Ohio Cooperative Living - December 2017 - Butler by Ohio Cooperative Living

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

Oﬃcial publication | www.butlerrural.coop

DECEMBER 2017

Holiday traditions

Ohio’s big cities put on some ﬂashy shows to celebrate the season

ALSO INSIDE Raising reindeer Spreading cheer with cookies Capital credits: Many happy returns

Building the next generation of

LEADERS

Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teaching middle-schoolers about energy efficiency, sending teens to Washington, D.C., for the national electric cooperative Youth Tour, or sending graduates off to college with a scholarship, Ohioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electric cooperatives are actively helping to build the next generation of community leaders.

ohioec.org

INSIDE

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

HIGHLIGHTS 26

CHUGGING ALONG

’Tis the season for model trains to go chugging around their elaborate displays for all those revelers to admire.

CHRISTMASTIME IN THE CITY

The holidays inspire metropolitan Ohio to celebrate with all sorts of events — from nostalgic performances of Christmas classics to dazzling displays of lustrous lights.

FEATURES 4

CAPITAL CREDITS

When electric cooperatives have money left over after the bills are paid, many choose to return those funds to their members. It’s part of the cooperative difference.

ON A MISSION

A former CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives keeps working to provide safe, clean, and reliable electric service — around the world.

LOCAL PAGES

News and important information from your electric cooperative.

Cover photo on most editions: Visitors admire the gorgeous decorati ons at the Festival of Trees in Cleveland’s Allen Theatre.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

UP FRONT

WHAT S THE DIFFERENCE? E

lectric co-ops were established to provide electricity to people living in rural communities. Folks in rural America had been mostly ignored by electric companies that didn’t see enough potential profit to run electric lines into the country. In the 1930s, a public-private partnership was forged to provide the large capital investments needed to build and operate rural electric systems. Member-consumers provided start-up capital, usually in the form of membership fees, and the Rural Electrification Administration provided loans to cooperatives, because private banks found the business too risky. Today, your cooperative is financed in a similar manner, but its business has become far more secure after decades of successful operation. Each year, as you purchase electricity from your co-op, a small percentage of margin is included in your bill, which becomes your investment in the co-op — your share of the member equity. Financial equity is necessary to provide capital for the operations of the cooperative, and it allows the co-op to borrow the additional funds necessary to invest in poles, wire, transformers, meters, trucks, substations, computers, offices, warehouses, and anything else required for a reliable electric system designed to meet your needs. The investment you make each month is tracked from year to year, and eventually returned to you as a capital credit. In essence, it’s the return of the equity that you’ve invested in your cooperative. The return of your capital may be in the form of a check or a bill credit, as determined by your co-op’s board. Read more on Page 4 about how this works. However, capital credits are only one form of equity. We like to believe that our greatest investment lies in our human resources, and the spirit that defines electric cooperatives. In this season of giving, there’s no better example of that esprit de corps than the 40 linemen from across the Ohio electric cooperative network who left home and hearth for the better part of a week to provide much-needed assistance to their fellow linemen in New Hampshire, after severe storms knocked out power in much of the Granite State. In the cooperative world, we call it “mutual aid,” but it’s really the heart of “the cooperative difference.” Wishing you and yours happy holidays and a merry Christmas from all of us at Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.

2 2

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

Pat O’Loughlin

President & CEO Ohio's Electric Cooperatives

We like to believe that our greatest investment lies in our human resources, and the spirit that defines electric cooperatives.

December 2017 • Volume 60, No. 3

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 Rhodes Anita Cook

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

Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, John Egan, W.H. “Chip” Gross, John Lowe, Pat Keegan, Catherine Murray, Jamie Rhein, Damaine Vonada, Diane Yoakam, and Margie Wuebker. 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 8 OHIO ICON

SPANGLER CANDY COMPANY: The Bryan-based

confectionery produces Dum Dums, Circus Peanuts — and most of the candy canes consumed in the world.

12 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

RAISING REINDEER: If your business includes raising and showing these domesticated caribou, be ready to answer every kid’s question: “Can they really ﬂy?”

10 CO-OP PEOPLE WHITE PILLARS CHRISTMAS HOUSE: A former Guernsey-

Muskingum Electric Cooperative employee now specializes in unique holiday decorations.

15 GOOD EATS SPREADING CHEER: These treats will be the stars of any holiday cookie exchange.

23 CO-OP OHIO ELECTRIFYING EXPERIENCE: Logan County Electric Cooperative gives area students a hands-on science lesson.

38 CALENDAR WHAT’S HAPPENING: December events and other things to do. 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. Alliance for Audited Media Member

Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

40 MEMBER INTERACTIVE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: Sharing creative holiday moments.

IN THIS ISSUE

West Union (p.4) Bryan (p.8) Norwich (p.10) Bellville (p.12) Bellefontaine (p.23) Cleveland (p.26, 31) Columbus (p.26, 31) Cincinnati (p.26, 31) Fremont (p.26) Dayton (p.26) Toledo (p.31)

CORRECTION: Our November issue story on Matt Sutton and his connection to Ohio Northern University’s Polar Paws program incorrectly asserted that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the program’s service dogs in training can go anywhere humans are allowed. The ADA, in fact, does not grant universal access to service dogs, and it only covers dogs that are already trained. Ohio law, however, is more broad than the ADA in its permissions and definitions and does contain provisions for dogs in training. More details can be found at www.disabilityrightsohio.org. Also, Sutton did not claim any involvement in the development of a dog park at ONU, only that he supported it; and the story should have included the names of the co-founders of the program at ONU: Matthew Garrity and Matthew Stroh. DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY JOHN EGAN; PHOTOGRAPH BY BILLY JOE McCANN

HOLIDAY BONUS

Returning money to members is another part of the cooperative difference

o Roger Rhonemus, it’s almost like a Christmas bonus.

Every year for about 20 years now, Rhonemus, who farms 800 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay in Adams County, looks forward to receiving his capital credits check from Adams Rural Electric Cooperative. Two decades ago, Rhonemus, 60, used those annual checks, which typically go out to Adams REC members each November, to buy Christmas presents for his three children. Now that the kids are grown with families of their own, he uses it to buy presents for his eight grandchildren. And he couldn’t be happier. “That check comes in very handy at Christmastime, and I am always very thankful to receive it,” he says. “Receiving a capital credits check tells me my electric cooperative is running a tight ship.” A resident of West Union, about 60 miles southeast of Cincinnati, Rhonemus has been a member of Adams REC for nearly 40 years. While the checks certainly don’t cover all of his holiday shopping, every bit of it helps. “Any time you get a check in the mail, it’s a good thing. It’s the icing on the cake for being a member of a great co-op,” he says. Ohio’s electric cooperative network, which comprises of the 24 not-for-profit, consumer-owned cooperatives throughout the state, collectively returned nearly $32 million in capital credits to member-consumers in 2016, the latest year for which full data is available. “Electric cooperatives are not here to make a profit, and so a capital credits check is our way to return cash to members after we pay our operating expenses,” says Bill Swango, general manager of Adams REC. “A lot of members don’t understand what capital credits are, but once they receive their first check, that’s when they start to get it.”

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

Capital credits represent each member’s share of the co-op’s operating margins, which is the money left over after bills are paid. Every cooperative, including electric co-ops, handle capital credits differently. While Adams REC is returning money from the early 1990s, other co-ops, such as Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, based in Oxford, have chosen a model that allows them to return capital credits to longstanding members and new ones alike. In general, the co-op’s margins are allocated to members’ capital credits accounts and then returned to the member in a general retirement on a rotating basis. Each year, a co-op’s board of directors evaluates whether the co-op’s finances will allow for a return of capital credits to members, so that means not every co-op retires those credits every year. Of those that do, not all issue checks — some simply issue bill credits — and the time of year they are issued also varies from cooperative to cooperative. There are more than 900 electric co-ops across the country. Across the nation, those co-ops have returned almost $14 billion to their owner-members

since 1988, according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Though Adams REC returns capital to its members nearly every year, there have been years when it could not. “In 2009, we had a major ice storm, and in 2010 we had the derecho that tore up our distribution system,” says Alice Baird, who handles communications duties at the co-op. “The costs of repairing the system in those years drove up our operating costs and reduced our margins.” Although Adams REC couldn’t make capital credits payments in those two years, the members didn’t lose their credits. They were deferred until the co-op was able to fund them again in 2011. “As a nonprofit cooperative owned by its members, we always think it’s a good thing to return their cash back to them,” Baird says. “Co-ops are a family, and you always want to take good care of your family.” JOHN EGAN is president of Egan Energy Communications (www.eganenergy.com), a national energy communications ﬁrm.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ON A MISSION

Former OEC chief executive ﬁnds a calling in service to others

or Tony Ahern, volunteer service work truly was a leap of faith. It has led him around the world, where he has helped bring water, electricity, and transportation options to those in need. “When I first started doing these trips, it wasn’t as if I had a grand vision,” he says. “I just wanted to do something, so that’s what I did. I decided I would just go on faith that I would find the right projects. I didn’t need a whole game plan.” Ahern, a chemical engineer and the retired CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, made his first service trip in 1992, when he went with a group to install a hydroelectric system to provide power to a hospital in Honduras. He later returned there to work on several other projects, including a series of footbridges and a large pontoon boat, needed in the community. “I like doing things at the intersection of where I have skills and what can help people,” he says. “I want to go where I can be close to the people who will actually benefit — not just make-work projects, but projects that have a significant beneficial outcome.” He’s been on 27 trips with various groups such as Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Heart to Honduras (www.hth.org), and International Technical Electric and Construction (I-TEC, www.itec.org) — a group that provides infrastructure support to missionary groups around the world — using vacation time before he retired, and always paying his own way.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

Most recently, he joined with I-TEC to help install solar panels at Restoration Gateway, a Ugandan mission village that previously relied on diesel generators to power its hospital, dental clinic, and other buildings. “When it was time to take an X-ray or drill someone’s tooth, they had to go out in the back and start the generator, then hope it would stay on for the entire task,” Ahern says. “With this new system, they don’t need to do that. There’s enough electricity for drilling, lighting, water pumps, all that, and they sized it so that on most days, it accumulates enough in the batteries to get through the night and even the next day if the sun doesn’t come out.” The system was built in the U.S. over a period of months before the trip, then shipped in a container to Uganda, where the I-TEC group installed it, from the ground up, in a little over two weeks. Ahern says, mostly joking, that it took about three weeks to recover from the trip, but says the rewards make it all worthwhile. “To be able to see the difference you can make in people’s lives — that’s what moves me, what motivates me,” he says. “Every now and then, someone will say, ‘I would love to do that,’ thinking that they can’t. But you know what? If I can do it, anyone can. You just have to make up your mind and do it.”

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OHIO ICON

BY DAMAINE VONADA

Spangler Candy Company Bryan, Ohio

LOCATION: Bryan, in northwest Ohio, the Williams County seat and home to about 9,000 people. PROVENANCE: In 1906, Arthur Spangler used $450 he’d earned on a paper route to buy the Gold Leaf Baking Powder Company of Defiance at a sheriff’s sale. After moving the baking products business to Bryan, he began making Spangler Cocoanut Balls and other confections. Spangler’s siblings, Ernest and Omar, also joined the business, and by 1920, the three brothers had shifted production entirely to candy and renamed their enterprise the Spangler Candy Company. Following the purchase of Dum Dums lollipops from Akron Candy Company and A-Z Christmas Candy Canes of Detroit in the early 1950s, the Spangler company became known for hard candies, and in 1966, it introduced a mascot — the grinning, white-gloved Dum Dums Drum Man. Today, Spangler Candy remains a fourth-generation, family-owned business, whose primary products are Dum Dums and Saf-T-Pops lollipops, Spangler Circus Peanuts, and Spangler Candy Canes. Spangler’s headquarters complex in Bryan includes office, manufacturing, and warehouse spaces, and the company has more than 500 employees in the United States and some 200 more at its co-manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico. SIGNIFICANCE: Not only are Spangler’s Dum Dums suckers the nation’s best-selling lollipop, but as the only major U.S. candy cane manufacturer, the company also produces 40 percent of the world’s candy canes. The Bryan factory produces 12 million Dum Dums and 1.5 million candy canes every workday. “In order for us to meet the worldwide demand, we manufacture candy canes year-round,” says Diana Moore Eschhofen,

Spangler’s corporate communications director. Besides traditional red and white, peppermint-flavored candy canes, Spangler makes the Christmastime treat in other colors and flavors that include strawberry, orange, blueberry, cinnamon, and Oreos cookies and cream. Dum Dums in limited-edition flavors, such as Merry Cherry, Sugar Plum, Gingerbread, and Green Apple Grinch, also are enormously popular during the holidays. CURRENTLY: Spangler candies are available in all 50 states and numerous foreign countries. Throughout the year, thousands of people travel to Bryan to visit the company’s store and museum and ride the Dum Dums Trolley for a fun tour of the candy factory, where they’re greeted by smiling and waving employees. IT’S A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT THAT: Putting the colored stripes in candy canes is a skill that typically takes Spangler’s kitchen workers six months to master.

Spangler Candy Company, 400 N. Portland St., Bryan, OH 43506. For additional information about the Spangler company; ordering Spangler candies online; the Spangler Store & Museum; and Dum Dums Trolley Tours, call 419-636-4221 or visit www.spanglercandy.com.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN LOWE

CO-OP PEOPLE

THE

CHRISTMAS

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White Pillars oﬀers a mix of hospitality and dazzle no online store can match

eith Taylor epitomizes a jolly calm when he ushers his guest into the White Pillars Christmas House before hours on an early fall morning. With Christmas still three months away, he and his wife, Yolanda, are preparing for the seasonal rush, confident that what they have to offer not only competes with, but surpasses, what one may obtain in a sterile online transaction. As he guides his guest inside the house, a room of collectible Willow Tree items and Dept. 56 Villages yields to another room featuring collectible Jim Shore ornaments, Regal angels, and Christopher Radko snowglobes. Shelf after shelf and room after room cries out, Christmas! It’s almost more dazzle than the eye can take in. The secret to embracing it, Yolanda says, is to slow down. “This is a house of no hurries, no worries,” she says. “Once you come in here, it’s like stepping out of reality into a Christmas welcoming environment. You may come in in a bad mood, but you can’t leave in a bad mood.” The Taylors partnered with Trent Cubbison to reopen White Pillars Christmas House and More several years ago after a five-year hiatus. The previous owner had retired and closed the business during the Great Recession. Cubbison is the principal of East Muskingum Middle School. Yolanda is chief operations officer at Muskingum Behavioral Health. Keith, a Methodist minister, was the credit manager at Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative.

Displays at the White Pillars Christmas House evoke holidays of yesteryear with unique items not found in larger stores.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

When the manager whom the partners had hired to operate the Christmas House decided to retire in the spring, Keith

reflected and conferred with Yolanda before deciding to make a leap of faith. After 12 years of service to the cooperative, he submitted his resignation and took on the responsibility of running the business. It was a move that surprised his former colleagues. “Keith is a phenomenal guy, and we regretted seeing him leave,” says Brian Bennett, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric’s manager of member services. While some might question the wisdom of opening any kind of brick-and-mortar store in these days of Amazon, the Taylors believe their business will not only survive, but thrive — not just because of their merchandise, but because of their philosophy and who they are. “I feel that Trent, Keith, and I are hospitable people,” Yolanda says. “We like welcoming you into our home, and we try to make you feel like you are a part of the family.” Christmas is more than a time of giving gifts, it’s an experience — and the “millennial” generation craves experiences, she believes. The Taylors want their shop to help engender that sort of Christmas spirit that sometimes seems difficult to conjure in the modern age. Built in 1882, the house at White Pillars seems to evoke a time when life moved at a slower, more graceful pace. The house still has no indoor plumbing, the Taylors report. What it does have is character; from the hardwood floors to the baluster staircase, the house bespeaks charm. “This house is conducive for a shop like ours,” Keith says. Beyond the ambience, White Pillars Christmas House and More offers a wide array of Christmas-themed treasure. In search of the best items, the Taylors have traveled to trade shows around the country. “I work very hard to not copy what Hobby Lobby has or what Elder-Beerman gets in their Christmas shop,” Yolanda says. “What you find here is truly unique.”

Keith Taylor (top photo, left) and his wife, Yolanda, put final touches on one of the numerous displays in their Norwich shop. They pride themselves on providing a festive, personal experience for their customers.

“Oh, and the collectors’ items we mentioned, you’re not going to find in Walmart,” Keith says. “Now that the economy has come back around, people are excited to have a unique place to shop.” White Pillars draws visitors from near and far. People who knew the store before it closed are coming back. For many, a visit to the Christmas House has become a tradition, and tradition is something the Taylors respect and honor. JOHN LOWE is a freelance writer from New Concord.

White Pillars Christmas House and More 7405 E. Pike, Norwich Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday 1–4 p.m. For more information, call 740-923-5093.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Raising Reindeer

y far, the question Kevin and Debbie Kleer hear most this time of year is, “Can reindeer really ﬂy?”

The Kleers run Kleerview Farm near Bellville, Ohio, in southern Richland County, and kids are there with their parents mostly to pick out a Christmas tree and see Santa. The real attraction, however, is the Kleers’ small herd of nine live reindeer — Blitzen, Noel, Belle, Nicholas, Crystal, Jingles, Clarice, Felice, and Cherry — which obviously prompts lots of questions, from both kids and adults. “The adults want to know what our reindeer really are,” Debbie says. “It seems many people just don’t realize there is such a thing as a reindeer. They’re not ﬁctional animals.” Reindeer are domesticated caribou, members of the deer family. Females weigh from 250 to 350 pounds, males 350 to 500 pounds; they are formidable animals. Reindeer grow and shed a set of antlers annually and, like caribou, both males and females sport antlers. “The male antlers are usually far larger,” Kevin says. “They’re about twice the size of female antlers, and a pair can weigh as much as 30 pounds or more.” Always the entrepreneurs, the Kleers have been growing and selling Christmas trees on their cattle farm for more than 35 years. They got the idea to incorporate live reindeer only about ﬁve years ago.

“We were looking for a way to add interest and attract more customers,” Debbie says. “We wanted to offer something no other Christmas tree farm had, and it worked. Our sales have increased 44 percent.” But it hasn’t been easy. Young reindeer are susceptible to many diseases and parasites, and the survival of calves is only about 20 percent. Veterinarians don’t yet know the reasons behind the low survival rate, but according to the Kleers, the problem is being studied both at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and at Iowa State University. The Kleers have learned to beat the survival odds with their reindeer calves by taking them indoors to raise. “We allow them to be with their mothers for only about a day or two after they’re born before bringing them into the house and bottle feeding them every four hours around the clock,” Debbie says. “It’s a lot of hard work for several weeks, but it pays off. Our survival rate of calves is now 100 percent, and a bonus is that bottle-fed calves are easier to handle once they become adults, because they’re used to people.” In addition to having reindeer on display at their Christmas tree farm, the Kleers also take their reindeer on the road, trailering them to parties and celebrations throughout Ohio during the holiday season. This year they’ll make about 30 separate appearances between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Nathan Kleer (yellow jacket) and his wife, Brienna, are among the Kleer family members who help man the farm and manage the herd during the busy holiday season. 12

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

To find out which appearances are open to the public and their locations, visit www.kleerviewfarm.com. During the hectic tree-selling season, when some 10,000 customers descend upon Kleerview Farm during a five-week period, family members come to help sell trees, hand out candy canes and hot chocolate, and wrangle reindeer. Helping are the Kleers’ son, Nathan, and his wife, Brienna; and Andrea Tingley, the Kleers’ daughter, and her husband, Dave. Both families are members of Consolidated Electric Cooperative. So, can reindeer really fly? The Kleers have a standard answer for those kids who ask. “Only Santa’s reindeer can fly,” they tell them, “because he is the only one who has the magic glitter dust to sprinkle on them.” W.H. “CHIP” GROSS is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor and a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative. He can be reached by e-mail at whchipgross@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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Museum of Ceramics

Schoenbrunn Village

71 23

Johnston Farm & Indian Agency

Spreading GOOD EATS

BY MARGIE WUEBKER; LIGHTER FARE BY DIANE YOAKAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHERINE MURRAY

CHEER

Baking cookies is a ti me-honored — and delicious — holiday traditi on in households everywhere. While friends, neighbors, teachers, and co-workers always appreciate a plate full of the holiday treats, make sure to save some for Santa!

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

CHRISTMAS SNOWBALLS 1½ cups pecan halves 2¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. salt 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

½ cup granulated sugar 1½ tsp. water 1½ tsp. vanilla extract ½ cup confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread pecan halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Place nuts in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Combine chopped nuts, flour, and salt in a medium mixing bowl and set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat water and vanilla extract into butter mixture. Stir in nut/flour mixture until just combined. Scoop up rounded tablespoons of dough and roll dough between your palms to form balls. Place balls on ungreased baking sheets, leaving 1½ inches between each cookie. Bake cookies until cooked through but not dry (about 20 minutes). Remove cookies to cool completely. Place confectioners’ sugar in a shallow dish. Roll snowballs in sugar to coat heavily. Cookies will keep at room temperature in an airtight container 2 to 3 days, or place in the refrigerator to last longer. Makes about 24 cookies.

LIGHTER FARE

CHOCOLATE-MINT MERINGUE COOKIES 2 egg whites, at room temperature 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

2/3 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies (optional)

Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites, peppermint extract, and cream of tartar on high speed until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Transfer one-fourth of the egg mixture to a separate bowl, and gently fold in the cocoa powder. Return cocoa mixture to original bowl, and gently fold the 2 mixtures together just enough to produce a marbled effect. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy if desired. Bake about 20 minutes or until firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Makes 36 cookies. Per serving: 30 calories, 1 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 0 g fiber, 0.2 g protein

LEMON MACAROONS 2 egg whites 1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel

1 Tbsp. lemon juice 2/3 cup sugar 11/3 cups coconut

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in coconut. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake about 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 30 cookies. Per serving: 33 calories, 1.2 g total fat (1.1 g saturated fat), 0.3 g fiber, 0.4 g protein

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

LIGHTER FARE

HOLIDAY CANDY CANES 1 cup (two sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2½ cups unbleached allpurpose ﬂour

½ tsp. salt Red food coloring ¼ cup crushed peppermint candies (about 10 candies) ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Cream butter and confectioners’ sugar together in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract; beat until incorporated, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed. Add flour and salt, mixing on low speed until dough comes together in a ball. Remove half of the dough from mixer and set aside. Add several drops of food coloring to the remaining dough and mix until color is uniformly red. Shape each portion of dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm — at least 2 hours or up to 1 day. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured work surface, roll 1 level teaspoon of white dough into a 5-inch-long rope. Roll 1 level teaspoon of red dough into a 5-inch-long rope. Twist the ropes together and place on prepared baking sheets. Curve one end down to create a cane shape. Repeat with remaining dough, placing cookies about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Combine crushed peppermint candy and granulated sugar in a small bowl. Lightly brush cookies with egg white and sprinkle with crushed candy mixture. Bake until the white parts of the cookies are just coloring, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Makes 16 canes.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

THE ENERGY EXPERT

BY PAT KEEGAN

WATER HEATER

EFFICIENCY AND MAINTENANCE

hen a water heater reaches a certain age, it can be easy to assume it’s living on borrowed time. It’s hard to say how long your water heater will last. Certified home inspectors estimate the life span to be about 10 years. Some manufacturers suggest 12 to 13 years, but it’s not unheard of for a water tank to last more than 40 years before the heating element finally gives out. That said, it’s wise to replace a water heater before it fails, because that failure can cause a lot of damage. The life span of a conventional water heater (one with a tank) depends on factors such as the volume of water cycled through it, the hardness of the water, and the tank’s interior coating. There are a few warning signs that your tank or heating element may be failing: Water is leaking from the tank or pooling on the fl oor underneath it.

It’s important to regularly inspect your water heater, especially once it reaches about 10 years of service.

Rust, corrosion, or mineral deposits are forming around fi tti ngs or release valves. The water temperature from your faucets is dropping.

Most experts believe that an important water heater maintenance practice is to drain the tank every year or two. However, Bruce Warnecke, energy services advisor at Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative in North Baltimore, says that if your tank has not been drained in the past 6 to 7 years, you should avoid doing so, because draining could remove sediment in a way that could cause a leak. Here are a few simple steps to increase water-heater efficiency: Insulate the fi rst 6 to 10 feet of easily accessed hot water line. If the tank is warm to the touch or is in a cold locati on like your garage, consider insulati ng it with a heater blanket. Check the owner’s manual fi rst, to make sure doing so won’t void the warranty. If you have a gas or propane water heater, be careful the blanket doesn’t block the unit’s air supply.

Insulating your water heater and keeping the temperature at 120 degrees or below are two ways to save money on your utility bill.

Keep your water temperature at 120 degrees or less. This will help you save money on your heati ng bill.

Keep safety in mind. If you have a gas or propane water heater, pick up a carbon monoxide detector from the hardware store and install it near the heater.

Mineral deposits on pressure release valves or corrosion on fittings coming out of the water heater are signs of leakage that should be addressed.

Opportunities to save money on your hot water budget abound. Since showering accounts Installing a carbon monfor almost 17 percent of indoor water use, oxide detector near your you can save money by installing low-ﬂow shower heads. Replacing older dishwashers and natural gas or propane water heater is a critical washing machines with more efficient models safety measure. will also reduce your energy bills. Finally, repair leaky faucets or toilets, as those drips can add up quickly. PAT KEEGAN writes for Collaborative Eﬃciency, an energy communications company.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

YOUR CO-OP

CARES

The holidays bring many things to mind: happy memories of seasons past, good food, gatherings with family and friends, and long-awaited gifts. And, if you’re like me, the holidays bring thoughts of giving back, spreading love, and sharing joy.

ABOUT YOU

in these pages of Ohio Cooperative Living or online at butlerrural.coop/content/ electrical-safety-tips.

However you share your own unique holiday spirit, know that Butler Rural Electric Cooperative strives to share our cooperative spirit with you.

Another great benefit we offer is the Co-op Connections® Card. If you haven’t used your card yet, I highly recommend checking out the discounts offered before you start holiday shopping. You could save on everything from the gifts you place under the tree to your holiday ham.

We hope you see it reﬂected in your electric bill. Even during the holiday season, when many people are lighting their homes with festive decorations, or staying up late entertaining and cooking for family and friends, we are still working to provide you with the most affordable and reliable electric service possible.

I hope you see how much we care through the benefits, savings, and services we provide, but I also hope you see it in the ways we give back to our community through programs like the Holiday Harvest Food Drive, which gives food to local churches and food banks to distribute to those in need.

We help members keep energy use in check by providing energy efficiency tips — find them online at butlerrural.coop/content/energy-saving-resources. We help you save time by providing convenient payment options, such as online using SmartHub. We also help keep your family safe by providing electrical safety tips, which are especially important this time of year,

We are nothing without our members. We recognize that and understand that we cannot thrive unless you thrive, so we do all we can to make sure our community is strong.

Perhaps you commit random acts of kindness like sharing a cup of coffee with a friend in need, or cooking and serving food for the hungry. Maybe you give your time or money to international charities. Or perhaps you simply try to embrace the season by showing gratitude and kindness to those around you.

Michael L. Sims GENERAL MANAGER

From all of us at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, we hope you have a happy holiday season!

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

HoLIDay HarveST FOOD DrIve

LenD a HeLPInG HanD TO a

neIGHBOr In neeD THIS HoLIDay SeaSon

Bring your nonperishable food items to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office or call 513-867-4400 to make a monetary donation between Nov. 8 and Dec. 13, 2017. All donated items will be given to area churches and food banks for distribution to local families in need. For every 10 nonperishable items you donate, you will be entered to win a $50 bill credit!

Nov. 8 through Dec. 13

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

FROM THE BOARDROOM 2018 budget & financial forecast At the November board meeting, the Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees approved the 2018 budget for the cooperative. As always, the cooperative continues to find innovative ways to hold down members’ energy costs. We have made every effort to minimize the impact of costs to our members. The cooperative is constantly working to reduce costs, and as a result, we remain in a strong financial position. Nominating committee Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is owned by the members we serve and democratically governed by those same members. The strength of Butler Rural Electric lies in having a qualified and committed board of trustees to govern the cooperative. Trustees serve as elected representatives and are accountable to our members. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s nominating committee is responsible for choosing qualified candidates to run for the board of trustees. The committee is comprised of 18 members from each of the cooperative’s nine voting districts. Although the cooperative’s Code of Regulations allows one candidate per district to run for the board of trustees, we encourage the nominating committee to find at least two eligible, qualified candidates to run per district. It is the responsibility of the nominating committee to find these candidates. The committee met in July, September, and November in order to find qualified candidates to run

MERRY

CHRISTMAS from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

for the board of trustees. The nominating committee met in November to select candidates to run for the board of trustees at the 2018 Annual Meeting on April 26. An important part of the democratic process, the nominating committee asks potential candidates questions regarding their knowledge and opinions on energy and on operating the cooperative. How to become a trustee At the 2018 Annual Meeting on April 26, three board seats will be up for election: District 1 (Israel and Oxford townships), District 2 (Milford Township), and District 5 (Wayne and Madison townships). As a member, you have the option of running for the board of trustees when your district’s seat is up for re-election. The process for choosing trustees has begun, but it is not too late if you are interested in running. If you are interested in running for the board, you can still do so by collecting signatures and submitting a petition. You can collect 25 signatures from cooperative members who live in one of the districts up for election and submit a petition. The petition and signatures must be submitted to the cooperative’s office by Dec. 27, 2017, to be eligible to run for the board of trustees. You asked, and we listened! At the 2017 Annual Meeting in April, a question was asked from the audience about the current voting process for the board of trustees, which requires all voting to take place at the Annual Meeting. The cooperative is currently in the process of creating an absentee ballot. More updates and information will be in the upcoming issues of the magazine.

The cooperative's office will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Dec. 26, so cooperative employees can spend the holiday with their families and friends. On behalf of the board of trustees and cooperative employees, we hope you have a great Christmas! If you experience an outage, please call the cooperative’s office at 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732 and report it to our after-hours call center. Outages can also be reported online using SmartHub. To access SmartHub, visit butlerrural.coop or download the app.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

How much is that space heater costing you? If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

That rings especially true when it comes to claims about energy-saving space heaters, particularly those that indicate they can dramatically cut your heating costs. Despite advertising claims, all electric space heaters with the same wattage use the same amount of energy. While it’s possible to cut your heating bill using space heaters, it is impractical for most people.

Average Cost of Operating an Electric Space Heater

HEAT SETTING (watts)

DAILY HOURS OF OPERATION 1

Cost per month (24 hours/day)

600

$0.08

$0.31

$0.62

$0.94

$1.87

$56.16

750

$0.09

$0.39

$0.78

$1.17

$2.34

$70.20

900

$0.18

$0.47

$0.94

$1.40

$2.81

$84.24

1350

$0.18

$0.70

$1.40

$2.11

$4.21

$126.36

$0.19

$0.78

$1.56

$2.34

$4.68

$140.40

1500

Note: If the heater also has a fan, the actual cost may increase. The chart is based on an average cost of $0.13 per kWh.

12/2015

ENERGY CALCULATORS

FREE HOME ENERGY

TOOLS ONLINE

Check out these tools & others online at https://butlerrural.coop/content/ energy-saving-resources

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

The cooperative has online calculators available to help you understand the energy consumption and cost of various electrical items used daily in your home. The heating comparison calculator is useful for estimating your annual heating costs using diﬀerent electric and fossil fuel heating systems.

www.butlerrural.coop/content/homeenergy-calculators

TOGETHERWESAVE Created by Touchstone Energy®, TogetherWeSave.com includes numerous tools, tips and videos to help you learn about your home and find ways to save energy. • Energy Efficiency Analysis Tool. After a brief survey, the tool will recommend projects tailored for your home that will make it more energy efficient. • Energy Savings Home Tour. Take a virtual tour of a home to find out how to make small changes and use energy wisely. • Videos. View videos and demonstrations by energy experts on specific topics that interest you.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

APPLY

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is now accepting scholarship applications! Education is the building block of a strong community. That’s why Butler Rural Electric Cooperative offers many programs and opportunities for young people. The cooperative offers scholarships for high school students whose parents or legal guardians are members of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Offering scholarship opportunities is part of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve. By encouraging the success of young people, we hope to prepare them for future leadership roles in our community. Building long-term relationships with the youth in our community and educating them about the significance of electric cooperatives helps to ensure the future success of our own cooperative. Through our youth programs and support of youth initiatives, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is committed to the success of our local youth. Scholarship applications can be found on the cooperative’s website, butlerrural.coop/content/scholarships, or picked up from the cooperative’s office. You can also request an application by contacting Jade Sturgeon at jades@butlerrural.coop or 513-867-4405. Completed applications can be e-mailed to jades@butlerrural.coop, or mailed to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Attn: Jade Sturgeon, 3888 Stillwell Beckett Rd. Oxford, OH 45056. The application deadline is Feb. 1. Applications must be received at the cooperative’s office by Feb. 1, not postmarked.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s Children of Members

Touchstone Energy® Achievement

Have you spent the last four years of high school studying hard, getting good grades, and being involved in school and community activities? Do you stand out?

Have you overcome an obstacle on your path to excellence? Tell us about it!

SCHOLARSHIP Apply for the Children of Members Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative! Two students will be awarded a first-place, $2,500 scholarship; two students will be awarded the second-place R. Fred Woodruff Scholarship of $1,500 each; and six students will be awarded $1,000 college scholarships. Applicants must be the child or legal ward of a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member. The top ten applicants are selected based on grade-point average and community involvement, and are invited to participate in interviews with judges at the cooperative’s office. One first-place scholarship award winner will be chosen to compete at the state level for up to $3,600 from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.

SCHOLARSHIP Apply for the Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative! One high school student will be awarded a first-place, $1,500 scholarship. Applicants must be the child or legal ward of a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member. The minimum grade-point average requirement for the Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship is 2.75. To qualify for the Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship, students must explain how they overcame adversity on their path to excellence. Past recipients of this scholarship have overcome a serious illness or injury, for example. Having a busy schedule or facing an obstacle related to gender, race, or religion is not considered an appropriate adversity for this scholarship.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is looking for the

NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS Youth Tour is an annual leadership program coordinated by Butler Rural Electric Cooperative and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. It’s a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that gives exceptional high school students the opportunity to meet with their Congressional leaders at the U.S. Capitol, make new friends from across the country, and see many of the famous Washington sights. Youth Tour was established with one thought in mind – to inspire the next generation of leaders. Since 1964, more than 50,000 young Americans have taken advantage of this special opportunity offered by their electric cooperative. While in D.C., participants have a chance to meet with their elected officials and discuss the issues that are important back home. Without a doubt, Youth Tour has grown into an invaluable program that gives young Americans an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Youth Tour is so much more than a sightseeing trip. Students have repeatedly shared that this experience has helped them grow into successful professionals. It has also benefited our local communities. Youth Tour participants return home with a deeper understanding of what it takes to be leader, and as a result, they put these skills to use right here in our community.

Washington, D.C.

YOUTH TOUR HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES & JUNIORS June 8-15, you could go on the best trip ever to Washington, D.C. Youth Tour doesn’t even compare to the 8th grade Washington, D.C., trip, trust us. All you have to do is fill out an application and take a short quiz. The quiz is over a brochure about the cooperative that we will send you. Get one of the top scores and pack your bags! Parents, this is an all-expenses-paid trip, including all meals. And don’t worry, there are plenty of great chaperones!

20D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

Youth Tour applications can be found on the cooperative’s website, butlerrural.coop/content/youth-tour, or picked up from the cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford. You can also request an application by contacting Jade Sturgeon at jades@butlerrural.coop or 513-867-4405. Completed applications can be e-mailed to jades@ butlerrural.coop or mailed to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Attn: Jade Sturgeon, 3888 Stillwell Beckett Rd. Oxford, OH 45056. The application deadline is Feb. 1. Applications must be received at the cooperative’s office by Feb. 1, not postmarked.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Ways to pay your electric bill The cooperative offers easy and convenient ways to pay your electric bill. Explore the options below to find the best for your needs. Online Pay online through SmartHub by visiting butlerrural. coop or download the app.

First Financial Bank You can pay your electric bill at any First Financial Bank location.

Automatic bank draft Follow the steps below for the fastest, easiest way to pay your bill with no worries.

Cooperative office You can pay your bill at the cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call our office and pay with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card, or with a check.

1. Visit butlerrural.coop to log into SmartHub. 2. Click on “Billings & Payments” and “Auto Pay Accounts.” 3. Click on the “Sign Up For Auto Pay” link on the right side of the page. 4. Follow steps to enter your checking/savings account or credit/debit card information. 5. Continue paying your bill until your statement reads “The net amount will be paid through automatic bank draft on the draft date. Please do not pay!” SecurePay SecurePay Automated Phone System allows you to pay over the phone, inquire about your account balance, or update your auto-pay information for free — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1. Access SecurePay by calling 844-834-4460. Have your account number nearby at the time of your call. 2. Select prompt 3 to create a PIN (Personal Identification Number). This same PIN will be required by SecurePay in the future. 3. Continue using the prompts to access your account balance, make a payment, or update your auto-pay information.

Night drop box Drop your payment off in our night drop box located inside the front doors of the cooperative’ office. Please, no cash.

$50 BILL CREDIT WINNERS 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 October winners! Joe Conrad William Eager Jr. Connie Maricle Nancy Meeker Michael Moser

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

MERRY, BRIGHT AND EFFICIENT HOLIDAY LIGHTING Decking the halls doesn’t have to take a toll on your energy bill! Keep your holiday lighting merry, bright and energy efficient with LED light strands.

Consider replacing older light strands with new ENERGY STAR LED® lights. LED strands are 70 percent more efficient and last 10 times longer than the age-old standard bulbs. You can get the look of cozy lighting with LEDs. Just look for “warm white” on the label. Unlike older light strands, LED lights give off virtually no heat, making them safer for kids and pets (and reindeer). Save energy by setting a timer for outdoor lighting and decorations. Program the timer so the lights turn on in the evening and turn off later at night when you typically go to sleep.

Source: Dept. of Energy

Serving you locally The value of co-op membership

There’s value in your co-op membership, and serving you locally is just one perk of being a member-owner of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. At Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, all operations and office personnel are local. We operate out of the cooperative’s office in Oxford, a central spot in our service area, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is important to all trustees and employees that the cooperative is accessible and transparent. We encourage members to stop by the office, call the cooperative, or send us an e-mail if you have any issues, questions, or concerns.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

If you call the cooperative’s office after our regular business hours, you will reach our after-hours call center, which is located in Bloomington, IN. The call center can report outages to our operations team and send messages to our office staff. By serving you locally, we are able to quickly respond to outage and safety calls. We also encourage you to join us for cooperative events, such as the Annual Meeting in April or Family Day in July. You can learn important information about being a cooperative member and how your local electric cooperative is looking out for you.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Look out for all types of scams Unfortunately, in today’s world, scams are inevitable. Scammers can threaten you with everything from legal action involving the IRS to turning off power to your home. This holiday season, don’t let scammers get the best of you.

Utility scams Utility scams often involve an individual or group posing as an employee of your electric cooperative. The scammer may use threatening language in order to frighten you into offering your credit card or bank account information. Don’t fall victim to it. Understand the threats posed and your best course of action: ⊲⊲ If someone calls your home or cellphone demanding you pay your electric bill immediately, gather as much information as you can from that individual, hang up the phone, and contact the local authorities. Scammers often use threats and urgency to pressure you into giving them your bank account number or loading a pre-paid credit or debit card (such as a Green Dot card). Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will never ask you to offer personal financial information over the phone. If you have any doubts about your electric bill, contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. ⊲⊲ Butler Rural Electric Cooperative employees will never visit your home to collect money. If someone comes to your home claiming to be an employee of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative who needs to collect money, call local authorities for assistance and do not let the individual into your home.

IRS, e-mail, or computer virus scams There are other types of scams consumers should watch out for: ⊲⊲ Government agencies like the IRS will never call to inform you that you have unpaid taxes or other leans against you. You will always receive this type of information in the mail. If someone calls claiming to be the IRS, hang up immediately. ⊲⊲

If you receive an e-mail from an unknown sender, an e-mail riddled with spelling errors and typos, or an e-mail threatening action unless a sum of money is paid, do not click any links provided within the e-mail, and do not respond. Simply delete the e-mail.

M A C S Butler Rural Electric Cooperative wants to make sure you avoid any and all types of scams that could put you or your financial information in jeopardy. If you have any questions or would like more information about how you can protect yourself from scammers, call us at 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732, or visit our website, butlerrural.coop.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Insulation and Air Sealing Rebate FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATED HOMES

Homes should be an oasis for all of us — a place to kick back and get comfortable. But there’s no oasis of comfort when a home is too cold in winter or oppressively hot in the summer. That means it’s leaking air— and wasting money. The cooperative oﬀers rebates to members who install qualiﬁed insulation and/or air sealing upgrades in their home. By reducing the amount of air that leaks through the home’s envelope, you can save money on your home’s energy costs and increase your home’s comfort level. To be eligible for a rebate, the upgrades must be installed by a licensed and insured contractor in an electrically heated home. Dual fuel systems are eligible. Rebates: Insulation- Max of $800 or 50% of the total project cost (whichever is lower) of a qualifying project.* Air sealing- Max of $400 or 50% of the total project cost (whichever is lower) of a qualifying project.* For more information, visit www.butlerrural.coop/content/insulation-air-sealing-rebates

Rebate Requirements • Insulation and air sealing upgrades must be installed by a licensed and insured contractor. Do-it-yourself projects are not eligible for this rebate. •

Applicant must own the home and be the homeowner of record.

•

Only one application per year is permitted per residence with a lifetime maximum of two applications per home.

•

Projects must be a retroﬁt installation in an existing residential home. The rebate is not applicable for new construction or room/home additions or expansions.

Conditions for Rebate • For insulation rebate, contractor must follow Energy Star® guidelines and achieve minimum R-values. •

For air sealing rebate, contractor must follow Energy Star® guidelines, perform required duct blast and/or blower door testing and achieve required test results.

•

The cooperative reserves the right to inspect the home for installation of materials.

For a rebate form and a comprehensive list of requirements and conditions for rebate, visit: www.butlerrural.coop/content/insulation-airsealing-rebates *Incentives can change and are not guaranteed. Call the oﬃce to conﬁrm current program incentives prior to installation.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

PINPOINT YOUR HOME’S PROBLEM AREAS Quit throwing money away. Get an energy audit. The cooperative offers professional home energy audits to help pinpoint your home’s sources of energy loss. An audit identifies where you are losing energy and what you can do to save money. All audits are performed by Building Performance Institute certified employees and include an evaluation of air flow and leakage, lighting and appliances, heating and cooling system(s), insulation, and air sealing. A blower door test is performed and an infrared camera is used to capture images. It is $150 for an audit and the follow-up report. Contact the cooperative by calling 513-867-4400 or 800-2552732 for more information or to schedule your energy audit.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Need help? We understand that hard times happen. If you need a little extra help with your electric bill, please review the options below. Call our office at 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732 for more information on these options or to see if you qualify. Past-Due Deferral Members having trouble paying their electric bill before the day of disconnection can get a Past-Due Deferral, which enables the member to extend the due date for the past-due amount until the Friday after the scheduled disconnection. Payment Arrangements Members who are unable to pay their total past-due balance before the day of disconnection are able to sign Payment Arrangements. Payment Arrangements are used to help the member get to a $0 balance at the end of the arrangement period. A good faith payment is required at the time the arrangement is signed. The following agencies in your area may also be able to help: Butler County S.E.L.F. 513-868-9300 Soldiers Relief Commission 513-887-3600 Dept. of Job & Family Services 513-887-4000 Salvation Army 513-863-1445 St. Vincent DePaul Society 513-738-1014 United Way 513-863-0800 Family Services 513-423-4637 Human Services 513-425-8625 Family Resources 513-821-2128 Montgomery County Department of Human Services Veterans Services Community Action

937-225-4148 937-225-4801 937-341-5000

Hamilton County Community Action Department of Human Services Salvation Army Veterans Services Commission Catholic Social Services Family Resources

513-569-1850 513-946-1000 513-762-5600 513-946-3300 513-241-7745 513-821-2128

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

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LCEC welcomes 400 fourth-graders for electrifying experience Logan County Electric Cooperative recently hosted 400 fourth-graders from local Logan County schools participating in the Touchstone Energy Top of Ohio Ag Tour for an interactive, hands-on electrical education experience at the co-op’s office in Bellefontaine. Students learned about renewable energy while standing inches away from LCEC’s OurSolar array, rode energy bikes to learn how power is generated and the effort it takes to sustain it, and wore linemen’s gloves to use a hot stick. The finale included watching the LCEC operations crew give a live wire safety demonstration that resulted in arcs of electricity, ﬂashes of light, and ﬂames.

Mid-Ohio Energy gifts ‘Friday Night Lights’ to local school The Kenton- and Marion-based electric cooperative, MidOhio Energy, has been a longtime partner with Ridgedale Local School District, working with administration on energy projects such as an LED upgrade of security lights around the parking lot and the installation of new football field lights. To celebrate the partnership, Ridgedale High School hosted Mid-Ohio Energy Night, where the co-op presented the school with a $1,000 check to cover the cost of powering the football facilities for the 2017 home season. The co-op also treated attendees to vouchers for the school’s concession stand, where each voucher redeemed earned the school an additional donation from Mid-Ohio Energy to the athletic boosters.

South Central sends veteran to No Barriers Summit U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Craig Nicholson of Lithopolis attended the No Barriers Warriors Summit in Lake Tahoe in June, thanks to a partnership between South Central Power Company and its lender, CoBank. The event is designed for disabled veterans and features inspirational speakers, cutting-edge innovations, and transformative experiences like hiking, extreme kite ﬂying, and falconry. Nicholson learned what “no barriers” meant on a 5-mile hike he signed up for, which began at an elevation of 6,200 feet and increased to 7,000 feet. Thanks to the use of an all-terrain wheelchair, Nicholson was able to overcome obstacles including rocks, snow, and mud. Unfortunately, the wheelchair’s battery died a mile into the hike, but in true No Barriers spirit, the other participants joined together and pulled Nicholson’s chair the rest of the way up — dog-sled style. “This trip showed me that there really are no barriers,” Nicholson said. “Nothing is in our way — it’s just what’s inside us that’s the barrier.”

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY KRIS WETHERBEE; PHOTOS BY RICK WETHERBEE

IN THE GARDEN

WINTER BLOOMS

Enjoy springtime splendor long before winter wanes by forcing branches to bloom indoors This time of year finds many of us looking to brighten up the cold and gloomy days of winter. And there’s no better way to jump-start spring than with flowering branches from your garden or yard. With just a little coaxing, you can fill your indoors with a profusion of colorful blooms by forcing spring-flowering branches to bloom weeks ahead of schedule. Branches from a variety of dormant spring-flowering trees and shrubs can be forced indoors into early bloom. Great options include dogwood, eastern redbud, flowering cherry, forsythia, hawthorn, lilac, pussy willow, serviceberry, spirea, and witch hazel.

Forcing basics Spring-ﬂowering trees and shrubs need at least 4 to 6 weeks of cold weather to ensure spring blooming success. After plants have received the required “chill period,” you can begin cutting branches once ﬂower buds appear. Depending on the tree or shrub, this usually takes place from January through March.

Making the cut You will need a sharp pair of pruning shears, a bucket or pail, an armful of branches from any dormant spring-blooming tree or shrub, and a decorative vase for displaying cut branches. Wait for a somewhat sunny day that’s above freezing to cut and gather your branches. For best results, choose younger branches that are 12 to 18 inches long with plenty of plump ﬂower buds, then cut each branch at a slight angle. Cut more than you think you will need, as there will always be a few that fail to bloom. Bring your bucket of branches to a sheltered location, such as a garage, mudroom, basement, or indoor room, away from direct sunlight. The key to kick-starting the forcing process is to ﬁll your bucket of branches with warm water and let them soak for several hours or overnight. Doing so will break their dormancy and bring them out of winter hibernation.

Enjoy the show The next day, ﬁll your decorative vase from half to three-fourths full of warm water. One by one, trim 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of each stem and remove any buds or twigs that would be submerged in the vase. Make sure to stagger the heights for added dimension and appeal. The more you use, the more spectacular the show. 24

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

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Digital Hearing Aid Outperforms Expensive Competitors These sleek, fully programmed, light-weight, hearing aids are the outgrowth of the digital revolution that is changing our world. While demand for “all things digital” caused most prices to plunge (consider DVD players and computers, which originally sold for thousands of dollars and today can be purchased for less), the cost of a digital medical-grade hearing aid remains out of reach. Dr. Cherukuri knew that many of his patients would benefit but couldn’t afford the expense of these new digital hearing aids. Generally they are not covered by Medicare and most private health insurance plans.

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DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY JAMIE RHEIN

CHUGGING ALONG ’Tis the season to check out whimsical, creative model train displays around the state Applied Imagination, Cincinnati and Columbus Through scenes of fairy tale dwellings, and city landmarks that look as if elves came from a forest to create them, Applied Imagination’s trains are a nationwide hit. Ohio native Paul Busse, the company’s founder, made his ﬁrst public garden train from natural materials for the Ohio State Fair in 1982. Botanical gardens in Washington, D.C., New York, and Chicago boast Busse’s brand of holiday magic, but Ohioans only need to go as far as Cincinnati and Columbus to experience the wizardry. In Busse’s world, magnolia and eucalyptus leaves are shingles, and grapevine tendrils are wrought-iron embellishments. Acorn caps, seed pods, and bark create intricate buildings that hearken to yesteryear. At Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory, the display features replicas of three local landmarks — Union Terminal, the Music Hall, and the Krohn Conservatory itself. Two of Busse’s displays run within minutes of one another in Columbus. The display at the main branch of the Metropolitan Library features a castle atop a mountain with a waterfall and a Bavarian 26

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

village below. Here, the inspiration is Bernkastel and Rothenberg, Germany. Close by, Franklin Park Conservatory hosts a trip through childhood where Rapunzel’s tower and the Three Little Pigs’ houses are neighbors to the Old Woman’s shoe. No matter the display, trains move through scenery on multiple tracks from knee-level to well above arm’s reach in a whimsical game of now-you-see-usnow-you-don’t.

Hayes Train Special, Fremont When Rutherford B. Hayes traveled to the West Coast by train in 1880, he was the ﬁrst sitting U.S. president to make the trip. At Spiegel Grove, the 19th president’s 25-acre estate, the holiday train display pays tribute to his love of train travel. Along three levels of tracks that wind through Victorian-era scenery reminiscent of when Hayes was in oﬃce, G-gauge and O-gauge trains chug past nostalgia. Tiny ice-skaters on a pond, a Ferris wheel, and a musical carousel turn in holiday cheer. Nearby, a horse-drawn sleigh is being loaded with a Christmas tree, and light from the buildings’ miniature windows cast a glow on cottony snow.

As the trains appear and disappear through tunnels, interactive buttons set parts in motion. Crossing guards lift, red lights ﬂash, and a signal man steps out from his post. The favorite button makes a train whistle blow. Even adults can’t resist. Laughs Christina Smith, the marketing director, “The front desk knows when I’m going by. I blow the whistle.”

Kettering Tower Holiday Train, Dayton During the holidays, Kettering Tower’s lobby becomes a place of childhood delight where Dayton’s past becomes memories of the present. Through scenes reminiscent of when the Wright Brothers owned their bicycle shop, three G-scale trains pass each other on their way through a hillside tunnel and around curves of 300 feet of oval tracks that weave through Dayton’s history. Edged with lit-up period street lamps and evergreen trees, the buildings include a replica of Requarth Lumber, a Dayton ﬁxture since 1860. Small milled lumber planks dot the lumberyard where workers add an aura of bustle to the Victorian-era scene.

The holiday train display at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums draws upon the 19th president’s well-known love of train travel to evoke a sense of nostalgia in young and old alike.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

Virginia Kettering, a Dayton philanthropic powerhouse who started Dayton’s Holiday Festival in 1972, added the model train display more than 20 years ago. Kettering, who believed the excitement of the season should be shared by everyone and be free of charge, gifted the display to the city. When the building is closed, the train is visible through Kettering Tower’s plate glass windows.

EnterTRAINment Junction, West Chester Boasting 2 miles of train tracks and 90 moving trains in the world’s largest indoor G-scale train display, EnterTRAINment Junction celebrates train history year-round. Here’s where childhood memories are made every day of the week.

At left, the Huntington Holiday Train at the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library delights visitors with its whimsical, multilevel set. At right, Cincinnati’s Krohn Conservatory hosts another of the three major Paul Busse-designed layouts displayed in Ohio during the holidays.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

During the holidays, train love is multiplied when 12 trains wind through wintery wonderlands of snow-dusted evergreens and Victorian-style buildings. Houses festooned with tiny Christmas wreaths, shops with miniature signs, and buildings reminiscent of a Candy Land game are centerpieces of good cheer. Running along elaborate configurations of raised tracks, bridges, and tunnels, passenger, locomotive, and freight trains appear and disappear over, under, and past one another in a whizzing version of hide-and-seek. Above left, EnterTRAINment Junction has sets on display year-round, but goes all-out for the holiday season; above right, the late Dayton philanthropist Virginia Kettering admires the display she donated to her community.

Each December, Neil Young’s O-gauge model train display is part of the celebration. Young showed his train around the United States before he gave it to EnterTRAINment Junction for its collection. Continued on Page 30

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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Continued from Page 29

If You Go

Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Dr. in Cincinnati ’s Eden Park, 513-352-4080. On display through January 7. Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; special holiday hours: Nov. 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Dec. 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Adults $7, youth (5-17) $4, children (4 and under) free. Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, info@ fpconservatory.org, 614-715-8000. On display through Jan. 3. Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., though open unti l 9 p.m. in December except Christmas Eve; closed Christmas Day. Adults $14, seniors $11, children (3-12) $7, 2 and under free. Columbus Metropolitan Library, main branch, 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, 614-645-2275. On display through Dec. 29 during regular library hours, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1–5 p.m. Sunday; closed Dec. 24, 25, 26, and 31 and Jan. 1 and 2. Free.

Morton_OHCountryLiv_12.17.qxp_Layout 1 10/19/17 5:00 PM Page 1

Kettering Tower Holiday Train, 40 N. Main St., Suite 1550, Dayton, 937224-1518. On display through Jan. 2, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday– Friday, viewable through the window 24 hours a day. Free.

BUILT STRONGER. LOOKS BETTER. LASTS LONGER.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center and Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 419-332-2081. On display Nov. 24–Jan. 6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday, closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Adults $7.50, seniors $6.50, children (6-12) $3, 5 and under free.

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EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, 877898-4656. On display year-round; extended hours Dec. 9–30, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday, noon–9 p.m. Sunday; but closes 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and Jan. 31, and closed Dec. 25. Adults $13.95, seniors (65+) $11.95, children (3-12) $9.95, 2 and under free.

It’s Christmastime in the City

BY DAMAINE VONADA

Ohio’s major cities host a variety of signature holiday events. Some are old favorites as nostalgic and treasured as a childhood Christmas stocking. Others are as shiny and exciting as a new toy. But all are sure to delight this Christmas and kindle memories for Christmases yet to come.

Cincinnati As the heart of downtown, Fountain Square is Cincinnati’s holly-jolly hub. Its ice rink hosts Santa Skates, and during Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, Mrs. Claus reads stories while Santa forgets about chimneys and rappels from an ofﬁce tower to herald Saturday night ﬁreworks. Channeling Cincinnati’s German heritage, Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt captures the pleasures of Germany’s Advent markets with roasted almonds, mulled wine, and jagdhorn concerts. http://myfountainsquare.com; www. cincinnatiusa. com/events/macys-downtown-dazzle; www. cincideutsch.com

Taft Museum of Art’s Antique Christmas The mansion where William Howard Taft accepted his presidential nomination provides a handsome and historic setting for a gem of a museum with outstanding decorative arts collections. Its antique decorations and toys exhibit contains Lionel trains, hosts of angels, and exquisite ornaments that convey erstwhile Christmas artistry.

COURTESY TAFT MUSEUM OF ART

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY CINCINNATIUSA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Fountain Square’s Festivities

www.taftmuseum.org

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CLEVELAND PLAYHOUSE

Cleveland No wonder the house where A Christmas Story was ﬁlmed ranks among Cleveland’s top attractions. From the front window’s leg lamp to a Red Rider riﬂe, it’s chock-full of props, costumes, and memorabilia. Movie fans can even spend the night in Ralphie’s and Randy’s twin beds. www.achristmasstoryhouse.com

ROGER MASTROIANNI

A Christmas Story House & Museum

www.clevelandplayhouse.com; www.greatlakestheater.org

Nela Park’s Holiday Lighting Showcase Started in 1925, the holiday spectaculars at GE Lighting’s campus-like headquarters in Nela Park are an iconic Cleveland tradition. This year’s “Melodies & Memories” theme features vignettes inspired by Christmas songs along Noble Road, and for the ﬁrst time since 1959, Friday evening visitors can enter Nela Park to enjoy a retrospective of past displays. www.facebook.com/GELighting

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Polar Express It’s okay to wear pajamas on this enchanting journey based on the book The Polar Express. Santa boards the train at Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s “North Pole,” and pint-sized passengers receive sleigh bells. Tip: Since this ride often sells out, check the CVSR website for cancellations. www.cvsr.com

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

COURTESY CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Cleveland’s Playhouse Square theater district delivers a double Yuletide treat. The Cleveland Play House’s A Christmas Story presents a heart-warming production about one boy’s wish, and audiences get a bedazzling bonus: the Allen Theatre’s Festival of Trees. Great Lakes Theater stages A Christmas Carol at the Ohio Theatre. Its one-of-a-kind adaptation has ghostly special effects, and the Cleaveland family’s cantankerous servant conjures Scrooge.

ROGER MASTROIANNI

Cleveland Play House’s A Christmas Story and Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas Carol

COURTESY OHIO HISTORY CONNECTION

COURTESY FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY

Columbus Ohio Village’s Dickens of a Christmas Imagine strolling through a Victorian village on a frosty evening, sipping wassail, and listening to “The First Noel” and other time-honored carols. The Ohio History Connection’s living history museum re-creates “Christmas á la” Dickens with storied dinners, buffets, and decorations. www.ohiohistory.org/Dickens

Gardens Aglow This year’s holiday show at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens evokes mid-century America with pink and blue horticultural displays reminiscent of aluminum and pastel-colored Christmas trees. Oldfashioned Christmas bulbs bathe evergreens in retro hues on the Conservatory terraces, and “trees” cleverly created from glass ornaments blown in-house deck the Courtyard. www.fpconservatory.org

Holiday Lights at Columbus Commons and Scioto Mile Thanks to two different but complementary displays, Columbus hosts the ultimate downtown lighting tour. Some 300,000 lights make Columbus Commons totally merry and bright, while thousands of additional lights cascade though Scioto Mile’s extensive parklands. Tip: Quickly connect to both events by walking down Town Street to view vintage “Twelve Days of Christmas” window displays in the old Lazarus department store building. www.columbuscommons.org; www.columbus. gov; www.sciotomile.com

State Auto’s Christmas Corner In 1931, State Auto’s founder began decorating the insurance company headquarters as a gift to the community. Today, Christmas Corner is one of Columbus’s most enduring holiday traditions with giant wreaths festooning State Auto’s building; choirs singing joyful tunes; and a Nativity with life-sized ﬁgures. www. stateauto.com/Christmas

Opposite page, from top: Visitors admire the festive decorations at the Allen Theatre’s Festival of Trees; the Cleaveland family enjoys their own holiday tradition in the Great Lakes Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol; the Polar Express prepares for a trip through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Flick sticks his tongue to the flagpole in the infamous scene from A Christmas Story in the Cleveland Play House’s production. This page: Franklin Park Conservatory gets all dressed up for the holidays with Gardens Aglow; Ohio History Center brings the Dickens vision of Christmas to life; 300,000 lights give Columbus Commons a glow of holiday cheer.

COURTESY COLUMBUS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORP.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

Top: Toledo’s Hensville district boasts a spectacular display to wow holiday shoppers; Below: The Toledo Zoo brings out hundreds of glowing aniumal lights to complement the glorious Big Tree during the holiday season.

Toledo Toledo Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas Northwest Ohio’s beloved holiday lights show features a glorious “Big Tree,” hundreds of glowing animal images, Ice Slide rides, reindeer, and the zoo’s famous hot chocolate and fudge. www.toledozoo.org

Hensville Lights

Wildwood Preserve Metropark’s Holidays in the Manor House Dozens of different displays adorn every nook and cranny of the Champion Spark Plug co-founder’s Georgian Colonial mansion. Be sure to see the basement’s model trains and the courtyard’s fanciful fairy garden. www.metroparkstoledo.com

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

COURTESY DESTINATION TOLEDO

Located near the stadium where the Mud Hens play baseball, the new Hensville entertainment district transforms Hensville Park and the rehabbed buildings that now house pubs and restaurants into a fantasy of gleaming lights and good cheer. www.hensvilletoledo.com

Holiday traditions We asked our readers to share on social media some of the wackiest holiday traditions they’ve come across; here’s a sampling: “I’m from England and my husband is from America, so the kids get a traditional American stocking and a British stocking, which is a leg of pantyhose stuﬀed with candy, fruit, and toys. Our tradition is carried on from when I was young and my parents were young, where we empty everything out of the pantyhose and pull it over our head for a picture with our siblings. LOL. We’re still doing it today with our kids.” Brooke Singleton, via Facebook “I started a new tradition a few years back. We call it Grinch Night! We watch both Grinch movies, and I make green food, green chocolate chip cookies, and green drinks! We all look forward to it every year!” Nikki Huddleston, via Facebook “We have our kids sit on the stairs Christmas morning to wait for us to get out of bed so they can open presents. It’s quite impressive since we have 9 kids! I wonder if we will ever run out of steps!” Karah Shininger, via Facebook “A classmate of mine buys a real tree every year, then when they go to take it down, they cut oﬀ a slice, engrave the year into it, and make it into an ornament!” Olivia Thiel, via Facebook

“We’ve made it a thing to go bowling on Christmas Day.” Hailey Baldwin, via Facebook

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11/8/17 3:58 PM

DECEMBER 2017 CALENDAR

NORTHWEST

THROUGH FEB. 2018 – “Glorious Splendor: Treasures of Early Christian Art,” Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Features some 30 masterpieces of Late Roman art: precious stones, metals, and jewelry. 419-255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org/exhibitions. NOV. 29–DEC. 7 – Christmas Tree Festival, Allen Co. Museum, 620 W. Market St., Lima, Wed./Thur./Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. 419-222-9426 or www.allencountymuseum.org. DEC. 1–26 – Lake of Lights, Saulisbery Park, 13344 St. Rte. 67 W., Kenton, 6–9 p.m. $5 per car. Special events on Sat. and Sun. evenings. 419-675-2547 or www.facebook.com/LakeOfLights/. DEC. 1–30 – North Pole Express, 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Fri./Sat. 5–9 p.m., Sun. 5–8 p.m. $3, C. $2. Closed Christmas Eve, open Christmas Day. Take a ride on a quarter-scale locomotive through our festive decorated property, see operating model trains, and see Santa and Mrs. Claus (on select days). 419-4232995 or http://nworrp.org. DEC. 1–31 – Firelands Festival of Lights, Sawmill Creek Resort, 400 Sawmill Creek Dr. (off U.S. 6), Huron, 5–10 p.m. Free drive-

NORTHEAST

through light display. 800-729-6455, 419-433-3800 (ext. 784), or www.facebook.com/FirelandsFestivalOfLights.

DEC. 9 – Concert: “Bells, Brass, and Bows,” 7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $25/$30. The Lima Symphony Orchestra and the Lima Symphony Chorus join together in this beloved holiday DEC. 1–31 – Lights Before Christmas, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, classic featuring traditional favorites, sacred carols, and familiar Toledo, Sun.–Thur. 3–8 p.m., Fri./Sat. 3–9 p.m. $14–$17, under standards. 419-222-5701 or www.limasymphony.com. 2 free. 419-385-5721 or www.toledozoo.org. DEC. 9 – Christmas Carousel Ride-a-Thon, Merry-Go-Round DEC. 1–JAN. 7 – Hayes Train Special Exhibit, R.B. Hayes Library Museum, 301 Jackson St., Sandusky, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 419-626and Museums, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont, Mon.– 6111 or www.merrygoroundmuseum.org. Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. $7.50, Srs. $6.50, C. (6–12) $3. An operating model train display runs through an intricate Victorian DEC. 10 – Concert: “Wassail! An Olde English Christmas,” holiday scene. Interactive buttons allow visitors to control aspects of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., the trains’ movements. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org. Findlay, 3 p.m. Free. The University of Findlay Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble will join to present their annual Christmas DEC. 2 – Christmas in the Village, Main St., Mt. Blanchard, 3–7 concert, featuring a variety of well-known holiday songs from the p.m. Holiday parade, Santa’s House, kids’ activities and crafts, British Isles. 330-595-4650 or http://marathoncenterarts.org. storytelling from Santa’s favorite elves, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more. Fun for the whole family! 419-422-3315 or DEC. 16 – Train Town Show and Swap Meet, Allen Co. Fgds., https://visitfindlay.com/event/. 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Free parking and handicap accessible. Vendors, railway fan items, DEC. 2, 8, 9 – Holiday Lantern Tours: “A 1920s Christmas,” toy trains, and operating layouts. Food service will be available. Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, 4–8:30 p.m. Reserva- 419-228-7141. tions required. Experience American Christmas traditions of the 1920s. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org. DEC. 16 – Ugly Christmas Sweater 5K Run and Walk, 300 S. Main St., Gibsonburg, starts at 9 a.m. Entry fee is a new and DEC. 3 – A 1940s Nutcracker, Marathon Center for the Perunwrapped toy or nonperishable food item for local families in forming Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 2 and 7 p.m. The need. Awards to the adult male, adult female, boy, and girl with beloved holiday class re-imagined in 1940s Findlay, Ohio. 330the ugliest sweaters! 419-637-2634 or www.gibsonburgohio.org. 595-4650 or http://marathoncenterarts.org. DEC. 17 – Upper Valley Community Orchestra Concert, St. DEC. 3 – Christmas Village Craft Show, Ridgeville American John’s Lutheran Church, 120 W. Water St., Sidney, 3 p.m. 937Legion, S031 Co. Rd. 19, Ridgeville Corners, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $1. 638-1466. This juried craft show features 36 excellent area crafters and has been going strong for over 20 years. 419-267-3898. DEC. 18 – Upper Valley Community Orchestra Concert, Temperance Masonic Lodge, 303 E. Poplar St., Sidney, 7 p.m. DEC. 7–10, 14–17 – Winter Wonderland Light Display, Sandusky 937-638-1466. Co. Fgds., 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont. $1 per person or donation of 1 nonperishable food item. Kids under 12 free. Drive-thru only DEC. 26–31 – Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides at Spiegel Grove, Thurs. and Sun., 6–8 p.m. Walk-thru only Fri. and Sat., 6–9 p.m. 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont, 1–4 p.m. $3, under 3 free. 419-332419-332-5604 or www.sanduskycountyfair.com. 2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

DEC. 1–30 – International Tree and Model Train Display, Black River Transportation Ctr., 421 Black River Lane, Lorain, Fri./Sat. 5–9 p.m., Sun. 3–7 p.m. Free. http://lorainwinterfest.com. DEC. 1–JAN. 7, 2018 – Steubenville Nutcracker Village and Advent Market, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville. Free. See the world’s largest collection of life-size nutcrackers on display at Fort Steuben Park. 866-301-1787 or www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com. DEC. 2 – Christmas Down on the Farm, Tis the Season and Schrock’s Amish Farm, 4363 St. Rte. 39, Berlin. Bring the kids out for sleigh rides, gingerbread house decorating, Christmas cutout cookies, great food, and much more! 330-893-3232 or www.tistheseasonchristmas.com.

DEC. 1–2, 5–9, 13–16 – Our Christmas Dinner, Ohio Star Theater, Dutch Valley, 1387 Old Rte. 39, Sugarcreek. 855-344-7547 or www.dhgroup.com/theater. DEC. 1–3, 7–10, 14–23, 26–30 – Deck the Hall, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 5–8 p.m. $7–$22, under 6 free. One of Ohio’s largest and most spectacular holiday traditions. The estate is illuminated inside and out with over 1 million lights, and the historic Manor House is decorated in style for the season. Enjoy live music, sweet treats, and much more. 888-836-5533 or www.stanhywet.org/ events/deck-hall-2017. DEC. 1–3, 8–10 – Candlelight Holiday Tours of Malabar Farm, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, Fri./Sat. 5–9 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. Tour Louis Bromfield’s Big House, all decked out for the holidays. $5, C. (6–17) $4, under 6 free. 419-892-2784 or www. malabarfarm.org/events/.

CENTRAL

DEC. 2 – Christmas in the Alpaca Barn, 16800 Cowley Rd., Grafton, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Come and enjoy an up-close look at these wonderful peaceful creatures. 440-477-4300 or www. ourlittleworldalpacas.com. DEC. 2 – Christmas Potluck Dinner, Richland County Chapter, Ohio Genealogical Society Meeting, OGS Library, 611 St. Rte. 97, Bellville, 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. Bring a dish to share. Table service and drinks provided. 419-5664560, sunda1960@yahoo.com, or www.rootsweb.ancestry. com/~ohrichgs/. DEC. 2–3 – Christmas in Zoar, 198 Main St., Zoar. $8, 12 and under free. Musical entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, juried craft show, and tours of decorated museum buildings. Church service and tree lighting ceremony Sat. only. 800-2626195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com. DEC. 9–10 – “Breath of Heaven” Live Nativity, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 15617 Mason Rd., Vermilion, 4–8 p.m., workshop; and lots more! Featuring our candlelight dinner with live music. Cost for dinner is $15 for adults, $8 for children. Prepaid reservations requested; cost is higher at the door. 740-653-2119 or www.lancastercampground.com. DEC. 1–3 – Christmas at the Palace, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $12–$18. Join us this year when your friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors take center stage to share the warmth and wonder of the holidays in song and dance, instrumental solos and group numbers, heartfelt vignettes, silly sketches, and more. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.

DEC. 1–2 – Lancaster Camp Ground Christmas Walk, 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 4–8 p.m. Tours of cottages and historical buildings; Nativity drama; holiday shopping; Santa’s

COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK

DEC. 1–25 – Christmas by Candlelight, Marion Co. Fgds., 220 E. Fairground St., Marion, Thur.–Sun. 6–10 p.m., open daily Christmas week. $6 per car. Marion’s only drive-through holiday light display featuring animated characters. Live Nativity on Sat. and Sun. nights. 740-382-2558 or www. marioncountyfairgrounds.com.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

walk-throughs every 15 minutes. Free. Canned food donations for local food banks are welcome. 440-225-9775. DEC. 10 – Christmas Train and Toy Show, Lakeland Community College (AFC) Main Gym, 7700 Clocktower Dr., Kirtland, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. $6, Family $15, C. (6–12) $3, under 6 free. Active military free. Over 200 dealers with model trains of all gauges, antique toys, and diecast toys. Meet Santa Claus,12:30–2 p.m. 440-256-8141, cleveshows@att.net, or www.christmastrainshow.com. DEC. 10 – Massillon Train and Toy Show, 988 Cherry Rd. NW, Massillon, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5, under 13 free. Free parking. 150 dealer tables. All gauges and parts, running layouts, farm and vintage toys, diecast models, NASCAR items, and more. Food and drink available. www.cjtrains.com. DEC. 10 – Winter Festival of Crafts, Franciscan Center at Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pick up that last-minute holiday gift or decoration that will make your holiday bright. Crafts by the Craftsman — no imports here! 419-842-1925 or www.toledocraftsmansguild.org. DEC. 13 – Lolley the Trolley Lights Tour, 255 Park Ave., Amherst, 6–8 p.m. $5 per person per ride; tickets must be prepurchased. Hop aboard the trolley and ride through Amherst to see the city’s most beautiful light displays. 440-984-6709 or http://mainstreetamherst.org/trolley/. DEC. 16–17 – Winter 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. This large show will feature artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concession stand on site. www.avantgardeshows.com. DEC. 1–25 – Festival of Lights, Fairfield Co. Fgds., 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, daily 5–10 p.m. $5. Continue the festival tradition at a new location! www.facebook.com/CollisonLights/. DEC. 1–JAN. 1, 2018 – “A Storybook Christmas,” Zanesville and Muskingum Co. locations. Visit over 100 unique stores and attractions, and explore the beautifully decorated streets and parks. Stop by to enjoy the nightly “Light & Music Show” at the Muskingum Co. Courthouse, Sun.–Thur. 6–9 p.m., Fri./Sat. 6–10 p.m. 740-455-8282, 800-743-2303, or www. visitzanesville.com. DEC. 2 – Annual Toy and Train Show, Marion Co. Fgds., 220 E. Fairground St., Marion, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 per person, $12 per family, kids 8 and under free. Collectibles, displays, hands-on items for sale. Over 100 tables for train enthusiasts to view. 740-383-3768. DEC. 2 – Winter Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Makoy Event Ctr., 5462 Center St., Hilliard, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under

12 free. Join us at our new location and get started on that holiday shopping! This large show will feature artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concession stand on site. www.avantgardeshows.com. DEC. 2 – WMRN Peanut Push, Center St., Marion. Watch people actually push a peanut across the street with their nose. A king and queen are crowned based on how much money they raise for the Junior Service Guild Christmas Clearinghouse. 740-383-1131 or www.wmrn.com. DEC. 2 – Pickerington Community Chorus: “Home for the Holidays” Christmas Concert, Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW, Pickerington, 3 p.m. $10, Srs./C. $8. www.pickeringtoncommunitychorus.com. DEC. 2, 9 – Christmas Candlelighting, Roscoe Village, 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton, 6–8 p.m. Share in the evening’s tradition of lighting the Christmas tree and your own candle as everyone softly sings “Silent Night.” Candlelit guided tour of the Village at 7 p.m. 800-877-1830 or www.roscoevillage.com. DEC. 3 – Annual Delaware Christmas Parade, begins at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “Delaware: Your Home for the Holidays.” www.mainstreetdelaware.com/parade.html.

SOUTHEAST

DEC. 5–JAN. 2, 2018 – State Auto’s Christmas Corner, 518 E. Broad St., Columbus. Free. Historic life-sized Nativity display. Choirs Fri. and Sat. evenings until Christmas. Lighting times: Mon.–Thur. 6–8 a.m., 5–11:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat until 12:30 a.m.; Christmas Eve 3 p.m. till 8 a.m. Christmas Day. christmas@stateauto.com or https://www.stateauto.com/Christmas. DEC. 8–10 – Classic Christmas Movie Weekend: The Santa Clause, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, Fri./Sun. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 and 7:30 p.m. $4 all ages, $2 for PCAA members. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org. DEC. 8–10, 15–17 – Dickens of a Christmas, Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Fri./Sat. 5:30–9 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. $7, C. (6–12) $4, under 6 free. Capture the spirit of holidays past. Charles Dickens’s festive and enduring vision comes to life through jolly carols, decorations, and traditions inspired by his colorful tales. 800-686-1541 or www.ohiohistory.org. DEC. 9 – Annual Holiday Cookie Walk, Fairfield County Genealogical Research Library, 503 Lenwood Dr., Lancaster, 1–4 p.m. 740-407-2794. DEC. 9 – Care Train Benefit Concert, Marysville H.S. Auditorium, 800 Amrine Mill Rd., Marysville, 7:30 p.m. 937-738-7946 or www.caretrain.org. DEC. 1–JAN. 1, 2018 – Dickens Victorian Village, downtown Cambridge. Stroll the streets to view scenes depicting life in 1850s England, featuring life-sized, handmade mannequins wearing real vintage clothing. 800-933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. DEC. 1–JAN. 1, 2018 – Holiday Light Show, Guernsey County Courthouse, Cambridge, 5:30–9 p.m. nightly. Four different light and music shows performed each evening. 800-933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. DEC. 2 – Ohio Valley Symphony: “The Christmas Show,” Ariel Theatre, 426 Second Ave., Gallipolis, 7:30 p.m. $24, Srs. $22, Stds. $12. 740-446-ARTS or www.arieltheatre.org.

DEC. 1–11 – Holidays at Adena, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 800-319-7248 or www.adenamansion.com. DEC. 1–18 – Santa Train, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 740-249-1452 or www.hvsry.org/trainlist.

SOUTHWEST

DEC. 2 – Cookies with Santa, Deerassic Park Education Ctr., 14250 Cadiz Rd., Cambridge, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 740-435-3335 or http://deerassic.com.

WEST VIRGINIA

DEC. 31 – New Year’s Eve Popcorn Pop-n-Drop, downtown Marion. Watch as the lighted popcorn ball drops at the stroke of midnight with fireworks! 740-802-7329 or www.downtownmarion.com.

DEC. 9 – Merry TubaChristmas, Ariel Theatre, 426 Second Ave., Gallipolis, 2 p.m. Free. 740-446-ARTS or www.arieltheatre.org. DEC. 3 – National Road/Zane Grey Museum Open House, 8850 E. Pike, Norwich, 1–4 p.m. Enjoy holiday decorations and music, spinning demonstrations, make-and-take crafts, and Christmas treats. 740-872-3143 or www.ohiohistory.org. DEC. 9 – Sardis Elf Academy in Winter Wonderland, Sardis Community Ctr., 37184 Mound St., Sardis. Free event for kids. Crafts, games, and treats. www.facebook.com/sardisohcc/. DEC. 21 – Solstice Watch, Sacra Via Park (between Second and Third Streets), Marietta, 4 p.m. Free. Weather permitting, between 4 and 4:30 p.m., we will view the sun setting on the western Muskingum Valley bluff in near perfect alignment with Sacra Via. http://mariettacastle.org.

DEC. 2–3, 9–10, 15–17, 21, 29 – Ornament Blow, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr., Forest Park, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. $35. Professional glassblowers teach you how to blow your own ornament from hot molten glass. 513-751-3292 or www. neusoleglassworks.com.

DEC. 2 – An Evening of Lights at Charleston Falls, 2535 Ross Rd., Tipp City, 6–9 p.m. Free. Stroll down the luminary trail that leads to the 37-foot lighted falls. Visit with Santa and his helpers. Please bring a canned good to be donated to a local food pantry. 937-335-6273 or www.miamicountyparks.com. DEC. 2 – Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage and Christmas Festival, downtown Lebanon, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Carriage parade at 1 p.m., candlelit parade at 7 p.m., with over 100 decorated carriages pulled by minis, Clydesdales, Percherons, and more. Enjoy shopping, entertainment, food, and crafts between the parades. 513-932-1100 or www.lebanonchamber.org.

DEC. 1–31 – Christmas Fantasy Light Show, Krodel Park, Point Pleasant. 304-675-3844.

DEC. 1–JAN. 1 – Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort and Conference Ctr., 465 Lodge Dr., Wheeling, Sun.– Thur. until 10 p.m., Fri. and Sat. until 11 p.m. World-famous light show covering 6 miles and featuring larger-than-life displays. Per car donation is requested and is valid for the entire festival season. Trolley tours offered. 877-436-1797 or www.oglebay-resort.com/festival.html.

DEC. 17 – Lancaster Community Band Holiday Concert, Sixth Avenue Methodist Church, 1004 W. Sixth Ave., Lancaster, 2 p.m. Free. A variety of holiday music both old and new. 740-756-4430.

DEC. 1–JAN. 3, 2018 – Christmas at the EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester. Take a “Journey to the North Pole” where you’ll meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. 877-898-4656.

DEC. 1–31 – Holiday in the Park, City Park and Southwood Park, Parkersburg, 6–9 p.m. A holiday light drive-through display. 304-480-2655.

DEC. 16–17 – Scott Antique Markets, Ohio Expo Ctrs., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission, $5 parking. www.scottantiquemarket.com.

DEC. 31 – New Year’s Gospel Sing, Harvest Christian Fellowship, 6060 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge. Free will offering, free parking. 740704-1487 (Tim Thomas) or www.gospeljubilee.org.

DEC. 2 – Downtown Piqua Holiday Parade, 300 and 400 blocks of N. Main St., Piqua, 2–3 p.m. www.mainstreetpiqua.com.

DEC. 1–JAN. 1, 2018 – Holiday Lights on the Hill, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., St. Rte. 128, Hamilton, Mon.–Thur. 6–9 p.m., $20 per car; Fri.–Sun. 6–10 p.m., $25 per car. 513-868-1234 or http://pyramidhill.org/holiday-lights.

DEC. 10 – It’s a Wonderful Wurlitzer Holiday Sing-a-Long, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 3 p.m. Free. This annual event kicks off with a special showing of a favorite holiday movie. After the short film, organists will play a selection of favorite holiday tunes on the theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.

DEC. 2 – Logan Santa Parade, Main St., Logan, beginning at 2 p.m. Watch for Santa at the end of the parade, and visit with him afterward in Worthington Park. 740-385-6836 or www. logan200.com.

DEC. 1 – Christmas on the Green, downtown Piqua, 5–8 p.m. Free. Community caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s activities, and live entertainment. 937-773-9355 or www.mainstreetpiqua.com.

DEC. 1–31 – Light Up Middletown, Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, 6–10 p.m. daily. A drive-through fantasy light display! See Santa and Mrs. Claus every Fri. and Sat., 7–9 p.m., through Dec. 23. Balloon Glow on Dec. 11, 7–7:30 p.m. www.lightupmiddletown.org.

DEC. 9 – Care Train of Union County Live Auction, McAuliffe’s Ace Hardware, 1299 W. Fifth St., Marysville, 9 a.m.– 3 p.m. 937-738-7946 or www.caretrain.org.

DEC. 9–10 – Christmas on the Corner, Monroe Historical Society Museum, 10 E. Elm St., Monroe, 5–8 p.m. Live music, vintage decorations, period exhibit, unique gift ideas, and more. 513-539-2270 or http://monroeohhistoricalsociety.org. DEC. 9–10 – Dayton Christkindlmarkt, 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 12–4 p.m. Celebrate the centuries-old Christmas market tradition that originated in Germany. 937-223-9013 or www.daytongermanclub.org. DEC. 21 – Lighting of the Serpent, Serpent Mound, 3850 St. Rte. 73, Peebles, 4–10 p.m. Celebrate the winter solstice by helping light more than 1,000 luminary candles surrounding the serpent effigy. Bring a taper candle and a flashlight. Free hot drinks and seasonal goodies. 937-205-0094 or www. serpentmound.org.

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.

DECEMBER 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

12 Days of Christmas

A chickadee in a “bare” tree. The little fellow was outside our kitchen window last winter in the Rose of Sharon bush. He loves his birdseed. Lori Bryan Carroll Electric Cooperative member

On the 12th day of Christmas, Santa brought to me…a reindeer in a sleigh! This is my son, Kenneth Jr., pulling our dog Slugger in a sleigh! Rebekah Caddell Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member

Send us your pictures! Upload your photos at www.ohioec.org/memberinteractive. For March 2018, send “Baby Faces” by Dec. 15; for April, send “The First Time We...” by Jan. 15. Make sure to give us your name, mailing address, phone number or e-mail, the name of your electric co-op, and an explanation of the photo, including the names of people shown. 40

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2017

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...a Santa in a Christmas tree! We had two Christmas trees: a family tree and a kids’ tree. Only kids could touch their tree and move ornaments as often as they liked. As adults, our kids reminisced every Christmas about their tree and what fun they had decorating it. All were delighted when they saw the kids’ tree tradition revived for the holidays last year with a Santa tree! Debbie Vogt Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member

One recycled ring! I recycled baby food jars and made a Christmas wreath. Diana Randolph Harrison Rural Electriﬁcation Association member

Talk to us

Connect with your local cooperative on social media, and let us know your favorite romantic meal. We’ll print some of the best responses in a future edition of Ohio Cooperative Living!

DID YOU KNOW? Co-ops give money back to their members! That’s right — co-ops are not-for-profit, so when there’s money left after bills are paid, it is returned to members as “capital credits,” or “patronage capital.”

Ohio electric co-ops returned nearly $32 MILLION to members in 2016.

Nationally, electric co-ops returned $1 BILLION to members in 2015— almost $14 BILLION since 1988.

Members paying their bill generates the operating revenue for the co-op.

When all the bills are paid, the extra money at the end of each year, called “margins,” is returned to each member.

The co-op’s board approves a return to members, called “capital credits” or “patronage capital.”

ohioec.org PatronageCapitalCreditsAd.indd 1

6/7/17 3:24 PM

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