative from its operations in excess of costs and expenses shall, insofar as permitted by law, be (a) used to offset any losses incurred during the current or any prior calendar year and (b) to the extent not needed for that purpose, allocated to its patrons on a patronage basis and any amount so allocated shall be included as part of the capital credited to the accounts of patrons, as herein provided.

SECTION 2. Patronage Capital in Connection with Furnishing Electric Energy.

In the furnishing of electric energy the Cooperative’s operations shall be so conducted that all patrons, members and non-members alike, will through their patronage furnish capital for the Cooperative. In order to induce patronage and to assure that the Cooperative will operate on a non-profit basis the Cooperative is obligated to account on a patronage basis to all its patrons, members and non-members alike, for all amounts received and receivable from the furnishing of electric energy in excess of operating costs and expenses properly chargeable against the furnishing of electric energy. All such amounts in excess of operating costs and expenses at the moment of receipt by the Cooperative are received with the understanding that they are furnished by the patrons, members and non-members alike, as capital. The Cooperative is obligated to pay by credits to a capital account for each patron all such amounts in excess of operating costs and expenses. The books and records of the Cooperative shall be set up and kept in such a manner that at the end of each calendar year the amount of capital, if any, so furnished by each patron is clearly reflected and credited in an appropriate record to the capital account of each patron, and the Cooperative shall within a reasonable time after the close of the calendar year notify each patron of the amount of capital so credited to their account. All such amounts credited to the capital account of any patron shall have the same status as though they had been paid to

20F OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Cooperative, after all outstanding indebtedness of the Cooperative shall have been paid, outstanding capital credits shall be retired without priority on a prorate basis before any payments are made on account of property rights of members. If, at any time prior to dissolution or liquidation, the Board shall determine that the financial condition of the Cooperative will not be impaired thereby, the capital credited to patrons’ accounts may be retired in full or in part. Any such retirements of capital shall be made in order of priority according to the year in which the capital was furnished and credited, the capital first received by the Cooperative being first retired, provided, however, that beginning with the year 1989, cash made available for retirement in any year may be used to retire capital furnished by all patrons during the most recent calendar year subject to the requirement that at least twenty five percent (25%) of such cash shall be applied to the retirement of the oldest outstanding capital credits as hereinabove provided.

At any time before the Cooperative’s dissolution, liquidation, or other cessation of existence, the Cooperative may generally retire and pay some

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

or all capital credits allocated to the patrons or former patrons. The Cooperative may retire and pay capital credits only if the Board determines that the retirement and payment will not adversely impact the Cooperative’s financial condition.

Consistent with this code section, the retirement and payment of capital credits are entirely in the discretion of the Board, and the Board shall determine the manner, method, and timing of retiring and paying capital credits. As reasonable and fair, the Cooperative may retire and pay capital credits to classes of similarly situated patrons under different manners, methods, and timing, provided the Cooperative retires and pays capital credits to similarly situated patrons under the same manner, method, and timing. After retiring capital credits allocated to a patron or former patron, the Cooperative may recoup, offset, or setoff any amount owed to the Cooperative by the patron or former patron, including any compounded interest and late payment fee, by reducing the amount of retired capital credits paid to the patron or former patron by the amount owed. Nothing herein shall be construed as limiting or impairing the Board, in the reasonable exercising of its discretion, its right to make additional retirements of capital credits before the time the Cooperative anticipates normally retiring and paying capital credits.

Capital credited to the account of each patron may be assignable on the books of the Cooperative pursuant to written instruction from the patron, unless the Board, acting under policies of general application, shall determine otherwise.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Code of Regulations, the Board, at its discretion, may retire capital credited to any deceased patron, being a natural person, upon the written application of a representative of the patron’s estate. Such retirements made in advance of the time for capital credit retirement set-forth above shall be in amounts and on a schedule deemed appropriate and on other terms and conditions established by the Board.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Code of Regulations or other provision of the membership certificate, if any patron or former patron fails to claim any cash retirement of capital credits or other payment from the Cooperative within four (4) years after payment of the same has been made available by notice or check mailed to the last known address, such failure shall be and constitutes an irrevocable assignment and gift by such patron of such capital credit or other payment to the Cooperative. Failure to claim any such payment within the meaning of this section shall include the failure by such patron or former patron to cash any check mailed by the Cooperative to the last known address furnished to the Cooperative. The assignment and gift provided for under this section shall become effective only upon the expiration of four (4) years from the date when such payment was made available to such patron or former patron without claim therefore and only after the further expiration of sixty (60) days following the giving of a reasonable notice as may be prescribed by the Board to such patron. by mail and publication that unless such payment is claimed within said sixty (60) day period, such gift to the Cooperative shall become effective. The notice by mail herein provided for shall be one mailed by the Cooperative to such patron or former patron at the last known address and the notice by publication shall be two (2) consecutive insertions in a newspaper circulated in the service area of the Cooperative, which may be the Cooperative Newsletter. The sixty (60) day period following the giving of such notice shall be deemed to terminate sixty (60) days after the mailing of such notice or sixty (60) days following the last date of publication thereof, whichever is later.

The patrons of the Cooperative, by dealing with the Cooperative, acknowledge that the terms and provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations shall constitute and be a contract between the Cooperative and each patron, and both the Cooperative and the patrons are bound by such contract, as fully as though each patron had individually signed a separate instrument containing such terms and provisions.

Continued on Page 20H

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

20G

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Proposed Code of Regulations & Articles of Incorporation changes, continued Proposed Articles of Incorporation changes Fifth: The Corporation shall at all times be operated on a Cooperative non-profit basis for the mutual benefit of its patrons. No interest or dividends shall be paid or payable by the Corporation on any capital furnished by its patrons.

In the furnishing of electric energy the Corporation’s operations shall be so conducted that all patrons, members and non-members alike, will through their patronage furnish capital for the Corporation. In order to induce patronage and to assure that the corporation will operate on a non-profit basis the Corporation is obligated to account on a patronage basis to all its patrons, members and non-members alike, for all amounts received and receivable from the furnishing of electric energy in excess of operating costs and expenses properly chargeable against the furnishing of electric energy. All such amounts in excess of operating costs and expenses at the moment of receipt by the Corporation are received with the understanding that they are furnished by the patrons, members and non-members alike, as capital. The Corporation is obligated to pay by credits to a capital account for each patron all such amounts in excess of operating costs and expenses. The books and records of the Corporation shall be set up and kept in such manner that at the end of each calendar year the amount of capital, if any, so furnished by each patron is clearly reflected and credited in an appropriate record to the capital account of each patron, and the Corporation shall within a reasonable time after the close of the calendar year notify each patron of the amount of capital so credited to their account. All such amounts credited to the capital account of any patron shall have the same status as though they had been paid to the patron in cash in pursuance of a legal obligation to do so and the patron had then furnished the Corporation corresponding amounts for capital.

All other amounts received by the Corporation from its operations in excess of costs and expenses shall, insofar as permitted by law, be (a) used to offset

20H OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

any losses incurred during the current or any prior calendar year and (b) to the extent not needed for that purpose, allocated to its patrons on a patronage basis and any amount so allocated shall be included as part of the capital credited to the accounts of patrons, as herein provided.

In the event of dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, after all outstanding indebtedness of the Corporation shall have been paid, outstanding capital credits shall be retired without priority on a prorate basis before any payments are made on account of property rights of members. If, at any time prior to the dissolution or liquidation, the Board shall determine that the financial condition of the Corporation will not be impaired thereby, the capital credited to patrons’ accounts may be retired in full or in part. Any such retirements of capital shall be made in order of priority according to the year in which the capital was furnished and credited, the capital first received by the Corporation being first retired, provided, however, that beginning with the year 1989, cash made available for retirement in any year may be used to retire capital furnished by all patrons during the most recent calendar year subject to the requirement that at least twenty five percent (25%) of such cash shall be applied to the retirement of the oldest outstanding capital credits as hereinabove provided.

Capital credited to the account of each patron may be assignable on the books of the Corporation, pursuant to written instruction from the patron unless the Board, acting under policies of general application, shall determine otherwise.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Articles of Incorporation, the Board at its discretion, may retire capital credited to any deceased patron, being a natural person, upon the written application of a representative of the patron’s estate. Such retirements made in advance of the time for capital credit retirement set forth above shall be in amounts and on a schedule deemed appropriate and on other terms and conditions established by the Board.

As used in these Articles of Incorporation, the term “Board” shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Corporation.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

21

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Your thoughts and opinions about Butler Rural Electric Cooperative help us serve you better.

Beginning on March 26, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will be working with NRECA Market Research Services to complete a member satisfaction survey. The surveys will be by phone and e-mail. The surveys are random, so not every member will be contacted. NRECA Market Research Services will be calling from area code 712 (Western Iowa) and from 844-291-3410 (toll-free number) to complete the phone surveys.

If you are contacted, we would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to share your opinions on the cooperative. By participating in the survey, you will help us make decisions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors.

Thank you!

All information is confidential.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CONTACT

PRESIDENT

Thomas McQuiston

Michael L. Sims

513-867-4400 | 800-255-2732 butlerrural.coop

Robert Hoelle

Jade Sturgeon

OFFICE

SECRETARY/TREASURER

3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 OFFICE HOURS

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

VICE PRESIDENT

David Evans

Thomas Humbach ATTORNEY

William Foster Jr. Ronald Kolb Tammy Mann James Meador Robert Speath Michael Tilton TRUSTEES

22

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

GENERAL MANAGER

COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

SMARTHUB

Access your electric use and pay your bill 24/7 through SmartHub at butlerrural.coop.

CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO HIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO P OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO HIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO P OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP CO OP OHIO CO-OP NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE STATE O-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP OHIO CO-OP

O’Loughlin earns national award Pat O’Loughlin, president and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, is the recipient of the 2018 J.C. Brown CEO Communication Leadership Award. The award, presented by National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, recognizes an electric co-op executive who advances communication in the industry.

O’Loughlin’s focus on communications promoted the not-for-profit cooperative business model, launched the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (OEC) brand, and led to the creation of a three-year strategic plan to elevate the cooperative principles.

Under his leadership, OEC conducted internal communications audits and helped craft communications plans for six member co-ops in 2017.

Pat O’Loughlin (left) accepting his award. Photo

by Michael W. Kahn.

Donation to fund solar panels, youth programs Consolidated Cooperative donated $5,000 to the nonprofit Stratford Ecological Center, a 236-acre educational organic farm and nature preserve in Delaware, to fund the center’s solar and youth programs. The donation was matched by CoBank of Greenwood Village, Colorado — a cooperative bank and lender of Consolidated — as part of its Sharing Success program, which matches co-op donations.

Half of the $10,000 donation will go to the center’s 156-panel solar array project, and the rest will be split among youth programs, including a pen pal program based around reading books.

CFC gives $35,000 to Project Ohio electrification efforts The National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) recently presented a $35,000 grant to Project Ohio and its efforts to electrify the Guatemalan villages of Las Tortugas and San Jorge.

CFC, headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, is a member-owned nonprofit cooperative that provides financial and management services to its electric cooperative distribution and power supply members nationwide.

Linemen from Ohio electric cooperatives leave for Guatemala March 5.

Co-ops sponsor human trafficking awareness event Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative and Midwest Electric are sponsoring author and advocate Theresa Flores as she presents her story at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Vert March 27.

Flores travels the U.S. sharing her story of being trafficked at 15 years old and tortured for two years while living in an upper-middle-class suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Flores’s organization, TraffickFree, builds awareness about human trafficking to educate students, professionals, and motel staff on the red flags and how to identify a victim.

For tickets, call 419-238-6722 or visit NPACVW.org.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

23

10 KITCHEN

gardening issue

BY KRIS WETHERBEE

GARDEN TIPS

FOR BETTER YIELDS

24

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

BY KRIS WETHERBEE; PHOTOS BY RICK WETHERBEE

Kitchen gardens are sprouting up more and more as folks take the farm-totable practice into their backyards — and now’s the time of year when the first signs of spring have many of us eagerly anticipating those tasty tomatoes, juicy melons, fresh salad greens, crisp cucumbers, and other fresh edibles that come from our own gardens. These tips will help power up your planting and maximize your yields for a tastier, more productive kitchen garden.

4 5 6 7

1 2

repare the soil P Healthy soil is the foundation to growing healthy and extra-productive plants. Enriching the soil with a 1- to 2-inch layer of aged manure or compost (see Page 26) each spring will encourage a more extensive root system that can better access nutrients and water deep in the soil. aise your beds R Raised garden beds not only make the most efficient use of space, they also make planting, growing, and harvesting a whole lot easier — and they work exceptionally well at defining your planting areas, which makes it easier to keep weeds under control.

3

ake use of mulch M Shredded leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, and other organic mulch help conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures, improve soil texture, and deter weeds. Covering the soil with a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch in spring or early summer will help ensure great yields.

I nclude paths Loose and fertile soil is a key element to healthy plants. Each time you step on your garden beds, the soil compacts a bit more. Make paths between garden beds, as well as mini-paths in a wide garden bed, so feet stay off the prime growing areas.

Step it up with seedlings Jump-start your own seeds indoors, or buy transplants from your local garden center. Using living plants instead of directly seeding the garden often produces better yields and shortens the time to harvest.

Position plants for productivity Plant in blocks or squares rather than rows — you can grow more plants in a square foot of multiple planting areas than you can in widely spaced rows.

Grow high-yield veggies Whether buying seeds or transplants, certain features will give you the upper edge to greater yields. Look for labels such as “disease resistant,” “improved yields,” “consistent grower,” or “ever-bearing.”

8

Plan for plant diversity Growing herbs, flowers, and other plants with your veggies creates better plant diversity in the garden by attracting birds, pollinating bees, and helpful insects that feast on bad bugs.

9

Keep bare spots to a minimum Succession planting helps keep your garden producing right through the growing season. Replant each area as soon as the previous crop is harvested; for example, early-spring snap peas might be followed by early peppers, then fall radishes.

10

tilize the vertical dimension U Grow pole beans, winter squash, and other vining vegetables and fruits on an arbor, fence, or vertical trellis. You’ll produce more abundant yields in less space, and the added sun and air will bring a superior quality to produce.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

25

gardening issue

BY PAMELA A. KEENE

COMPOSTING : The ultimate way to recycle Stop: Don’t toss out those nonmeat kitchen scraps.

By following the right techniques and combination of ingredients, you can have some of the best and least-expensive garden soil amendments.

“The secret to successful gardening is the quality of the soil you plant in, and when you amend your soil with compost, you’re improving your chances for a more productive garden,” says Joe Lamp’l, founder of joegardener.com and the television program Growing a Greener World, which is broadcast in many parts of the country. He also produces podcasts that air on JoeGardener.com and is a sought-after speaker at regional and national gardening symposiums and workshops. “Commercial soil amendments and organic material can be expensive, but when you can make

your own out of kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and leaves, everyone wins. It’s really not that hard, and you can have fun in the process.”

Without getting too technical, compost is made from biodegraded organic matter. In the right proportions and conditions, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, earthworms, and arthropods (such as beetles and springtails) break down the materials. There are four basic ingredients to make compost: carbon (brown waste), nitrogen (green waste), air, and water.

You can build a multi-stage composting system by connecting several wooden pallets together.

26

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

Composting turns nonmeat, nonfat kitchen scraps and clean yard waste into rich, nutritions garden additive.

“You don’t need any fancy equipment or tools to start a compost heap,” he says. “Just select an out-ofthe-way spot — behind some shrubs or a far corner of your yard — and you can just begin putting the ingredients into a pile. Find an easy-to-access place with water nearby and you’re all set.”

If you want to contain the pile, build a three-sided wire cage, or tie three wooden pallets together with coat hangers. You can also order closed composting systems online or from garden centers. Your batches will be smaller than when using an open bin, but the results will be faster.

“Start with woody materials, branches, or sticks that will aid in ventilation, then layer brown, then green materials, using a formula of roughly two-thirds brown and one-third green,” Lamp’l says.

Examples of green materials, which have a higher nitrogen content, include fresh grass clippings, pulled weeds, and nonmeat, nonfat kitchen scraps such as vegetable and fruit peelings and cores, coffee grounds, and used tea leaves. Brown ingredients, those that furnish carbon that’s important to the decomposition process, include dried leaves, shredded cardboard or paper, and small wood chips.

You can add a shovelful of garden soil or a handful of

fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or Milorganite slow-acting fertilizer to speed up the process.

It’s important to keep the pile moist, with the consistency of a damp sponge, and regularly aerated.

Also, make sure the ingredients added are not too big. As the pile decomposes, it creates heat that further breaks down the ingredients.

Some gardeners periodically cover the pile for a couple of weeks with black plastic garbage bags to hold in heat.

Composting can take two months to a year or more, depending on the ratio of brown to green ingredients, how often the pile is turned or aerated, how much heat is generated during the process, the size of the pile, and other conditions.

Adding compost to your garden will increase the level of nutrients and improve the texture of the soil.

“Once you’re started composting, using it in your garden and as top-dressing for your landscape, you’ll never go back,” Lamp’l says. “It’s one of the best ways to truly recycle and save money at the same time.

And your gardening successes will improve.”

PAMELA A. KEENE is a freelance writer based in Atlanta.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

27

GARDENING ISSUE

BY TONI LELAND

Jazz up your garden WITH

interesting shapes

CANNAS

Color and texture are triedand-true ways to add interest to your garden, but gardeners may not always stop to consider shapes. Contrast feathery with bold, tall and slender with wide and round, or any other variations you can imagine. Here are a few plants that just might inspire you.

Cannas are wonderful large additions to any garden, be it a border or a foundation bed. The many varieties provide gorgeous, exotic blooms in a variety of colors, but sometimes the leaves are the stars. Canna ‘Cleopatra’ spends most of her life as foliage in your garden, sporting large vivid green leaves slashed with burgundy. In July, she produces tricolor blooms in red, yellow, and orange with speckles. Bulbs should be dug in fall to overwinter.

28

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

CROCOSMIA

EDELWEISS

Crocosmia is a showy bulb ordinarily used as an annual. For a tall statement in the garden, crocosmia grows to 4 feet by 2 feet and stuns the senses with long stalks of brilliant scarlet flowers from June through August. Plant in full sun with some shade in the hottest summer areas. Bulbs can be dug in the fall and stored for replanting in spring.

Edelweiss is an alpine perennial that always gets attention. Lowgrowing gray-green, somewhat furry, lance-shaped leaves spread out, then in July, stems pop up and produce the most interesting fuzzy, white, wooly blooms. It grows to about 1 foot with about the same spread in full sun. This plant looks great paired with astilbe and heuchera.

Goatsbeard can command all the attention at the back of the landscape bed, looking for all the world like a giant astilbe. The pinnate leaves are dark green and lacy, forming a lovely background for the showy plumes of white flowers that appear in May. This perennial grows to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. It loves full sun with some shade, needs plenty of moisture, and tolerates rabbits.

Lupine is an old-fashioned plant that is often overlooked because it does poorly in hot weather. Tuck this herbaceous perennial into a sunny spot that has light shade from intense afternoon sun, and you’ll be rewarded in the spring and early summer with tall spikes of fragrant flowers. The leaf clusters look like small palm trees, and the scent of lupine in full bloom is incredible. It is attractive to butterflies and slugs.

Foxglove is another old-fashioned plant that needs some patience, as it only blooms the second year, but the stalks of trumpet-shaped flowers are stunning at the back of a bed, and the velvety leaves contrast nicely with other plants. Foxglove grows to 5 feet and comes in several colors, but the most common are yellow or purple.

Plant in full sun to part shade and watch the hummingbirds arrive. It tolerates rabbits and deer.

Red Hot Poker is a dynamite plant to put into a sunny, dry garden space. Once established, this herbaceous perennial grows to about 3 feet tall with sword-like leaves and a brilliant orange bloom that opens slowly and lasts a long time. It tolerates rabbits, deer, drought, and dry soil.

Continued on Page 30

LUPINE

GOATSBEARD

FOXGLOVE

RED HOT POKER

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

29

gardening issue Continued from Page 29

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

Talk to us When life gets busy and hectic, what’s your favorite stress-break that lets your brain rest for awhile? Do you crochet?

Work puzzles? Take a long hike? Tell us by connecting with your electric cooperative on Facebook, and we’ll include the top tips in a future Ohio Cooperative Living.

Rhubarb. Who would have thought to use this vegetable as an ornamental?

Gorgeous huge, ruffled leaves start in early spring, then come May, tall stalks of lacy white flowers appear. It makes a beautiful statement in a large landscape bed, with the added plus of fresh rhubarb stalks during the second year of growth. It tolerates rabbits.

Sweetfern is a deciduous shrub with narrow, fragrant, deeply notched lustrous green leaves of about 4 inches. The effect is lacy and a wonderful backdrop to bolder plants.

It grows well in full sun to part shade and is low maintenance. It produces insignificant flowering, but the resulting burr-type nutlets add interest. The plant tolerates drought.

Taro ‘Cranberry’ or ‘Black Magic’ is a bulb to be reckoned with! A spectacular addition to a sunny garden (although hot afternoon sun will bleach the leaves), Taro grows to 6 by 6 feet, producing green-black, heartshaped leaves that measure almost 2 feet long. Taro is a tender bulb and should be lifted in the fall. It tolerates wet soil and is a good choice for pond-side.

TONI LELAND is a master gardener from Ohio who now writes from her home in Connecticut.

TARO

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OHIO’S

BY SAMANTHA KUHN

BLARNEY

FASCINATION S

t. Patrick’s Day festivities, embroidered pillows bearing Irish blessings, leprechaun coloring books, and lucky four-leaf clover kits — without a doubt, America embraces all things “Irish,” especially during Irish-American Heritage Month in March.

The Buckeye State is doused in Irish influence, as those of Irish heritage were among the earliest white settlers in Ohio in the late 1700s to early 1800s, immigrating to escape Ireland’s potato famine, and finding work as laborers on the canals and railroads.

More than 13 percent of Ohioans are Irish, according to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Irish is Ohio’s second-most frequently reported ancestry, trailing German.

Perhaps most evident of the Emerald Isle’s influence in Ohio is the number of restaurants, bars, businesses, streets, and even 5K runs named after the Blarney Stone, a legendary block of limestone built into Blarney Castle, a medieval fortress near Cork, Ireland.

The original castle dates from before 1200. Today, more than 200,000 tourists from around the world visit Blarney Castle each year to kiss the Blarney Stone, which, according to Irish folklore, gives the kisser the ability to speak with eloquence.

Hollywood stars, political icons, literary geniuses, and well-known figures from around the world have climbed the narrow, uneven staircases through the maze-like castle to attain the “Gift of Gab.” Scores of notables, from former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to rock singer Mick Jagger, have smooched the stone.

The stone is situated 85 feet up, on the east wall of the battlement, and in order to land a kiss, you have to bend backward while grabbing a railing for support with a guard holding your legs to ensure you don’t slip through the opening and fall to your death — once upon a time, that did happen when visitors were dangled by their ankles over the ledge and lowered headfirst to kissing level.

Now that it’s a bit safer, the Discovery Travel Channel has listed kissing the Blarney Stone among its 99 things to do before you die.

34

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

Y

N

SAMANTHA KUHN is associate editor of Ohio Cooperative Living. She and her husband recently honeymooned in Ireland, where she kissed the Blarney Stone.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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The Blarney Irish Pub in Toledo

Though you may never have the opportunity to smooch the Blarney Stone, you can visit an Ohio Blarney establishment near you with minimal effort — Ohio has a not-so-secret fascination with the ancient castle and its ability to impart the gift of gab. Here are a few of the more well-known spots in Ohio that have borrowed the attention-grabbing name.

The Blarney Stone, 13334 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-941-6972: Owned by an Irish family from County Mayo, the McGowans, this no-frills Irish pub is where visitors go for an authentic experience.

Here, you won’t find anything flashy — just perfectly poured Guinness and friendly service.

The Blarney Irish Pub, 601 Monroe St., Toledo, 419-418-2339, theblarneyirishpub.com: Owner Ed Beczynski visited over 35 pubs in Ireland in March 2006, and he was inspired to open an Irish pub in downtown Toledo. After finding the right building with an old feel, he opened The Blarney the same year, buying much of the furniture and décor from Ireland. With nostalgic Guinness advertisements,

windows reminiscent of cathedral stained glass, and live music Thursday through Saturday, the pub is often packed to near-full capacity on weekends.

Blarney Stone Tavern, 2151 W. Dublin Granville Rd., Worthington, 614-505-6041, blarneystonetavern.com: With a bevy of entertainment ranging from local bands to holiday shows and free trivia on Tuesday nights, this tavern maintains a warm atmosphere year-round. Patrons can reserve a private room or section of the bar for events, and the bar’s rotating list of beers and whiskey is sure to please. Their motto, “Irish soul, American attitude” reflects their kitchen options, so don’t leave without trying their Blarney Burger.

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MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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MARCH 2018 CALENDAR

NORTHWEST

p.m., $30. Toledo’s premier wine festival, featuring wine tasting, tions. Pure maple syrup for sale. 937-843-2717 or http://parks. food, and shopping. 419-255-3300 or www.eriepromotions.com. ohiodnr.gov/indianlake.

MAR. 3–4 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima (2 miles east of Lima on St. Rte. 309), Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. $5, members and under 18 free. Over 400 tables of guns, knives, hunting equipment, and collectibles for purchase. 419-647-0067 or www.tristategunshow.org.

MAR. 23–25 – PRO Home and Garden Show, SeaGate Convention Ctr., 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Fri. 4-8 p.m., Sat.10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Interior and exterior products for your new or ready home, plus the latest in home design. 419-4710101 or www.hireaprotoday.com.

MAR. 4 – Lima Symphony Family Concert: Just Dance!, Civic Ctr., 7 Town Square, Lima, 3 p.m. $10. 419-222-5701 or www. limasymphony.com.

MAR. 24 – Maple Syrup Festival, Williams Co. Fgds., 619 E. Main St., Montpelier, 8 a.m.–noon. $5, under 7 free. Pancake and sausage breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. Learn about tree tapping and the collection process, and about Ohio native wildlife, forestry, wood carving, beekeeping, gardening, and much more.

419-636-9395 or e-mail amichaels@williamsswcd.org.

MAR. 8 – Toledo Symphony Concert, Sauder Village, Founders Hall, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets recommended. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org.

MAR. 1–18 – “Fired Up: Contemporary Glass by Women Artists,” Glass Pavilion, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Showcases the most innovative and celebrated women glass artists. 419255-8000 or http://www.toledomuseum.org/exhibitions.

MAR. 2 – Glass City Beer Festival, Lucas Co. Recreation Ctr., 2901 Key St., Maumee, 6–11 p.m. Featuring over 40 craft breweries and more than 230 beers, food vendors, and live music.

Free parking. 419-724-2739 or https://glasscitybeerfest.com.

MAR. 8–11, 15–18 – The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race St., Van Wert, Thur.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $15. 419-238-9689 or www.vwct.org.

MAR. 10 – Lima Irish Festival, Robb Ave. and Main St., Lima, noon–1 p.m. Starts at the corner of Robb Ave. and Main St., heading south to the Town Square. To participate in the parade, register by calling 419-860-0072.

MAR. 10–11 – Spring Festival of Crafts, Stranahan Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 MAR. 3 – Annual Arrowhead Day, Lowe-Volk Park, 2401 St. Rte. a.m.–4 p.m. Free. New crafts, gifts, and decorating ideas. Drop off 598, Crestline, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. Local artifact collections and household and food items to benefit Toledo SeaGate Food Bank. more. Bring your own artifacts for identification. 419-683-9000 419-842-1925 or www.toledocraftsmansguild.org/shows.html. or www.crawfordparkdistrict.org.

MAR. 17–18 – Maple Syrup Festival, Indian Lake State Park, MAR. 3 – Glass City Wine Festival, SeaGate Convention Ctr., 12774 St. Rte. 235 N., Lakeview. Pancake and sausage breakfast, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. Tasting sessions: 1–4 p.m., $25; 6–9 wagon rides, tree-tapping tutorials, and processing demonstra-

NORTHEAST

competitive carvers, and wildlife/waterfowl artists. 419-8743671 or www.odcca.net.

MAR. 10 – Geauga Fresh Farmers’ Market - Winter Market, Lowe’s Greenhouse and Gift Shop, 16540 Chillicothe Rd., Bainbridge, 9 a.m.–noon. Pastured meats, free-range eggs, winter vegetables, honey, maple syrup, and bakery items. 330348-3053 or www.geaugafarmersmarket.com.

MAR. 10–11 – Chagrin Falls Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Federated Church-Family Life Ctr., 16349 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Local artists and crafters selling original handmade items. Portion of proceeds benefits Cleveland Animal Protective League. 440-227-8794 or www.avantgardeshows.com.

THROUGH MAR. 4 – Cleveland Auto Show, IX Center, One I-X Dr., Cleveland. $13, Srs./C. (7–12) $11, under 7 free.

Indoor test drives, vehicle giveaway, classic car competition, and other special features. See website for hours and schedule of events. www.clevelandautoshow.com.

MAR. 3–4 – Dave & Ed’s Super Auto Events Pro-Formance Swap Meet, Stark Co. Fgds., 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton, Sat. 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Single day $7, weekend pass $10, under 12 free. Ohio’s largest indoor/outdoor performance meet. 330-477-8506 or www.autoevents.com.

MAR. 3–4, 10–11 – Maple Syrup Festival, Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, 12–4 p.m. Free. Experience sugar camp with live historical demonstrations. Enjoy horsedrawn wagon rides, music, and food. Donations to the horse group appreciated. 419-892-2784 or www.malabarfarm.org.

MAR. 9–11 – Ohio Decoy Collectors and​Carvers Association Show and Sale, Holiday Inn, 15471 Royalton Rd., ​ Strongsville, Fri. 8 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5, under 17 free. A venue for decoy collectors,

WEST VIRGINIA

MAR. 10–11, 17–18 – Maple Sugar Festival and Pancake Breakfast, Hale Farm and Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath. $15, C. (3–12) $10, Members $5. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and learn about tree tapping and the maple sugar process. See oxen demonstrations and view period arts and crafts demonstrations. Breakfast served 10 a.m.–3 p.m. www.wrhs.org/events.

MAR. 17 – Annual Campbell-Dickinson St. Patrick Bike/Run/ Walk and Kids 1K, 201 S.4th St., Toronto. Adults $15; Stds. 11– 18, $10; C. 1–10, $7. Proceeds go to the Tony Teramana Cancer Center TEAR Fund. 740-317-3947 or www.thegemcity.org.

MAR. 17 – Mutts Gone Nuts, Renaissance Performing Arts, 138 Park Ave.W., Mansfield, 7 p.m. $15–$24. From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in an action-packed, comedy dog spectacular. 419-522-2726 or www.mansfieldtickets.com.

MAR. 18 – Bubble Guppies Live: Ready to Rock, KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 2 p.m. From $10. A hilarious rocking, interactive show that teaches kids about a wide range of topics. 216-771-4444 or www.playhousesquare.org/events.

MAR. 10–18 – Mid-Ohio Valley Quilt Show, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park Museum, 137 Juliana St., Parkersburg. $4, C. $2. Entries accepted March 2–3. 304-420-4800.

MAR. 18–23 – Quilters’ Spring Retreat, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the park while working on some long-put-off quilting projects. 304-643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

MAR. 24 – Marsh Madness Hike, Maumee Bay State Park, 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon, 10–11 a.m. Guided hike around the boardwalk. We’ll be celebrating World Frog Day and focus on the amphibians who call our marsh home. 419-836-9117 or http:// parks.ohiodnr.gov/maumeebay.

MAR. 24–25 – Williams County Antique Show and Sale, Montpelier Schools, 1015 E. Brown Rd. (Co. Rd. K), Montpelier, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Antiques, collectibles, vintage, and mid-century modern, including furniture, glass, toys, farm, and primitive items. Appraisal station 11 a.m.–2 p.m, both days; $5 per person, limit 2 items. 419-4858200 or www.williamscountyhistory.org.

MAR. 18 – Teddy Bear Concert: Peter and the Wolf, Renaissance Performing Arts, 138 Park Ave.W., Mansfield, 2:30 p.m. $5. A classic orchestral story is paired with a cute story adaptation. Perfect for young ones and their families. 419-522-2726 or www.mansfieldtickets.com.

MAR. 23–24 – Historical and Militaria Collectors Show and Police/Fire/EMS Collectors Show, Lakeland Community College, Athletic and Fitness Center Main Gym, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland (Rt. 306 and I-90 exit 193), Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5, Stds. $3; veterans and active military with ID, $3. Admission covers both shows. Over 150 tables of items to buy, sell, or trade. Military relics including uniforms, edged weapons, medals and decoration, helmets, WWII memorabilia, and more. 440-525-7529, lakelandmilitariashow@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/lakeland.militaria.show.

MAR. 23–25 – Tri-State Home and Garden Show, St. Florian Hall, 286 Luray Dr., Wintersville. 740-282-6226.

MAR. 24 – Avon Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Emerald Event Ctr., 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Artists and crafters selling original handmade items. Portion of proceeds will benefit a local nonprofit, Prayers From Maria. www.avantgardeshows.com.

MAR. 24 – Concert: The Hoppers, Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39, Sugarcreek, 7 p.m. Award-winning group known as the “favorite family of gospel music.” 855-344-7547 or www.dhgroup.com/theater.

MAR. 24 – Mt. Hope Train and Toy Show, 8076 St. Rte. 241, Mt. Hope, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 13 free. Over 600 dealer tables.

All gauges and parts, running layouts, farm and vintage toys, die-cast models, and more. Food catered by Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen.

330-262-7488, cathijon@sssnet.com, or www.cjtrains.com.

MAR. 24–25 – Antlers and Anglers, Ashland Co. Fgds., 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland. $2. Vendors, seminars, food, prizes, and more. 419-289-1343 or www.armstrongonewire.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Ohio Cooperative Living strives for accuracy but strongly urges readers to confirm dates and times before traveling long distances to events. Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event by writing to Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 or events@ohioec.org. Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address of where the event takes place or a number/website for more information.

COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK

CENTRAL

camp options from throughout central Ohio, family activities, and much more. 877-543-7801 or www.kidslinked.com.

Suzanne Newcomb, and the winners of our Student Concerto Competition. www.newalbanysymphony.net.

MAR. 9–11 – All American Columbus Pet Expo, Ohio Expo Ctr., Multi-Purpose and Buckeye Bldg., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Fri. 1–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Includes the All About Cats Expo, Columbus Bounce Mania, and the Mega Pet Adoption. www.allaboutcatsexpo.com.

MAR. 16–17, 23–24 – Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark, Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. $15, Srs./C. $12. Presented

by Pickerington Community Theatre. All-kid musical based on the award-winning children’s adventure series by Mary Pope Osborne. 614-508-0036 or http://pctshows.com.

MAR. 10 – Brass Transit: “The Musical Legacy of Chicago,” Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 8 p.m. $18–$28. This eight-piece Toronto group performs Chicago’s catalog from the ’70s. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.

MAR. 1–4 – Arnold Sports Festival, Greater Columbus Convention Ctr., 400 N. High St., Columbus, Daily EXPO ticket, $15 (plus fees) in advance, $20 at door, under 14 free. Fitness and fun for all ages, with more than 75 sports and events, including 17 Olympic sports. See website for daily schedules. www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

MAR. 3 – Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Makoy Event Ctr., 5462 Center St., Hilliard, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Artists and crafters selling original handmade items. Portion of proceeds will benefit local nonprofit Hope Hollow. www.avantgardeshows.com.

MAR. 4 – Wedding Expo and Show, Columbus Marriott, 5605 Blazer Pkwy., Dublin, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Fashion shows 12:30 and 3 p.m. $5 advance, $8 at door, under 13 free. http://ohiobridalexpos.com.

MAR. 8 – KidsLinked KidsFest, Marysville YMCA, 1150 Charles Ln., Marysville, 5–8 p.m. Great family-friendly event featuring

SOUTHEAST

MAR. 10 – Maple Tapping Festival and Pancake Breakfast, Charles Alley Nature Park, 2805 Old Logan Rd. SE, Lancaster.

Breakfast 8–11 a.m. ($5). Festival 8 a.m.–noon (free). 740681-5025.

MAR. 10 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade, Bridge and High Sts., Dublin, 7 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. Events take place throughout the city, starting around 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by the parade at 11 a.m. 800-245-8387 or www.irishisanattitude.com.

MAR. 10–11 – Maple Sugaring, Hocking Hills State Park, 19852 St. Rte. 664 S., Logan, 12–4 p.m. Meet at the Naturalist Cabin located behind the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center.

740-385-6842 or http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/hockinghills.

MAR. 15 – KidsLinked KidsFest, Healthy New Albany, 150 W. Main St., New Albany, 5–9 p.m. Free. Family-friendly event features camp options from throughout central Ohio, family activities, and much more. 877-543-7801 or www.kidslinked.com.

MAR. 11 – Lions, Tigers, and Bears — Oh My!, New Albany Symphony, 100 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany, 3 p.m. $12–$20. Our annual children’s concert goes under the Big Top for a carnival of sights and sounds featuring Orlay Alonso,

MAR. 16–18 – Ohio Deer and Turkey Expo, Ohio Expo Ctr., Bricker Bldg., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Fri. 2–9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Hundreds of exhibitors, demos and displays, contests, free seminars, gear, and more. www.deerinfo.com/ohio.

MAR. 18 – Columbus Toy and Collectible Show, Ohio Expo Ctr., Lausche Bldg., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7, under 13 free. Early admission 8–9 a.m., $10. Buy, sell, and trade new and used toys, video games, and collectibles. www.ctspromotions.com.

MAR. 18 – Ragtime Rick & the Chefs of Dixieland, Clintonville Woman’s Club, 3951 N. High St., Columbus, 2–5 p.m.

Sponsored by the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society. 614-5582212 or www.cohjs.org.

MAR. 23 – Lone Raven, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $18, C. $12. Fiery Irish reels, Gypsy fiddle tunes of Romania, and haunting melodies will fill the air when central Ohio’s renowned Celtic group takes center stage. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.

MAR. 25 – NINE, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 3 p.m. $16. Easter celebration with the a cappella singing group NINE (No Instruments Needed Ever) performingspiritual, gospel, and Gaither-style songs. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.

MAR. 3 – National Cambridge Glass Collectors “All Cambridge Benefit Auction,” Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Highway, Cambridge, preview at 8:30 a.m., auction at 9:30 a.m. $2. 740-432-4245 or www.cambridgeglass.org.

MAR. 16–17 – River City Blues and Jazz Festival, Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front St., Marietta. Talented blues and jazz performers from around the country. 304-615-7997, 740-376-0222, or http://bjfm.org/blues-festival.

MAR. 3 – Statehood Day Celebration, various locations, Chillicothe, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Celebrate Statehood Day in the first capital of Ohio! Includes tours, mock debate on becoming a state, and special displays and exhibits. 800-413-4118 or www. visitchillicotheohio.com/events.

MAR. 17 – Muddy Leprechaun: St. Patrick’s Day Trail Run, 9:30 a.m. $30–$35. Hosted by the Hope Clinic of Ross County.

Run or walk this little-known trail through the Hopewell Mound Group, part of the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park. https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Chillicothe/ MuddyLeprechaun4MileRunWalk.

MAR. 9–11 – Home, Garden, and Business Expo, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge, Fri. 11 a.m.– MAR. 18 – Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra Children’s 8 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. 740-439-6688 or Concert, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Camwww.cambridgeohiochamber.com. bridge, 3:30 p.m. 740-826-8197 or www.seoso.org.

MAR. 1–3 – The Colony Short Film Festival, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, $5–$10, weekend pass $18–$50. A showcase for independent films from all over the U.S. and across the globe, with a focus on featuring local and regional talent from the Ohio Valley. Features range from innovative to off-the-wall, and quirky to provocative. 740-371-5152 or www.peoplesbanktheatre.com.

MAR. 2–4, 9–11 – Kiss Me, Kate, Stuart’s Opera House, 2 Public Square, Nelsonville, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

Advance tickets $12, Stds. $8. Presented by the ABC Players.

740-753-1924 or www.stuartsoperahouse.org.

SOUTHWEST

MAR. 10 – The McCartney Project, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $18–$20. Songs from The Beatles, Wings, and Paul McCartney. 740-772-2041 or www. majesticchillicothe.net/events/event/mccartney-project.

MAR. 10 – Miller’s Automotive-Racers Swap Meet, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $7, under 14 free. From restoration to racing: race cars, tools, hot rods, apparel, collectibles, go-karts, and more. 740-701-2511 or 740-701-3447.

MAR. 16 – Living Word Banquet and Auction, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge, 5–9 p.m. $30. 740-439-2761 or www.livingworddrama.org.

Co. Fgds., 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $7 at door, $5 online. Free parking. Quilts, patterns, fabrics, vintage textiles, and more. 513-932-1817 or www.wchsmuseum.org.

MAR. 2–4 – GemStreet USA, Sharonville Convention Ctr., 11355 Chester Rd., Cincinnati, Fri./Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $7, under 12 free. Fine gems, jewelry, beads, minerals, and fossils. www.gemstreetusa.com.

MAR. 3 – Maple Sugarin’ at the Prairie, 4267 St. Rte. 502, Greenville, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Sugar shack, guided tours, learn the process of turning sap into syrup. 937-548-0165 or www. darkecountyparks.org.

MAR. 1–4 – Cincinnati Home and Garden Show, Duke Energy Convention Ctr., 525 Elm St., Cincinnati, Wed.–Fri. noon–8 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. $11 online, $13 at door. www.cincinnatihomeandgardenshow.com.

MAR. 2–3 – Lebanon Quilt and Fabric Arts Show, Warren

MAR. 5 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Miami University Downtown Downhome, 221 High St., Hamilton, 7–9 p.m. Free. Lively bluegrass music. vaughnjh@gmail.com.

MAR. 11 – Cincinnati Spring Avante-Garde Art and Craft Show, Oasis Golf Club and Conference Ctr., 902 Loveland-Miamiville Rd., Loveland, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Artists and crafters selling original handmade items.

Portion of proceeds benefits Dragon Fly Foundation. www.

MAR. 18, 21 – Vertigo, Athena Grand, 1008 E. State St., Athens, 7 p.m. $12.50. 740-593-8800 or wwww.athenagrand.com.

MAR. 22–24 – Cambridge Lions Club Variety Show, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 941 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, 7:30 p.m. $10. 740-260-1149 or www.cambridgelions.com.

MAR. 31 – Easter Egg Hunt, Deerassic Park Education Ctr., 14250 Cadiz Rd. (St. Rte. 22), Cambridge. 740-435-3335 or www.deerassic.com.

MAR. 31 – Forgotten Places and Spaces Walking Tour, historic downtown Cambridge, 3–4:30 p.m. 740-705-1873 or www. ohiomadegetaways.com.

avantgardeshows.com.

MAR. 17 – Cabin Fever Arts Festival, Southern State Community College, Patriot Ctr. Gym, 100 Hobart Dr., Hillsboro, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Over 60 artisans with handcrafted work.

937-393-2747 or www.appartguild.com.

MAR. 23–24 – Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival, Roberts Ctr., 123 Gano Rd., Wilmington, 10 a.m.–11 p.m. $35–$65. Award-winning bluegrass, old-time, and gospel music and family fun. 937-372-5804 or http://somusicfest. com/index.html.

MAR. 24 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Plain Folk Café, 10177 St. Rte. 132, Pleasant Plain, 7:30 p.m. Free. Lively bluegrass music. 513-877-2526, contactus@plainfolkcafe. com, or www.plainfolkcafe.com.

MAR. 31 – Easter Egg Hunt, Caesar Creek State Park, 8570 E. St. Rte. 73, Waynesville, 12 p.m. Find hidden eggs with prizes. Afterward, learn how to identify native birds, eggs, and nests. 513-897-3055 or http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/caesarcreek.

MARCH 2018 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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MEMBER INTERACTIVE

BabyFaces 2

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1. My daughter, Hazel, decided her new headband was better suited as an eye patch.

Sarah Copeland South Central Power Company member 2. Our grandson, Ronin, at 8 months old.

Cheryl and Jim Fortman Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative member 3. My granddaughter, Madilyn Ella Rayne Pennell, strikes a pose.

Wayne Klass Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member

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4. This is my granddaughter, Raelynn. She wanted to show you her beautiful blue eyes and her two new teeth.

Kim McGuire Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative member

7. Our granddaughter was a very happy baby, unless you tried to swaddle her.

Aspen Strickler Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member

5. Grandson Jeffrey, eating pasta with Grandma Beau’s homemade sauce — his favorite.

Patty Quaglia South Central Power Company member

8. My daughter, Evelyn Wolters, making a funny face at her aunt.

Dan Wolters, Midwest Electric member

6. My grandson, Zane Reber, watching his Uncle Talus Reber play soccer.

Tracey Reber Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 2018

9. A smile after a weeklong battle with chickenpox.

Carter Schmid Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member 10. My great-niece on her first Christmas at GreatGrandma and Great-Grandpa Rhodes’s house!

Kendra Hess South Central Power Company member

LET US BE FIRST!

Stay away from storm debris.

Power lines can be hidden!

Let us inspect the area before you clean up downed trees and branches.

ohioec.org