Ohio cooperative living april2017 butler by Ohio Cooperative Living

Butler Rural Electric of Cooperative Official publication your electric cooperative Official publication | www.butlerrural.coop www.ohioec.org

APRIL 2017

Splat! Action and adrenaline draw crowds to Ohio’s paintball parks ALSO INSIDE Answering the call Architectural wonder in the ‘other’ Columbus Bird photography: A how-to guide

April cover file.indd 1

3/21/17 3:23 PM

Electricity Revolutionized the Way We Play. WHAT WILL IT DO NEXT? Electricity. Every day it brings us something new. Something to empower or simplify our lives. Clean. Efficient. And stable. You might call it the essential energy. Now, and for the future. Electricity. A world of possibilities.

To learn more about the cooperative difference, visit ohioec.org.

24 32

INSIDE HIGHLIGHT 28 SPLAT!

With a heavy dose of action and adrenaline, Ohio’s paintball parks give players the sense that they’ve been dropped into a live-action video game.

FEATURES 4 CO-OPS SAVE THE DAY From house fires to massive power

24 THE ‘OTHER’ COLUMBUS Just three hours from Ohio’s capital

15 GRABBABLE GRUB When life has you on the go-go-

32 CAUGHT IN FLIGHT Outdoors editor Chip Gross offers tips

outages, electric cooperatives and their people are quick to lend a hand when emergencies strike.

go, sandwiches make a quick, easy, nutritious — and mobile — meal.

19 LOCAL PAGES Important news and information from your electric cooperative.

lies another, smaller, Columbus — full of fascinating architecture and family entertainment.

and tricks from his years of experience capturing stunning photographs of wild birds. FOLLOW US ON :

youtube.com/user/PioneerECtv linkedin.com/Pioneerec facebook.com/Pioneerec @PioneerElecCoop

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

UP FRONT

JOB 1

Around the neighborhood and across the country, cooperatives work together to keep electricity flowing

t sounds simple enough — “keep the lights on” is is our Job 1. It’s the most fundamental aspect of our service to you. However, we’ve all woken up at some time and realized that the power has gone out during the night. For cooperative members, that generally doesn’t happen often, but there are times when seemingly random outages do occur. Usually, we have no idea why. It may have been caused by a car accident, a weather event, a fallen tree, or something else out of our control.

When these things happen, it’s your cooperative that Remember: springs into action — Lineworker lineworkers head out at all hours, in all kinds of Appreciation weather, to take care of Day is April 10. downed lines. Meanwhile, member service representatives answer calls to ensure members that help is on the way; engineers and operations folks make sure that working conditions are safe and that re-routed power flows — all while the lines are restored. But it’s not just locally that we’re called to serve. When there’s been a natural disaster of larger proportions — a hurricane or series of tornadoes,

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

for example — your coop’s linemen have packed up their trucks and headed off to help other cooperatives, both around the state and around the country. When trouble strikes closer to home, we can count on our cooperative neighbors to lend a hand. Cooperatives Pat O’Loughlin are in a unique position President & CEO, to provide that help to Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives each other, partly because “cooperation among cooperatives” is one of our guiding principles. Check out page 4 to find out more about the ways we help each other. Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 10: The next time you flip the switch to bring a dark room to life, power up your cell phone or iPad, or even when the alarm wakes you up in the morning, remember that people power your co-op. The dedication of the lineworkers and the rest of your co-op staff to Job 1 is what keeps the lights on. Think of us, because we’re always thinking of you — our consumer-members.

April 2017 • Volume 59, No. 7

OHIO

COOPERATIVE LIVING

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 memberinteract@ohioec.org www.ohioec.org

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO Patrick Higgins Director of Communications Jeff McCallister Managing Editor Samantha Rhodes Associate Editor Contributors: Cheryl Bach, Colleen Romick Clark, John Egan, W.H. "Chip" Gross, Sarah Jaquay, Patrick Keegan, Jamie Rhein, Damaine Vonada, Kris Wetherbee, Rick Wetherbee, Margie Wuebker, and Diane Yoakam. OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. With a paid circulation of 294,359, it is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

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, or call 1-800-282-0515.

Official publication of your electric cooperative

ohioec.org

www.ohioec.org

Check out the mobilefriendly website and digital edition of Ohio Cooperative Living, as well as other timely information from Ohio’s electric cooperatives.

MARCH APRIL 2017 2017

Official publication of your electric cooperative www.ohioec.org

MARCH APRIL 2017 2017

Splat! Action and adrenaline draw crowds to Ohio’s paintball parks ALSO INSIDE Co-op heroes are everywhere Architectural wonder in the ‘other’ Columbus Bird photography: A how-to guide

Where is your favorite Ohio fishing hole? Let us in on your secret!

Finding a beautiful, quiet location to fish that isn’t too far away from home can be challenging. Take to our Facebook or Twitter pages to share your perfect spots with our staff. Find us by searching for Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives.

DID YOU KNOW? About 56 percent of all paintball participants list “private property” as the most-often-used venue to play the sport, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Paintball is popular worldwide and is played in over 100 countries.

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

In this issue: Cleveland (p. 8) Marysville (p. 10) Edgerton (p. 23) Chardon (p. 28) Mount Gilead (p. 28) Grove City (p. 29) APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER

POWER LINES

ANSWERING CALL THE

When storms hit and power goes out, cooperatives mobilize to help one another and get it restored

t the beginning of March 2017, after what had been, to that point, an unusually mild winter, a huge storm system came through southern Ohio and northern Kentucky, bringing with it winds that brought down trees and power lines, causing power outages in large swaths of the area. Electric cooperatives do everything they can — regular maintenance, tree-trimming, etc. — to prevent such outages, but sometimes, Mother Nature has her own ideas. When outages do happen, the coops are ready. Every co-op has an emergency plan, and part of that planning includes what is both a unique and an effective approach to emergency management and disaster recovery: mutual assistance. When disaster strikes, co-ops quickly deploy support staff and equipment to emergency and recovery zones to help sister co-ops restore power.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

“Cooperation among cooperatives is one of our guiding principles for a good reason: It helps to make everyone’s jobs easier and makes their lives better,” says Dwight Miller, director of safety and loss control at Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association that provides services to each electric cooperative in the state.

Quick response

Just that first week of March, crews from Consolidated Electric Cooperative, based in Mount Gilead, and from Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, based in Millersburg, sent crews to help with power

‘...cooperation, to us, is not just words on paper. It’s what we do.’

restoration in the area served by South Central Power Company, based in Lancaster. A five-man crew from Oxford-based Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, based in Oxford, went to help storm-struck Owen Electric, in Walton, Ky. Crews from The Frontier Power Company in Coshocton and GuernseyMuskingum Electric in New Concord headed to the Lexington, Ky., area to help restore power to Blue Grass Energy members.

Consistent systems

Because the national network of transmission and distribution infrastructure owned by electric cooperatives has been built to federal standards, line crews from any co-op in America can arrive on the scene ready to provide emergency support, secure in their knowledge of the system’s engineering. “You never know exactly what you’re going to find when you get out there,” says Phil Crowdy, operations and engineering manager at Frontier Power. “The exact situation’s going to be different from place to place and event to event, but our guys know that they’ll be familiar with the systems wherever they go.”

Eager to help

“One of the main reasons we make sure to be available as a company is that, if things happen to go bad here, we know that help is available,” he says. “We’ve only had to ask for help once in the last 10 years, but the one time we had to make the call, we had guys here from other co-ops that same day. When I called the guys in to see who would go to Kentucky, every hand in the room went up.” Calls for help had been issued that morning, and all of those Ohio crews had mobilized before lunchtime. For the most part, they had helped fully restore power and were back to their own co-ops within a couple of days. “We see about six or seven of those events per year, where we may need to move small crews around to help out,” Miller says. “But we also have major events every few years, like the derecho of 2012 or the ice storm of 2005, where we have to send a lot of crews all over the country, and they may be gone for a couple of weeks at a time. It can be pretty difficult, but that cooperation, to us, is not just words on paper. It’s what we do.”

First Electric Cooperative, Arkansas

Dave Behle, Dawson Public Power District

Crowdy says Frontier’s linemen, just like crews from

cooperatives around the country, are happy, and even eager, to help — whenever the call goes out.

Linemen survey damage to power lines following a tornado. Consumer calls and reports during an outage helped crews locate and isolate the damage.

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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“She was trying to jump a dirt hill, but didn’t make it,” Jeremy says. “When I got to her, she was nonresponsive. Jake called 911 and we stabilized her until the first responders arrived.” Jeremy never learned exactly what injuries the rider suffered that day in One Ohio cooperative sponsored a pair of honor March 2015, but when the flights that sent veterans to Washington, D.C. first responders arrived, they strapped her to a back board, immobilizing her head and spine, and air-lifted her to the hospital. He and Jake found out later that she had recovered. As a journeyman lineman, Jeremy gets plenty of safety training from Tricounty. He knows cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), advanced first aid, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). But Jeremy deflected the thought that he did something unique, or even out of the ordinary. “I was glad I was there,” he says. “Pretty much any co-op employee would have done what they could to help.” Jeremy’s right. There is no shortage of heroes working at Ohio’s electric cooperatives: • Employees at Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative raised over $160,000 last year to send more than 170 World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., on Honor Flights, so they could see the memorials built to honor their service. “Our employees are heroes for seeing a need and getting the community to rally behind them,” says Erika Willitzer, marketing and economic development manager for PPEC. • Last September, JR McCoy, a crew leader and first class lineman for The Frontier Power Company, and his crewmate, Matthew Compton, were performing routine utility maintenance when they saw that a nearby house was on fire. After a call to 911, Compton kicked in the front door, to make sure no one was trapped inside the home (no one was). McCoy grabbed a garden hose, broke a window, and began spraying water on the fire. Meanwhile, Compton disconnected the electricity at the meter to make sure that a bad situation didn’t get worse. • Brad Myers, a cable locater at Consolidated Electric Cooperative, in separate acts: rescued a man from a burning house; pulled a man out of a burning car; tended to someone who fell off his riding mower; and performed the Heimlich maneuver on a 10-year-old boy who was choking in a restaurant. JOHN EGAN is president of Egan Energy Communications (www.EganEnergy.com), a national energy communications firm.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

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APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAMAINE VONADA

ICON

THE JAMES A. GARFIELD

MEMORIAL CLEVELAND

Location: On the east side of Cleveland in Lake View Cemetery. Provenance: Founded in 1869, Lake View Cemetery was among the nation’s first gardenstyle cemeteries, and President James A. Garfield, who was born and raised near Cleveland, had expressed his desire to make its scenic grounds his final resting place. Shortly after his inauguration, Garfield was shot by a disappointed office-seeker and lingered for two months before dying on Sept. 19, 1881. Garfield’s body initially was placed in a vault in Lake View Cemetery, and it was permanently moved to the newly completed Garfield Memorial on Memorial Day 1890. Significance: The Garfield Memorial not only is the first mausoleum built for a U.S. president, but also is a Cleveland landmark that attracts some 40,000 visitors every year. “The Memorial is 180 feet high and sits on the cemetery’s highest point,” says Lake View president and CEO Katharine Goss. “From its balcony, you can see Cleveland’s skyline and Lake Erie.” Reflecting the Gilded Age as well as grief for a fallen leader, the exceptionally ornate presidential monument cost $225,000, and individuals in the United States and foreign countries provided much of its funding. Architect George Keller’s towering structure combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine design elements, and its base features

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

bas relief panels by sculptor Caspar Buberl that depict Garfield’s multi-faceted life as a teacher, Union general, congressman, and president. Inside the Memorial are richly colored mosaics representing “War” and “Peace;” stained-glass windows symbolizing Ohio and the 13 original states; and a 12-foot-tall statue of Garfield. Steubenville native Alexander Doyle sculpted the statue in white Carrara marble obtained from the same Italian quarries Leonardo da Vinci used. The Memorial’s crypt contains the bronze caskets of Garfield and his wife Lucretia, as well as urns holding the ashes of their daughter Mary “Molly” Garfield Stanley-Brown and her husband, Joseph Stanley-Brown, who had been Garfield’s secretary. Currently: Opening to visitors on April 1 every year, the Garfield Memorial is staffed by knowledgeable guides, who happily answer questions and point people to the graves of some other famous “residents” — including John D. Rockefeller and Eliot Ness. It’s a little-known fact that: The Memorial’s exterior was built from Ohio’s Berea sandstone, which has become damaged and discolored by more than a century of weathering and pollution. Thus, the Lake View Cemetery Foundation recently launched the Garfield Campaign to raise capital needed for repairs.

The James A. Garfield Memorial at Lake View Cemetery, 12316 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106. Open daily, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., April 1 – Nov. 19. Cemetery grounds open daily year-round, hours vary. For additional information, call 216421-2665 or visit www.lakeviewcemetery.com.

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APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAMAINE VONADA

LAND OF

HERBS

AND

Combs family cultivates a healthy lifestyle at Mockingbird Meadows Farm

HONEY

hen Dawn Combs whips up an herbal matcha for visitors at Mockingbird Meadows Farm, she starts by selecting one of the jars arrayed on simple wooden shelves in the space of her home that serves as a combination shop, herb apothecary, and classroom. The jars, called TEAshots, are powdered herb blends that she developed from whole plants, including bark and roots, that she and her husband, Carson, raise at Mockingbird Meadows. Dawn formulates each blend to support the body’s natural processes, and they have descriptive names like “Sleepy” and “Tummy Love.” The Combses have been Union Rural Electric Cooperative members since 2005, when they moved to a house on 3.5 acres between Marysville and Plain City. Back then, Dawn worked for a Columbus bank, and Carson was a city planner in Dublin. Their plan was to pursue a healthier, more self-sufficient lifestyle and start a small honey business, as well as a family.

Today, they’re not only the proud parents of two young children, but have transformed their property into a working homestead, where they follow sustainable, eco-friendly farming principles. They named it for the mockingbirds that built a nest above the couple’s first beehive. “We pioneered chemical-

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

Carson and Dawn Combs live their close-to-the-land philosophy at their homestead outside Marysville, where playful honeybee artwork greets visitors (top photo).

free beekeeping methods in central Ohio, and we use our own herbs to treat our own hives,” Carson says. While he manages the farm and markets its FDAcompliant botanical supplements, Dawn, who's a certified herbalist and ethnobotanist, shares her expertise by writing, speaking, and presenting workshops on herb folklore and science. “We honestly experience what we believe about living close to the land,” she says. In addition to 35 beehives, Mockingbird Meadows has 150 varieties of herbs. Signature items include honey spreads, matchas, and herbal infused honey. All Mockingbird Meadows products are made and shipped on-site, and they’re sold at the farm, select retail stores, and online. Mockingbird Meadows Farm, 16671 Burns Rd., Marysville, OH 43040. Call 614-354-5163 or visit www.mockingbirdmeadows.com.

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CALLING ALL

HUMMINGBIRDS These flowering vines do more than beautify your garden. They also entice hummingbirds with sweet nectar and so much more.

ummingbird-friendly vines offer a whole new range of attraction. There’s just something irresistibly exciting about seeing a hummingbird as it hovers in midair to nectar at a climbing clematis or honeysuckle that’s loaded with colorful blooms.

The right flowering vines will lure . these colorful, energetic fliers.

The right flowering vines will lure these colorful energetic fliers with sweet nectar, but it's the added benefits that may entice these birds to linger and stay. Hummers will often seek shelter among the vines and use spent flowers of clematis and other blooms as nesting materials.

Rambling vines and the structures on which they climb also make your yard more inviting by providing convenient perching opportunities for hummingbirds to rest and survey their surroundings. They typically feed every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day, spending the remaining 80 percent of their time resting between feeding forays. 12

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

What part of your yard is begging for the addition of an ornamental hummingbird vine? By highlighting your garden with flowering vines that hummers seek, these fascinating birds will become the highlight of your garden. Here are 10 to get you started. Cardinal Climber: Fast-growing annual vine from 10 to 20 feet climbs by twining stems. Deeply lobed midgreen leaves with 1 inch crimson red flowers appear in summer. Grow in full sun to partial shade. Clematis: Evergreen and deciduous vines from 5 to 30 feet; up to 4 inch blooms in shades of purple, blue, pink, white and rose. Grow in full sun for vines, but keep the roots cool and moist with mulch. Clematis Cross Vine: Evergreen to semi-evergreen woody vines from 20 to 50 feet climb by tendrils and cling by holdfast disks. As such, they can climb a trellis or cling to walls. Orange-red or scarlet flowers bloom in midspring and into summer. Grow in full sun to light shade.

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Cypress Vine: Annual twining vine to 20 feet with fern-like foliage and clusters of bright tubular flowers in red or scarlet. Similar to cardinal climber, but with somewhat smaller flowers. Grow in full sun to partial shade.

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Honeysuckle: Hardy vines climb via twining woody stems. Best grown in full sun to light shade. Three that hummers seek:

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Trumpet creeper

Trumpet Creeper: This beauty is a cross between American trumpet vine and Chinese trumpet vine and grows 15 to 25 feet high. Aggressive in nature, though more restrained than the American trumpet vine. Grow in full sun to partial shade. Wisteria Wisteria: Twining, deciduous vines with spectacular clusters of fragrant flowers appear in spring in soft shades of pink, purple, violet-blue, and white. These vigorous climbers need strong support via a sturdy trellis, arbor, or pergola. Grow in full sun.

Purple Passionflower: Also known as “Maypop,” this hardy vine is a standout for its delicate, ornate blooms. Mid- to late-summer 3-inch blooms of lavender and white are offset by a showy crown of filaments banded in purple and pink. Best in full sun to light shade.

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APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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1 (143/4 ounce) can salmon, drained, boned and flaked 6 Tbsp. dried fine bread crumbs 1 Tbsp. finely diced onion 1 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes 1/3 cup ketchup ¼ tsp. chili powder

1/3

cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 egg 1 tsp. prepared yellow mustard Butter-flavored cooking spray 6 small hamburger buns Lettuce leaves

In a large bowl, combine salmon, bread crumbs, onion, parsley flakes, ketchup, chili powder, cheddar cheese, egg, and yellow mustard. Mix well to combine. Divide mixture into 6 patties and place in a large skillet that has been prepared with butter-flavor cooking spray. Brown patties 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place patties on hamburger buns and top with lettuce leaves. Makes 6 sandwiches.

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM AND CARMELIZED ONION BURGER

LIGHTER FARE

4 portobello mushrooms, stems removed 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided 1 cups sliced white onion 2 oz. soft goat cheese 4 whole wheat hamburger buns 4 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 cups field greens or baby lettuce 1 tomato, sliced Preheat grill. Place mushrooms in large Ziploc bag; add the balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon olive oil, and seal bag. Shake the bag until the mushrooms are coated in the vinegar and oil. Let sit for a few minutes while preparing the other ingredients. Heat a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil; heat for 30 seconds. Add onions, lower heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until onions are soft and browned, about 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and set aside. Remove mushrooms from bag and place on heated grill, round side up. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Turn mushrooms over so they are flat side up, top with goat cheese (1/2 oz. each) and caramelized onions. Continue to cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from grill; place on buns topped with Dijon, lettuce, and tomato. Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 266 calories, 12 g total fat (4 g saturated fat), 9 g fiber, 12 g protein

VEGETABLE SUB WITH FETA

tomatoes, onion, and feta. Combine salad dressing and lemon juice; drizzle over lettuce mixture and toss. Fill bread shell with lettuce mixture; replace top. Slice and serve. Makes 8 servings.

1 (16 oz.) loaf French bread 1 (10 oz.) pkg. romaine salad mix 1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/3 cup fat-free Caesar salad dressing 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Cut 1/2-inch-thick slice from top of bread, and set top aside. Hollow out bread using serrated knife, leaving a 1-inch shell; reserve soft bread for another use. Set bread shell aside. Combine salad mix, beans,

Per serving: 264 calories, 3 g total fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 4 g fiber, 11 g protein

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

THE EFFICIENCY EXPERT

BY PAT KEEGAN AND AMY WHEELESS

Cooling off

Nearly all cooperatives have energy auditors on staff who can advise consumer-members about the right AC units for their homes.

Choosing the right home air conditioner saves money and makes sense

f you have an aging central air conditioner — even if it’s still working — it might pay off to look into replacing it sooner rather than waiting until it fails.

Replacing an inefficient AC unit with a more efficient model could significantly reduce your electric bill; new units are likely to be 20 to 40 percent more efficient than one from the 1990s. ENERGY STARcertified systems are even more efficient. Replacing an aging system now, before summer starts, could help you avoid delays or price premiums. How much money you save by replacing your current AC unit depends both on how often your AC runs and on your electric rate. If you’re in a hot climate and keep your home’s temperature in the low 70s, your cost of cooling will be substantial, and so will the potential savings from replacing your old unit with an efficient new one.

The best way to determine possible savings is to have an inhome assessment conducted by a qualified heating, ventilating, and air A mini-split heat conditioning (HVAC) professional or a pump brings outdoor certified energy auditor. Electric co-ops air to up to four zones are interested in reducing peak summer in your home through loads and offer information, rebates, blowers such as this or a list of qualified professionals. one. It’s a plus if the contractor has North

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. Contractors should be knowledgeable about energyefficient systems and have references. Your contractor needs to size the system to your home. Ken Maleski, the residential advisor at Central Electric Cooperative in Pennsylvania, says a unit that is too small will not cool your home to the levels you want. If it’s too large, it may not dehumidify your home sufficiently, and it will cycle on and off more frequently, which can increase wear and tear on the system and shorten its life significantly. In order to size the system, the contractor will need to look at the efficiency of the home by checking insulation levels. If you add insulation where it’s most needed, you may be able to install a smaller AC unit, and you should enjoy greater comfort and lower cooling costs. The HVAC contractor you hire should also assess your ductwork, which is often poorly designed, leaky, or inadequately insulated. Replacing an aging air conditioner is a great way to improve comfort, cut energy costs, and reduce peak energy demand. Your co-op may be able to help, and you can learn a lot from the information resources available on our website and on the ENERGY STAR and energy.gov websites. PAT KEEGAN and AMY WHEELESS write for Collaborative Efficiency. For more information visit www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Don’t forget to register for the Annual Meeting! Join us at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 27! The meeting is at Miami University’s Millett Hall. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the business meeting takes place at 6:30. Tickets are $8.50 per person and will be added to your electric bill Robert Hoelle after the meeting. Vice President, Board of Trustees To register for the meeting, fill out the registration card on the front cover of the February issue of this magazine, call the cooperative’s office at 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732, or email butler@butlerrural.coop. Entertainment will follow the business meeting. This year, guests will enjoy the entertaining and fun dueling pianists Michael and Amy. Michael and Amy are award-winning musical and comedic dueling piano entertainers, singers, and instrumentalists. Their musical diversity, heartfelt charisma, and comedic exuberance — shared only as a husband and wife can — will bring an eclectic and electric energy to the stage. As a member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, you are also an owner of the cooperative. It is your right and responsibility to understand how the cooperative operates, and the Annual Meeting will provide that opportunity for you. The meeting also gives you the chance to discuss issues and changes you feel would positively affect the entire cooperative membership.

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we operate with the sole purpose of serving you, our member. The cooperative relies on your input to make changes, set goals, and prepare for the future needs of our members.

Your attendance at the Annual Meeting is appreciated and valued. It’s a time for members to be together, socialize, and have an enjoyable evening. At the Annual Meeting, you will be involved with and participate in the democratic process by voting for members of the board of trustees. Democratic member control is one of the principles the cooperative was founded on and still abides by today. Our members have the responsibility of choosing trustees who will best reflect their interests and the interests of their community. If you join us, be sure to stop by our ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action® booth. ACRE is the Action Committee for Rural Electrification and is your opportunity to help protect the best interests of your electric cooperative. If you would like more information on ACRE, contact the cooperative’s office or talk to an employee at the Annual Meeting. Your attendance at the Annual Meeting is appreciated and valued. It’s a time for members to be together, socialize, and have an enjoyable evening. You will also exercise your rights and privileges as a cooperative member and witness the cooperative business model in action, doing what it does best — looking out for you.

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How Americans Use Electricity The latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that appliances and electronics account for the largest amount of electricity consumption in American homes.

20%

Heating/Cooling

60%

Water Heating

Appliances & Electronics

11%

Lighting

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2015 Annual Energy Outlook. *U.S. residential sector electricity by major end uses.

BILL CREDIT WINNERS

Congratulations to the February winners!

$50 winners

$80 winners

Sue Colliver Nancy Munafo Joseph Simpson Ed Ulreich Dan Watts

Margaret Cantrell Michael Davis Corrine Hart Beverly Huston Charles Guthrie April Metzler

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING â&#x20AC;¢ APRIL 2017

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Meet the 2017 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES Three board seats will be up for election at the Annual Meeting on April 27. Members can run for the board of trustees when their district’s seat is up for re-election. Members who were eligible to run for the board of trustees in 2017 were sent a Trustee Interest Form with their bill in July 2016. The Nominating Committee is responsible for finding qualified candidates to run for the board of trustees. The committee is made up of 18 members from all of the cooperative’s voting districts. The Nominating Committee interviewed cooperative members who were interested in being on the board and chose two candidates from each district to run for the board of trustees.

DISTRICT 6 Reily Township

Charles Kennel

Ronald Kolb

Charles Kennel is a resident of Reily Township and has been a cooperative member for 36 years. Charles is a school bus driver and is the owner of Charlie’s Grilling Service. He is interested in serving on the board of trustees because he enjoys working with organizations that support local businesses and schools. Charles has been a Butler County 4-H advisor for 25 years and is active in Talawanda’s FFA Alumni. He is a board member for the Greater Hamilton County Bowling Association and participates in fundraising activities for Open Hands Food Pantry.

Ronald Kolb is a resident of Reily Township and has been a cooperative member for 51 years. He is a retired farmer and served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He has been a cooperative trustee for 26 years and has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates. Ronald believes his role as a trustee is to continue setting policies and programs for the members of the cooperative. He is willing to continue educating himself on the changing world of electricity to improve the cooperative. He is a member of the Reily Township Historical Society and the Franklin County Antique Machinery Club.

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2017 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES DISTRICT 7 Hanover & St. Clair townships

Tim Plageman

Michael Tilton

Tim Plageman is a resident of St. Clair Township and has been a cooperative member for four years. Tim is retired from his position as a Wildlife Management Supervisor for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. He would like to serve on the board of trustees in order to use his 30 years of law enforcement and management experience to make a difference at the cooperative. Tim would like for the cooperative to invest in alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. He has held the position of treasurer for the Ohio Chapter of the Wildlife Society and was involved in the Ohio Fish and Wildlife Management Association. Tim participates in numerous projects involving endangered species in Ohio and various youth hunting, fishing, and shooting opportunities.

Michael Tilton is a resident of Hanover Township and has been a cooperative member for 23 years. Michael is retired from his position as Butler County’s Chief Deputy Auditor. He has been a cooperative trustee for 14 years and has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates. He believes the responsibilities of being a cooperative trustee include providing direction in the affairs of the cooperative, reviewing and approving the cooperative’s budget, and being actively involved in legislation that may affect the cooperative at both the state and national levels. Michael was a board member for the Farm Bureau for 10 years and has been part of the Butler County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol since 1994.

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2017 BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATES DISTRICT 8 Morgan & Harrison townships

David Kilgo

Robert Spaeth

David Kilgo is a resident of Harrison Township and has been a cooperative member for 37 years. He is a retired attorney. David is interested in serving on the board of trustees because he would like the opportunity to serve the community. Thinking beyond the utility business, David believes the biggest challenge our local area faces is climate change. He is a former Hamilton County Fair Director, has served as president of the Downtown Cincinnati Kiwanis Club, and is a current board member of the Friends of White Water Shakers.

Robert Spaeth is a resident of Morgan Township and has been a cooperative member for 43 years. He is a self-employed carpenter. Robert has been a cooperative trustee for nine years and has earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold certificates. He believes the responsibilities of being a cooperative trustee include attending educational, regional, annual, and monthly meetings that pertain to the cooperative. Robert is a retired member of the Morgan Ross Athletic Association, where he served as trustee for 12 years.

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LIVES ON THE LINE Every April, we take the time to thank our lineworkers who dedicate their lives to keeping the lights on in our local communities. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s lineworkers maintain 1,084 miles of line in the cooperative’s service territory. Without them, our world would be dark. We depend on our entire staff to keep Butler Rural Electric Cooperative running smoothly, but on April 10, 2017, we honor all lineworkers who often find themselves in dangerous and challenging situations, so our lives may be a little bit brighter and safer every day. Linemen repair damaged lines and maintain critical infrastructure for our communities. Without their hard work and commitment to the job, our co-op would not thrive. No matter the time – day or night, weekday or weekend – if the lights go out, so do they.

Perhaps you have seen them raising their bucket trucks in howling winds and torrential rains, or in freezing, icy conditions. They work around the clock near high-voltage power lines until electricity is restored to every member in our co-op community. In addition to aiding members in our local service territory, lineworkers are always willing and eager to volunteer when a neighboring community, county, or state is in need after a major outage occurs. Our lineworkers are brave, committed, and critical to our success. This year, we celebrate them on Lineman Appreciation Day. We hope you will join us in thanking the many lineworkers – both locally and around the world – that light our lives. Remember, your power works because they do!

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From the Boardroom New backup generator at the cooperative’s office The cooperative’s office will receive a new backup generator to improve reliability and safety. The generator is used whenever the cooperative’s office is without power to allow employees to continue to operate efficiently and effectively. The new generator will run on of natural gas, which is cheaper compared to diesel or fuel oil.

The cooperative’s electricians can help members and non-members within a 25-mile radius of the office with a variety of services, including upgrading electrical service, identifying voltage problems, wiring pools and hot tubs, installing ceiling fans, adding outlets, repairing light switches, and much more. Call our office at 513-867-4400 or 800-2552732 to schedule an appointment.

Update your phone number and e-mail address on file at the cooperative Butler Rural Electric Cooperative needs your current phone number and e-mail address on file. We need this information so we can contact you about your electric service and outages. You can update your information by calling the cooperative’s office at 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732. You can also e-mail the cooperative at butler@butlerrural.coop.

Call today to schedule a safety demonstration! Need an exciting and informative way to educate elementary school students about electrical safety? Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s safety department gives free demonstrations to area elementary schools and other organizations. The safety demonstration helps children develop a greater understanding of how electricity works and shows just how dangerous it can be.

Electrician services at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has licensed and insured electricians to help you with your electric repairs.

If you would like to schedule a demonstration for students or for your organization, please contact Ben Rhode, manager of safety and compliance, at benr@butlerrural.coop or 513-867-4427.

Milford Township Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner

Reily Fire Department and EMS Fish Fry

On Saturday, April 8, the Milford Township Fire Department will host its annual spaghetti dinner at the Milford Township Community Center, 5113 Huston Road in Collinsville.

The Reily Fire Department and EMS Auxiliary’s annual all-you-can-eat fish fry is Friday, April 7 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Reily Community Center on Reily Millville Road.

Dinner will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Raffles and split the pot drawings will be available. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the door for adults. You can purchase tickets in advance from the firemen or at Dunkleberger’s Lawn and Garden in Collinsville.

Donations are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12, and children 3 and under are free. Carry out is available and there will be great raffle prizes. Proceeds benefit the Reily Fire Department and Life Squad.

All proceeds from the dinner go toward equipment and supplies for the department and educational materials for fire safety classes at Bogan Elementary School.

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RATE INCREASE EFFECTIVE JULY 7 Co-op members have the certainty that rates increase when the true cost of delivering electricity to your home increases — never to generate profits for corporate shareholders. A rate increase is necessary to offset the continually rising costs of materials, labor, and other expenses. After July 7, there will be an increase to the cooperative’s Distribution Base Charge and the Distribution Energy Charge. The Distribution Base Charge will increase from $38 to $40 for residential members. The Distribution Energy Charge will increase from 5.02 cents to 5.35 cents per kilowatthour. The responsibility for making changes to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s rates resides with the cooperative’s board of trustees. Trustees are members of the cooperative and are elected by the membership to represent the best interest of the cooperative and its members. The cooperative’s 10 Year Financial Forecast indicated that a rate increase would be required in 2016. Thanks to financial planning and holding down costs, the cooperative was able to eliminate the forecasted rate increase in 2016. We are confident our forecast

Breakdown of an Average Residential Electric Bill Based on 1,400 kWh, $229.90/month

Distribution Base Charge $40 Generation & Transmission Charge $115

Distribution Energy Charge $74.90

reflects realistic revenues, expenses, and margins needed to produce adequate capital to operate the cooperative efficiently. We have minimized increases by managing costs and implementing a number of cost-saving measures. We will continue to work diligently to hold down costs for members. Your cooperative is in a strong financial position. We have worked to keep our in-house costs down and hold down energy costs while continuing to provide you with safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. We will continue to make every effort to minimize the impact of costs on the members of the cooperative and will continue offering programs that help keep costs down. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative takes rate decisions seriously. We know rate changes affect members in a very personal way. Each member of the board of trustees is committed to making sure the co-op maintains safe, reliable, and affordable electric service and is responsive to members’ needs. We work hard to keep your bill as low as possible and to maintain a system that will provide you with the electricity you need when you need it, now and in the future.

Distribution Energy Charge After July 7, 2017, the Distribution Energy Charge will increase from 5.02 cents to 5.35 cents per kilowatt-hour. The Distribution Energy Charge includes all costs that are not recovered in the Distribution Base Charge, such as operational and regulatory costs. The Distribution Energy Charge increase was forecasted in the cooperative’s 10 Year Financial Forecast. Cost of service studies and appliance saturation surveys are used to create the forecast. Both studies help us understand the ways our members use electricity, how much they use, and projected use over the coming years. We will continue offering programs that help keep costs down. The cooperative takes many steps to hold down costs. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, that is what we are committed to doing.

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Distribution Base Charge After July 7, 2017, the Distribution Base Charge will increase from $38 to $40 for residential members. The Distribution Base Charge is the component of your bill that covers upkeep of our electrical system, such as lines, poles, meters, and substations. It covers everything it takes to bring electricity to your home and is influenced by the operating costs of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. On average, this is the smallest portion of the bill. Regardless of how much electricity a home uses, the cost of delivering power to that home is the same. Even if there is no electric use, it still costs the cooperative to have facilities in place to deliver electricity to each and every home in our service territory. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, the operational costs are spread fairly and equally across all of our members, regardless of electricity

$40

use. That is why every member pays the Distribution Base Charge to cover basic operational costs. All members are charged the same amount for the cost of operation because all members benefit from the same service. The Distribution Base Charge is also influenced by the number of members the cooperative has per mile of line. The cooperative has an average of 10 members per mile of line. This is significantly less than the large investor-owned utilities, such as Duke Energy’s Midwest Operations, which have an average of 38 customers per mile of line, resulting in slightly higher operating costs for the cooperative. Even though we have less members per mile of line, the cooperative has always found innovative ways to have competitive rates, while still providing you with safe and reliable electric service.

$40

The cooperative has an average of 10 members per mile of line. This is significantly less than large investor-owned utilities, such as Duke Energy, which have an average of 38 customers per mile of line, resulting in slightly higher operating costs for the cooperative.

Generation and Transmission Charge The Generation and Transmission (G&T) Charge is the cost of coal, environmental enhancements at the generation facilities, transportation of trains, trucks and barges to bring coal to the plant, and sending power over transmission lines to our distribution system. It’s the cost of power from Buckeye Power, our generation and transmission cooperative. Generation and transmission costs have gone up consistently over the last several years. The costs not only relate to the maintenance for the power plant, but also to meet the Clean Air Act regulations enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. The generation power source for Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives, The Cardinal Plant, has met compliance requirements that lower emissions at the

April 2017.indd 9

coal-burning power plant. The upgrades cost more than $1 billion. These costs are passed on to the cooperatives and are reflected in the member’s G&T rates. Generation and transmission rates have stabilized and the increases over the next few years are projected to be at or below inflation. G&T rates are greatly influenced by the decisions of state and national legislators and EPA regulations. The rates are wholesale power costs, and because the cooperative is not-for-profit, you are paying exactly what it costs for us to deliver power to your home.

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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Proposed Code of Regulations changes At the 2017 Annual Meeting on April 27, cooperative members will have the opportunity to vote on changes to the Code of Regulations. The following pages outline the proposed changes. Copies of the Code of Regulations will be available at the Annual Meeting. If you would like a full copy prior to the meeting, please contact the cooperative’s office by calling 513-867-4400 or 800-255-2732, or by e-mail at butler@butlerrural.coop. ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP SECTION 4. Purchase of Electric Energy Each member shall, as soon as electric energy shall be available, purchase from the Cooperative all electric energy used on the premises specified in the application for electric service, and shall pay therefore at rates which shall from time to time be fixed by the Cooperative in accordance with all applicable requirements of law. It is expressly understood that amounts paid for electric power and/or energy in excess of the cost of service are furnished by the patrons of the Cooperative, whether members or non-members, as capital and each patron shall be credited with the capital so furnished as provided in this Code of Regulations. Each patron shall pay all amounts owed to the Cooperative as and when the same shall become due and payable. Production or use of electric energy on such premises, regardless of the source thereof, by means of facilities which shall be interconnected with Cooperative facilities, shall be subject to appropriate regulations as shall be fixed from time to time by the Cooperative. ARTICLE III MEETING OF MEMBERS SECTION 5. Voting Each member shall be entitled to one vote and no more upon such matters submitted to a vote of the members. All questions shall be decided by a vote of the majority of the members voting thereon in person except as otherwise provided by or in a manner as provided by the Board of Trustees in accordance with law, the Articles of Incorporation, or this Code of Regulations. ARTICLE IV BOARD OF TRUSTEES SECTION 3. Qualifications Only the following shall be eligible to become or remain a member of the Board: i.

Only a natural person shall be eligible to become

or remain a member of the Board who The candidate or member of the Board must be a natural person who:

ii. is a member and bona fide resident in the particular district within the service area of the Cooperative which the trustee is to represent.

iii. is not in any way employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business including but not limited to the following: A) a business selling electric power and/or energy, or supplies to the Cooperative,; or B) a business primarily engaged in selling electrical or plumbing electric energy, electrical appliances, fixtures or supplies to the members of the Cooperative.

iv. is not or has not within the last five (5) years preceding the date of the current year’s annual meeting been an employee of the Cooperative in any capacity.

v. is not employed in any capacity by any governmental regulatory agency having jurisdiction or authority over the Cooperative. An individual seeking appointment or election to the Board shall be qualified by the following: 1) by the Board of Trustees when considering individuals for Board replacement as a result of an Article IV, Section 6 vacancy; 2) by the Committee of Nominations for individuals seeking election to the Board pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 or Section 4; and 3) by the Committee of Nominations for individuals seeking election to the Board of a replacement Board member removed pursuant to Article IV, Section 5. Nothing contained in this Section shall affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any action taken by the Board. SECTION 4. Nominations It shall be the duty of the Board to appoint a Committee of Nominations consisting of two members from each district so as to ensure equitable representation on the committee to the geographic

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areas constituting the service area of the Cooperative. The Committee of Nominations shall be confirmed by the members present at a meeting at which members of the Board are to be elected. Members on the Committee of Nominations shall possess the same qualifications as required of Board Members pursuant to Article IV, Section 3. No member of the Board or officer may serve on such committee. The committee shall prepare and post at the principal office of the Cooperative at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the meeting of the members a list of nominations for Board membership which shall include no more than two candidates from each district for each position for a Board member representing such district which is to be filled at the next annual meeting of members or at any meeting held in lieu thereof as hereinbefore provided. The committee shall seek out, qualify pursuant to Article IV, Section 3 of the Code of Regulations, and nominate no more than two candidates from each district for each Board member position to be filled pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 and for Board positions that may have resulted from the removal of a Board member pursuant to Article IV, Section 5 of the Code of Regulations. Any twenty five (25) or more members may also make other nominations for Board positions to be filled pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 by petition not less than one hundred and twenty days (120) days prior to the meeting of the members, said nominations also being subject to Article IV, Section 3. Thereafter, the names of the individuals nominated by the committee and by petition and qualified by the committee shall be posted at the principal office of the Cooperative at least ninety (90) days before the meeting of the members. The Secretary shall be responsible for mailing with the notice of the meeting of members in accordance with Article III, Section 3, a statement of the number of Board members to be elected and the names and addresses of the candidates nominated by the Committee of Nominations and by petition. Any twenty five (25) or more members may make other nominations by petition not less than ninety (90) days prior to the meeting of the members.

April 2017.indd 11

The Secretary shall post such other nominations at the same place where the list of nominations made by the committee is posted, and the Secretary shall include the names and addresses of any persons so nominated which are received more than ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting. No person shall be voted upon for membership on the Board who has not signified their willingness to serve if elected. Nothing contained in this Section shall affect in any manner whatsoever the validity of any election of Board members or any action taken by the Board. All nominees, including nominees standing for election pursuant to Article IV, Section 2, or nominees considered for Board vacancy replacement pursuant to Article IV, Section 6 shall be subject to the qualifications set-forth in Article IV, Section 3. SECTION 5. Removal of Board Member Any member may bring charges against a Board member and, by filing with the Secretary such charges in writing together with a petition signed by at least ten percent of the members, may request the removal of such Board member by reason thereof. Such Board member shall be informed in writing of the charges at least ten days prior to the meeting of members at which the charges are to be considered and shall have an opportunity at the meeting to be heard in person or by counsel and to present evidence in respect of the charges; and the person or persons bringing the charges against the Board member shall have the same opportunity. The question of the removal of such Board member shall be considered and voted upon at a meeting of members and the unexpired term for any vacancy created by such removal may be filled by vote of the members at such meeting the Cooperativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next annual meeting held for the purpose of electing Board members.

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ecause of higher population densities (more consumers served per mile of line), municipal electric systems and investor-owned utilities (IOUs) receive more revenue per mile of line than electric cooperatives. Even though electric co-ops maintain more miles of line per consumer and acquire less revenue than IOUs and municipal systems, they continue to maintain a tried-and-true record of delivering affordable electric service to the members they serve.

Consumers served/revenue per mile of line for different utilities:

48.3/$113,301

Municipal Electric Systems

34/$75,498

7.4/$14,938

Investor-Owned Utilities

Member-Owned Electric Distribution Cooperatives

Source: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 2013

] BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CONTACT

PRESIDENT

Thomas McQuiston

Michael L. Sims

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

Robert Hoelle

Jade Guthrie

OFFICE

SECRETARY/TREASURER

3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 OFFICE HOURS

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

VICE PRESIDENT

David Evans

Thomas Humbach ATTORNEY

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

GENERAL MANAGER

COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

SMARTHUB

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

TRUSTEES

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News and notes from electric cooperatives around the state

Studer, North Western’s oldest member, dies at 109 Gertrude Studer, the oldest member of North Western Electric Cooperative, passed away on Feb. 1 at the age of 109. A resident of Edgerton, Studer was honored by the cooperative for attending every North Western annual meeting since its formation, an accomplishment that was noted in her obituary.   Survivors include three sons, two daughters, 19 grandchildren, 83 greatgrandchildren, 39 great-great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-great-grandchildren. Darin Thorp, above, president and CEO of North Western Electric Cooperative, says "hello" to member Gertrude Studer at a recent co-op annual meeting.

URE gains new CEO

Anthony Smith, former vice president of engineering operations and Honda affairs at Union Rural Electric Cooperative, has been promoted to CEO/president at URE. Smith replaces Roger Anthony Smith Yoder, who retired after serving as president of the co-op for 25 years.

Firelands EC launches “The A Team” incentive program South Central Power was the recipient of the 2016 PACC Business of the Year. Pictured above are South Central Director of Key Accounts Jeff Campbell, PACC President Theresa Byers, South Central President and CEO Rick Lemonds, and South Central Vice President of Member Services Allison Saffle.

South Central Power chosen as 2016 Business of the Year by Pickerington Chamber

South Central Power was honored to be selected as the 2016 Business of the Year by the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) at the organization's annual meeting. PACC serves businesses in the northwest Fairfield County communities of Pickerington and Violet Township.

Firelands Electric Cooperative introduced a program to encourage students in grades 6-8 to strive for academic excellence. Students of members are invited to join “The A Team” to be recognized for their hard work if they have a minimum of three A’s on their most recent report card. Report card entries are put into a drawing for each grading period. Drawings will take place on April 10, July 10, and Dec. 10, with three students winning an iTunes gift card at each drawing.

Carroll Electric’s pilot program aims to increase member satisfaction

Carroll Electric Cooperative recently launched a member engagement committee, as part of an initiative to increase member satisfaction, while enhancing understanding of the cooperative principles and values. Nine coop members (one from each of Carroll’s districts) were selected to attend quarterly committee meetings. APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY SARAH JAQUAY

TRAVEL

C O LU M B U S

Sarah Jaquay

THE ‘OTHER’

Two stunning architectural works, side-by-side in Columbus: The Bartholomew County Courthouse and Veterans Memorial are must-sees on a tour of the city.

Indiana’s namesake of Ohio’s capital city is an architectural Mecca

hen Americans conjure a place called “Columbus,” many imagine Ohio — home of The Ohio State University and its legions of Buckeye football fans. There is, however, another Columbus not too far away — west across the state line to just south of Indianapolis. While its population is only about 45,000, the town enjoys an outsized reputation as a modern architectural Mecca. Located just three hours from Ohio’s capital, this Hoosier hamlet has long been a transportation hub — especially for railroads. Its major employer, Cummins, Inc. (f.k.a. Cummins

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

Engine) is an integral part of why this small municipality boasts more than 70 buildings and landscapes designed by celebrity architects from around the globe. Family vacation planners take note: Columbus captivates kids with a massive indoor playground and a three-story children’s museum. The whole family can indulge their sweet teeth at an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with vintage soda fountains. The best place to start exploring is the Visitors Center on Fifth Street, where visitors may view films on Columbus’ architectural significance and preview one of its crown jewels, the Miller House and Garden. The Visitors Center offers two-hour bus tours that include historic and contemporary structures and tells the backstory

For the kids

The building at 301 Washington Street was the office of Irwin Miller, the community benefactor largely responsible for the city’s status as an architectual mecca.

of how this place came to be ranked among the world’s top destinations for innovative design. A brief summary: Local businessman J. Irwin Miller suddenly became the CEO of Cummins Engine during World War II when his great uncle died unexpectedly. After the war, Columbus experienced rapid family growth, and projected a need for new schools. The first two prefabricated schools were built hurriedly. So Miller offered funding for the design of the next one, as long as school board officials would select an architect from a list provided by the Cummins Foundation (the company’s Columbus, IN charitable arm). That was the start of renowned modern architects building public structures and art there: I.M. Pei’s Cleo Rogers Memorial Library, Kevin Roche’s Columbus Post Office, and sculptor Henry Moore’s “Large Arch” that unifies the plaza between the groundbreaking First Christian Church (designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen) and the library.

In keeping with the design theme, it offers hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to design their own communities, while subtly exposing them to tenets of architecture and urban planning. There’s a 17-foot climbing wall and Bubble-ology — a contraption that creates body-sized bubbles. Kids Children and adults alike can can let off even become transfixed at “Chaos,” more steam at a sculpture at kidscommons The Commons, children’s museum in Columa community bus, while the Luckey Climber (below) is for kids only. gathering space with a 5,000 square-foot indoor playground featuring a Luckey Climber — a free-of-charge multi-story structure laced with mazes and jungle gyms, designed by the late architect and sculptor, Tom Luckey. When hunger pangs set in, Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum, across from The Commons, should help. The institution was started in 1900 by three brothers. After they attended the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, they were inspired to buy two ornate soda fountains. Today, “soda jerks” still draw carbonated water from these machines to make handcrafted ice cream delights.

Sarah Jaquay

A must-see is the Miller House and Garden designed by Eero Saarinen, Eliel’s son. Eero gained international recognition for St. Louis’s Gateway Arch and the TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport, and was crucial in selecting Jorn Utzon to design the Sydney Opera House. Among architecture aficionados, Miller Continued on Page 26 >

Sarah Jaquay

Columbus Area Visitors Center

After a large dose of architecture, visitors with kids can head for Washington Street, where they’ll discover “kidscommons,” the three-story, 12,000 square-foot children’s museum.

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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The Miller House and Garden, including the renowned Conversation Pit (below) was designed by the same architect who created the St. Louis Gateway Arch. <Continued from Page 25

House is as revered as Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Fallingwater in Western Pennsylvania. Travelers who visit this summer and fall will experience the inaugural Exhibit Columbus (Aug. 26 through mid-November.) There will be five large temporary installations at important architectural locations in the downtown area, including “Wiikiaami,” located at the First Christian Church and designed by studio: indigenous, a Wisconsinbased firm known for expression of American Indian culture; and the “Conversation Plinth,” located at the library and designed by IKD, a Boston firm known for its work at the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum. Smaller installations also will be placed along Washington Street (Columbus’ main thoroughfare), and local high school students will

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produce their own installations. While this charming town has long been known for its mid-century architecture, civic leaders believe that the biennial event will put Columbus “back on the map,” even for those who have visited before. The Columbus in Hoosierland may not have a football team to root for, but this burg is once again rooting for and promoting quality modern design. SARAH JAQUAY is a freelance writer from Shaker Heights.

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TRAVEL OHIO

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAMIE RHEIN

S P L AT T E R E D

Paintball draws crowds of players in a video game come-to-life

ead to Splatter Park near Mt. Gilead on a crisp, fall day, or pre-spring, before trees bud, and you’ll almost always find at least a little company. By summer, though, you’ll join as many as 600 other paintball warriors at a time looking to splatter their foes. People ages 10 to 70 (and sometimes beyond) don face masks and load their paintball guns with gelatin-shell paint pellets, then head to one of the park’s 12 themed game areas for an adrenaline rush of fun. Mike Miller, a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative, owns the place, and seems to have perfected the art of recreational paintball. “It’s like stepping into a video game where you’re the action,” he says.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

From Splatter Park to Pinnacle Woods in Chardon, which were among the first on Ohio’s paintball scene, to LVL Up Sports that opened last year near Grove City, players can find a place to play across the state. Whether one is a recreational or a competitive player, there’s an experience to match the skill-set. For Lucas de Leon, who first played at a Splatter Park birthday party when he was 12, paintball has turned into a job as one of the park’s greenshirted referees — matching players for the best fit to keep the atmosphere safe and friendly. “Refs make sure that you get in the right group, based on age and skill level,” de Leon says. “They’ll make sure that parents and their kids are on teams together, if they want to be.”

Masks on! Roll out!

As soon players are sorted onto teams and issued armbands, the call is issued: “Masks on! Let’s roll out,” and “Call of Duty” comes to life.

Players duck behind trees, peer over barriers, and dart from cover to cover as they seek their opponents invading from the other direction. Once a player is hit, that player is out, and must leave the playing area until a game’s end. In the meantime, rapid-fire rat-a-tat-tats, as well as more-measured shots, send paintballs flying toward satisfying splats. Oh, and those splats: they can sting like a rubber-band snap. Long sleeved shirts, pants, and gloves are recommended for that reason, and masks that cover from forehead to past the chin are a must, because there have been instances of serious eye injuries. Refs watch games like hawks, making sure that play stays safe. Whenever they see a mask get lifted to clean it off during play, there’s a “Masks down,” reminder. Every playing field has safe areas for mask-cleaning and breaks. Splatter Park hosts games that are more laid-back, But there are other spots, such as Pinnacle Woods and LVL Up Sports, where fun is also a focus, but competition gets fierce.

“If you want to get

The next level

On any weekend, at both LVL Up Sports and Pinnacle better, you have to Woods, teams practice and play X-Ball games on a field play with people who of large inflatable structures are set up to match are better than you.” that professional tournament games — the players drawn to these fields are experts, with customized paintball guns that are designed to fire faster and with more accuracy. “If you want to get better, you have to play with people who are better than you,” says Dave Pando, owner of LVL Up Sports. He knows. Pando was on the No. 2 college team in the U.S. during his days at Ohio University. He liked the game so much, he signed a long-term lease on some farmland in Grove City and LVL Up Sports was born.

At Pinnacle Woods, paintball is a family business that started in 1982, when Cathie and Tony Pisek played their first game in Conneaut Park in Pennsylvania. Almost before they got home, they decided to open their own paintball park. Their son, Steve, and two daughters, Chrissy and Jenny, now run the business. Steve has even played paintball professionally, competing across the United States and internationally. They’re just more examples of the sport’s evergrowing popularity, showing that once players get a taste of the action, they often keep coming back. Okeme Bassett, for example, knew nothing about paintball when she came to Splatter Park with her two teens and their friends for a late-fall game last year. “I had on a pink Columbus State shirt [and] was a moving target,” she says with a laugh. She left already planning a return trip with her girlfriends.

If You Go

Participants must sign a waiver (parents sign for minors age 10 and above). Costs are $25 to $50, depending upon equipment rental and how many paintballs are used. Typical games last 15 minutes with short breaks. Each park has open play on weekends. Call or check park websites for details. Birthday parties and other private events — such as Splatter Park’s Zombie Park in the fall — are offered at each. A shop to buy equipment, paintballs, and snacks is at each site. JAMIE RHEIN is a freelance writer from Columbus.

Eye protection is a must at all times while on the field of play during a paintball game.

Splatter Park, 5560 County Road 109, Mount Gilead. 419-946-4964 or 614-784-2657; splatterpark. com. Closed third week of December to first week of March. LVL Up Sports, 5390 Harrisburg Pike, Grove City. 614-313-1382; lvlupsports.com. Year round. Pinnacle Woods, 10241 Old State Rd., Chardon.440-974-0077; pinnaclewoodspaintball. com. Year round.

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

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s a wildlife photographer, I sometimes envy wedding photographers. They take photos of beautiful brides, and the brides don’t try to run away during the process, let alone fly. If wildlife photography is a college course, then bird photography — especially capturing birds in flight — is graduate school.

Outdoor Knowledge

Birds nearly always make interesting photo subjects, and each scientific family of birds has its own photographic challenges. If you maintain a home bird feeder, that’s a wise place to begin your avian photography. Shooting through windows is a good way to learn the basics, but eventually you’ll want to get outdoors. Doing so will not only move you closer to the birds, but will also make for sharper, clearer photos that fill the frame of your camera’s viewfinder.

Brown pelican 32

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

I use a homemade blind for most of my bird photography near feeders. Most songbirds are very trusting of a blind, often approaching within a few feet to grab a tidbit of food. I also use a blind for wild turkey photography, placing it in the woods during early spring, when gobblers are displaying. For photographing other types of birds, I simply walk through likely-looking habitat, often wearing camouflage clothing. The birds know I’m there, but when I move slowly and stop often, they’re more likely to go about their daily activities unalarmed. Keep in mind, too, that birds are used to seeing people in public places. That makes national, state, and local parks, wildlife refuges, arboretums, and similar public locations, even suburbs, excellent places for bird photography.

Photo Equipment

Photography equipment for birds can be as simple as a cell-phone camera. Point-andshoot cameras — those cameras without interchangeable lenses — are the next step up the technology ladder, often doing a good job at an inexpensive price. However, most serious bird photographers use a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera body with a telephoto zoom lens attached. Yes, those cameras and lenses can be expensive, but the quality of your images will improve greatly. When purchasing photo equipment, keep in mind this bit of wisdom from one of America’s leading professional bird photographers, Arthur Morris. “Owning the latest, greatest lens or camera body does not guarantee you anything. Everyone needs to learn to make the best images possible with the gear they have in their hands.”

Bluebird Good Technique

After learning how to take shots of stationary birds, the ultimate challenge in bird photo-graphy is capturing photos of birds on the wing. To do so, put as many of the variables as possible in your favor. Choose a sunny day and approach the bird with the sun at your back, your shadow pointing at the bird. When the bird flies within range, keep it in the middle of your camera’s viewfinder and fire a burst of several shots, not just one. It also helps tremendously if your camera has a continuousautofocus feature. Any photography is fun, but taking great wildlife shots will give you a sense of satisfaction and provide you with many challenges for years to come. The process itself will also get you outdoors, and that alone is worth the price of admission — maybe a new camera and lens? W.H. “CHIP” GROSS, Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor, is a member of Consolidated Electric Cooperative. Share outdoors story ideas at whchipgross@ gmail.com; or visit www.chipgross.com.

Ring-necked pheasant

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BY CRAIG LOVELACE

SHARED

SERVICE

Electric cooperatives and the Ohio Farm Bureau have a long history of cooperation

t’s a little-known fact that several Ohio agricultural cooperatives — livestock producers, dairy farmers, and crop associations — can trace their roots to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. The same holds true for Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives (OEC) members. The organizations share a history that, with a flip of a switch, elevated the standard of living for thousands of rural families and farmers. That early relationship is reflected today in each group’s democratic principles and the passion with which they advocate on behalf of members.

Common constituents

There are, for instance, many Farm Bureau members who also are members of an electric co-op, and vice versa. Each organization is committed to working for Ohio’s rural communities.

Many rural families celebrated their improved quality of life (top photo) and then symbolically buried their old kerosene lamps, after the formation of the Rural Electrification Administration.

“Where we cross over is with the people whom we serve. We both have our constituents in mind,” says Doug Miller, OEC’s vice president of statewide services.

development, protecting property rights, workable regulations for business, and the safeguarding of Ohio’s natural resources, among others. It’s not a stretch to argue that the two contributed greatly to rural economic development over the years, he adds.

Indeed. Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp ticks off issues the groups share: energy

“There is a strong sense of the shared history of providing services to rural Ohio that did not previously exist, and

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

which are critical to the development and infrastructure of rural areas,” Sharp says.

to give electric co-ops the opportunity to build power plants.

Along that line, the Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan, launched in January 2017, harkens to its early cooperative days. In the 1920s, Farm Bureau started a mutual vehicle insurance company because mainline insurers gouged farmers on premium costs. Today, that venture is known as Nationwide Insurance.

So when the REA formed, Farm Bureau created the Farm Bureau Rural Electrification Cooperative to educate communities about the REA program, help organize their electric cooperative, The Farm Bureau disbanded its own electric cooperaccess the government’s ative around the time when the Ohio Rural Electric money, and supply financial, Cooperative association was founded. construction, and engineering work, and refrigeration. Monthly assistance. Labor Review wrote in April 1939 that communities celebrated the Cooperative difference installation of electrical service with The primary motivations for Farm ceremonies including “the burial of Bureau’s enthusiasm were that a kerosene lamp as a symbol of the getting electricity to rural homes drudgery being abolished.” was a quality-of-life issue, and that investor-owned utilities either Farm Bureau disbanded its electric ignored pleas for service or they cooperative affiliate in 1942 and charged exorbitant rates. urged existing electric co-ops to form a statewide group. In 1941, the Ohio Later that year, the first electric pole Rural Electric Cooperative association funded with REA money was erected was begun. in Miami County, and on June 15, 1936, the Charles McKenney family of Piqua became the first recipients of electrical service, provided through Grind Away ANY Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative.

The health benefits plan The Rural also has mutual or Electrification Act cooperative followed in 1936, making low-interest principles, the structure loans... of which offers several affordable benefit plan options to Ohio-based sole proprietors and employers with between two and 99 employees. The plan operates within the agricultural food sector. Medical Mutual of Ohio administers claims processing and the provider network.

Brought on by the REA

Farm Bureau’s and OEC’s entwined path might have never been, if the federal Rural Electrification Administration (REA) hadn’t formed in May 1935 to extend electrical lines and service into greater swaths of America’s countryside. The Rural Electrification Act followed in 1936, making low-interest loans available

The response was immediate, and by Jan. 26, 1937, 57 rural Ohio electric co-ops existed. Overall, nearly all of the first $5.5 million disbursed by REA went to Ohio co-ops.

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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

APRIL 2017 CALENDAR

NORTHWEST

APR. 11 – Bucyrus Model Railroad Assoc. Train Show and Swap Meet, 610 Whetstone St., Bucyrus, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 12 free. For all gauges. Club layout open with videos and memorabilia available. 419462-5035. APR. 8 – Easter Egg Hunt, 3910 Perkins Ave., Huron, 2–4 p.m. Over 2,000 eggs, live bunnies, crafts, and prizes. 419-625-7783.

APR. 16 – Annual Defiance Chocolate Walk, downtown Defiance. 4-7 p.m. Enjoy some chocolate (and wine if you so choose) along the way. $5, chocolate stops only. $15, chocolate stops and 5 wine stops. 419-782-0739

CENTRAL

APR. 8 – Oak Harbor Easter Egg Hunt, Adolphus Kraemer Park, Church St., Oak Harbor, 2 p.m. Free. Open to children ages 12 and under. Meet at the park’s log cabin for the egg hunt, followed by a candy hunt downtown, and then visit and take photos with the Easter Bunny at the Portage Fire Station on Water St. 419-898-0479 or www.oakharborohio.net/ events/.

THROUGH AUG. 27 – “Totally Tiffin...Ever Erickson,” Ohio Glass Museum's Gallery, 124 W. Main St., Lancaster, Tues.–Sun. 1–4 p.m. Fantastic displays of unique pieces of handcrafted artistic Ohio-made glass. 740-6870101 or www.ohioglassmuseum.org. APR. 2 – Sunset Stomp Jazz Band, Makoy Ctr., 5462 Center Street, Hilliard, 2–5 p.m. $15 for COHJS members, $20 for non-members, $10 for dance club members and students. Part of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society’s spring concert series. Come enjoy the lively music of this New Orleans–style jazz band from Indianapolis. 614-558-2212 or www.cohjs.org. APR. 22 – Coshocton Earth Day, 23640 Airport Rd., Coshocton Co. Career Ctr., Coshocton, 12–4 p.m. Free. Local artisans,

SOUTHEAST

SOUTHWEST

APR. 15 – Easter Egg Roll at Spiegel Grove, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Fremont, 2–3:30 p.m. Admission is three hard-boiled colored eggs. Children ages 3–10 are invited to participate in a variety of egg games that replicate the famous White House Easter Egg Roll started by President Hayes. Prizes, games and crafts, and visits with the Easter Bunny. 419-332-2081 or www. rbhayes.org. APR. 21–23 – The Wizard of Oz, Hardin Northern High School, 11589 St. Rte. 81, Dola, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. $8, Std./Sr. $5. 419-759-2331. APR. 22 – Spring Crafters’ Showcase, Tam-O-Shanter Sylvania Sports and Exhibition Ctr., 7060 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania (1/2 mile west of McCord Rd.), 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Use the North and West entrances behind the main building. Drawings to win gift certificates. www. toledocraftsmansguild.org/shows.html. vendors, live raptors, OSU Bobcat research, kids’ activities, great food, and entertainment. 740-824-3828 or rlkettler@myway.com. APR. 23 – Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers, Makoy Ctr., 5462 Center Street, Hilliard, 2–5 p.m. $15 for COHJS members, $20 for non-members, $10 for dance club members and students. Conclusion of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society’s spring concert series. Come enjoy the lively music of this New Orleans–style jazz band from Dayton. 614-558-2212 or www.cohjs.org. APR. 23 – “Swing in Spring” Concert, 101 S. Main St., Baltimore, 3–5 p.m. $5. Celebrate the grand reopening of the Victoria Opera House. 614-450-0237.

APR. 1 – Cambridge Lions Club Variety Show, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 941 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, 7:30 p.m. $8 Thur., $10 Fri./ Sat. 740-439-5385, 800-285-1543, or www. cambridgelions.com.

APR. 22–23 – Disney’s The Lion King Jr., Logan High School Theatre, 14470 St. Rte. 328, Logan, Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $5. Presented by the Hocking County Children’s Chorus. 614-4062379 or www.hockingcochildrenschorus.org.

APR. 1–2, 7–9 – Give My Regards To Broadway, Cambridge Performing Arts Ctr., 642 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge. 740-261-4304 or www.cambridgeperformingartscenter.org.

APR. 29 – Pelican Open Bass Tournament, Salt Fork State Park Lake, Old Marina North Boat Ramp, Lore City, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. $80 entry fee. Tournament benefits Relay For Life. Trophies and cash prizes. Also 50/50 drawing, door prizes, and lunch. 740-584-0631 or www.fishgcba.net.

APR. 9 – 31st Annual Farm Toy Show, Champaign Co. Fgds., 384 Park Ave., Urbana, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $2, under 12 free. Look, buy, sell, or trade. Over 120 tables. Door prizes. Contact Lowell Morningstar at 937-826-4201.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

APR. 22–23 – African Violet Show and Sale, Eastgate Mall, Batavia (I-275 and St. Rte. 32) , Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 12–6 p.m. Presented by the Cincinnati African Violet Society and the African Violet Society of Dayton. View amazing and beautiful plants. Hard-to-find varieties and growing supplies will be available for purchase. One-on-one horticultural consultation and periodic demos will also be offered both days. 513-325-0395 or kcenci@hotmail.com.

SOUTHWEST

NORTHEAST

MAR. 24–APR. 17 – I-X Indoor Amusement Park, IX Center, One I-X Dr., Cleveland. Twenty acres of fun, all indoors! Thrilling amusement rides, including the 443-foot Soaring Eagle Zipline. Live family entertainment and much more. For dates and times, visit www. ixamusementpark.com. APR. 8 – Painesville Railroad Museum Fundraiser, Harry Buffalo, 2119 Mentor Ave., Painesville, 3–5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include all-you-can-eat appetizers and drinks. Chinese raffle and 50/30-20 raffle. Len Kessler at 440417-6746 or Tom Pescha at 216-470-5780. APR. 8 – Sunrise Farm’s Easter Eggstravaganza, Glasshouse Pavilion, 13115 Kinsman Rd. (Rte. 87), Burton, 11 a.m. Free. Easter egg hunts for the kids, while the adults can enjoy the market’s spring décor, Easter candies, and Easter baskets. 440-834-1298 or http://sunrisefarmgifts.com/april/. APR. 8 – Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Strongsville Ehrnfelt Recreation Ctr., 18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Features artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concession stand. 440-227-8794 or www.avantgardeshows.com. APR. 20 – “The Story of Robert Long (A Civil War Soldier and POW),” Ohio Genealogical Society, Richland Co. Chapter, OGS Library, 611 St. Rte. 97 W., Bellville, 7 p.m. Free lecture by Pat Drouhard. 419-566-4560, Sunda1960@ yahoo.com, or www.rootsweb.ancestry. com/~ohrichgs/. APR. 21–23 – The Little Mermaid, Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, 101 Water St., Chardon, Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $18, Stds./Srs. $15, $10 C. (12 and under). 440-286-2255 or www. geaugatheater.org.

WEST VIRGINIA

Eggstravaganza

Easter-egg hunts are the order of the day in early April, with events all around the state. Sunrise Farm (pictured), 13115 Kinsman Rd., in Burton, in Geauga County, hosts a free hunt for children 10 and under in its Glasshouse Pavilion at 11 a.m. sharp on April 8. Call 440-834-1298 for details. APR. 22 – EarthFest, Cuyahoga Co. Fgds., 19021 Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $8, C. (2–11) $4, under 2 free. Celebrate the Year of Vibrant Green Space at Ohio’s largest environmental education event and the longest-running Earth Day celebration in the nation. Workshops, speakers, free tree giveaways, biodiesel-powered amusement park rides, petting zoos, urban farm animals, and much more. 216-281-6468 or www. earthdaycoalition.org. APR. 22 – 23rd Annual Harrison Coal & Reclamation Historical Park Dinner/ Auction, Wallace Lodge, Sally Buffalo Park, 100 College Way, Cadiz, 5–10 p.m. $18. Buffet-style dinner, keynote speaker, and auction. Auction items may include items related to construction, mining, and agriculture such as models, antique or vintage, modern memorabilia, photos, collectibles, and more. For reservations or information, contact Marilyn at 740-942-3895, Dale at 740-391-4135, or www. hcrhp.org. APR. 27–30 – Geauga County Maple Festival, Historic Chardon Square, Chardon,

APR. 16 – Easter Buffet, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. $21.95. Easter Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. 304-643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com. APR. 26 – Administrative Professionals Day Buffet, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. $10.95. 304-643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com.

Thur. noon–10 p.m., Fri./Sat. 10 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. (weather permitting). A festival celebrating “everything maple”! Features arts and crafts, lumberjack competition, bathtub races, and other fun events and contests. Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes at Pancakes in the Park, Fri.–Sun., 8 a.m.–2 p.m. 440-286-3007 or www.maplefestival.com. APR. 29 – Troll Mania at Main, Troll Hole Museum, 228 E Main St., Alliance, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. World-record troll doll collection and troll memorabilia.Pick up your treasure map and then visit over 14 shops on Main St. to find the hidden trolls to win prizes. 330-929-1071or www.thetrollhole.com. APR. 22 – Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, St. George Serbian Ctr., 4667 Applegrove St. NW, North Canton, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Features artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concession stand. 440-227-8794 or www. avantgardeshows.com.

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

APRIL 2017 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Cute Easter Kids “My little fur baby, Tator Tot, weighed a pound-and-ahalf full grown, but what a terror! He was the baddest Chihuahua I’ve ever had, and I loved every minute of it!”

“My nephew, Tucker, posing as the Easter bunny.”

Natalie Jones Frontier Power Company member

Tonya Moran Bess South Central Power Company member

“Sitting in her Uncle Dick’s flower garden, Price Bush, daughter of Erica Bush, finds a snack at her first Easter egg hunt.” Richard Crawford South Central Power Company member “Then 4-month-old Kelsey Weigel celebrates Easter back in April 1990.” Don and Michelle Weigel Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members

“Cousins Aiden and Elizabeth are on the hunt for Easter eggs at grandma’s house.” Beth Schey Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative member

Send us your pictures!

Upload your photos at www.ohioec.org/memberinteractive, or send by U.S. mail to: Editor, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229. Include your name, mailing address, phone number or e-mail, the name of your electric co-op, the month you’re submitting for, and who the person(s) in the photo is, as well as an explanation of the photo. For October, send us photos from your favorite fall festivals by July 15. For November, send a photo or 100 words describing what you’re thankful for by August 15. 40

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2017

“What any little kid would LOVE to get on Easter morning: an adorable miniature American Eskimo puppy sleeping in an Easter basket.” Kathy DeHass Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member

www.ohioec.org

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND INFORMATION Cooperatives educate their consumer-members, employees, and the public about electrical safety, energy efficiency, and the benefits of having a cooperative in the local community through programs like Be E3 Smart.

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