OHIO
APRIL 2020
COOPERATIVE South Central Power Company Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative
coverline subhead
Working for you Lineworker Appreciation Day
ALSO ALSO INSIDE INSIDE 2020 annual Co-op member’s meeting details amazin’ story Sheriff Underground Maude Railroad makesinhistory Ohio Hunting for Ohio’s cradle Easter eggs of rivers
Celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day: April 13
They keep our lights on every day. But they also help communities rebuild after weather disasters, and they even travel across the globe to bring electricity to people who have never had it. To recognize your co-op’s dedicated employees, #ThankALineman this April.
ohioec.org/purpose
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
INSIDE FEATURES 24 PATH TO FREEDOM Geography and politics gave Ohio an important role in the Underground Railroad.
28 SAFETY MISSION A program aims to spread the word and reduce the dangers associated with living on the farm.
30 GATEWAY TO THE HILLS The new visitors’ center at Hocking Hills State Park gives adventurers a starting point for their stay.
40 A SUNNY SURPRISE One family’s farm pond yields a staterecord green sunfish to a 9-year-old in Richland County.
Cover image on most issues: Electrical linework is one of the most dangerous professions in the country, so in April, electric cooperatives take a day to honor their first responders.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 1
UP FRONT
DEDICATED I
f you’ve read this magazine for long enough, you get the idea that we respect, even admire, the people whose job it is to go out every day and keep our lights on. The lineworkers who represent each of the 24 electric cooperatives in our state are the first responders of the cooperative world. They are a dedicated, self-sacrificing bunch who do not flinch when the call goes out — any time of day, any season of the year. Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 13. The next time you flip a switch to bring a dark room to life, power up your cellphone or iPad, or even enjoy a hot shower in the morning, remember the people who power your co-op. The dedication of the lineworkers — and the entire co-op staff — to keeping your lights on is remarkable, and it’s genuine. In March, a group of Ohio lineworkers volunteered to leave the safety and security of their hometowns and share that skill and dedication with the 634 residents of Tierra Blanca Sebol, a tiny village in Guatemala. It was the third time an Ohio group has made such a trip — Ohio co-op lineworkers also electrified Guatemalan villages in 2016 and 2018 — and while neither of the previous ventures could be described as coming off without a hitch, this trip was especially complicated. Because the group’s status was evolving and things were still being sorted out while this issue of Ohio Cooperative Living was being printed, we’ll give everyone a more detailed account of the trip in the May magazine. Meanwhile, back here in Ohio, we know as we always have that we can count on our lineworkers when there’s trouble — big or small — and we’re proud of and grateful for these heroes every time they answer the call. Thanks to our lineworkers, for what they do for us each and every day.
2 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Pat O’Loughlin PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
The lineworkers are the first responders of the cooperative world. They are a dedicated, selfsacrificing bunch who do not flinch when the call goes out.
APRIL 2020 • Volume 62, No. 7
MORE INSIDE Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 memberinteract@ohioec.org www.ohioec.org Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO Patrick Higgins Director of Communications Jeff McCallister Managing Editor Rebecca Seum Associate Editor Anita Cook Graphic Designer Dava Hennosy Editorial Intern Contributors: Celeste Baumgartner, Colleen Romick Clark, Victoria Ellwood, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Craig Springer, and Damaine Vonada. OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official commun ication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Subscription cost for members ranges from $5.52 to $6.96 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved.
DEPARTMENTS 4
POWER LINES
8
CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
Always on duty: Co-op lineworkers know their lives may be put on hold at any time when duty calls.
Consolidated Cooperative: The Mount Gilead-based co-op serves an area rich in history and recreation.
4
10 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
One weird bird: The experience of watching an American bittern in the wild is worth the wait.
12 CO-OP PEOPLE
10
Orchid empire: Green Circle Growers has blossomed into one of the nation’s most innovative greenhouses.
15 GOOD EATS
EGGS-tra good: Wholesome,
For all advertising inquiries, contact
Cheryl Solomon American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop 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 Offi ce, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. 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
nutritious, and delicious, versatile eggs can liven up any meal.
12
19 LOCAL PAGES
News and information from your electric cooperative.
35 CALENDAR
What’s happening: April/May events and other things to do around the state.
15
38 MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Easter egg hunt: Readers left no stone unturned for a fine haul of Easter eggs and other surprises.
38
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 3
POWER LINES
ALWAYS ON Co-op lineworkers know their lives may be put on hold at any time when duty calls. BY JEFF McCALLISTER
W
eather forecasters knew it was a potentially devastating storm — a moisture-laden system rolling up from the Gulf of Mexico on a collision course with an arctic blast from the north, with Ohio right in the crosshairs. Ohioans heard they could have heavy rain or heavy snow, depending on the timing. If they were really unlucky, it might be heavy rain that froze as it fell. Mike Martin, a lineman at HolmesWayne Electric Cooperative in Millersburg, didn’t really concern himself with the forecast that December day in 2004; whatever would come, he and his brother lineworkers would deal with as they always did — and early on, it looked like his co-op would be spared the worst of it. “It was really just a good soaking rain that first night,” Martin says. “We were getting a few calls, and
4 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Mike Martin once worked 18 consecutive shifts when an ice storm left nearly 90% of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative’s consumer-members without power.
it looked like some of our members might be out for as long as a day or two. Then when we woke up the next morning and saw it in the daylight, we knew it was a bad situation.” The arctic air met the rain on a path that led directly through the Holmes-Wayne service territory, and as many as 15,000 of the co-op’s 17,000 members lost power. In all, a half-million Ohioans were in the dark, including an estimated 100,000 electric cooperative members across the central, southwestern, and northeastern parts of the state. Even with help from lineworkers sent by less-hard-hit areas, Martin and his crew worked 18 consecutive 16- to 18-hour days, including Christmas and New Year’s, in freezing temperatures, getting power restored. “I remember being up on a pole turning one house back on,” he says. “It was after dark, and the kids came running out of the house yelling and cheering and
thanking us. It actually took us a little bit to realize that it was Christmas Eve. It was a touching moment for us. It makes you feel really proud of the work you do.” Meanwhile, Martin’s own family and extended family put off their Christmas celebration for two full weeks while he was on the job. That’s the type of courage and dedication electric cooperatives across the country honor on Lineworker Appreciation Day, this year on April 13. “Electric linemen don’t often get the recognition they deserve,” says Kyle Hoffman, who heads up the lineworker training program for Ohio’s electric cooperatives. “They work all hours of the day, often in hazardous conditions, far from their families. They go above and beyond to restore power to their Continued on page 6
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 5
Barry Wisniewski, a lineman for Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, got his introduction to co-op work during the notorious blizzard of 1978. Co-op lineworkers across the country are being honored April 13 for their 24-hour dedication to duty.
Continued from page 5
communities. Our linemen, as well as linemen across the nation, deserve a day of recognition.” Barry Wisniewski has been on the job for more than 40 years at Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, based in New Concord. He says he appreciates the recognition that lineworkers get on Lineworker Appreciation Day, but it’s certainly not the reason they do what they do. Originally hired as the co-op’s first meter reader, Wisniewski got an early taste of the lineworker mindset when he got a field promotion on his first day on the job. The snow that was falling that day turned into the notorious blizzard of 1978. “It was all hands on deck, right from the start,” Wisniewski says. “We were clearing paths through 6 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
snowdrifts that were higher than our trucks to get through and restore power when no one else could go anywhere. That was my introduction to this type of work, so starting that way, nothing else that has come up really seems that unusual.” The experience made such an impression that Wisniewski decided to go into the profession full time. “I think to a one of us, our attitude says that we are going to stay out there until the power’s on, no matter what,” he says. “There’s not a bit of quit in them, and there aren’t many linemen who would even consider changing that, no matter what day it is — Christmas, their birthday, a hundred degrees in the summer or 10 below in the winter — that’s just how these guys are.”
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CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
CONSOLIDATED COOPERATIVE
C
onsolidated Cooperative serves almost 18,000 members in eight counties in north-central Ohio, concentrated in Delaware and Morrow counties. The cooperative not only provides electricity but also offers propane and fiber internet in some areas.
Morrow County Consolidated Cooperative’s main office is located on State Route 95 in Mount Gilead, the Morrow County seat. The county is home to an impressive and awe-inspiring park system, which co-op employees and many others often enjoy during lunchtime walks. Visitors from around the state are drawn to Mount Gilead State Park for its outdoor amenities, but Morrow County’s Parks District is also well-known for its recreational opportunities. The district is made up of five parks: Sheedy Sanctuary, Cedar Fork Park, Sautter Memorial Park, Fishburn Reserve, and Gleason Family Nature Reserve. The parks have well-maintained hiking trails, and some of the parks have organized, family-friendly activities. Gleason, Sheedy, and Sautter have each held guided interpretive nature walks. Gleason is the largest park in the reserve and has been undergoing rapid ecological change since reforestation and grassland restoration began in 2008. The previously agricultural fields are changing into a more diverse habitat featuring new migrants such as beavers.
Delaware County The Delaware County Fair becomes the center of the harness racing universe each September, when it’s the site of the Little Brown Jug — the second leg of harness racing’s Triple Crown for pacers. The event, hosted by the Delaware County Agricultural Society since 1946, takes place at the Delaware County Fairgrounds racetrack on the third Thursday after Labor Day, during the county fair. Delaware County residents also take special pride in their most famous native: Civil War hero, abolitionist, and the 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes. Last fall, a 7-foot statue of Hayes was unveiled in downtown Delaware on the 197th anniversary of his birth. Before taking the oath of office on March 3, 1877, Hayes also served in Congress — elected while he still served as a general in the Union Army — then won three terms as Ohio’s governor before becoming president. Delaware residents revere Hayes for his hometown values and sense of community. Consolidated’s employees were proud to have represented the cooperative at the unveiling of the new statue, which overlooks the president’s birthplace.
8 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Co-op Spotlight appears regularly in Ohio Cooperative Living to give a glimpse into the land and the people of Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives.
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WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
ONE WEIRD BIRD The experience of watching an American bittern in the wild is worth the wait. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
10 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
I
don’t consider myself an avid birder, but I understand enough about Ohio birds to know when something unusual shows up. Serendipity struck last year about this time when I came across an American bittern in a small wetland on private property near my home in north-central Ohio. A sizeable bird, measuring 2 feet tall with a 31/2-foot wingspan, it must have heard me coming. It was already “frozen” in its hiding-in-plain-sight pose when I saw it standing just a few feet from the swamp’s edge in shallow water near some cattails. The bird had compressed its body and was pointing its stout bill skyward. “Nothing to see here,” it seemed to say. “I’m just another marsh reed. Move along …” American bitterns are not easy to spot, for two reasons. First, there aren’t very many of them — they’re stateendangered. Second, they are masters of camouflage. The bird kept its heavily streaked breast turned toward me at all times, rotating slowly as I moved back and forth for a better camera angle. It would even sway slightly from side to side, as a reed does in the wind. But there was no wind that particular morning, which made the bird’s actions look a little ridiculous, as if he or she — the sexes appear similar — were a little tipsy. Nevertheless, the bittern continued its charade for more than two hours, convinced I couldn’t see it from a mere 20 feet away. Another reason the bittern was likely reluctant to flush and fly is that it was no doubt feeding on the dozens of leopard frogs that were breeding in a watery springtime amphibian orgy just a few yards away. As a result, I’ve never had a more cooperative, accommodating wildlife photo subject.
They are usually a bird of large open wetlands, such as Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge or the adjacent Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, east of Toledo. Both of those refuges are located along the Lake Erie shoreline and make up the largest wetland complex in Ohio. During migration, American bitterns can drop into smaller wetlands anywhere in the state, so keep your eyes and ears open this spring. The wild world is a constant stage of changing natural, ephemeral scenes. That’s part of the fascination of the outdoors — you never know quite what you’ll find. You just have to get off the couch long enough to discover what’s out there. If possible when you go, take a child or grandchild along. W.H. “CHIP” GROSS is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor and a member of Consolidated Cooperative. If you have an outdoors-related story idea, send him an email at whchipgross@gmail.com.
As if all that behavior wasn’t bizarre enough, American bitterns have one more unique feature: They make a call that is other-worldly. Usually heard at dawn, dusk, or even after dark during spring or early summer, it is a deep, slow, resonant, repetitive “pomp-er-lunk” or “oonka-choonk” that can carry a great distance. Some ornithologists have described the sound as a pump operating underwater, earning the bird its nickname: thunder-pumper. The sound is worth going online to hear; I suggest the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. The American bittern I encountered last April is the only one I’ve ever spotted in the wild, but I hope it’s not my last.
To hear a recording of the American bittern’s call, visit www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Bittern.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 11
CO-OP PEOPLE
Orchid empire
Green Circle Growers has blossomed into one of the nation’s most innovative greenhouses. BY DAMAINE VONADA
W
ith jade leaves held upright by translucent vases and tall flower spikes laden with buds, Phalaenopsis orchids ride on a conveyor belt inside the orchid range at Green Circle Growers. A computerized camera has just photographed the orchids, and soon a series of automated arms will embrace each one and methodically funnel it into a row of similar plants. “The camera takes 10 digital pictures of every orchid to determine how developed it is,” says Jose Martinez, marketing manager at GCG. “The plants are then grouped
12 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
according to their size and number of spikes and blooms. If a plant is too small, it goes back to a growing area.” A member of Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative, Green Circle Growers ranks among the nation’s largest and most innovative greenhouses, operating 100 acres of indoor growing space and 35 acres of outdoor growing space in the countryside west of Oberlin. It also employs more than 800 people and is Lorain-Medina’s largest consumer of electricity. John van Wingerden founded Green Circle Growers as a vegetable farm in 1968. While the company remains
to mass-produce Phalaenopsis hybrids. Since the Dutch are old masters at state-of-the-art floriculture, much of the advanced grading machinery came from the Netherlands. Orchids get digital codes that allow constant monitoring of their growth, and when they’ve sufficiently matured, a robot not only assembles shipping boxes but also packs the plants inside. “A box contains thirteen plants, and the robot can build and pack 180 boxes in an hour,” says Martinez. The company installed environment-friendly boilers fueled by tree waste and recycled pallets to help to simulate the tropical conditions in which the orchids naturally grow, and by using retention ponds to collect rainwater, its irrigation system yields 1.5 million gallons of water for every inch of rainfall.
VIDEO LINK: For a closer look at the production lines at Green Circle Growers, visit www.ohioec.org/orchids.
Those who work at Green Circle Growers, including Jose Martinez (left) and Caitlin Fisher (top), are constantly surrounded by a multitude of orchids in various stages of growth.
family owned and managed, it now grows and distributes bedding plants; seasonal plants such as poinsettias, Easter lilies, and mums; and a diverse selection of indoor potted plants that includes Crassula succulents, leafy dieffenbachia, tiny bonsai trees, and a veritable rainbow of prolifically blooming Phalaenopsis orchids. Green Circle Growers, in fact, devotes 33 acres of greenhouse space to orchids and has blossomed into the top orchid grower in North America. “We produce 8.5 million orchids every year,” says Martinez. “Because they’re all grown under roof, we raise and sell them year-round.” Florida and California establishments have traditionally dominated U.S. orchid production, but this Ohio company became a major player by adopting technology and sustainable practices that allow it
In addition to marketing succulent and foliage plants under its Wild Interiors trademark, Green Circle Growers developed the Just Add Ice brand for its Phalaenopsis orchids to emphasize that the plants, which are known as the “beginner’s orchid,” are exceptionally easy to care for. The name also reflects the Ohio State University and University of Georgia studies that proved ice cubes are a simple way for orchid owners to properly water plants. “Ice irrigation has no harmful effects and helps roots take water,” says Caitlin Fisher, GCG’s content manager. “The slow drip of melting ice is like raindrops in a tropical forest.” Green Circle Growers recommends three ice cubes per week and offers online video instruction and care tips. Although its primary customers are national retailers like Home Depot, Sam’s Club, and Trader Joe’s, Green Circle Growers also sells plants directly to consumers through its website. Just Add Ice orchids are two years old at the time of sale and are available in seven color categories and three pot sizes — premium (5 inch), petite (3 inch), and mini (2.5 inch) — suitable for gifting or decorating. In each size, all plants are the same height and have the same number of blooms. “We make sure the orchids are consistent because we want customers to avoid design fatigue,” Fisher says. “We just want people to enjoy picking their colors.” Green Circle Growers, 51051 U.S. Highway 20, Oberlin, OH 44074. 440-775-1411; www.greencirclegrowers.com.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 13
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CREAMY GARLIC DEVILED EGGS Prep: 20 minutes | Servings: 12 1 egg yolk 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Notes: This recipe will make more garlic mayo than is needed for the dozen deviled eggs. Use on ham sandwiches, in egg salad, or as a dipping sauce for roasted cauliflower. Refrigerate up to a week. If you don’t have an immersion blender, try a standard blender or whisk continuously for 15 to 20 minutes. In a tall bowl or glass, combine egg yolk, mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and water. Blend with an immersion blender for 90 seconds until very smooth and thick. Add garlic and blend until incorporated. If mixture doesn’t turn into what looks like
1 teaspoon water 3 tablespoons finely chopped garlic 1 dozen hard-boiled eggs fresh dill and salt for garnish mayonnaise, try adding another teaspoon of water or start a new batch and mix the second batch into the first batch. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and slice in half lengthwise. For a more upscale presentation, cut off the thin ends and stand upright. Scoop out yolks into a medium-sized bowl. Add 1/4 cup garlic mayo and incorporate until smooth. Scoop mixture into a piping bag and pipe into the egg whites. Garnish with fresh dill and salt, if desired. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Per serving: 104 calories, 9 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 1 gram total carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 6 grams protein.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 15
SPRING CHEF SALAD Prep: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1/2 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried dill 6 cups lettuce
1 bunch asparagus, shaved 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced 4 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into small rectangular chunks 6 ounces ham, cut into small rectangular chunks 1 small bunch radishes, thinly sliced 1/2 cup croutons
Blend together all dressing ingredients (starting with Greek yogurt and ending with dill) with a whisk or immersion blender. Add up to 1/4 cup water to thin dressing for desired thickness. On a serving platter or large bowl, lay down the lettuce leaves, then arrange remaining ingredients (except croutons and dressing) into rows on top. Serve with dressing on the side, croutons optional. Per serving: 474 calories, 29 grams fat (10 grams saturated fat), 23 grams total carbohydrates, 5 grams fiber, 34 grams protein.
RHUBARB CUSTARD BARS Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Chill: 4 hours | Servings: 12
For the crust 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt
Rhubarb puree 4 cups chopped rhubarb 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Rhubarb curd 5 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 tablespoons lemon juice zest of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon salt 11/2 cups rhubarb puree red dye 1/2 cup flour powdered sugar for dusting
Note: There will be more rhubarb puree than the recipe calls for. Spoon some on top of the bars when serving for extra tartness. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, blend together butter, 2 cups flour, and 1/2 cup sugar until mixture is crumbly. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until firm and lightly golden in color. Set aside to cool. While the crust is cooking, start by making a rhubarb puree. Combine puree ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook on medium-high until rhubarb has turned into a sauce with very few chunks, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Set aside to cool before moving on to the next step. In a large bowl, whisk together curd ingredients except for red dye and flour. Slowly add red dye and whisk until incorporated. Stop when you reach the desired color (the color will fade a bit when cooked). Lastly, whisk in the flour until smooth. Pour curd on top of crust and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until set. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool. Chill in refrigerator for 4 hours. Pull the parchment paper up on all sides, lift, and lay on a flat surface for easy cutting of bars. Per serving: 326 calories, 17.5 grams fat (10 grams saturated fat), 38 grams total carbohydrates, 1.5 grams fiber, 5 grams protein. 16 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
EGGS ON FIRE Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1 tablespoon olive oil 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 serrano pepper, sliced thin (they’re spicy!) 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1 green pepper, diced 1 teaspoon cumin 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon coriander 1 small red onion, diced 8 eggs Heat olive oil in a wide/deep skillet (10 inches or wider) and sauté serrano peppers, green pepper, garlic, and onion for 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and stir in paprika, cumin, and coriander. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture starts to thicken. To avoid shells and broken yolks, crack one egg at a time into a small bowl, then slide into skillet on top of the tomatoes, repeating with each egg.
4 ounces Cotija (or feta) cheese handful of fresh cilantro, minced crostini for dipping (optional)
Cover with a lid and steam/poach for 10 minutes or so, until egg whites set fully and yolks are how you prefer. Top with crumbled cheese and cilantro. Serve with crostini or toasted bread if desired. Tip: To add more eggs or to double this recipe, cook in an electric skillet. Per serving: 236 calories, 13 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated fat), 18 grams total carbohydrates, 5.5 grams fiber, 15 grams protein.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 17
Technical Scholarships Available For adult and high school consumer-members
Rules and applications are available at www.ohioec.org/TechnicalScholarship APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 30
MID-OHIO ENERGY COOPERATIVE
LOCAL PAGES
LINEWORKER APPRECIATION DAY
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON
L
RAIN SHINE OR
ineworkers serve on the frontlines of our nation’s energy needs, and on April 13, 2020, Mid-Ohio Energy, along with other electric cooperatives across the country, will honor the brave men and women who work hard to keep the lights on. Line crews work around the clock, sometimes in difficult and dangerous conditions, to keep power flowing to our local communities. Whether they’re restoring power after a major storm or maintaining critical infrastructure to our electric system, lineworkers are at the heart of our co-op. When a storm hits, they set aside their personal priorities because Mother Nature doesn’t work around holidays, vacations, and birthdays. A service-oriented mentality is one of the many admirable characteristics of an electric lineworker. Mid-Ohio Energy is proud to honor the linemen who maintain 1,333 miles of power lines in our service territory. We invite all co-op members to take a moment and thank a lineworker for the important work they do. On April 13, you can use #ThankALineworker on social media to show your support for the brave men and women who power our lives.
When you find yourself in the dark, we’ve got your back. Lineworker Appreciation Day April 13, 2020
Mid-Ohio Energy proudly salutes our linemen: Barry Boes Jason Chavana Kent Driskill Luke Jackson John Kasler Colin Morris Jared Robinson Derek Stoll Brad Vargo Solomon Weihrauch
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 19
These details of the annual meeting are the most recent at the time of printing. In light please be sure to visit www.MidOhioEnergy.com/AnnualMeeting to find the most recent
OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Registration from 6 to 7 p.m. Business meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Location: Elgin High School (Meeting to be held in the cafetorium) 1150 Keener Road S. Marion, OH 43302
Business to be conducted at the meeting: Election results for trustee districts 7, 8, and 9 Report on 2019–20 activities Energy credits, refreshments, and door prizes
Each member receives: Reusable cooler bag, magnetic bag clip, energy-efficient LED bulb, $10 energy credit for attending
Refreshments: Soda, water, coffee, ice cream, cookies
Win energy credits and prizes:
Bring the family!
PLUS great door prizes, including:
Babysitting service and kids’ activities provided
ACRE Members: Receive a special gift – your choice of a 15-foot extension cord or 20-ounce stainless steel tumbler
20 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • MARCH 20 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020 2017
$1,350 in bonus energy credits
⚡ EGO electric push mower ⚡ Air fryer/pressure cooker combo ⚡ Electric smoker ⚡ Amazon Echo Show 8 ⚡ One of six $100 Visa gift cards
of the governor of Ohio’s restrictions on public gatherings due to COVID-19, information regarding the status of the annual meeting. Annual meeting door prizes: Win electric tools and appliances! Mid-Ohio Energy’s annual meeting is a time for co-op members to gather with friends and neighbors to enjoy refreshments and hear about the latest happenings of your electric cooperative. It’s also a great opportunity to go home with some great giveaways and door prizes. Each member in attendance receives a reusable cooler bag, magnetic bag clip, an LED bulb, and a $10 energy credit. Members also have the opportunity to win one of 28 great bonus door prizes, ranging from an extra energy credit to a brand new electric push mower!
Meco electric smoker: A stainless steel water smoker with access doors and thermostat control. Amazon Echo Show 8: Control smart devices and get the most out of asking Alexa with the Echo show, featuring an 8-inch HD screen and surround sound. Join us at the annual meeting, and you just may leave with another reminder of how electricity can empower your lifestyle.
This year’s prizes showcase the range and versatility of electric tools and appliances. Improvements in technology continue to add convenience both indoors and outside.
Grand prize: EGO brand electric push mower
EGO electric push mower: Have your lawn in top form this spring with a cleaner, easier-to-maintain, batterypowered mower.
Cordless, electric mower is clean, quiet, and easy to maintain!
Ninja “Foodi” pressure cooker/air fryer combo: An 8-quart, 9-in-1 appliance. Pressure cook, steam, broil, and more.
Annual meeting driving directions: Elgin High School The 2020 annual meeting will be held at Elgin High School in Marion (1150 Keener Road S., Marion, OH 43302). The school is located on the western portion of Marion County, a central location for many members in both districts. Signs will be posted in the area to help direct traffic to the meeting site.
SR 309
Take State Route 309 east toward Marion. At the intersection with State Route 203 (flashing light), turn right (south) and follow to Keener Road. Turn right onto Keener Road. The school’s north parking lot is on the left.
ELGIN HIGH SCHOOL
FROM THE SOUTH Take State Route 203 north to LaRue Prospect Road. Turn left (west) onto LaRue Prospect Road and follow to Keener Road. Turn right (north) onto Keener and go past the school to the north parking lot on your right.
SR 203
FROM THE WEST
Take State Route 95 west toward LaRue. At the intersection with State Route 203, turn left (south) and follow to Keener Road. Turn right onto Keener Road. The school’s north parking lot is on the left.
SR 95 Marion
Keener Rd.
Keener Rd. South
FROM THE EAST
LaRue Prospe
ct Rd.
SR 203
Kenton
Prospect Upper-Sandusky Rd.
SR 309
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20A
MID-OHIO ENERGY COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES EMPLOYEE NEWS
BURGGRAF
RETIRES FROM IT MANAGER POST
I
n February, Information Technology Manager Brent Burggraf logged off of Mid-Ohio Energy’s network for one final time in his cooperative career, after 15 years of service.
Brent began his cooperative career in November 2004, after working more than 25 years in the information technology (IT) department at Nachurs Alpine Solutions in Marion. In his role with Mid-Ohio Energy, Brent was responsible for maintaining the co-op’s network infrastructure and various technological systems. He performed regular system maintenance, implemented security protocols, and trained users on new technologies and software. In addition to his IT duties, Brent also served as the Marion office manager. In Brent’s tenure at Mid-Ohio Energy, he helped navigate the cooperative through many technological upgrades, including customer information software, phone systems, and radio communications. His assistance was crucial to developing new programs such as the co-op’s mobile apps, board communication tools, and automated pay-by-phone service. He was responsible for improving many privacy and security procedures to safeguard cooperative and member data. Around the office, Brent was known for his easygoing and consistent personality. In casual conversation, he’d share wisdom and experiences with autos, wellness, and finances. In retirement, Brent plans to catch up on many projects around the home and looks forward to spending time with his wife, Laura, and their family.
Burggraf retires after 15 years as IT manager and Marion office manager. President & CEO John Metcalf, left, thanked Brent for his service during a retirement dinner held in the Kenton office.
Our offices will be closed on Friday, April 10, to recognize Good Friday. Mid-Ohio Energy wishes all of our consumer-members a happy Easter. Emergency service is available anytime — call 888-363-6446.
20B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
A U L N R N E A
T R PO
20 1 9
Our Focus Is on Members
John Metcalf President & CEO
As we enter 2020, “focused” is a fitting word to describe MidOhio Energy’s approach to providing great service to our members. It takes a great deal of focus to address current industry challenges and keep an eye on future trends—all while maintaining the high level of service our members have come to expect. One of the ways your cooperative’s board and employee team stays focused is by conducting strategic planning sessions to guide the direction of Mid-Ohio Energy in the coming years. To guide these sessions, an outside facilitator is selected. The facilitator performs research and meets with board and management staff (both individually and as a group) to assess all facets of the cooperative. As a result of the sessions, a strategic planning document is formed. These strategic planning sessions are then conducted periodically over time to address new technologies and changes in the local area and energy industry. Our last strategic plan was developed in early 2017, and it focused on goals such as member engagement and education, workforce engagement, technologies that improved service to members, investments in reliability, board education and succession, and growing the business. Your cooperative worked very hard over the past three years to implement new programs directly related to these goals. For example, new programs such as member appreciation day were added and new rebate programs were developed to meet the goals of member engagement and education. Improvements to the Mid-Ohio Energy app and website are
Robert Imbody Chairman
also examples of technologies that improve service to the member. Economic development and community improvement grants have expanded our local impact as examples of “growing the business.” When your board and staff embarked on the latest strategic planning process in the fall of 201, we quickly realized that many of our challenges have now changed—primarily due to the success of the prior strategic plan’s goals being met. Additionally, many of the key personnel participating in the exercise were different from those who participated in 2017. In fact, over 30% of Mid-Ohio Energy’s current employees and 60% of the current trustees were not employed or serving on the board of the cooperative in 2017. These personnel changes resulted in fresh ideas for this year’s strategic planning process. While considering a significant turnover in staff and board, it was amazing how closely the board and staff strategic priorities were aligned when ranked by each group. Key topics discussed in the current session included workforce attraction and development, community engagement, emerging technologies, grid reliability, and more. Several themes and trends emerged during these in-depth discussions. As a result of the strategic planning process, your board and staff once again developed several strategic planning goal strategies that are intended to help guide your cooperative in the future. In coming years, your cooperative will be focused on the following goals of workforce engagement, reliability investments, communications, rates and financial soundness, governance and transparency.
BALANCE SHEETS December 31, 2019 and 2018 2019 2018 ASSETS
Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative's Statement of Principles
ELECTRIC PLANT In service - at cost $ 54,469,875 $ 53,808,244 Construction work in progress 205,130 230,360 Subtotal Electric Plant 54,675,005 54,038,604 Less: accumulated provision for depreciation and amortization (12,955,675) (12,818,963) NET ELECTRIC PLANT 41,719,330 41,219,641 INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS Investments - patronage capital 9,954,980 9,729,787 Investments - equity capital 900,744 900,744 Other investments 404,700 405,440 Deferred charges, less current portion 341,684 262,525 Prepayments, less current portion 167,390 TOTAL INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS 11,769,498 11,298,496 CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 1,269,892 1,382,921 Accounts receivable, less provision for uncollectible accounts of $43,120 and $38,567, respectively 2,081,051 2,246,069 Materials and supplies 448,082 460,721 Interest receivable 4,757 4,757 Current portion of deferred charges 170,841 87,508 Current portion of prepayments 1,053,593 641,508 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 5,028,216 4,823,484 TOTAL ASSETS $ 58,517,044 $ 57,341,621
As a Touchstone Energy® cooperative, we are guided by the principles of Integrity, Accountability, Innovation, and Commitment to Community.
Quick Cooperative Facts: 8,146 meters served ● 13 substations 1,333 miles of energized lines
Your cooperative has always been, and will remain, committed to improving service and reliability to its members at a competitive price. Routine strategic planning exercises such as the one recently completed have proven to be very worthwhile and produce measurable results. One of those measurable results is Mid-Ohio Energy’s recent member satisfaction scores.
EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES
Each year, Mid-Ohio Energy conducts a survey of its members to measure overall satisfaction. As part of this survey, questions are asked to form an American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) rating. Mid-Ohio Energy has conducted the ACSI survey consistently over the past 22 years, giving us a guideline of member perceptions and service satisfaction. The most recent survey scored Mid-Ohio Energy at 88 points on a 100-point scale! To put that in perspective, Mid-Ohio Energy’s 88 score was significantly higher than “forprofit” competitors such as American Electric Power (68) or First Energy (73) in the same survey. Mid-Ohio Energy also scored above the average Ohio electric cooperative score of 85.
EQUITIES Memberships $ 71,445 $ 71,215 Patronage capital 25,863,788 25,867,512 TOTAL EQUITIES 25,935,233 25,938,727 LONG-TERM DEBT FFB mortgage notes, less current maturities 15,681,890 14,637,472 CoBank mortgage notes, less current maturities 3,655,051 3,117,199 NRUCFC mortgage notes, less current maturities 7,676,626 8,451,140 Capital lease obligations, less current portion 424,831 243,676 TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT 27,438,398 26,449,487 OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES Accumulated provision for non-pension postretirement benefits 93,342 102,656 TOTAL OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 93,342 102,656 CURRENT LIABILITIES Current maturities of long-term debt 1,498,122 1,444,952 Current portion of capital lease obligations 143,471 118,652 Accounts payable - cost of purchased power 1,073,187 1,125,768 Accounts payable - other 167,864 245,051 Patronage capital payable 883,448 680,313 Consumer deposits 164,245 158,410 Accrued taxes 794,633 754,329 Other current liabilities 325,101 323,276 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 5,050,071 4,850,751 TOTAL EQUITIES AND LIABILITIES $ 58,517,044 $ 57,341,621
In fact, Mid-Ohio Energy’s recent ACSI score of 88 points was a record-high score in our history of conducting the survey, and ranks among the highest scores achieved by any electric utility. Your board and staff feel this recent high ACSI score is directly related to high electric reliability and the service-focused programs implemented at your cooperative. The strategic planning process helps us “focus” on the issues that are most important for our members to continue to maximize your satisfaction.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Going forward, your cooperative will continue to stay attuned to the ever-shifting challenges facing the electric utility industry. As change arrives and strategic goals continue to evolve, our promise is that our focus will remain on our members.
3
STATEMENTS OF REVENUE AND PATRONAGE CAPITAL
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
December 31, 2019 and 2018
2019 2018 OPERATING REVENUES $ 21,679,722 $ 22,345,673 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of purchased power 12,380,527 12,955,724 Distribution - operation 819,457 897,341 Distribution - maintenance 1,532,856 1,592,282 Consumer accounts 746,829 731,350 Administrative and general 2,186,642 1,953,255 Depreciation and amortization 1,902,546 1,869,364 Taxes 728,376 743,134 Interest 1,095,888 1,105,101 Other deductions 3,043 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 21,396,164 21,847,551 Operating margins before capital credits 283,558 498,122 Buckeye Power, Inc. capital credits 596,080 1,045,189 Other capital credits 92,664 110,092 NET OPERATING MARGINS 972,302 1,653,403 NON-OPERATING MARGINS Interest income 118,537 120,428 Miscellaneous non-operating income 2,201 2,689 Gain on disposition of property 37,480 25,928 TOTAL NON-OPERATING MARGINS 158,218 149,045 NET MARGINS 1,130,520 1,802,448 Patronage capital, beginning of year 25,867,512 24,689,431 Reclassification of other equities - 270,944 Retirement of capital credits (1,134,244) (895,311) Patronage capital, end of year $ 25,863,788 $ 25,867,512 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 2019 2018 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net margins $ 1,130,520 $ 1,802,448 Adjustments to reconcile net margins to net cash provided by operating activities: Change in provision for uncollectible accounts 4,553 (4,135) Depreciation and amortization 2,114,510 2,079,934 Other deductions 3,043 Non-cash capital credits allocation (688,744) (1,155,281) Gain on disposition of property (37,480) (25,928) Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 444,036 133,096 Materials and supplies (52,002) 13,305 Deferred charges, interest receivable and prepayments (745,010) 275,041 Accounts payable (129,768) 98,390 Accumulated provision for non-pension postretirement benefits, patronage capital payable, accrued taxes, and other current liabilities 235,950 (65,081) Total adjustments 1,149,088 1,349,341 Net cash provided by operating activities 2,279,608 3,151,789 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Extension and replacement of electric plant, net of salvage and cost of retirements (2,490,813) (2,136,867) Proceeds from sale of scrap 16,975 17,055 Proceeds from sale of assets 37,480 25,928 Proceeds from redemption of investments - patronage capital 464,291 381,111 Net cash used in investing activities (1,972,067) (1,712,773) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net change in consumer memberships and deposits 6,065 3,220 Net change in cushion of credit 1,572,878 (545,306) Proceeds from long-term debt 2,650,000 1,700,000 Payments on long-term debt (3,361,952) (1,503,786) Payments on capital lease obligations (153,317) (116,426) Patronage capital credits retired (1,134,244) (895,311) Net cash used in financing activities (420,570) (1,357,609) (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (113,029) 81,407 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,382,921 1,301,514 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 1,269,892 $ 1,382,921
NATURE OF ORGANIZATION Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. (the Cooperative), was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, operates as a cooperative, and is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Cooperative’s primary business is that of providing electric service to rural consumers in Hardin, Allen, Auglaize, Marion, Logan, Wyandot, Morrow, Union, and Crawford counties in Ohio. Providing electric service includes construction of plant as well as purchasing electricity to sell to consumers. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Cooperative's accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles, as applied to Rural Electric Cooperatives, substantially in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Following is a description of the more significant accounting policies used by the Cooperative in the preparation of its financial statements: Electric plant and depreciation - The Cooperative records improvements and additions to the distribution plant at cost using continuing property records. Retirements are removed from the cost and accumulated depreciation accounts at standard costs, which are updated periodically. The actual cost of removing retirements is charged to accumulated depreciation during the year the retirement is completed. General plant and equipment are recorded at cost based on the unit method. Any retirements or disposals of general plant and equipment are removed from the cost and accumulated depreciation accounts. Any salvage received is credited to accumulated depreciation. Investments - Investments are recorded at cost, which represents par value. The investments have no established market, making it impractical and costly to estimate their fair value. These investments primarily represent equity contributions in other cooperatives and are adjusted annually to reflect patronage allocations received, net of cash. They are included on the balance sheets as long-term assets. Other investments are recorded at cost. Materials and supplies - Inventories of material and supplies not allocated to construction work in progress are valued at the lower of cost (determined using the average cost method) or net realizable value. Accounts receivable - Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides a valuation allowance for potentially uncollectible accounts through a charge to earnings. In establishing the valuation allowance, management considers their knowledge of customers, historical losses, and current economic conditions in their market area. Balances that are still outstanding after reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted are written-off through a charge to the valuation allowance. Changes in the valuation allowance historically have not been significant. The Cooperative performs ongoing credit evaluations of its consumers and requires a security deposit for consumers meeting specified criteria. Compensated absences - The Cooperative accrues a liability for compensated absences for which the employee has earned a vested, non-forfeitable right. Non-vested benefits related to accumulated sick leave, which cannot be reasonably estimated, are expensed as incurred. Financial instruments -The Cooperative believes that the carrying amount of its financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and other current assets and liabilities, approximates fair value based on their short-term duration. The Cooperative has determined that it is not practical to calculate the fair value of investments in other cooperatives and long-term debt due to the excessive cost involved. Income taxes - The Cooperative has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization exempt from income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(12). Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes has been recorded. The Cooperative complies with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. ASC 740-10 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Management is not aware of any tax positions taken by the Cooperative on its tax returns that they consider to be uncertain or that would jeopardize its tax-exempt status. Tax returns for the years ended 2018, 2017, and 2016 are still open and subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Retirement related benefits - Generally accepted accounting principles require the recognition of the funded status of the non-pension postretirement benefit plan as an asset or a liability on the balance sheets. It also requires the recognition of the changes in that funded status in the year in which they occur through other comprehensive income and the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and transition assets or liabilities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. However, these amounts were not significant for the Cooperative; therefore, other comprehensive income has not been recorded. Patronage capital and margins - Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. operates under the Cooperative form of organization. As provided in the code of regulations, any excess of revenues over expenses from operations is treated as advances of capital by the patrons and credited to each of them on an individual basis. Generally, it is the Cooperative’s policy to retire capital contributed by patrons periodically as deemed appropriate by management and the Board of Trustees. Capital credits due to patrons who become deceased are paid to the estates of such patrons. Cash and cash equivalents - The Cooperative considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand, demand deposits, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and investments in commercial paper having a maturity of 90 days or less. There were no investments in commercial paper at December 31, 2019 or 2018. Statement of cash flows - Net cash flows from operating activities include cash payments for interest of $1,092,925 and $1,221,875 for 2019 and 2018, respectively. There were no payments for federal income taxes. The Cooperative acquired vehicles with a total value of $349,187 and $231,455 in 2019 and 2018, respectively, utilizing capital leases in non-cash transactions. Additional non-cash activity is provided in the "LONG-TERM DEBT" note. Revenue recognition and cost of purchased power - During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Cooperative was required to adopt the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of this ASU is to significantly enhance comparability and clarify principles of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets. The ASU was applied retrospectively and required no adjustments to assets, liabilities, or beginning equities balances. Revenues represent amounts billed monthly to members using established rates applied to energy consumption. Revenues and the related cost of purchased power are recognized during the month in which energy is consumed. Revenues from all other sources, primarily services and late charges, are recognized as the service is provided or the consumer is charged. The Cooperative generally meets its performance obligations related to the service within a month of the order. Payment for the services are due upon delivery of the service. The sale prices for the services are fixed at the amounts in the contract or agreed to at the time of the sale of the power and services.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—cont’d December 31, 2019 and 2018 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued Revenue recognition and cost of purchased power - continued Some of the Cooperative’s operations provide for deposits or prepayments for power. The revenue and gross profit related to these transactions is not recognized until the power is consumed by the member. These consumer deposit contract liabilities are classified as current liabilities on the balance sheets. The table below includes disaggregated information by the significant type of consumer and services for the years ended December 31: Residential $ General service and large commercial Large power Late charges Pole attachments, net Miscellaneous service Total Operating Revenue $
2019
2018
14,822,740 $ 15,338,042 2,739,984 2,927,679 3,805,562 3,796,080 169,181 165,723 76,877 76,879 65,378 41,270 21,679,722 $ 22,345,673
Concentration of credit risk - At various times throughout the year, the Cooperative may have deposits in financial institutions that exceed the federally insured limit. The Cooperative’s investments with Cooperative Response Center Inc. (CRC) and National Rural Utilities Finance Corporation (NRUCFC) are uninsured. Management does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to its cash deposits. Credit risk for accounts receivable is concentrated because substantially all of the balances are unsecured credit to consumers, primarily for the sale of electricity, located within the same geographic region. The Cooperative has four major consumers that represent approximately 17% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Recent accounting standards - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires recognition of a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) on the balance sheets. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The guidance requires a modified retrospective transition approach be applied to all periods presented. The Cooperative is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its financial statements for fiscal year 2021. LITIGATION The Cooperative is from time to time subjected to litigation through the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2019, management is not aware of any litigation pending or pertaining to the Cooperative that is material to the financial statements. The Cooperative is fully insured against any pending litigation.. DEFERRED CHARGES On February 28, 2013, the Cooperative, along with many of the participating employers, made a prepayment to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Retirement Security (RS) Plan, a defined benefit pension plan, to improve the plan’s funded status. The Cooperative recorded the payment of $875,083 in deferred charges on the balance sheets and is amortizing it over ten years. The prepayment and the interest expense associated with the prepayment are being accounted for in accordance with RUS policies and procedures.
Future minimum lease payments required under capital lease agreements for the years subsequent to December 31, 2019 are as follows:
2020 $ 143,471 2021 135,810 2022 114,257 2023 108,628 2024 44,288 Thereafter 21,848
INVESTMENTS Investments consisted of the following as of December 31: 2019 2018 Patronage Capital: Buckeye Power, Inc. $ 9,233,928 $ 9,052,653 Rural Electric Supply Cooperative (RESCO) 235,365 234,235 Southeastern Data Cooperative, Inc. (SEDC) 91,038 87,537 NRUCFC 136,349 120,777 National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (NRTC) 24,417 23,211 National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) 7,588 7,588 CRC 5,166 4,351 Central Ohio Farmers Coop 2,775 2,386 CoBank 109,692 93,177 Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange (Federated) 108,662 103,872 Equity Capital: Buckeye Power, Inc. 896,059 896,059 RESCO 50 50 SEDC 100 100 NRUCFC 1,000 1,000 NRTC 1,000 1,000 NISC 25 25 CRC 2,500 2,500 Central Ohio Farmers Coop 10 10 Other Investments: NRUCFC member capital securities 170,000 170,000 NRUCFC capital term certificates 221,050 221,050 NRUCFC other 3,650 4,390 CRC 10,000 10,000 Total Investments $ 11,260,424 $ 11,035,971 The member capital securities held by NRUCFC earn interest at an annual rate of 5.0%, payable semi-annually with a maturity date of July 2044. The NRUCFC has the option to redeem all or a portion of the principal in July 2024. The capital term certificates held by NRUCFC earn interest at an annual rate of 3.0% or 5.0%, payable semi-annually with maturity dates ranging from 2020 to 2080. The $10,000 equity investment with CRC earns dividends annually at the discretion of its Board of Directors. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt is represented by mortgage notes payable to the Federal Financing Bank (FFB) of the United States of America acting by and through RUS, NRUCFC, and CoBank. Following is a summary of outstanding long-term debt as of December 31:
General plant depreciation rates have been applied on a composite and straight-line basis as follows: Structures and improvements 10 to 50 years Office furniture and fixtures 5 to 24 years Transportation equipment 5 to 15 years Laboratory equipment 5 to 10 years Communications equipment 5 to 12 years Shop equipment 5 to 20 years
2019 2018 Mortgage notes payable to FFB: 3.403% note due December 2042 $ 2,432,982 $ 2,501,675 4.197% note due December 2042 3,285,973 3,369,310 2.314% note due December 2042 1,183,957 1,222,531 1.570% variable rate note due March 2020 2,293,783 2,358,755 3.608% note due January 2046 - 1,916,657 2.398% note due January 2046 1,877,972 1,929,446 2.352% note due January 2050 1,610,348 1,646,911 3.055% note due January 2050 1,650,557 1,683,723 2.527% note due January 2050 1,780,327 Subtotal FFB 16,115,899 16,629,008 Mortgage notes payable to NRUCFC: 4.70% note due March 2020 20,919 92,118 97,881 142,323 3.95% to 4.25% notes due March 2020, 2021, and 2022 4.75% note due September 2020 9,159 20,876 5.00% note due December 2023 88,286 107,749 4.35% note due December 2029 8,068,527 8,699,632 5.35% note due March 2032 155,067 163,815 Subtotal NRUCFC 8,439,839 9,226,513 Mortgage notes payable to CoBank: 6.36% note due August 2020 24,416 53,793 6.50% notes due March 2029 and December 2030 372,935 395,641 3.78% note due October 2030 2,719,846 2,918,686 3.00% note due September 2034 838,754 Subtotal CoBank 3,955,951 3,368,120 Total mortgage notes payable 28,511,689 29,223,641 Less: current maturities (1,498,122) (1,444,952) Less: advance payments unapplied - (1,572,878) Total Long-Term Debt $ 27,013,567 $ 26,205,811
Provisions have been made for depreciation of transmission plant and distribution plant at a straight-line composite rate of 3.10 percent per annum. The depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $2,114,510 and $2,079,934, respectively, of which $211,964 and $210,570, respectively, have been allocated to accumulated depreciation, capitalized to distribution plant and expensed to numerous accounts in accordance with RUS policies and procedures.
The Cooperative has one variable rate note due to FFB in March 2020 that is classified as long-term debt. This note has a recurring 90-day maturity extension feature with a final maturity date of January 2046. Management intends to continue with the recurring extensions up to the final maturity date. Substantially all assets of the Cooperative are pledged as security for the long-term debt to FFB, NRUCFC, and CoBank. Loan agreements contain various financial covenants and the Cooperative is in compliance with all such covenants.
Starting in 2018, participating Cooperatives in the RS plan may make an additional contribution prepayment (voluntary contribution acceleration program or "VCAP" contribution) in order to reduce future required contributions. The reduction in future contributions (contribution discount) and the length of the period over which the contribution reduction extends (discount period) is selected by the Cooperative. The VCAP contribution amount is then determined such that it is expected to fund the contribution discount over the discount period. After making the VCAP contribution, the RS Plan billing rate is reduced to reflect the selected contribution discount, which becomes effective the subsequent January 1. The VCAP contribution is accounted for on a monthly basis by crediting it with the actual monthly RS Plan investment return and reducing it by the reduction in monthly contributions obtained through the contribution discount, until the account value reduces to zero. Changes in plan provisions, demographic changes, asset returns different from the long term expected return on plan assets, and other factors will have an impact on the length of the discount period. On December 6, 2019, the Cooperative made a voluntary $250,000 prepayment to the NRECA RS Plan with a three-year discount period. The Cooperative recorded the prepayment in deferred charges on the balance sheets and is amortizing it over three years. . ELECTRIC PLANT Listed below are the major classes of the electric plant as of December 31:
Intangible plant $ Transmission plant Distribution plant General plant Electric plant in service Construction work in progress Total Electric Plant $
2019
2018
339 $ 339 129,800 129,800 41,605,296 41,048,421 12,734,440 12,629,684 54,469,875 53,808,244 205,130 230,360 54,675,005 $ 54,038,604
LEASES During 2019 and 2018, the Cooperative leased vehicles under capital lease agreements. For financial reporting purposes, the present value of the minimum lease payments has been capitalized. The equipment has a total cost of $1,025,092 and $703,286 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and accumulated amortization of $475,147 and $353,895 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Amortization of property leased under capital leases is included in depreciation expense and was $148,622 and $118,378 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Interest expense related to these leases and charged to operations was $22,632 and $19,879 during 2019 and 2018, respectively. During 2019 the Cooperative executed the purchase option upon the expiration of a capital lease contract for a fully amortized vehicle with a cost of $27,381.
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Effective January 1, 2019, three separate notes payable due to NRUCFC with interest rates of 6.95% (two notes) and 5.30% were repriced with new rates of 4.75%, 5.00%, and 5.35%, respectively, with no change to maturity dates. As of December 31, 2019, there are unadvanced loan funds available to the Cooperative from NRUCFC and CoBank for lines of credit of $2,000,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, of which there was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Unadvanced loan funds available to the Cooperative through FFB as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $800,000 and $2,600,000, respectively. The advance payments unapplied represent the balance of funds the Cooperative has deposited into the Cushion of Credit account held by RUS. These funds will be used to make future FFB loan payments.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—cont’d December 31, 2019 and 2018 LONG-TERM DEBT - continued During 2019 RUS issued a notice that borrowers may use their advance principal payments unapplied (hereinafter "cushion of credit") balance to prepay outstanding FFB loans. The notice states that the principal portion of any loan prepaid with cushion of credit balances during a specified period will not be subject to a prepayment premium. Also, prepayments using funds not in cushion of credit accounts will remain subject to existing agreements (i.e., prepayment premiums). On September 10, 2019, the Cooperative applied the balance of $1,140,842 in its cushion of credit account to accrued interest, then outstanding principal to the FFB note payable with an interest rate of 3.608% maturing January 2046. The remaining principal balance on this FFB note was refinanced with proceeds of $850,000 received from CoBank with an interest rate of 3.00% maturing September 2034. The principal remaining on the FFB note subsequent to the application of the cushion of credit balance was subject to a prepayment penalty of $182,608 and is included in prepayments on the balance sheets and is being amortized over 15 years. The amortization expense is included in other deductions on the statements of revenue and capital patronage.
pension plans and non-pension postretirement benefit plans as an asset or liability on the balance sheets, the recognition of changes in that funded status in the year in which they occur through other comprehensive income, and the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and transition assets and liabilities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Since the Cooperative’s postretirement benefit plan covers a limited time period for the retiree (between ages 61 and 65) and the benefits paid cannot exceed a total of $16,000 per participant for the four-year period, management did not obtain an actuarial study and did not implement all of the provisions of this standard. Management estimated the maximum potential liability for the Cooperative and determined that the impact of not implementing the standard was not significant.
As of December 31, 2019, annual maturities of all long-term debt outstanding for the next five years are as follows:
The following table sets forth the plan’s estimated funded status and presents the amounts shown in the Cooperative’s financial statements as of December 31:
2020 $ 1,498,122 2021 1,486,481 2022 1,521,299 2023 1,569,523 2024 1,617,393 COMMITMENTS Under its wholesale power agreement, the Cooperative is committed to purchase its electric power and energy requirements from Buckeye Power, Inc. until December 31, 2057. The rates paid for such purchases are subject to review not less than annually.
2019
2018
As noted above, the total estimated accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is not recorded on the balance sheets but will eventually be recorded through annual charges of net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation ($93,342 as of December 31, 2019) includes estimates for unamortized transition obligation, experience gains and losses, and unrecognized prior service costs. The discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is 6%. The estimated maximum potential for benefits to be paid over the next five years approximates $34,000. Management believes the estimated accrued benefit cost included on the balance sheets is very conservative since no allowance is included for employee turnover and no reduction in the obligation was made for employees that choose to not retire between ages 61 and 65.
PATRONAGE CAPITAL Patronage capital is the retained net margins arising from operations of the Cooperative which have been or are expected to be allocated to its members in the form of capital credits, determined by each member's billings during the year the margins were generated. No portion of any current allocation is paid in cash. Patronage capital consisted of the following as of December 31:
2019
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $ 139,319 $ 153,976 Accrued benefit cost included on the balance sheets 93,342 102,656 Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the year (9,314) 17,876 Benefits paid - -
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Cooperative purchases all of its power from Buckeye Power, Inc. at rates determined in its wholesale power agreement (see “COMMITMENTS” note). Buckeye Power, Inc. is a cooperative whose membership includes Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. The Cooperative has an investment in and receives patronage from Buckeye Power, Inc.
2018
Assignable $ 1,130,520 $ 2,073,392 Assigned to date 42,678,799 40,605,407 43,809,319 42,678,799 Less: retirements to date (17,945,531) (16,811,287) Total Patronage Capital $ 25,863,788 $ 25,867,512
There is also a prepaid balance with Buckeye Power, Inc., of $972,012 and $482,323 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, that earns interest at an annual weighted average rate of 5.00% and 5.04%, respectively. The prepaid balance is included in prepayments on the accompanying balance sheets. The Cooperative borrows funds from CoBank, in which it is an owner and a member. The Cooperative has an investment in CoBank and may receive patronage from time to time.
Under the provisions of the mortgage agreement with RUS, until the equities and margins equal or exceed 30 percent of the total assets of the Cooperative, the return to patrons of capital contributed by them is limited generally to 25 percent of the patronage capital or margins received by the Cooperative in the prior calendar year. The equities and margins of the Cooperative represent 44.3% in 2019 and 45.2% in 2018 of the total assets at the balance sheet dates. The Board of Trustees approved a 2% general retirement of capital credits totaling $502,787 and $461,828 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which is included in patronage capital payable on the balance sheets.
The Cooperative is a member of the NRUCFC, which provides a portion of the Cooperative’s financing. Investments in NRUCFC include stock and patronage capital as well as interest-bearing capital term certificates and capital security investments. The Cooperative purchases the majority of its materials and supplies from RESCO of which it is an owner and member. Investments in this organization include stock and patronage capital. The Cooperative purchases data processing services from SEDC of which it is an owner and member. Investments in this organization include stock and patronage capital.
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS The Cooperative sponsors three retirement related benefit plans: a defined benefit pension plan, a defined contribution retirement plan, and a postretirement health care plan. Following is a brief description of each of the plans including financial data recognized in the accompanying financial statements related to each plan.
The Cooperative previously purchased data processing services from NISC of which it is still an owner and member. Investments in this organization include a membership fee and patronage capital. The Cooperative is a member of NRTC. Membership in this association required an investment of $1,000.
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan - The Cooperative maintains a 401(k) profit sharing plan that covers substantially all of its employees. In accordance with this plan, the Cooperative contributes 0.5% of each participant’s base salary for each 1% of salary that the participant contributes to the plan. The maximum contribution by the Cooperative is 3% of salary. For the years 2019 and 2018, the Cooperative made contributions to the plan of $58,526 and $54,859, respectively.
The Cooperative is a member of CRC. Membership in this association required an investment of $2,500.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan - Substantially all of the employees of the Cooperative are covered by the NRECA RS Plan, which is a defined benefit pension plan qualified under Section 401 and tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a multiemployer plan under the accounting standards. The plan Sponsor’s Employer Identification Number is 53-0116145 and the Plan Number is 333. A unique characteristic of a multiemployer plan compared to a single employer plan is that all plan assets are available to pay benefits of any plan participant. Separate asset accounts are not maintained for participating employers. This means that assets contributed by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
Additional information, including the investment balances in these related entities, is provided in the “INVESTMENTS” note.
Federated, a non-assessable reciprocal insurer, provides property and liability insurance to the Cooperative. The carrying value of this investment represents the Cooperative’s contributions and share of patronage capital. The Cooperative purchases fuel and other miscellaneous materials from Central Ohio Farmers Coop of which it is a member. Investments in this organization includes a membership fee and patronage capital.
Following is a summary of related party purchases for the years ended December 31:
The Cooperative’s contributions to the plan of $360,450 and $339,772 for 2019 and 2018, respectively, represented less than 5% of the total contributions made to the plan by all employers. There have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of 2019 and 2018 contributions.
2019
2018
RESCO $ 474,611 $ 400,673 SEDC 287,449 256,396 Pulse Broadband (NRTC) - 20,000 CRC 35,399 31,847 Federated - 80,387 Central Ohio Farmers Coop 49,244 49,027
Accounts payable due to related parties included the following as of December 31:
In the RS Plan, a “zone status” determination is not required, and therefore not determined, under the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006. In addition, the accumulated benefit obligations and plan assets are not determined or allocated separately by individual employer. In total, the RS Plan was over 80% funded on January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018 based on the PPA funding target and PPA actuarial value of assets on those dates. Because the provisions of the PPA do not apply to the RS Plan, funding improvement plans and surcharges are not applicable. Future contribution requirements are determined each year as part of the actuarial valuation of the RS Plan and may change as a result of plan experience.
2019
2018
RESCO $ 6,868 $ 46,209 SEDC 18,939 18,173 Pulse Broadband (NRTC) - 20,000 CRC 2,747 2,946 Federated - 80,387 Central Ohio Farmers Coop 4,009 1,919
The above amounts are included in accounts payable – other on the accompanying balance sheets.
Non-Pension Postretirement Benefit Plan - The Cooperative sponsors a defined benefit postretirement health care plan covering substantially all employees. The plan is funded by the Cooperative on a “pay as you go” basis and provides a fixed annual benefit for retired employees with 20 years of service between the ages of 61 and 65. ASC 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits, requires the recognition of the funded status of
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Subsequent events were evaluated through February 17, 2020, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
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Independent Auditor’s Report To the Board of Trustees Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. Kenton, Ohio We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the related statements of revenue and patronage capital and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor’s Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion..
Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated February 17, 2020, on our consideration of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, grant agreements, and other matters. The purpose of that report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance. Circleville, Ohio February 17, 2020
PO Box 875 • 129 Pinckney Street • Circleville, OH 43113 • (740) 474-5210 • FAX (740) 474-7319 One East Campus View Blvd. Suite 300 • Columbus, OH 43235 • (614) 430-0590 • FAX (614) 448-4519 PO Box 687 • 528 S. West Street • Piketon, OH 45661 • (740) 289-4131 • FAX (740) 289-3639 www.bhmcpagroup.com
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Board of Trustees Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., serves portions of 10 counties in north-central Ohio. The current board is made up of one trustee from each of the cooperative’s nine districts. Each year prior to the Annual Meeting of Members, members vote (either by mail or by online ballot) to elect trustee representatives. Board members are responsible for cooperative policies, rates, and contracts. They are the ambassadors of the cooperative’s rural community, focusing on the problems and needs of the membership.
1 Tony Hastings
2
3 Trevor Fremont
Brice Turner
4
5
Daniel Harris
Howard Lyle
7
AUGLAIZE COUNTY 2 Clay
Goshen
Stokes
Liberty
Washington Blanchard Jackson
Jackson
Cessna
Pitt
Marseilles
Lynn Buck
5
Taylor Creek
Rush Creek
LOGAN COUNTY
Montgomery
Big Island
Scott Tully
Marion
Canaan Claridon
MARION COUNTY
3
Bowling Green
Bokes Creek
7
Grand Prairie
Dudley
Hale
Dallas
Salt Rock
Pleasant
Goshen
CRAWFORD COUNTY
4 WYANDOT COUNTY
Grand
HARDIN COUNTY
Richland
Antrim
Mifflin
1
McDonald
Wayne
Van Buren
Marion
Robert Imbody
9
Richland
Green Camp Pleasant
Cardington
UNION COUNTY
Washington
Jackson
6
Prospect
MORROW COUNTY
Union
Auglaize
Orange
Roundhead
Perry
9
Gene McCluer
HANCOCK COUNTY
ALLEN COUNTY 8
Paul Beineke
8
John Thiel
Jackson
6
Waldo
Westfield
Plant safely this spring Call 811 to have underground pipes and utilities marked at least a few working days before digging. Knowing their locations helps you dig safely, and planting a safe distance away will help prevent damage from roots. 40 ft. height or less
Pruning Zone
25 ft. height or less Medium Trees
Small Trees
50 ft.
6 ft.
20 ft.
RIGHT TREE, RIGHT PLACE. TREE TYPES
The taller a tree will become, the further it needs to be from overhead lines.
SMALL | <20 FT If planting within 15 feet of power lines
MEDIUM | 25-50 FT
LARGE | 40+ FT
Plant minimum 20 feet from overhead lines
Plant 50+ feet away from overhead lines
Flowering Crabapple
Flowering Dogwood
Sweetbay Magnolia
Flowering Crabapple
Flowering Dogwood
Sweetbay Magnolia
Norway Maple
Linden or Basswood
London Plane
Serviceberry
Redbud
Wafer-Ash
Serviceberry
Redbud
Wafer-Ash
Ginkgo
Sweetgum
Oak
American Arborvitae
Junipers
Japanese Yew
Sugar Maple Evergreens
White Pine
Austrian Pine
White Firs
Blue Spruce
Common Hawthorn
False Cypress
Common Hawthorn Evergreens
TREES NOT SUITABLE NEAR POWER LINES Catalpa • Carolina Poplar • Silver Maple • Boxelder • Willow • Siberian Elm • Black Locust • Cottonwood Tree of Heaven • Mulberry • Elm species CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING WHEN SELECTING A TREE
HEIGHT. Will it come within 10 feet of power lines when it’s fully grown? CANOPY SPREAD. How wide will the tree grow? GROWTH RATE. A slow-growing species is typically stronger and lives longer than fast-growing species. SHAPE. A columnar tree grows in less space. Round or V-shaped trees provide more shade.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20C
MID-OHIO ENERGY COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
YOUTH PROGRAMS
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS
AWARDED
$7,700 in scholarship money granted to children of members Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Children of Members scholarships. Judging took place Feb. 22 at the co-op’s Kenton office. Five boys and five girls were selected as finalists based upon school activities, academic achievements, and community service. Students were also scored on poise, personality, and appearance. The quality of students applying for scholarships makes determining the winners a difficult task, but it’s one that longtime judges (and retired school teachers) Lyn Davis and Gary Murray are accustomed to making each year. The judges review the finalists’ applications, which tend to be full of college-level coursework and a very diverse range of community and extracurricular involvement. On the scholarship judging day, the judges spend the morning meeting and learning more about the group of bright young students residing within the co-op’s territory.
The applications always represent a diverse mix of schools and academic programs. Mid-Ohio Energy’s territory covers 23 school districts! This year’s winners spanned from Wapakoneta to Wynford and a number of schools in between. The scholarship process serves as a shining example of the character and potential of our rural members and their children. Jenna Brinkman of Waynesfield-Goshen High School was selected as the overall winner to represent Mid-Ohio Energy at the state-level scholarship competition in April. Mid-Ohio Energy expresses sincere gratitude to each student who applied for the scholarships. The cooperative received many qualified applicants, which speaks highly of our local students and schools. Mid-Ohio Energy would also like to thank Lyn Davis and Gary Murray for their outstanding efforts and the time they invested in serving as scholarship judges.
Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship Justine Messmer of Riverdale High School is the winner of this year’s Touchstone Energy Achievement scholarship. The scholarship is given to reward those pursuing a college education despite unique and substantial personal challenges. Winners are recognized for displaying the Touchstone Energy values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. Justine exemplifies these values in her community volunteer work and in the classroom. In letters of recommendation, teachers and counselors described her as “hard-working” and “respectful.”
20D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Justine Messmer $1,000 RIVERDALE HS
Boys’ division
Girls’ division 1st place – $1,000
1st place – $1,000
Jenna plans to attend Bowling Green State University (where she's already enrolled and earned College Credit Plus hours) to study journalism. Jenna has been involved in organizing and volunteering in several community service events. Her school counselor praises her work as a teacher’s aide, where she helps elementary students learn technology.
Keaton plans to pursue a double major in biology and premed with aspirations to become an orthopedic surgeon. Last year, Keaton suffered a torn PCL during a baseball game and “decided to embrace the setback and come back even stronger,” according to his school counselor. Keaton says he feels his experience with the injury and recovery will help him relate to patients.
Jenna Brinkman
Keaton Cunningham
WAYNESFIELD-GOSHEN HS
UPPER SANDUSKY HS
2nd place – $750
2nd place – $750 Clayton’s experience growing up and working on his family farm and seed dealership has sparked an interest to learn more about the business and marketing aspect of working on a farm. Clayton plans to attend the University of Northwest Ohio in Lima and study ag business. He is involved in 4-H, FFA, and church and plays sports year-round at Ridgedale.
Upon graduating, Bailey hopes to put her natural love of art and painting to use as she studies advertising and graphic design. In 2019, she was selected to travel to France and Spain as part of an arts and travel trip. Her teacher writes that she “has the ability to inspire others around her in learning environments and in her community.”
Bailey Shuff
Clayton Lust
RIVER VALLEY HS
RIDGEDALE HS
3rd place – $600
3rd place – $600
Sharolyn will be attending The Ohio State University in Columbus to study biological engineering. Her involvement in many activities ranges from 4-H, dance, and choir to maintaining employment at two part-time positions. She’s described by her teacher as “humble, energetic, and honest.”
Sharolyn Balbaugh
Julius Tapia
WAPAKONETA HS
KENTON HS
4th place – $500
“Julius always makes a consistent effort to go above and beyond expectations,” says his band director. Julius has a passion for music and has been elected as the marching band’s drum captain for the last two years, where his director notes he is “a natural born leader, and it has been a pleasure to see him thrive.” He plans to pursue petroleum engineering in college at Marietta.
4th place – $500
Rebecca plans to major in middle childhood education after graduating, which seems to be a natural fit per her FFA advisor’s observations: “Rebecca is mature beyond her years ... as a Hardin County Junior Fair Board member and 4-H camp counselor ... I cannot even begin to count the number of times I’ve watched young students run toward her with excitement.”
Rebecca Bash
Isaac Hedrick
RIDGEMONT HS
WYNFORD HS
4th place – $500
After high school, Isaac plans to study music and/or nursing. His teacher observed “his value for academics as well as growing through helping others.” He’s been involved in community service through the school’s Rotary Interact club as well as an advocate for type one diabetes research, helping raise funds for JDRF, a nonprofit juvenile diabetes research organization.
4th place – $500
With an ultimate goal of designing airplanes, Cecilia plans to attend college to major in aerospace engineering. Cecilia is described as motivated and passionate about learning. She ranks at the top of her class in academics and is also involved in a variety of sports teams and school clubs.
Cecilia Werner WAYNESFIELD-GOSHEN HS
Gavin will attend Bowling Green State University to study history education. He cites his interest in history as coming from his teachers. Gavin would like to study American history from the nineteenth century to pass down lessons to future generations. At Waynesfield-Goshen, he helps design and make projects in the school’s Gavin Schneider MakerDen and plays on the golf WAYNESFIELD-GOSHEN HS and baseball teams.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 21
MID-OHIO ENERGY COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES MEMBER SURVEYS
We want to
HEAR
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Your thoughts and opinions about Mid-Ohio Energy help us to serve you better. In April and May, Mid-Ohio Energy will be working with NRECA Market Research Services to complete member satisfaction surveys. The surveys will be both by phone and email, but not everyone will be contacted. If you are contacted, we would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to share your opinions of the cooperative. We strive to provide all members with safe, affordable, reliable, and clean electric service. By participating in the survey, you will help us make decisions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors. Thank you! All information is confidential.
Energy Efficiency Tip of the Month This spring, consider using a rain barrel to save energy. Rain barrels capture rainwater from a roof that you can use later for watering your lawn, garden, or indoor plants.
MID-OHIO ENERGY COOPERATIVE, INC.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CONTACT
Robert Imbody
888-363-6446 www.MidOhioEnergy.com
Dan Harris
1210 W. Lima St. Kenton, Ohio 43326 DISTRICT OFFICE
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Mon.–Fri., 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m..
22 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
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Geography and politics gave Ohio an important role in the Underground Railroad.
W
BY VICTORIA ELLWOOD
hen Dewey Scott retired from the hustle and bustle of Cincinnati to the peaceful hillsides surrounding Ripley — an hour to the southeast on land hugging the Ohio River — he thought he’d enjoy life without much on his to-do list.
living in Ripley, and fugitive slaves knew they could come here and live among them.”
“My wife, though, told me I needed a hobby,” he says. “So, I went down by the river to read, opened up the newspaper, and saw the John Parker House needed a tour guide. I walked across the street and applied for the job.”
Ohio’s location was key. “If you look at a map, you’ll see Ohio is the southernmost free state that bordered the northernmost slave states of Kentucky and (then) Virginia,” says Eric Herschthal, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of African American and African Studies at Ohio State University. That geographic reality made Ohio a natural pathway for fugitive slaves.
That was more than a decade ago. Today, Scott is the manager and docent at the John Parker House museum in Ripley, armed with a knack for storytelling and a wealth of knowledge about the historic home and about Ripley’s standing as a pivotal stop on the Underground Railroad.
Freedom-seekers could assimilate into black communities — such as Ripley — that dotted Ohio’s landscape. Or they could be aided by abolitionists, both black and white, who helped them journey north through Ohio and into Canada via the Underground Railroad.
“You were a free person once you came into Ohio at that time,” he says. “It was known that there were free blacks
Here’s a sampling of Ohio’s historically significant Underground Railroad sites:
A piece of artwork at the John Parker House museum in Ripley depicts travelers and “conductors” on the Underground Railroad; a slave pen that once stood in Mason County, Kentucky, now stands on display at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati; opposite page, the Parker (top photo) and Rankin houses in Ripley.
24 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
FREEDOM Ripley’s John Parker House and John Rankin House
John Parker, himself a former slave, bought his house (now the museum Scott oversees) and opened a foundry while he continued to help others. “Parker often traveled back to Kentucky to retrieve slaves and help them across the river, where he would send them along to other Underground Railroad ‘stations’ in Ripley,” Scott says. One of Parker’s neighbors, John Rankin, was a well-known abolitionist who lived high on a hill. “You could see his house from 30 miles into Kentucky,” Scott says. “His family would hang a lantern in a window to let fugitives know when they could cross the river. Eventually, he helped more than 2,000 slaves to safety.” Today, the John Rankin House is a National Historic Landmark. Ripley native Betty Campbell, site manager, says the restored house — where Rankin and his 13 children kept the lantern burning — and other Underground Railroad sites are a key part of American history. “They tell the stories of people — men and women, black and white — who helped others achieve freedom.” The John Rankin House is open April through October, and offers guided tours, exhibits, and a visitors’ center. The John Parker House is open May through October, and includes exhibits and artwork tracing Parker’s life.
Mount Pleasant’s Historic District Mount Pleasant, an eastern Ohio hamlet between Steubenville and Wheeling, is small — just eight blocks long. The historic district is even more compact, but boasts 40 antebellum houses and another 40 built between 1865 and 1900. “Pretty much the whole village was part of the Underground Railroad,” says Angela Feenerty, president of Continued on page 26
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 25
Nearly the entire village of Mount Pleasant (left) was part of the Underground Railroad. Below, the National AfroAmerican Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce (top) and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati are home to significant collections of art and historic documents.
Continued from page 25
the historical society in Mount Pleasant. The area was settled by southern Quakers, who brought along slaves who could live freely in the town. “Most of those hidey-holes you hear about had purposes other than hiding fugitives,” Feenerty says. “This village most definitely had a free black community, and no one from Mount Pleasant was ever sent back.” On the first Saturday and Sunday in August, a self-guided walking tour lets visitors explore eight historic buildings.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is built on the site of one of Ohio’s first black settlements. Says Christopher Miller, senior director of education there, “This area holds a lot of Underground Railroad history, a lot of African American history. Our building sits on what was once called Little Africa, in an area known for slaughterhouses, shipping, and floods. At nighttime there was a great deal of activity as people seeking freedom would cross the river.” Today, the museum, open year-round, includes exhibits and information from the Underground Railroad all the way to modern-day slavery. One of the center’s most significant artifacts, Miller says, is an authentic slave pen from Kentucky. “It’s important because it helps us get an understanding of the treatment of the African family during slavery.”
Wilberforce and the Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center Wilberforce was another early black settlement, says Charles Wash, director of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in the tiny town near Xenia. “Wealthy white Southerners would vacation at the natural springs here with their enslaved female servants, producing mixed-raced children who could not be educated in the South. Many of these children stayed, and Wilberforce University provided educational opportunities.”
26 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Today, the area is home to three historically black educational institutions — Central State University, Payne Theological Seminary, and Wilberforce — along with the museum and its extensive archives. The museum, now in its 32nd year, is open Wednesday through Saturday. “We’re known for our art and artifacts collection, which is recognized as second to none,” Wash says. Current exhibitions include “Black Power in Comics” and “Art of Soul,” an annual juried show. Wash, born and raised in Flint, Michigan, moved to Ohio in 2007. “I thought I knew a lot about African American history, but when I moved here and learned about Ohio’s role in the Underground Railroad, it completely blew me away. There is a deep and rich history here in Ohio.”
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SAFETY MISSION
Program aims to spread the word and reduce the dangers of farming. BY CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
W
hile watching RFD-TV one night, Russ Beckner saw a segment that showed a California mom driving a tractor around with her two young kids in the tractor bucket.
included safety monitoring in construction and manufacturing.
Appalled, Beckner called the network and explained why they should never show such actions — if the tractor were to hit a bump, he told them, the kids could fall out and be injured or killed.
When he retired from P&G, that safety mindset carried over as he started helping his son, Jason, on Jason’s farm. People tend to associate farms with peaceful fields, fresh air, and contented cows, but as all farmers know, agriculture can be a dangerous way to make a living — and a farm is a dangerous place to live.
Beckner, a member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, has worked on safety issues for more than 60 years. When he was a Boy Scout, he taught new Scouts how to safely use a pocketknife. During his career at Procter & Gamble, his responsibilities
Between eight and 12 people, on average, are killed on farms every year in Ohio. Thousands more sustain injuries. “I became aware of farm injuries locally, statewide, and nationally, and I thought we could make a difference,” Russ says.
28 OHIO OHIO COOPERATIVE COOPERATIVE LIVING LIVING • • APRIL APRIL 2020 2020 28
“Then we show them how many times a lawnmower blade or a power take-off shaft on a tractor would rotate during that time — between 10 and 50 times, depending on the motor. It emphasizes that no matter how young or how fast you are, you can get hurt.” A “no riding” demonstration uses a small model of a tractor — similar to the scene Russ saw on RFD. Kids place a plastic farmer figurine in the driver’s seat, and a figure of a child is placed on the fender. Two textured floor mats serve as the farm field. “We tell the children, ‘If you can move the tractor from one end of the field to the other — which is about 5 feet — without the little girl falling off, we’ll put your name in for a prize,’” Russ says. “They never make it. I can tell them, ‘Don’t ride on a tractor fender,’ but will they remember? I don’t know. I think they’ll remember that little figure falling off and sometimes going right underneath the wheels. That makes an impression.” Thus was the genesis of what has grown into the Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety program, with a mission to improve those statistics.
For information about the Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety program, email Russ Beckner at rgbeckner@frontier.com.
“I think it’s important to make people aware of being safe around farm equipment,” says Russ’ grandson, Ryland Beckner, a freshman at Talawanda High School in Oxford, who’s been actively involved in the program since he was in elementary school. “I feel that we’ve saved a few lives with what we’ve done. We’ve talked to hundreds of people. A lot of people have heard our message. Hopefully, out of that number, at least a few have been saved from doing something they would have done if they had not heard it.” Russ and Ryland distribute coloring books and literature promoting farm safety to area farm-related businesses, where customers can help themselves to the information. The Beckners also have booth displays they set up at various community events, such as the Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Family Day, where they talk to visitors and have demonstrations — after all, Russ says, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a demonstration is worth a thousand pictures. “For a grain bin safety demonstration, we have a grain bin model, and we fill it with soybeans,” Ryland says. “The children put in a little plastic figure. We pull a slide out and let the beans flow into a pan, and of course, that little figure just disappears in about two seconds. I don’t think they are going to forget that.” Visitors can test their reaction speed in another demonstration. “As soon as they hear the sound or see the light, they hit a button, and we can show that it generally takes about 0.7 seconds to react,” Russ says.
Russ Beckner and his grandson, Ryland Beckner, have made it their mission to build awareness of potential safety issues on the farm through their Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety program. Part of their work involves setting up booths at public gatherings where they demonstrate potential hazards using plastic figurines.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 29
Gateway to The state park’s new visitor center gives guests a starting point for their stay. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
The rugged, natural beauty of the Hocking Hills region in southeastern Ohio attracts more than 4 million visitors annually, so it’s not surprising that Hocking Hills State Park is the most visited in the Buckeye State. To accommodate all those folks seeking outdoor adventure, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art visitor center. Earlier this year, the project won first place in the annual Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) Awards of Excellence competition. Located at the entrance to Old Man’s Cave — the most well-known of seven major geological features in the park — the handsome log-and-stone structure includes 8,500 square feet of indoor space and both upper and lower covered outdoor verandas that add another 5,000 square feet to the two-story building. “The new visitor center features interactive exhibits on both levels of the building that help guests learn about the unique nature and history of the Hocking Hills,” says Pat Quackenbush, naturalist supervisor at the park. Upper-level displays assist visitors in planning their day by orienting them to Hocking Hills State Park, the surrounding Hocking State Forest, and nearby state nature preserves. Visitors will also learn about the locations and conditions of various trails systems, as well as the safety concerns of hiking area trails. “A trail simulator gives visitors a sample of what they might encounter,” Quackenbush says. “Hocking Hills trails vary from flat and smooth to steep and rocky. Conditions can change quickly even on the same trail, especially when trails become wet or snow- and ice-covered.” The lower level of the building takes visitors through the history and ecology of the Hocking Hills region. A simulated cave gives kids and adults a unique experience while learning about the geology of gorges in the area. It’s likely the most helpful feature in the new center is the information desk in the lobby, where you can have your questions answered by a naturalist and pick up a free park map. Hocking Hills Visitor Center at Hocking Hills State Park, 19852 State Route 664 S., Logan. 740-385-6842; http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/hockinghills.
30 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
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32 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Ladybugs Ohio’s state insect is a garden protector. BY CRAIG SPRINGER
I
n 1975, the Ohio General Assembly chose the ladybug as the official state insect, citing attributes shared with the great people of the Buckeye State.
“The ladybug is symbolic of the people of Ohio,” reads the legislature’s proclamation. “She is proud and friendly, bringing delight to millions of children when she alights on their hand or arm to display her multicolored wings, and she is extremely industrious and hardy, able to live under the most adverse conditions and yet retain her beauty and charm, while at the same time being of inestimable value to nature.” The legislative body overlooked this: Ladybugs also are implacable, plundering predators — though that’s not a bad thing. This orange-and-black or red-and-black speck of an insect (which is technically a beetle rather than a bug) is the size of a pencil eraser, and it brings a welcomed utility to orchardists and farmers alike. Ladybugs, as cute and dainty as they may be, are voracious predators of other bugs, including some destructive ones that are too small for the human eye to see. Ladybugs live two years and survive the winter in their adult form, hiding en masse beneath the frostline under rocks and downed timber. As winter turns to spring, the warmth that comes with extra daylight stirs them to reproduce. Adults lay clusters of about 50 eggs at a time,
strategically placed near colonies of aphids and mealy bugs or other tiny pests that tend to destroy agricultural crops and greenhouse plants. The ladybug eggs incubate in less than five days. When they hatch, the larvae, which look like tiny, spiny crocodiles, are born into that smorgasbord and immediately go about their business of eating all those destructive neighbors. In less than two weeks, they change from that rather scarylooking form into the familiar Volkswagon-shaped beetle. Despite the cuteness, the adults are also efficient eating machines. They’re equipped with razor-sharp jaws that slice and squeeze their insect food. A single adult can consume upward of a thousand aphids in a single day. Their bright colors don’t provide camouflage in vegetation — quite the opposite. Their striking colors convey a message in nature that they are toxic. When agitated or picked up by a bird, ladybugs emit toxins that repulse would-be predators. In folklore, they have long been held as a harbinger of summer, hence another name for the little bugs: St. Barnaby’s bees. On the pre-Gregorian calendar, June 11, St. Barnaby’s Day, marked the beginning of summer and the date ladybugs were expected to make their first appearance of the season. Depending on the weather, though, they may start emerging from their winter naps as early as April.
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Ohio Cooperative Living has been a valued presence in rural Ohio homes and businesses for the past 60 years. 83.4% of our readers have taken action from something they have seen in Ohio Cooperative Living.
2020 CALENDAR
APRIL/MAY
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling. COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK
400 dealers per show. Antiques, collectibles, furniture, crafts, produce, tools, glass, and more. 419-447- 9613, tiffinfleamarket@gmail.com, or www.tiffinfleamarket.com. APR. 26 – Glass City Marathon, downtown Toledo. One of the fastest marathon courses in the Midwest, regularly in the top list of Boston Marathon qualifying events. 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon, 5K, and fiveperson relay. www.glasscitymarathon.org. APR. 29–MAY 2 – Annual Quilt Show, Sauder Village, Founder’s Hall, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, Wed.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Hundreds of quilts on display. Quilt shop and vendor market, workshops, special APR. 11 – Hayes Easter Egg Roll, Spiegel Grove, exhibits, demos, and shopping. Quilt appraisals Thursday Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, and Friday, and by appointment on Saturday. Registration Fremont, 2–3:30 p.m. Admission is three hard-boiled and ticket information at https://saudervillage.org/classescolored eggs. Children ages 3–10 are invited to events/special-events/quilt-show-2020. participate in a variety of egg games. Also face painting, MAY 1–AUG. 7 – Limaland Motorsports Park Races, games, crafts, and visits with the Easter Bunny. 419-3321500 Dutch Hollow Rd., Lima, 7:30–10:30 p.m. Sprints, 2081or www.rbhayes.org. UMP Modifieds, Thunderstocks, and more! Pit gates APR. 17–18 – Home Sweet Home: A Vintage-Inspired open at 4:30 p.m., grandstand gates open at 5 p.m., Market, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, Fri. warmup laps begin at 6:30 p.m. See website for updated 4–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Vintage, information. www.limaland.com. rustic, shabby chic, and repurposed items, handmade MAY 2 – Free Comic Book Day and Touch A Truck, Alter goods, and more. Food trucks on site. 567-204-7569 or Ego Comics, 230 N. Main St., Lima, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. http://homesweethomevintagemarket.com. Pick 5 free comic books from a selection of nearly 20 APR. 18 – Lima Symphony: “Journey in Sound,” different titles. Come dressed as your favorite character! Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Ctr., 7 Town Food trucks on site as well as local artists. Touch A Truck Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $10–$35. 419-224-1552 or www. event, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 419-224-6700 or www.facebook. limaciviccenter.com. com/AlterEgoManiacs under “Events.” APR. 21–22 – Hidden Spaces, Secret Places Tour, MAY 2 – Kentucky Derby Affair on the Square, 100 starting at 109 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney. $15. Evening tour of E Court St., Sidney. $25. Get your hats and bow ties historic buildings in downtown Sidney. Purchase tickets ready! Enjoy southern fare and bourbon mint juleps, online. 937-658-6945 or www.sidneyalive.org. and vote for your favorite jockey. Cash bar; must be APR. 24–25 – GCM Health and Wellness Expo, Savage 21 and over. Tickets available online. 937-658-6945 or Hall Arena, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft, Toledo, www.sidneyalive.org. Fri. 4–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Over 100 vendors. MAY 2 – Lima Walk to Defeat ALS, University of Family-friendly event includes a Kids Zone. www. Northwestern Ohio, 1441 N. Cable Rd., Lima, 10 a.m.– glasscitymarathon.org. 1 p.m. Check-in at 10 a.m., walk begins at 11. A fun day of APR. 25 – Chocolate and Wine Walk, 5495 Liberty Ave., games, face painting, balloon art, entertainment, music, Vermilion, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $20. Sample chocolate treats and raffles. To register, donate, or join a team, visit http:// and wine as you visit the quaint shops of downtown web.alsa.org/Lima. Vermilion. 440-967-4477 or http://vermilionchamber.net. MAY 2 – Springfest Car Show, Van Wert Co. Agricultural APR. 25–26 – The Fantastic Tiffin Flea Market, Seneca Society, Van Wert Co. Fgds., Van Wert, 2–5 p.m. ’50 and Co. Fgds., 100 Hopewell Ave., Tiffin, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 ‘60s music, dash plaques, goody bags, door prizes, food. p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m., rain or shine. Free. 250 to wrkchevy@hotmail.com.
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WEST VIRGINIA
APR. 18 – Dinner Theater, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. Enjoy a buffet dinner (seatings at 6 and 7 p.m.) and an entertaining show (8 p.m.). The show is written and performed by theater
students at Concord University and directed by Karen Vuranch. Reservations required. 304-643-2931. www. northbendsp.com. APR. 25 – Ramps and Rail Fest, 315 Railroad Ave., Elkins, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sample various foods made with ramps (wild leeks), enjoy live music, browse the craft booths, and take a ride on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. 304-635-7803 or https://elkinsdepot. com/ramps-and-rail-festival. MAY 8-9 — Bluegrass Festival, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. Fri. $10, Sat. $30. 304643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com. MAY 9–17 – West Virginia Strawberry Festival, Buckhannon. A unique tradition honoring the strawberry
MAY 2–3 – “Springtime in Ohio” Art and Craft Show, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $6 for unlimited entry both days; under 12 free. Repurposed goods and furniture; vintage, farmhouse, shabby chic, Americana, and primitive items; homemade treats, live music, kids’ activities, and much more. http:// cloudshows.biz/event-calendar. MAY 3 – Fort Recovery Historical Society Exhibits and Displays, Fort Recovery State Museum, 1 Fort Site St., Fort Recovery, 2–4 p.m. Free. Presentations: “Antique Hand Tools” and “History of Fort Recovery in Pictures.” 419-3754384, www.fortrecoverymuseum.com, or on Facebook. MAY 8–17 – Biggest Week in American Birding, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Ctr., 1750 State Park Rd., Oregon. Free. Enjoy the spectacular birding in northwest Ohio, the “Warbler Capital of the World.” Activities include guided walks, bird ID workshops, birding by canoe, field trips, presentations, birder’s marketplace, and evening socials. 419-898-4070 or www. biggestweekinamericanbirding.com. MAY 9 – Lilac Festival and Street Fair, downtown Defiance. Celebrate the official flower of Defiance with the community’s largest arts and crafts fair. Free lilacs to the first 750 attendees. 5K race, parade, live music, arts and crafts vendors, unique food vendors, and kids’ activities. 419-782-0739 or http://visitdefianceohio.com/ annual-events. MAY 9 – Bluffton Arts and Crafts Show, Main Street, Bluffton, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Street festival featuring arts and crafts, food trucks, farmers market, family/kids’ activities including free pony rides and free mini golf, music tent, and other entertainment. 419-369-2985 or www.explorebluffton.com. MAY 9 – Lima Area Band Concert, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Ctr., 7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $15. Guest conductor Jim Swearingen. 419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com. MAY 9 – Spring on the Farm, Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Meet baby animals and the new draft horses, Earl and Joe! Kids can wash clothes on a scrub board, learn about seed planting, and enjoy other hands-on activities. 800-590-9755 or https:// saudervillage.org.
Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event 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 or a number/ website for more information. harvest. Family fun includes a carnival, parades, contests, strawberry auction, craft show, and vendors selling everything strawberry! For times and schedule of events, go to www.wvstrawberryfestival.com.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 35
2020 CALENDAR
APRIL/MAY
NORTHEAST
THROUGH MAY 31 – “Tying the Knot: The History of Bridal Fashion,” McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton. Exhibit explores wedding fashions from the 1860s to the present day. Learn more about the history behind timeless wedding traditions such as the bouquet toss, wedding cakes, the engagement ring, the role of the best man, and more! 330-455-7043 or www. mckinleymuseum.org/events. APR. 17–9, MAY 1–17 – Mathilda the Musical, Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, 101 Water St., Chardon, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Stage musical based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl. 440-286-2255 or www. geaugatheater.org. APR. 18 – Avon Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Emerald Event Ctr., 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Features artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concessions stand on site. 440-227-8794 or www. avantgardeshows.com. APR. 22 – Nature Roars Back: National Geographic Live, Mimi Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. $25–$45. www.playhousesquare.org/events.
SOUTHEAST
APR. 11, 18 – An Insider’s Tour, Campus Martius Museum, 601 Second St., Marietta, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Take a deeper look at the early settlers whom David McCullough focuses on in his latest book, The Pioneers. Learn about their lives, their possessions, and the home of Gen. Rufus Putnam. Stories narrated by William Reynolds, the museum’s historian and a research contributor to McCullough’s book. 740-373-3750 or https://mariettamuseums.org. APR. 17–19 – Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge (Ross County). A weekend of guided hikes, delicious meals, and special talks from guest speakers. The theme is “The Storytellers: Women, Nature, and Art.” Space is limited and registration is required. https://arcofappalachia.org/ annual-wildflower-pilgrimage.
36 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling.
APR. 23–26 – Geauga County Maple Festival, Historic Chardon Square, Chardon. A festival celebrating “everything maple.” Features arts and crafts, lumberjack competition, beard contest, bathtub races, pageants, rides, and other fun events. Enjoy all-you-can-eat Pancakes in the Park every day, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. 440-2863007 or www.maplefestival.com. APR. 25 – Lakeside Sand and Gravel Open House and Antique Equipment Show, 3450 Frost Rd., Mantua, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free, but donations appreciated. Live demonstrations of antique construction and mining equipment. Tours of the company’s mine and processing plant. Static display of antique construction and mining equipment, trucks, tractors, and much more. 330-2742569 or www.lakesidesandgravel.com. APR. 28–MAY 17 – My Fair Lady, Mimi Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. $10–$110. “A sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), directed by Bartlett Sher. See website for dates and times. www. playhousesquare.org/events. MAY 1–2 – Dandelion May Fest, Roadhouse Amphitheater, 1/2-mile east of Breitenbach Wine Cellars, 5934 Old Rte. 39 NW, Dover, Fri. noon–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Dandelion food and wine tastings, dandelion sangria, cellar tours, arts and crafts, and entertainment on both days. Dandelion picking contest and jelly-making on Saturday; 5K run, Sat. 9 a.m. 330-343-3603 or www. breitenbachwine.com/events/dandelion-festival. MAY 1–24 – Ain’t Misbehavin’, Hanna Theatre/Great Lakes Theater, 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland. $15–$89. The Tony-winning musical showcases the infectious energy and masterful stylings of the legendary jazz musician Thomas “Fats” Waller. See website for dates and times. www.playhousesquare.org/events.
MAY 2 – Made for You Jewelry Show, 239 Market Square, Westlake, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. Handmade jewelry by local artisans/crafters. 440-227-8794 or www.avantgardeshows.com. MAY 2–3 – Model Train Days, Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad St., Painesville, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5, C. (3–12) $3, Family (max. 2 adults, 3 children) $12. See operating layouts in N, HO, and S scale and O and G gauge. Twelve different layouts! Model train flea market on grounds. Food and drinks available. Call Tom at 216470-5780 or visit www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org. MAY 2–3 – Ohio Civil War Show and Artillery Show, Richland Co. Fgds., 750 N. Home Rd., Mansfield, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7, under 12 free. Military items, relics, and memorabilia to buy, sell, or trade. Cannon firing demos, WWII small arms demos, Civil War hospital scenario, and much more. 419-884-2194, info@ ohiocivilwarshow.com, or www.ohiocivilwarshow.com. MAY 9 – Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park Dinner/Auction, Hopedale VFD Social Hall, 103 Firehouse Lane, Hopedale. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with buffet-style dinner and drinks at 5:30, followed by speaker Chris Runyan; auction begins at 7:30. $20. For reservations, details, or to donate items: 740-391-4135, 740-942-3895, or info@hcrhp.org. (Mail reservations to HCRHP, 143 S. Main St., Cadiz, OH 43907; make checks payable to HCRHP.) For more information, visit www.hcrhp.org, www. coalpark.org, or www.facebook.com/HCRHP. MAY 9 – Maifest, Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar. Free. Beers, brats, and bands! Celebrate the coming of spring with traditional German food and drink, music, dancing, games, make-and-take art projects, and a maypole. 800-262-6195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.
APR. 19 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 3–5 p.m. $22.50–$42.50. Join us for a special matinee featuring music by Beethoven, Brahms, Sarasate, and Rossini. 740753-1924 or www.stuartsoperahouse.org. APR. 23–26 – Pike County Dogwood Festival, Main St., Piketon. Contests, rides and other fun kids’ events, music, food, chili cook-off, and more. Car show and Grand Parade on Sunday. www.pikecountydogwoodfestival.com. APR. 25 – Earth Gathering Festival, Pump House Ctr. for the Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. A juried art festival with an Earth Day theme. Designed to entertain, educate, and inspire the public about nature, creativity, and sustainability through earth-friendly art, music, food, products, and ideas. Quality, affordable handmade art and music from local and regional artists. 740-772-5783 or http://visitchillicotheohio.com. APR. 25 – First Capital Garden Tours, Chillicothe, 9:30 a.m. $20–$30. Meet at the Ross County Courthouse steps (corner of W. Main and N. Paint), where you will meet your guide for a tour of area gardens. You’ll be treated to a small celebration at the last garden that day — our “thank you” for your participation and a welcome to Chillicothe and Ross County. Contact Dee Stevenson at delnora62@ yahoo.com or text/call 740-804-4310. APR. 25–26 – Lucasville Trade Days, Scioto Co. Fgds., 1193 Fairground Rd., Lucasville, Sat. 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ($5),
Sun. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. ($4); early bird admission on Fri., Apr. 24, 3 p.m. $5. Kids 12 and under free all days. Free parking on fairground lots. 937-728-6643 or www. lucasvilletradedays.com. APR. 30–MAY 10 – Sound of Music, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, Thur.–Sat. 7 p.m., Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. $20–$50. One of the most beloved musicals of all time comes to life in this stunning outdoor setting. Directed by Brian Clowdus. 740-775-4100 or http://tecumsehdrama.com/event/som. MAY 1–SEPT. 25 – Rise and Shine Farmers Market, 2135 Southgate Pkwy. (near Tractor Supply Co.), Cambridge, Fridays, 8 a.m.–noon. 740-680-1866 or find us on Facebook. MAY 7 – Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival, 100 E. Main St., McArthur, 6–10 p.m. 740-591-1118, www. wildturkeyfestival.com, or find us on Facebook. MAY 9 – Buckeye Furnace Spring Festival, Buckeye Furnace Historic Site, 123 Buckeye Park Rd., Wellston, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. A celebration of spring with food, vendors, music, demonstrations, and more. Kids will be able to make a free craft for mom for Mother’s Day! 740-3843537 or janmckibben@gmail.com. MAY 9–10 – Chillicothe Trade Days, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. $5, kids 12 and under free. Free parking on fairground lots. 937-272-2897 or www. chillicothetradedays.com.
farmhouse décor, boutique clothing, handcrafted items, and more. Live music and food trucks. http:// thevintageandmademarket.com or find us on Facebook. APR. 19 – Spring Import Face-off, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Road SW, Hebron. 740-9285706 ext. 24 or www.nationaltrailraceway.com. APR. 24 – Hey Mavis, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $16. From the hills of Cuyahoga Valley, Hey Mavis brings to the stage a soulful mix of original Appalachian Americana music. 740-3832101 or www.marionpalace.org. APR. 25 – Union County Bicentennial Parade, uptown THROUGH APR. 25 – Spring Farmers’ Market, Weasel Marysville, 10 a.m. A 1.25-mile route from Marysville Boy Brewing Company, 126 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville, High School to Partners Park on Sixth Street. Bring your Sat. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.zanesvillefarmersmarket.org. lawn chairs and bags for collecting candy. www.200uc. APR. 18 – Coshocton Earth Day Celebration, Coshocton org/parade. County Career Ctr., 23640 Airport Rd. Coshocton, 12–4 APR. 25 – Corks and Forks, Holy Trinity School, 225 S. p.m. Free. Local artisans, organic farmers, community Columbus, Somerset, 7–11 p.m. $25 admission includes 5 groups, and Native American groups. Explore solar power sample tickets and a door prize ticket. Open to the public; and green enterprises. Hands-on activities for kids. Music must be 21 and over. Beer and wine tasting with live by Mark Thunderwalker, Yellow Rose Cloggers, and The music, two food trucks, silent auction, door prizes, and Wayfarers. 740-502-6546 or http://cecaware.org. games. https://holytrinitypacers.com/corks-and-forks. APR. 18 – Amy Grant, Marion Palace Theatre, APR. 25 – Quilters Market Day, Fredericktown 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $32–$54. The Elementary School, 111 Stadium Dr., Fredericktown, six-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Buy and sell quilted items; quilt show, performs her timeless hits, “Baby, Baby,” “El Shaddai,” demos, and fat quarter drawing (bring one or more to “Every Heartbeat,” and more. 740-383-2101 or www. enter). Lunch available for purchase. To rent a space marionpalace.org. to sell your extra quilting tools, fabric, books, patterns, and everything quilting, visit www.fredericktown.org APR. 18–19 – Hocking County Ag Days, Hocking Co. Fgds., 150 N. Homer Ave., Logan. Experience agriculture, or call 740-694-6140. history, and the environment through interactive APR. 25 – Quilt Show, Sunbury United Methodist demonstrations, livestock display, antique tractor show, Church, 100 W. Cherry St., Sunbury, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. flea market, crafts, music, food, and fun. 740-474-6284, Quilts on display, vendors, fabric rummage sale, lunch hocking@ofbf.org, https://ofbf.org/counties/hocking, or available. Email: sunburypiececorps@aol.com. www.hockingcountyagdays.com. APR. 26 – “Glory and Honor” Spring Concert, APR. 18–19 – Spring at the Round Barn, Fairfield Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Rd., Coshocton, Co. Fgds., 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Sat. 10 3–4:30 p.m. Singers of all ages accompanied by piano a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 12 free. and brass ensemble celebrating 49 seasons of song! 740Early bird admission Sat., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ($10). 622-4877 or www.coshoctoncommunitychoir.org. VIP tickets available online only. Upscale market MAY 1 – Chocolate Hop, West Columbus Street and featuring rustic, repurposed, salvaged, and modern various locations around Pickerington, 6–8:30 p.m.
For a $5 donation, receive a map of participating businesses around the Olde Village where you will receive a little chocolate treat. More details at www. pickeringtonvillage.com. MAY 1–3 – Columbus Audubon’s EcoWeekend, Hocking Hills. The best family nature weekend retreat in Ohio. Pre-registration required. Register by Apr. 7. Contact Maura Rawn at 740-653-8574, email ecoweekend@ columbusaudubon.org, or visit www.ecoweekend.org. MAY 2 – Jefferson Starship, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $34–$52. Experience the music that defined a generation, spanned decades, and is still relevant in pop culture today. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org. MAY 2 – Zane Grey Day, National Road–Zane Grey Museum, 8850 E. Pike, Norwich, 1–4 p.m. Free, but donations are appreciated. The Ohio Village Muffins will take on the “Zane Greys” in a game of vintage baseball. Dutch oven cooking demos, kids’ activities, and music by Barefoot McCoy. www.ohiohistory.org. MAY 3 – Family Funday Sunday Sock Hop, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 12:15 p.m. $12 for a family of 4. Celebrate in ’50s fashion while boppin’ to family-friendly tunes. 740-383-2101 or www. marionpalace.org. MAY 9 – Hillbilly Nationals Demolition Drag Race, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Road SW, Hebron. New event this year! Fun for the whole family. 740-9285706 ext. 24 or www.nationaltrailraceway.com. MAY 12 – Inventors Network Meeting, Rev1 Ventures for Columbus, 1275 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, 7 p.m. Educational presentations and discussion about the invention process. Meetings held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. 614-470-0144 or www.inventorscolumbus.com. MAY 15 – Improv in the May, Marion Palace Theatre May Pavilion, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $6. An evening of improvisation comedy featuring audience interaction and suggestions for skits and games. 740383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.
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SOUTHWEST
APR. 12 – Easter Egg Hunt, Young’s Dairy, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, 2 p.m. Free. Open to children up to age 10. Each year, Young’s hard-boils and dyes over 7,000 eggs for this fun family event. 937325-0629 or www.youngsdairy.com/easter-egg-hunt. APR. 18 – Run Wild Earth Day Celebration 5K, Brukner Nature Ctr., 5995 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Troy, 8 a.m. If you enjoy running or hiking on woodland trails, you’ll love this event! Each participant will receive a commemorative T-shirt, homemade refreshments, a visit with our wildlife ambassadors, the opportunity to win door prizes, and unique awards. All proceeds benefit BNC’s wildlife programs. Call 937-698-6493 or download a registration form at www.bruknernaturecenter.com. APR. 19 – Farm Toy Show, Champaign Co. Fgds., 384 Park Ave., Urbana, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.. Adults $2. Look, buy, sell, or trade at 120 tables. 937-826-4201.
APR. 22, 29 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, every Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com/post/2018/09/30/bluegrasswednesdays-spaghetti-meat-balls. APR. 24 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music with Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass; lighting fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. 513832-1422 or http://fibbrew.com. APR. 24–25 – Midwest Ceramic Association Show, Butler Co. Exhibition Bldg., Butler Co. Fgds., 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ohio’s original ceramic show. www.midwestceramics.org. APR. 24–26 – Bellbrook Sugar Maple Festival, downtown Bellbrook. Enjoy a pancake breakfast with authentic Ohio-made maple syrup. Entertainment includes a parade, live bands, beer garden, kids’ activities, 5K run, craft vendors, and other fun activities. www. sugarmaplefestival.com. APR. 24–26 – Vintage Market Days, Greene Co. Fgds., 120 Fairground Rd., Xenia, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $10 admission good for both Friday and Saturday; Sunday admission is $5; children 12 and under admitted free. An upscale vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home decor, outdoor furnishings, seasonal plantings, and more. www.vintagemarketdays.com.
APR. 25 – Appalachian Artisans Guild Spring Show, Cherry Fork Community Ctr., 14815 St. Rte. 136, Winchester, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Guild members will be sharing their knowledge of the arts with demos, workshops, make-it-and-take-it projects, and booth displays with items for sale. It’s your chance to learn traditional skills from practicing artisans. 937-587-2394 or www. appartguild.com. APR. 25 – Queen City Beautiful Doll Club: Fashion Doll Show and Sale, EnterTRAINment Junction Expo Room, 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Fashion dolls, clothes, and accessories from all eras. https://entertrainmentjunction.com/calendar. MAY 1 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Butler County Bluegrass Association, Community Ctr., 5113 Huston Rd., Collinsville, 7–9 p.m. Lively bluegrass music with lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. Food available on site. 513410-3625 or www.fotmc.com. MAY 3 – Music at the Mound with Steve Free, Serpent Mound, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, 1 p.m. Free admission; $8 parking fee. Join the acclaimed singer/songwriter for an open air concert. http://arcofappalachia.org/steve-free. MAY 8 – Taste of the Arts, Main and Ash streets, Piqua, 5–9 p.m. Join us for an evening of fun, music, and food in downtown Piqua. Browse the stores, enjoy live music, and choose from a wide selection of food from local restaurants and caterers — your appetizer, meal, and dessert all in one place! Items range from $1 to $4. 937773-9355 or www.mainstreetpiqua.com.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 37
MEMBER INTERACTIVE
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Send us your picture! For July, send “Corn-y” by April 15; for August, send “Cuddly kitties” by May 15. Upload your photos at www.ohioec.org/memberinteractive — and remember to include your co-op name and to identify everyone in the photos.
38 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
1. Gretchen Spurling found her Easter bunny in the wildflower patch. Dan Spurling South Central Power Company member
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2. One of my miniature American Eskimo puppies fell asleep in the basket while I was taking photos. Kathy DeHass Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member 3. I found this nest while taking pictures of our flowering trees. Dena Hoover South Central Power Company member 4. My grandson, Waylon, Easter egg hunting. Kirsten Hatfield Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member 5. M y granddaughter, Lilly May, after finding eggs and a new bunny rabbit. Valeria Manemann Pioneer Electric Cooperative member
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6. Our nephew, Joshua, hunting Easter eggs on the farm. Darold and Amanda Mathews Adams Rural Electric Cooperative members 7. These chicks made Sophie’s Easter extra special. Polly Michel Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member 8. Our grandson, Bryce, is trying to figure out the Easter egg hunt. Deb Schwartz Midwest Electric member
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9. My two sons and my nephew — Landon, Oliver, and Kody — on Easter in 2000. They were excited to get the Easter egg hunt started! Kimberly Lindemer Harrison Rural Electrification Association member 10. It wouldn’t be Easter at Grandpa Joe’s without an Easter egg hunt for these big kids, too. JoAnna Griffin Washington Electric Cooperative member 11. Our daughter, Kaylee, enjoying our local Easter egg hunt a few years ago. Amy Smith South Central Power Company member
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12. “Bucketheads,” getting ready for their Easter egg hunt in the woods. Shannon Kuhlman Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative member 13. M y great-niece, Ryleigh, with her big haul of Easter eggs after the big hunt. Katie Grubba South Central Power Company member 14. Our group at the annual Adena Easter egg hunt. Patty Quaglia South Central Power Company member 15. My great-grandson, Maxwell, on his first egg hunt. Joan Rench Darke Rural Electric Cooperative member 16. Hoda and Ziva found the eggs, but are now looking for the Easter Bunny. Richard and Sheri Courter South Central Power Company members
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 39
Surprise Family’s farm pond yields state record fish to 9-year-old. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
Or, you could just walk across the road to the family’s farm pond and catch a new state record. That’s what 9-year-old SueAnn Newswanger of Richland County did a couple of years ago when she caught the current state-record green sunfish, still the most recently reeled-in of all of Ohio’s state-record fish. “I knew it was a new record as soon as I caught it,” she says. Her father, Galen, explains. “We had gone fishing a few days previously, and SueAnn caught a very large green sunfish that we released,” he says. “That got me thinking as to what the state record might be for that species, so I looked it up and told her that we had likely released a state-record fish.” The Newswangers were fishing again a few days later in the same area of the same pond when Galen heard his daughter squeal with delight, “Daddy, I caught it again!” Sure enough, SueAnn had hooked the same huge green sunfish — or possibly another of similar size — but this time they didn’t release it. They had the fish weighed on certified scales (1.2 pounds), the whopper measuring 11 inches in length and 10.5 inches in girth. Galen then had a professional taxidermist mount the fish for his young daughter. By the way, SueAnn caught her record green sunfish using a simple spincast rod and reel with a worm on a hook.
Chip Gross, Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor and a member of Outdoor Writers of Ohio, awards Sue Ann Newswanger a plaque honoring her state-record catch.
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f you enjoy fishing in the Buckeye State, that next tug on your line just might be a new record fish. Take your pick from the 2.25 million acres of Ohio-owned Lake Erie on the north to the 451 miles of the Ohio River along our southern border and the 7,000 miles of rivers and streams in between — plus more than 200 inland lakes. Staterecord fish have been caught from them all.
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The official list of state-record fish is kept by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO). Fortyseven species are recognized: 42 for hook and line, and five for bowfishing. “Over some 70 years of maintaining records, it’s difficult to say who is the all-time youngest Ohio state-record holder,” says Fred Snyder, chairman of the OWO Record Fish Committee. “But SueAnn has to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest of all.” The complete list of Ohio’s state-record fish is available at www.outdoorwritersofohio.org, as is an application form that includes submission rules.
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