Ohio Cooperative Living – April 2024 - North Western

North

Newly fallenredesignedlineworker license plate now available

Electric lineworkers put their lives on the line to power Ohio. Honor fallen lineworkers and support their families when you renew your Ohio license plates.

FEATURES

22 XENIA LIVES

Fifty years ago, a Southwest Ohio town suffered — and survived — a legendary tornado.

28 POWER TO THE PEDALS

E-bikes let Ohio cyclists go “twice as far with half the work.”

30 GRANT’S DAY

A new state holiday honors the former president and hero of the Civil War.

Growing together

The work of electric cooperatives is interesting, challenging, meaningful, and rewarding. Yet it’s not for everyone. We work hard to bring together a group of people with the skills and personal attributes necessary to fulfill our obligation to the communities we serve: to provide safe, reliable, cost-competitive, and environmentally responsible electric service to every member, every day. This requires a broad range of job skills, from accounting and engineering to construction and maintenance.

The teams of employees at electric cooperatives across the state are unique, yet they share some common traits. At each co-op, for example, you’ll find people with a strong sense of service, a commitment to the local community, and a desire to continue to learn and grow.

Electric cooperatives across the country have adopted a set of values, including accountability, integrity, innovation, and commitment to community, which are reinforced by the managers entrusted to operate the cooperative and by the people you elect as directors of the cooperative board.

It’s important that those values are shared by the people who work for the cooperative. Not everyone fits, but when we find people who do, we provide them with opportunities not only to grow in their current job, but also to prepare for potential other roles.

The emphasis we place on workforce development helps your electric cooperative adapt to the changing world we live in. When we provide opportunities for our team members to build their skills and knowledge, they learn to make better decisions, to evaluate new technologies, and to weigh costs and benefits, and, ultimately, that makes our service better and more affordable.

It’s just one of the many ways we’re preparing to handle challenges and take advantage of opportunities, both today and into the future.

Pat O’Loughlin PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

Providing opportunities for our team members to build their skills and knowledge ultimately makes our service better and more affordable.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229

614-846-5757

www.ohiocoopliving.com

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Caryn Whitney Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Managing Editor

Amy Howat Associate Editor

Crystal Pomeroy Graphic Designer

Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, Randy Edwards, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Jill Moorhead, Catherine Murray, and Damaine Vonada.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Subscription cost for members ranges from $5.52 to $6.96 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101. Periodicals postage paid at Berne, IN 46711, and at additional mailing offices. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved. The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.

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DEPARTMENTS

4 POWER LINES

Growing by degrees: Higher-ed partnership puts co-op lineworkers on a path toward leadership.

8

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

The camera in your pocket: You don’t always need fancy gear to take magnificent outdoor photos.

10 CO-OP PEOPLE

Mind, body, and goats: Animals enhance yogis’ connection to the land during classes at member’s farm.

13 GOOD EATS

Pucker up! If you’re on Team Tart, put these tangy tastes on your table.

8

10

National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon

Cooperative members:

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

17

LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

31 CALENDAR

What’s happening: April/May events and other things to do around Ohio.

36 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Wind in my hair: Blustery spring days work wonders in creating lively locks and entertaining tresses.

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American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop 36

Alliance for Audited Media Member

Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com!

Read past issues and watch videos about our articles or our recipes. Our site features an expanded Member Interactive area, where you can share your stories, recipes, and photos and find content submitted by other co-op members across the state.

Growing by degrees

BY AMY HOWAT

When Brian Bick was fresh out of high school, he started taking college classes but soon discovered he didn’t enjoy spending his days in a classroom. He decided to pursue a career as an electric lineworker.

“Being a full-time student just wasn’t for me,” says Bick, now a line foreman at Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative in Malinta, in north-central Ohio. “But I’ve always loved to learn and grow to improve myself.”

Now, Bick has been able to leverage his 10 years of training and experience as a cooperative lineworker along with online classes to earn his Associate of Applied Science degree in technical studies. He’s one of eight graduates so far from a partnership between the Central Ohio Lineworker Training (COLT) program and West Virginia University at Parkersburg. Twenty additional cooperative lineworkers are pursuing degrees through the program.

“This opportunity was really amazing,” says Bick, who graduated last spring. “In this career, you never stop learning, whether it’s through classes or learning from other lineworkers or other co-ops. This program is an extension of that learning, and I hope it can open more windows of opportunity for me in the future.”

The joint degree program provides both advancement potential for lineworkers and short- and long-term benefits for Ohio’s electric cooperatives, says Kyle Hoffman, manager of COLT. “Most people think of line work as a trade that doesn’t require continuing education. That’s far from the case,” he says. “The linemen who work for our Ohio electric cooperatives are some of the brightest and most energetic people in our industry. For many of them coming out of high school, college wasn’t a great fit, but they’ve built a depth of knowledge and developed hands-on skills to do their jobs safely and efficiently. The WVU-P partnership allows them to apply the training and skills gained as lineworkers to the college degree.

“Investing in employees this way helps our cooperatives retain lineworkers who may be seeking career advancement opportunities,” Hoffman says. “It’s a benefit for everybody.”

A well-rounded education

Hoffman worked to develop the partnership with WVU-P in 2021 after graduating from a similar program there. He then continued his education through the COLT program’s “2+2” option to achieve a bachelor’s degree in supervisory management.

Ben Jones of South Central Power is finishing his associate degree through the COLT/WVU-P partnership. He plans to continue through the program and earn a bachelor’s degree.

“WVU-P looked at our entire COLT curriculum and determined our 12 classes, along with the 8,000 total training hours apprentice lineworkers complete through COLT, would translate to 45 of the required 60 college credit hours needed to obtain a degree,” Hoffman says.

“The COLT program is very knowledge-based and focused on hands-on skills,” Hoffman says. “The WVU-P classes complement our curriculum with their requirements, tailored to each person’s needs.”

Students must complete five college classes, in English/ communications and math/science, along with elective options that include workplace ethics, psychology, leadership, management, and business. All classes are online, and WVU-P, which is just across the Ohio River, offers in-state tuition to lineworkers from all across Ohio.

“I took a computer class that taught me about applications I use all the time in my job now, and one in environmental science that provided insight into how to protect the planet, which is relevant to our industry,” Bick says.

Ben Jones, a line servicer who joined South Central Power in 2015, is in his final class required for his associate degree and plans to continue through his bachelor’s degree.

“I appreciate that there’s a ton of flexibility,” Jones says. “You can pick the classes that will make you a better manager or supervisor in the future. I’ve learned key leadership skills, and it’s helped me with problemsolving. I also took a class in public speaking, which has really helped me because I teach a line school class. I took a course on all the Microsoft applications, which is technology we’re using here at South Central, so I was ahead of the curve.”

Jones appreciates the freedom of online classes. “The professors at WVU-P understand what I do for a living, that I’m always on call,” he says. “I have deadlines for classes but can do the work whenever it suits my schedule.”

All lineworkers who have graduated from COLT since 2004 are eligible for the joint degree program, Hoffman says. They can take the classes after completing COLT, or concurrently with COLT training.

Dave Sumpter, a lead lineman who has worked for Firelands Electric Cooperative in New London for 18 years, received his diploma in May 2023

“I finished COLT in 2009,” Sumpter says. “For me, it was a shock to my system to be doing homework and writing papers again. Never did I think, as a 45-year-old guy, I would be starting college, but it was a good change for me. I took business ethics, English composition, industrial math, and speech classes.”

The program’s flexibility made it feasible for Sumpter as well. “I took one class at a time and did my homework late at night or at my kids’ wrestling practices.” His two sons, in fact, provide motivation for Sumpter. “One is in eighth grade, and one’s in fifth. I’m always emphasizing to them the importance of education, and I’m able to lead by example,” he says. “I always made sure we all got our homework done before we messed around.”

Sean Luellen, a crew leader for Union Rural Electric in Marysville, says earning his degree was the logical next step, but it wasn’t easy. “I graduated with the first class from COLT in 2004, and I’d always wanted to go back to college. With work, always being on call, two kids, and two trips to Guatemala (to bring electricity to remote areas through Project Ohio), I was really busy.”

“It was the most stressful year of my life,” Luellen says. “But with all of the heartache and headaches, it was

Sean Luellen, who juggled schoolwork with his job at URE, time with his two kids, and two trips to Guatemala, says the effort to graduate was well worth the work and sacrifice.

Higher-ed partnership puts co-op lineworkers on a path toward leadership.

worth it. I wanted to show my two boys that if you apply yourself, make sacrifices, and work hard, you can accomplish anything. I hope by completing my associate degree and spreading the message on the importance of education, I can inspire more linemen to take advantage of the amazing partnership between COLT and WVU-P.”

The joint degree program provides a bridge between handson, practical learning and academic education. “This is just adding to the knowledge I’ve gained from COLT,” Jones says. “The four-year COLT apprenticeship is very hands-on. It involves lots of thinking and problem-solving. I’m continuing my education from there, and it’s been a positive experience.”

Investing in the future

Brett Perkins, general manager at Tricounty Electric, says the COLT/WVU-P partnership is one way Ohio’s electric cooperatives are investing in their employees with an eye to the future.

“This is one of the many training tools we have in our toolbox,” Perkins says. “That includes safety programs, leadership programs, and COLT, which is recognized across the country as an outstanding program. This degree program makes these lineworkers more well-rounded and provides them with more opportunities to advance their careers.”

Perkins stresses that it’s also a benefit to the co-ops.

“Continued education and training allow for future leadership to come from within,” he says. “We invest a lot of time and money in developing employees because we want to keep them. Pursuing this degree shows their initiative and desire to move up the ranks.”

That’s what attracted Bick. “My goal is to pursue management opportunities. I want to grow along with the co-op, and this degree shows I’ve worked to prepare for that,” he says. “This shows that cooperatives care about us and about the future.”

Hoffman said the degree program is a bridge between lineworker positions and co-op leadership jobs. “We have future leaders on our line crews right now,” he says. “This closes the gap between those with boots-on-the-ground experience and the college-educated. It gives lineworkers the opportunity to develop as leaders, so they can elevate themselves into critical roles at our co-ops in the future.”

Jones looks forward to sharing what he’s learned for the benefit of his co-op. “Building a positive work environment and encouraging younger guys in their own growth and development within South Central is very important to me,” he says. “I want to pass my knowledge on and motivate team members to do great work, build trust, and communicate well.”

Dave Sumpter (top) says his two sons helped to motivate him to pursue a college degree. Kyle Hoffman (center), COLT’s manager, earned his bachelor’s degree through the program’s partnership with West Virginia University-Parkersburg. Brian Bick (bottom) applied his knowlege and skills to help electrify villages in Guatemala.

SMOOTH SAILING

along the Mighty Mississippi

ABOARD THE BRAND NEW AMERICAN SERENADE

From the French Quarter to the hometown of Mark Twain, experience the best of this legendary river. On an 8 to 23-day journey, explore Civil War history and travel to the epicenter of American music as you cruise in perfect comfort aboard our brand new American Riverboat™

Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly ®

The camera in your pocket

You don’t always need fancy gear to take magnificent outdoor photos.

Some of the many formats and ranges for which smartphone cameras are particularly useful (clockwise from top left): a rainbow shot from far across an Ohio farm field; a milkweed plant, shot at mid-range, a few feet away; scarlet cup fungus, shot from just inches away.

For years, I’ve been using two Canon digital singlelens reflex (DSLR) cameras to take photos for “Woods, Waters, and Wildlife.” The twin bodies and assorted lenses produce exceptional photos, but they have a drawback: The equipment is heavy. Add in a tripod and monopod that hold the cameras steady, and my entire kit weighs a whopping 25 pounds!

To be honest, there are days when I don’t feel like lugging all that bulky gear from my house to my vehicle, let alone out into the field. Which leads me to the dirty little secret of outdoor photography today (especially landscape photography): More and more photographers, professionals and amateurs alike, are turning to their cellphones. Like most folks, I always have my trusty smartphone handy, and it weighs only a few ounces.

One of the most prolific professional landscape and nature photographers in the Buckeye State is Ian Adams of Cuyahoga Falls. During the past 31 years, Adams has written and illustrated 23 photography books and published dozens of Ohio calendars. More than 6,000 of his color photographs have appeared in magazines and other media. Recently, he’s been offering popular iPhone photography workshops, sharing his hard-won expertise with the public.

Adams believes there are six key elements to a good landscape or outdoor photograph:

• An interesting or beautiful subject

• Great lighting

• Strong composition

• Optimal sharpness and depth of field

• Optimal exposure (not too light or too dark)

• Pleasing color

“The first three elements listed are independent of the brand and model of smartphone you use,” he says. “In other words, you choose the photo’s subject, what natural

light it’s in when you photograph it, and how to compose the photo. However, the features and settings with respect to the last three essential elements — the ability to capture optimal sharpness and depth of field, optimal exposure, and pleasing color — will vary from one smartphone brand to another.”

Modern cellphones are such marvels of technology that they adjust those last three elements automatically. In short, pick up any new cellphone, and after just a few minutes of familiarization, you can take excellent landscape and outdoor photos. Even panorama shots are now easy. That said, there remains one specialized type of outdoor photography that Adams does not recommend using cellphones for, at least not yet.

“The beautiful wildlife images that grace the pages of Audubon, National Geographic, and other such magazines were not made with smartphones, but with 35mm DSLR cameras equipped with long, expensive telephoto lenses mounted on sturdy tripods or monopods,” Adams says. “I don’t think even the latest, most sophisticated smartphones can adequately replicate those photos. But I’m sure that time is not too far in the future.”

I took the photos accompanying this story with my “ancient” iPhone 8, illustrating its versatility with a closeup shot (scarlet cup fungus), a mid-range shot (milkweed plant), and a long-range landscape (rainbow).

Yes, I could have taken any of those photos with my traditional gear, but I didn’t happen to have it with me when those photo-ops suddenly appeared. My cellphone saved the day.

It almost seems like cheating.

Check out Ian Adams’ work on his website: www.ianadamsphotography.com.

W.H. “Chip” Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor. Email him with your outdoors questions at whchipgross@gmail. com. Be sure to include “Ask Chip” in the subject of the email. Your question may be answered on www.ohiocoopliving.com!

www.ohiocoopliving.com

and goats Mind , bo d y ,

Animals enhance yogis’ connection to the land during classes at member’s farm.

BY JILL MOORHEAD

On Katherine Harrison’s farm in Groveport, every animal has a job. The chickens offer eggs. The cats provide comfort. And the goats help teach yoga.

Later this month, Harrison Farm will begin its ninth season of Goat Yoga, an outdoor beginner-friendly vinyasa yoga class paired with curious goats, a chance to explore the farm, and plenty of opportunities for goat selfies.

The idea for the program arose organically, says Harrison, owner and operator of Harrison Farm. (Her secondary title, she says, is “chief minion” to the goats.) She met yoga instructor Dana Bernstein in 2016 while she was planning Bernstein’s wedding, and the two hit it off.

A working farm

Harrison Farm, which primarily raises sheep, goats, and chickens, has a mission to connect people to both animals and farming. Beyond Goat Yoga, the farm features agritourism programs and educational opportunities, often hosting interns who take on their own projects, such as raising ducks, rabbits, pigs, and honeybees.

“I knew nothing about goats,” says Helen Cosner, a teacher at South-Western City Schools near Columbus who has taken more than 10 classes. “Now I’m obsessed.”

Cosner hosted her 40th birthday party on the farm, and called it “epic.”

Of the 150 goats on the farm, 30 are “yoga goats” — primarily goats that were bottle-fed by humans when they were young, a result of a mother not being able to care for them. The human-to-goat bonding that happens during the bottle-feeding period allows the young goats to look to people as a source of food, comfort, and attention. “Because of [the bonding], they’re perfect for yoga, because they know when they’re around humans, good things will follow,” Harrison says.

And some goats self-select into the program.

Ruth, for example, is one of Bernstein’s favorite goats. At the age of 10 (a goat’s average life span is about 8 years), the geriatric goat, who had always been nice to humans, decided that she would take part in the weekly festivities. “She does make a whooping sound when people get around her food,” says Bernstein, “but she’s really sweet to the yogis.”

Harrison prefers a 1-to-3 goat-to-human ratio for yoga classes, though it’s not always predictable. Goats, in general, are hard to predict, and Bernstein and Harrison have learned to let them take the lead during the classes.

“Sometimes they cause chaos and run across mats and bump into people,” says Bernstein. “Other times, they’ll chill, relax, sit, or even fall asleep during class.”

Outdoor asana

Bernstein teaches several types of yoga in studios around Columbus, including vinyasa, power, and ashtanga, but she holds Goat Yoga near to her heart.

“I love teaching outdoors; it brings a different element to the class,” Bernstein says. “Goat Yoga is a low-pressure introduction for beginners, but it also is a fun adventure for experienced yoga practitioners, and it offers a direct connection to nature.”

That connection is what makes the class attractive, says Cosner, who had dabbled in yoga for a few years before attending Goat Yoga. “It was completely different than what I expected. I thought I would be jumped on by pygmy goats. I had no idea that I would be experiencing a refreshing mindfulness experience and feel so connected to the land.”

Cosner enjoys the unexpectedness of the class. “The goats might come sit on your mat, and you can pet them when you’re doing downward dog. Or they might come up right next to your friend while they’re doing a

sun salutation.” Cosner has plenty of photos of these encounters, and says that they all contain the best smiles.

“It’s a full body and mind experience, and a break from the racing mind,” she says. “I love it.”

The details

Harrison and Bernstein invite their Goat Yoga guests to the farm half an hour before the one-hour class begins, and afterward, visitors are welcome to explore, meeting animals and feeding bottle babies, says Harrison. Most guests bring their own outdoor-worthy mats, but the farm does have a few extras for folks who come empty-handed. And usually, they won’t leave with empty stomachs. When time allows, Harrison provides homemade chocolate chip cookies alongside coffee and tea. Farm goods, including fresh eggs and honey, are always for sale.

Goat Yoga classes run from late April to early October and cost $26 per person. Registration opens a month before each class, and dates are listed at www.facebook. com/harrisonfarm13. Email harrisonfarm13@gmail.com for reservations. In case of rain, classes are moved to the farm’s airplane hangar.

About 30 of the 150 goats that live at Harrison Farm in Groveport are “Yoga Goats” that are free to roam among the students taking yoga classes there (photograph courtesy of Dana Bernstein).

Puckerup!

GOOD EATS

If you’re on Team Tart, put these tangy tastes on your table.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CATHERINE MURRAY

LUSCIOUS LEMON CURD

Lemon curd is great on scones, biscuits, pancakes, and pavlovas, or simply served with fresh berries. A little goes a long way — a spoonful adds a major punch of flavor.

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 32

1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

½ cup fresh lemon juice

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

1 tablespoon lemon zest

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks

Set up a double boiler. (Fill a pot with simmering water, then set another pot or bowl on top.) In the top bowl/pot, mix sugar and cornstarch together with a large whisk. Gradually whisk in fresh lemon juice. Add eggs and egg yolks, continuing to whisk steadily over medium to medium-high heat, 10 to 18 minutes, until mixture thickens enough that it’s difficult to whisk and when dipped, curd sticks to the back of a spoon. (If it’s not thickening, increase heat slowly, being careful not to reach boiling.)

Add butter; once melted, whisk another 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon zest. Immediately transfer to a heat-safe container with lid, setting the lid on top but not sealing yet. Let cool 10 to 20 minutes before sealing and refrigerating. Lemon curd will thicken when chilled. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks (best to store in the far back where it’s coldest) or freeze up to 2 months. Makes approximately 2 cups.

Per serving: 52 calories, 3 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated fat), 7 grams total carbohydrates, 5 milligrams sodium, 29 milligrams cholesterol, 0 grams fiber, 0.5 gram protein.

two tart cocktails

CITRUS ECLIPSE

A blend of grapefruit and orange, this cocktail is named for the upcoming 2024 solar eclipse on April 8.

Prep: 5 minutes | Servings: 1

¼ cup sugar (for dipping rim of glass) handful of ice 2 ounces gin

1½ ounces fresh red grapefruit juice

2 dashes orange bitters

1 slice fresh orange

Spread sugar on a small flat plate. Wet rim of glass with a bit of grapefruit juice. Turn glass upside down and dip rim in sugar. Place ice in cocktail shaker. Pour gin, grapefruit juice, and orange bitters over ice, cover with lid, and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain cocktail into glass. Make a small cut through the orange slice and slide upright on the edge of the glass for garnish.

PUCKER UP!

Prep: 5 minutes | Servings: 1 handful of ice

2 ounces gin

1 ounce fresh red grapefruit juice

¼ ounce fresh lemon juice

¼ ounce Grand Marnier

1 dash orange bitters curled lemon peel

Place ice in cocktail shaker. Pour gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, and orange bitters over ice, cover with lid, and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain cocktail into glass. Hook the lemon peel over the rim of the glass.

KIWI SALSA TACOS

Prep: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

1 pound shredded chicken, heated

1 teaspoon taco seasoning

5 kiwis, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon minced jalapeño

1 tablespoon minced red onion

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

1 small lime, juiced

½ teaspoon salt

1½ avocados, pitted and sliced

12 hard taco shells

Tart fools date back to the 15th century. If you’ve never made one, it's as simple as cooking fruit with sugar and making whipped cream. Rhubarb tastes a bit like a cranberry/cherry hybrid.

Prep: 20 minutes | Cool: 1 to 2 hours | Servings: 4

1 pound fresh rhubarb, ends trimmed, leaves removed, diced ¼ cup water

1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar

Sprinkle shredded chicken with taco seasoning. To make salsa, lightly toss together diced kiwi, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Evenly fill taco shells with seasoned shredded chicken, avocado slices, and kiwi salsa.

Per serving: 450 calories, 25 grams fat (7 grams saturated fat), 39 grams total carbohydrates, 518 milligrams sodium, 56 milligrams cholesterol, 8 grams fiber, 18 grams protein.

RHUBARB FOOL

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Note: While rhubarb often cooks up pink/red, don’t be alarmed if the color is muted; as long as it was firm like celery when chopping, the color won’t affect the taste.

In a medium pot, bring rhubarb and water to a low boil, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add 1/3 cup sugar, and continue to stir and mash chunks against the side of the pot with a spoon to aid it in breaking down. Once the rhubarb chunks have lost their definition and resemble more of a semi-smooth applesauce texture, taste for preferred sweetness level and add a bit more sugar if needed until dissolved, then remove from stove. When it’s cool enough to touch, transfer to a covered container and place in fridge for an hour or two. With an electric mixer, beat heavy cream, 1 tablespoon sugar, and vanilla on low, moving up to medium-high just until stiff peaks hold their shape without wilting. (Keep a close eye; overbeating will turn the cream into butter.) Store rhubarb and whipped cream separately in fridge until ready to serve. Layer in small glasses or bowls. The layers will likely swirl into each other a bit. Serve immediately. Per serving: 290 calories, 22 grams fat (14 grams saturated fat), 23 grams total carbohydrates, 20 milligrams sodium, 67 milligrams cholesterol, 2 grams fiber, 2.5 grams protein.

At the 2024 Annual Meeting

We are looking forward to seeing our members at North Western Electric Cooperative’s 2024 drive-thru annual meeting:

Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. - Noon 04125 SR 576, Bryan, OH 43506

Everyone who participates in the meeting will receive a $25 bill credit!

What’s on the ballot?

There will be one proposed change to the NWEC Code of Regulations on the ballot, recommending that the trustee term limit is extended from five (5) consecutive three-year terms to seven (7) consecutive three-year terms.

Why does this matter?

NWEC trustees receive extensive education and training to help them make decisions that best serve the needs of our members and strengthen the future of our co-op. During the course of their service, trustees go through rigorous training to ensure they are well-versed on current electric utility trends and issues, and the cooperative business model, and become acutely aware of the needs of the co-op’s membership. This knowledge is not quickly or easily acquired and should be utilized as long as possible by the co-op and its membership.

What can I do?

By approving this code change, members can help ensure NWEC trustees have the ability to continue offering their hard-earned expertise to serve the co-op’s membership.

Skip the lines on May 18 and

your vote online anytime between April 22 and May 17 at noon.

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

The annual meeting of the member-owners of North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc., (NWEC) will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the cooperative building, located at 04125 State Route 576 in Bryan, Ohio. This meeting will be held as a drive-thru-only meeting. The drive-thru will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on that day to allow member-owners to deliver their completed paper ballots to be included in the election.

No nominating petitions were received for District 1 or District 2; therefore, the following incumbents are considered elected by affirmation and will not appear on the official ballot.

District 1

Keith Stark

1677 County Road A

District 2

Mitchel Headley

8853 Casebeer Miller Rd Edgerton, OH Hicksville, OH

The official ballot will contain options to accept or reject one proposed change to the Code of Regulations and to accept or reject the 2023 annual meeting minutes as presented.

Member-owners who do not wish to attend the drive-thru-only meeting on May 18, 2024, may cast their votes using the SmartHub app prior to that date.

Mitchel Headley, Secretary 2/28/24

Trustee Nominations

No nominating petitions were received for District 1 or District 2; therefore, the incumbents are considered elected by affirmation and will not appear on the official ballot.

District 1 District 2

Keith Stark

Keith was first appointed to the board in June 2022 to complete an unexpired term of a former trustee.

He is currently enrolled in the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate program offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

He resides in St. Joseph Township with his wife, Michelle. They have two children. Keith is an Agronomy Salesman for Edon Farmers Co-op. He is active in the Edgerton Knights of Columbus and is an Edgerton athletic booster. He attends St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Learn more about the NRECA Director Training Program on page 19.

Mitch Headley

Mitch was appointed to the board in November 2011 to complete an unexpired term and was first elected in April 2012. He served as Vice Chairman from 2012 to 2020 and is the current secretary. Mitch also serves on the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (OREC) Board of Directors, of which he is currently serving as Vice Chairman.

He has completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate, Board Leadership Certificate and Director Gold Credential programs offered from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Mitch resides in Hicksville Township with his wife, Marie. He is co-owner of H&W Automotive Parts and a graduate of the University of Toledo. Mitch serves as a deacon at First Church of Christ in Hicksville.

PROPOSED DRAFT OF THE NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS MINUTES

On the 2024 official ballot, member-owners are asked to vote to accept or reject the minutes from the 2023 Annual Meeting, as presented below:

NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

2023 Annual Meeting Minutes

The 2023 annual meeting of the members of North Western Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NWEC) was held at Edon Northwest School in Edon, Ohio, on the 15th day of April 2023. 118 member-owners and 81 guests attended the meeting for a total of 199 people.

Registration and in-person voting were available from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Member-owners were invited to enjoy a meal, meet with trustee candidates, learn from representatives of Buckeye Power, Inc., about how NWEC’s electricity is generated, view up-close safety gear worn by linemen, and hear about the services provided by NWEC and its subsidiary company, NW Ohio Propane, LLC. (NWOP).

The business meeting followed at 5 p.m., with 55 people in attendance. In accordance with the cooperative Code of Regulations, member-owners could also vote online from March 20, 2023, through April 14, 2023, at noon.

Invocation and Welcome

Following the invocation by Mitch Headley, Board of Trustees Secretary, Board Chairman Chris Oberlin thanked Wicked ’Wiches Catering & BBQ and Dakota Parrish for the meal served prior to the meeting. He also thanked the Edon Junior Class students and parents for their assistance during the meeting, Malanga Enterprise LLC for audio services and Seibenaler Enterprises for the golf carts. Oberlin welcomed the member-owners and their guests, then introduced the Board Trustees. Everyone present was then asked to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Chris Oberlin at 5:00 p.m. He asked for a motion to dispense with the reading of the official notice of the meeting as printed in the March issue of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine and for the adoption of the agenda as mailed. A motion was made and seconded. Motion carried. Chairman Oberlin closed the in-person voting, and Christopher Walker, cooperative attorney, and a group of memberowner representatives left the gym to tally the in-person votes.

Leadership and Management Reports

Board of Trustees Chairman Chris Oberlin opened the business meeting at 5 p.m. Oberlin started out by saying that he decided to run for the Board of Trustees in 2020 because he was concerned that the leadership was not operating in the best interest of the membership. After his time on the Board, he has learned that the cooperative structure is changing. NWEC has adapted to keep power safe, reliable, and affordable. The cooperative is doing business as it should and better than municipalities and investor-owned power providers.

Chairman Oberlin reported that NWEC has some of the fastest outage response times in our area, if not the state, and continues to provide affordable electricity to members. The cooperative is repairing, replacing, and upgrading its distribution system to provide reliable power while allowing room for future growth.

Oberlin stated that NWEC is looking ahead and adapting to the changing electrical needs, the challenging push for more green energy, and supply chain and transmission issues. The grid and infrastructure are predicted to increase by 100% to accommodate the future challenge of electric vehicle consumption. However, the automotive industry is not showing the validity of this happening based on the quantity of non-electric vehicles produced now and what is planned for years to come. This is a challenge as the cooperative doesn’t want to overspend on something that may never come.

In February 2023, NWEC implemented a rate increase of less than 2%. Chairman Oberlin reminded the member-owners that this was the first adjustment in seven years. At the same time, AEP and First Energy announced that they would have an increase of nearly 30% before the end of the year. Additionally, NWEC is in the top 10% of the nation in the retirement of capital credits. The cooperative retired over $850,000 in 2022 and almost $22 million since the beginning of the cooperative.

President/CEO Darin Thorp reviewed some of the changes that happened in the past few years. He reported on the installation of the new radiofrequency meters, which eliminated the need for

manual meter reads, saving the cooperative around $60,000 per year. The cooperative is currently in the second year of a 4-year work plan that includes an upgrade to the Farmer substation, several three-phase rebuilds, a single-phase to three-phase line conversion and rebuilding a stretch of transmission line.

President Thorp reported that following a seven-year negotiation process, NWEC has acquired additional service territory from Toledo Edison, north of the Ohio Turnpike to State Route 20. Included in that territory is an area on the northeast side of the turnpike exit at State Route 49, recently purchased by Pilot/Flying J. The company plans to break ground later this year to construct a new truck plaza.

President Thorp reported that a major concern for the cooperative is the increased cost of materials and the overall shortage of common supplies. Every component used on NWEC’s system has experienced increases in both cost and supply lead times. Additionally, the cost of utility trucks has increased by 90%. He reaffirmed that NWEC would continue to be prudent with the member-owner’s money as these challenges are navigated.

President Thorp stated that NWEC’s subsidiary company, NWOP, continues to grow. More than 2,100 customers are currently served at more than 2,500 locations in the tri-state area, with 849 of those customers being NWEC member-owners.

Guest Speaker

Craig Grooms, COO of Buckeye Power, the cooperative’s wholesale power supplier, updated member-owners on electric cooperative news and projects across Ohio. Grooms reported that Ohio’s electric cooperatives performed well at keeping the lights on and explained the industry’s growing challenges.

Grooms stated that in 2009 Ohio had 21 coal-fired power plants capable of producing 22,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Later this year, there will only be four remaining coal plants with less than 7,000 MW of capacity. Reducing the capability to produce electricity, especially during periods of severe weather, could result in rolling blackouts like others across the country have experienced.

Grooms asked member-owners to come together for a common cause by informing and educating their neighbors on the need for reliable power and sharing with them that the integrity of America’s electrical grid must be a priority.

Grooms reported that Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible power to all the member-

owners in our state and that the organization has made that known to elected officials in Washington, D.C., and Ohio.

Auditor’s Report

Trent Weickert from the auditing firm BHM CPA Group presented via a pre-recorded message. He stated that BHM had completed the audit of the financial statements of NWEC and its subsidiary NWOP for the year ended December 31, 2022, and issued a report on March 13, 2023, with an unmodified (clean) opinion. BHM did not encounter any significant issues or concerns, nor were there any uncorrected misstatements.

Weickert presented financial highlights. The Cooperative’s current ratio improved from 1.44 to 1 at December 31, 2022. Net margins were approximately $1.37 million and $1.74 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Operations have generated positive cash flows over the same periods, $1.76 million and 2.2 million, respectively. Strong operations have contributed to improving the strength of the balance sheet and increasing members’ patronage capital balances. Additionally, the Cooperative returned approximately $860,000 of patronage capital back to the membership during the year ended December 31, 2022, and $950,000 during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Old/New Business

Chairman Oberlin asked if there were any issues pertaining to old business. There was none voiced.

Chairman Oberlin asked if there was any new business. A discussion regarding the NWOP financials followed. A few member-owners asked questions, and Chairman Oberlin and President Thorp provided answers while urging any member-owners with additional concerns to contact the office to schedule an appointment. NWEC Trustees and management are happy to answer any questions they may have.

Election Results

Christopher Walker announced the voting results for the trustees, the proposed change to the Code of Regulations and the 2022 annual meeting minutes.

Trustees – Chris Oberlin (District 4), Ryan Wehri (District 5), Jordan Ruffer (District 6, re-elected by affirmation)

ARTICLE III – MEETING OF MEMBERS – Accepted 2022 annual meeting minutes – Approved

Chairman Oberlin adjourned the meeting at 6:01 p.m.

PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE NORTH WESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. CODE OF REGULATIONS

On the 2024 official ballot, member-owners are asked to vote on a suggested amendment to the current Code of Regulations. This proposed change has been reviewed and approved by the cooperative’s board of trustees.

Summary of proposed change

To allow the co-op and its membership to utilize the extensive education, training, and knowledge gained by NWEC trustees for a longer period of time.

To view the Code of Regulations in its entirety, visit www.nwec.com/cooperative-documents.

Proposed deletions are shown using strikethrough and proposed additions are underlined

PROPOSED CHANGE: ARTICLE IV - BOARD OF TRUSTEES

SECTION 2. Election and Tenure of Office.

The Board shall divide the service area of the Cooperative into seven districts so that equitable representation may be given to the geographic areas served by the Cooperative. The Board shall have the power to change the boundaries of such districts whenever in their opinion the purpose of this Section requires such a change. Each district shall be represented by one Board member. Not less than two Board members shall be elected each year by secret ballot at the annual meeting of the members, or at any meeting held in lieu thereof as hereinbefore provided, by and from the members to serve for a term of three years or until their successors have been elected and shall have qualified, subject to the provisions of this Code of Regulations with respect to the removal of Board members.

Board members may be elected by a plurality vote of the members. In case of a tie vote, there shall be a second secret ballot for the office and if the tie is not broken thereby, the election to such office shall be decided by a flip of a coin. No person shall hold the office of Board member for more than five consecutive three-year terms. A break in tenure of one year or more shall qualify the person for re-election to the Board.

If accepted the language for only the sentence shown in bold above would read as follows:

No person shall hold the office of Board member for more than seven consecutive three-year terms.

TRUSTEE TRAINING

Gaining knowledge and experience to lead the way for the membership

An ever-changing business environment has imposed new demands on electric cooperative directors (also known as trustees), requiring increased knowledge of changes in the electric utility business, new governance skills and a solid knowledge of the cooperative principles and business model.

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Director Education programs are specifically designed to help electric cooperative directors, at every stage of their service, understand their roles and responsibilities, stay up to date on the key issues and trends in the industry, and prepare to meet the challenges facing electric cooperatives now and in the future.

The Director Education programs are offered in three parts, taken in progression from fundamental to advanced. Completing the entire certification process is a serious, multiple-year commitment.

The NRECA Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) program requires attendance and demonstrated understanding of the basic competencies contained in five core courses:

completed 10 credits in advanced, issuesoriented courses.

Director Gold Credential recognizes directors who have already earned their Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) and Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) and who wish to continue to learn throughout their service on the board.

The Director Gold certificate demonstrates to co-op members those directors’ ongoing commitment to advancing their knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best

• Director Duties and Liabilities

• Understanding the Electric Business

• Board Operations and Process

• Strategic Planning

• Financial Decision Making

The NRECA Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) recognizes individuals who continue their professional development after becoming a Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD). Directors who have attained the BLC have

For a director to earn the Director Gold certificate, they must have already earned the CCD and BLC and earn three additional credits from the BLC series of courses. Unlike the CCD and BLC certificates, Director Gold includes a continuing education requirement, which calls for directors to earn three credits of approved course work and/or conferences every two years to maintain their Director Gold status.

NWEC recommends that every co-op trustee complete the Director Education program, but their education and training also includes spending many hours each month preparing for and attending the NWEC board meetings, where they learn about the day-to-day operations of the cooperative. They are then tasked with setting the long-term, strategic goals for the cooperative, a $41 million corporation with nearly $16 million in annual revenue.

NWEC requires a Board of Trustees dedicated to preparing the cooperative to meet our members’ needs far into the future.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

TIP OF THE MONTH

A well-designed landscape can add beauty to your home and reduce home heating and cooling costs.

Plant deciduous trees with high, spreading crowns to the south of your home to block sunlight in the summer and reduce the need for air conditioning. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter, allowing sunlight to warm your home.

Plant evergreen trees and shrubs with low crowns to block winter winds. Dense evergreen trees and shrubs planted to the north and northwest are the most common type of windbreak and can help lower energy used for home heating.

Source: energy.gov

Chris

Kim

Mitch

Richard

Jordan

Keith

Darin

Management Summary

Chairman of the Board

In a world where power often symbolizes control and influence, we celebrate a different kind of power — the power of community, collaboration, and collective strength. As memberowners of North Western Electric Cooperative, each one of you plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our shared energy landscape. Each memberowner “has the power” to utilize the latest outage restoration technology, monitor their electric usage, take control of their account through SmartHub, and make their voice heard to their co-op staff and trustees.

You possess the power to shape the future of our cooperative through democratic processes. Your ability to elect trustees and vote on changes to our Code of Regulations ensures that your voice is heard and your interests are represented. Your trustees are empowered to further their education to best represent you; in 2023, trustees Ryan Wehri and Chris Oberlin earned their Certified Credentialed Director certifications through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Rest assured that your cooperative is staffed by highly skilled professionals dedicated to serving you and holding down costs. Our cooperative’s financial health is a testament to your unwavering support. From our lineworkers to

our management team, each employee brings expertise and passion to their role, ensuring that you receive the reliable service you deserve. In 2023, we expanded that team, hiring two new employees: Natalee Collins (Accounting Manager) and Jaden Valderas (Staking/Field Technician).

Our memberowners have the power to save money, too, as we offer programs and services like appliance rebates, free home energy audits, Kill-AWatt monitors, and energy analytics tools in SmartHub. As a not-for-profit co-op, NWEC returned $590,800 in capital credits to memberowners last year. This represents a return on your investment in the cooperative.

We remain at the forefront of technological advancements to provide you with the reliable service you expect and deserve. In 2023, your power was on 99.9% of the time with the majority of outages caused by animals, trees, and ice. By investing in the latest technologies and infrastructure upgrades, we ensure that your power stays on, even in the face of challenges like the February 2023 ice storm in northern Williams County.

At the height of that storm, we had 1,244 member-owners without power, mainly due to downed lines and meters being ripped from houses. Despite the extreme wind and harsh

Chris Oberlin

Darin Thorp President/CEO

conditions, our crews restored all services in just over two days, replacing 11 poles at Lake Seneca.

2023 Year-in-Review Projects:

• 40 new services were built and 52 were upgraded

• Rebuilt 1.5 miles of transmission line along County Road 3-75

• Improved low voltage with a three-phase rebuild along US Highway 20

• Completed 6+ miles of overhead and underground line construction projects, including replacing nearly a mile of copper line

• Conducted maintenance at Milford and Seneca substations, plus an upgrade at Farmer Substation for improved reliability

• Replaced 54 condemned poles

• Prepared for the new Pilot Travel Center in Edon, installing 1,860+ feet of underground and overhead line and new services for the gas station, tire shop, and EV charging station

But we aren’t only concerned with electric power — your co-op also owns and operates a subsidiary propane business, NW Ohio Propane (NWOP). Six years into business, NWOP now provides service to 2,055 accounts at 2,383 locations in the tri-state region. Nearly half of those accounts are also NWEC memberowners. We are appreciative of all the support from our customers, especially our cooperative member-owners.

Through various initiatives, we continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve. Most notably, Operation Round Up approved 22 applications for assistance in 2023, awarding $25,350. Since 2001, ORU has distributed more than $587,000 to support local

causes and individuals in need, demonstrating the profound “power” our member-owners have when they pool their spare change.

By participating in events like the United Way of Defiance County Hot Air Balloon Festival and five local parades, we not only connected with our members but also gave back to our community. After the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives hot air balloon appearance at the festival, we were able to donate $1,050 to the Defiance County Agricultural Society.

Giving the public the power of making safe choices around electricity was also a priority, as NWEC conducted tabletop safety demos and touch-a-truck events for more than 400 people. Our employees also participated in career fairs and “Real Money, Real World” scenarios at area high schools to prepare the students for life after graduation.

Furthermore, our commitment to education was evident through the awarding of $7,000 in scholarships to seven deserving local students. Notably, Jenna Dulle, daughter of lineman Doug Dulle, secured the $2,000 Ohio Lineworkers Supervisor Association Scholarship. Molly Hennessey (Edgerton) won $1,700 at our Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives statewide competition and Heidi Miller (Sherwood) won $1,200 toward trade school. Our Youth Tour participants, Brooklyn Wright and Ashlyn Steury (both from Hicksville), had the opportunity to explore our nation’s capital, enriching their leadership skills.

With an ACSI survey score of 88, we are proud to be in tune with our members’ needs, reaffirming our commitment to serving our community with excellence and dedication.

As we look to the future, the power of each member has never been more apparent. Together, we have the resilience, innovation, and determination to overcome any obstacle. Your membership is not just a transaction; it’s a partnership — one that empowers us to achieve greatness together.

Your Board of Trustees

What do a co-owner of an auto parts store, an agronomy salesman at a farmer’s coop, a retired manager of a county recycling program, a commercial group manager at a large construction company, a retired service manager of an office supply company, an owner of an engine rebuilding business, and a project coordinator for a large steel building manufacturing company have in common?

First, they are all members of NWEC and second, they have all volunteered to serve as trustees on the NWEC Board. Each one was elected by their fellow cooperative members to represent a different district in our service area.

Having such a diverse group of individuals on the board is a benefit for cooperative members. Each trustee brings a different skill set, different life experiences and different educational background to the position. This variety ensures that the membership is fairly represented.

themselves so that they can make informed, long-term decisions for the continuation of the cooperative.

As elected representatives, these members are accountable to the entire membership. They bring the collective voices of more than 6,000 cooperative members to the table when they attend the monthly board meetings. But their representation does not stop there. They also represent all the NWEC membership at state and national organizations. They make sure that “you have the power” of a decision-making voice when it needs to be heard.

These trustees are your neighbors, your friends or may even be a member of your family. They live and work in the same community as all of you. They each pay an electric bill each month, just like you. They each want reliable and affordable electricity now and, in the future, just like you.

Prior to being elected to the NWEC Board of Trustees, none of these members had experience making decisions for an electric cooperative. What they did have was the desire and willingness to serve their community. As a part of the governing body of their local cooperative, they have committed their time and energy to educate

By obtaining education, gaining experience, and serving on the NWEC board, they are ensuring that our cooperative and our community thrive for another 88 years and beyond!

Thank you to all the NWEC Board of Trustees members for all you do for our cooperative and our community!

Back row: Jordan Ruffer (District 6), Richard Polter (District 7), Ryan Wehri (District 5), Kim Shoup (Vice Chairman, District 3); front row: Keith Stark (District 1), Mitch Headley (Secretary, District 2), Chris Oberlin (Chairman, District 4)

As a member of NWEC, you obviously “have the power” in the form of reliable, affordable and safe electricity, but it is more than that!

You have the POWER because...

you have control of your electric usage and your bill. NWEC offers several programs and options to assist you in managing your account but you determine the amount of electricity you need.

You have the POWER because...

you can vote for the leaders of your cooperative. You can also vote on changes to the Code of Regulations, the governing document for the basic structure of the cooperative.

You have the POWER because...

you have a group of dedicated, local individuals who work for you around the clock. Our employees receive training and education throughout their careers to enable them to provide you with the very best in member services.

You have the POWER because...

you can change lives in our community. By participating in the Operation Round Up program and rounding up the amount you pay each month, you are helping provide food and needed services to organizations and individuals right here in our area.

You have the POWER because...

you have a Board of Trustees who are committed to educating themselves and are capable of providing proper guidance and sound decisions for the future of the cooperative. You even have the opportunity to become a trustee yourself, if you want.

You have the POWER because...

you have state and national cooperative organizations that advocate on behalf of all cooperative members for legislative policies that make sense and secure the resources needed for the future.

You have the POWER because...

you can support or voice your opinion to legislators who are responsible for making the decisions that may affect the reliability of your electricity and the cost of your service.

You have the POWER because...

you have access to the very best in technology and innovations in the electric industry. Your cooperative regularly maintains and updates the infrastructure of our system to ensure that our members are receiving the service you expect and deserve.

Statement of Revenue & Expenses

For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 2023 2022

Financial Reporting

Financial statements are reports about NWEC’s financial results and financial condition. They are useful for the following reasons:

1. To determine whether a business has the capability to pay back its debts.

2. To track financial results on a trend line to spot any looming profitability issues.

3. To derive financial ratios that can indicate the condition of the business.

BALANCE SHEET

Presents the financial position of an entity at a given date. This is a two-year comparison. It comprises the following three elements:

Assets

Something a business owns or controls (cash, inventory, plant and investments, etc.)

Liabilities

Something a business owes to someone (creditors, bank loans, etc.)

Equity

What the business owes to its member-owners. This represents the amount of capital that remains in the business after its assets are used to pay off its outstanding liabilities.

Equity represents the difference between the assets and liabilities.

INCOME STATEMENT

Also known as the Statement of Revenue and Expense, reports the company’s financial performance in terms of net profit or loss over a specified period. This is a two-year comparison. It is composed of the following two elements:

Income

What the business has earned over a period (sales revenue).

Expense

The cost incurred by the business over a period (salaries and wages, depreciation, cost of power, etc.).

Net profit and loss is calculated by deducting expenses from income.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2023, as compared with December 31, 2022

Your Employees

Andrew Overman, Director of Finance & Accounting

Bob Carter, Director of Operations

Braden Miller, Journeyman Lineman

Brad Plummer, Journeyman Lineman

Chad Livensparger, Journeyman Lineman

Darin Thorp, President/CEO

Doug Dulle, Journeyman Lineman

Doug Hammond, Warehouse Coordinator

Jaden Valderas, Staking/Field Technician

Jessica Cummins, Member Services Representative

Joe Belcher, System Equipment & Maintenance Specialist

Levi Brandt, Journeyman Lineman

Natalee Collins, Accounting Manager

Nolan Swank, Apprentice Lineman

Pearl Rakes, Director of Marketing & Communications

Preston Knecht, Staking Technician/Fleet & Safety Manager

Shane Zulch, Groundman

Tom Clark, Crew Chief

Tracey Carter, Director of Human Resources

Dakota Parish, Service Technician

Jade Linnemeier, Customer Service Representative

Josh Curry, Delivery Driver/Service Representative

Josh Mansel-Pleydell, Delivery Driver/Service Representative

Lyndsay Villalovos, Customer Service Representative, Seasonal

Peter Coolman, Director of Operations

Family Time

From exploring history to the science of tomorrow, your family can discover the world right here in the Greater Parkersburg area.

At Discovery World on Market, learning is anything but a spectator sport. Get hands-on with three floors of fun, kid-friendly activities and experiments that spark the senses and ignite the imagination.

Kids and adults will love a visit to Blennerhassett Island State Park

The whole family will enjoy the scenic sternwheel riverboat trip, the horse-drawn covered-wagon ride, and a tour of the beautifully reconstructed mansion.

An afternoon bike ride on the North Bend Rail Trail is a great way to get some exercise and take in the scenic beauty of the area.

Xenia lives

Fifty years ago, a southwest Ohio town suffered — and survived — a legendary tornado.

BY DAMAINE VONADA

On permanent exhibit at the Greene County Ohio Historical Society in Xenia is a tattered American flag that had been used to mark the slab foundation where a house had stood before the afternoon of April 3, 1974 — 50 years ago this month — when one of the most devastating tornadoes in U.S. history ripped Xenia apart.

Joyce Behnken, 22 years old and pregnant at the time, resided in that house in the Arrowhead subdivision where the tornado first unleashed its full fury; she died when the storm picked up her house and smashed it to bits.

Nearby in that same subdivision, Catherine Wilson rode out the storm huddled with her mother and sister in the bathtub of their Pueblo Drive home. Wilson was only 9,

but she still remembers the terrifying gray cloud that boiled like a pot and sucked up everything in its path.

“The tornado probably passed over our house in 30 seconds, but it seemed like forever,” says Wilson, now the director of the Greene County Historical Society. “We heard windows breaking and the roof being torn off. The tornado roared like a jet engine.” Her home sustained serious damage, but the tornado obliterated nearby houses and turned the neighborhood into a nightmarish scene. Familiar landmarks were gone. Debris was everywhere. Children cried and dazed adults sifted through shattered dwellings in hopes of salvaging belongings.

“I remember being what the British call ‘gobsmacked’ by what I saw,” Wilson says. “Downed trees looked like

scattered sticks. A boat trailer was upside down, but the boat had disappeared.”

Xenia’s tornado was part of a “Super Outbreak” that stretched from Alabama to Ontario, Canada. An astounding 148 twisters — including an unprecedented seven F5 and 23 F4 tornadoes — touched down within 24 hours, killing more than 300 people. Fifty years later, it remains the benchmark for massive tornadic events.

“The Super Outbreak was the biggest one that our nation and possibly the world has ever seen,” says Andy Hatzos, a meteorologist and tornado forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Wilmington. “Leveling half the town, [Xenia’s] was the Super Outbreak’s deadliest tornado and made Xenia the unwilling but definitive symbol for that catastrophic weather event.”

Working just 20 miles south of Xenia, Hatzos knows all about the multi-vortex F5 monster that attacked the town of 25,000 at about 4:40 p.m. that day. “If I were doing a Mount Rushmore for tornadoes, Xenia’s would certainly be on it.”

The tornado touched down to the east and a bit north of Bellbrook and traveled 32 miles before dissipating near South Vienna in Clark County. As it barreled through Xenia, it reached a half-mile wide and packed winds exceeding 200 miles per hour.

In four ferocious minutes, it derailed a freight train; heaved a school bus into the high school’s auditorium; hurled a tractor-trailer onto a roof; and hammered a beloved landmark — the circa 1799 Galloway Log House that the great Shawnee leader Tecumseh had once visited. It damaged or destroyed 3 ,400 homes and 159 businesses.

Hundreds were injured, and 35 people, including Joyce Behnken, lost their lives. Among the others: 12 children; two National Guardsmen who were killed by a flash fire in a furniture store; Central State University freshman Lura Lee Hull, who was driving home when the tornado crushed her car; Clyde Hyatt, a World War II Marine, who died helping youngsters take cover; Johnnie Mott, who perished in her real estate office; and Paul and Sue Ann Wisecup, their 16-month-old daughter, Amy, and two waitresses who all were sheltering in a root beer stand that was demolished.

Xenia Daily Gazette reporter Rich Heiland pecked out his story for the next day’s edition by candlelight, on a manual typewriter, as rain dripped through the newspaper office’s fractured roof. The town had no electricity. The column was titled “We Should All Be Dead Today.” Now semi-retired, Heiland vividly recalls marveling that the tornado had spared the lives of his wife, infant son, and 5-year-old daughter.

The Heilands also lived in Arrowhead, and before leaving the newsroom to cover the tornado, Heiland had hastily called his wife and told her to get the children and lie down in the laundry room. After watching the tornado dismantle St. Brigid church, he feared the worst. “When I finally got to my house, it was a wreck, and I froze, thinking they were dead,” says Heiland. But then, “like seeing a ray of sunshine,” he heard his wife’s voice. The house had disintegrated around them, but they were unharmed. Heiland drove his family to his parents’ home in Wilmington, then returned to Xenia to help look for casualties, but instead of finding bodies, he found survivors. “I saw all kinds of people who were determined to carry on, doing whatever needed to be done,” he says.

An American flag that once marked the location of a home destroyed by the 1974 Xenia tornado now hangs on permanent display at the Greene County Ohio Historical Society (photograph by Damaine Vonada).

The tornado destroyed nine of the 12 school buildings in Xenia, including the high school (right), but mercifully struck an hour after students had been dismissed for the day (photograph courtesy of the National Weather Service).

The city manager, not knowing whether his own loved ones were safe, commanded rescue and cleanup efforts. A café owner made coffee on a camp stove and gave it away. And the Gazette staff worked all night on tornado news that was rushed to Middletown and printed at a sister newspaper. On April 4, the Gazette’s front page declared, “Xenia Digging Out From Day of Horror.”

If the mind can fathom anything fortunate about a whirlwind violent enough to devastate nine of Xenia’s 12 schools, it certainly would be that the tornado struck an hour after 8,300 students were dismissed. With inexplicable serendipity, the tornado likewise both spared Xenia’s hospital and smashed its power plant. “Many destroyed houses had natural gas, and if electricity had been sparking, Xenia would have had terrible explosions and fires,” says Heiland.

Fourth-grader Ron Ward was lucky to not be at home when the tornado flattened the Tomahawk Trail house where he lived with his mom, Norine; dad, Duteil; and brother, Bill. A cousin had recently passed away, and Norine decided to briefly leave her sons at home while she took food to her aunt. She made it only as far as the corner before she turned around and fetched her boys. “But for the grace of God,” reflects Ward, “I would have died.” After they arrived at the aunt’s house on Second Street, someone spotted the tornado. All the relatives crowded into a bedroom and prayed. “I saw the front door get blown away and then just closed my eyes,” Ward says.

No one in the house was seriously hurt, but the structure was eventually condemned. In a cold rain and on streets strewn with hazards and debris, they walked to another family member’s house. Duteil, who had been working in Dayton, found them there hours later.

The Wards lost practically everything, and decided to tackle the rubble that was once their home by themselves. One day, Duteil gathered a piece of scrap plywood and some spray paint and made a sign that declared, “With the help of the Lord, good friends, and hard work, we shall return. The Wards.” With its simple statement of faith and purpose, that crude sign became an iconic representation of Xenia’s resolve to rebuild.

“My dad was not going to let a natural phenomenon beat us,” says Ward, “and that same attitude permeated the community.” Despite disagreements about redevelopment, people put “Xenia Lives” stickers everywhere. And the courthouse, the grand stone structure that has anchored Xenia since 1902 — battered, broken, and surrounded by ruin, but still standing — seemed to encourage residents to persevere.

“Xenia’s got plenty of heart,” Wilson says. “We all pulled together and supported each other.” Townspeople who worked for utility companies immediately got to work; Galliger’s Supper Club and Joe’s Diner provided thousands of free meals; folks with spare bedrooms took in strangers. Wilson’s father, who served with the Ohio Air National Guard in Springfield, protected Arrowhead from looters, and Ron Ward’s wife, Connie, remembers her dad helping board up neighbors’ windows.

Shortly after the tornado, President Richard Nixon helicoptered into Xenia for his only visit to a Super Outbreak site. Nixon remarked that its devastation was worse than anything he saw after Alaska’s earthquake or Hurricane Camille and promised federal aid. In December, entertainer Bob Hope hosted a benefit show at the University of Dayton Arena. With headliners like Debbie Reynolds and Nancy Wilson and appearances

by Neil Armstrong, Johnny

Bench, and Woody Hayes, it raised $100,000. Xenians gratefully named the auditorium in their new high school auditorium after Hope.

Xenia’s tornado had far-reaching repercussions. For his pioneering research on suction funnels and downbursts, Dr. Ted Fujita, who created the F-scale that ranks tornado intensity, analyzed a home movie of the tornado that 16-year-old Bruce Boyd made in his front yard on Ridgebury Drive. In 1975, the Xenia Daily Gazette staff received a Pulitzer Prize for spot news reporting.

Also, because the tornado made headlines everywhere, Xenians received attention they neither sought nor wanted. Ward, for example, spent 24 years in the Air Force at duty stations ranging from Korea to Germany, yet no matter where he went, the mere mention of Xenia elicited curiosity and questions about the tornado. “I tried explaining what happened,” says Ward, “but most people can’t wrap their heads around the devastation.”

Xenia once had the reputation as a railroad center; now, it’s known as the town that survived a legendary storm. After the tornado, Xenia’s once-ubiquitous railroad tracks gave way to trails, and it’s become both a bicycling hub and a place uniquely and forever reshaped by that ruthless event. Here and there, a street oddly ends in a stub. Blank spaces — mostly parking lots — linger where folks once lived and worked. On leafy Victorian-era streets, 1970 s ranches and tri-levels incongruously coexist with handsome Italianate and Queen Anne houses. And when Xenia religiously tests

its tornado sirens on the first Monday of every month, everyone in town heeds their cautionary wail.

The tornado also continues to affect people. Hatzos, who wasn’t born until the 1980s, gives talks about how and why it happened and often refers to a Super Outbreak map that Fujita made. “Xenia’s tornado is number 37 on the map, and Dr. Fujita’s hand-drawn F-scale figures show how quickly it gained strength.” After the Air Force, Ward and his wife came home to Xenia, and the family lore they share with their grandchildren includes Duteil’s sign and how the tornado demolished a relative’s home but left intact the new Harley that had been in the garage. When the bodies of the National Guardsmen who died in the fire were recovered, Heiland wept for the loss of life and the overwhelming loss in a town that began in 1803 as the Greene County seat. Later, some guardsmen who were leaving town gave him a key fob with the National Guard emblem. “That key fob is still on my keychain, and I carry it with me every day,” he says.

For Wilson, the tornado is part and parcel of her life and work. When the tornado’s notoriety brings visitors to the historical society, she shows them relics — that flag, a stained-glass window from St. Brigid church, the high school clock that stopped when the tornado hit — from the biggest thing that ever happened in Xenia. She also gives tours of the restored Galloway Log House, where a historical marker tells the story of a founding family and recounts the fateful day when death and destruction came to town. Its text concludes, “This marker stands directly in the path taken by the tornado and serves to remind us that ‘Xenia Lives.’”

A sign erected by Duteil Ward became the iconic representation of Xenia’s resolve to rebuild after the 1974 tornado (photograph by Al Wilson of the Dayton Journal Herald/courtesy of the Greene County Ohio Historical Society).

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E-bikes let Ohio cyclists go

‘twice

as far with half the work.’

BY RANDY EDWARDS

Anyone who recalls the thrill of getting a good push while learning to ride a bicycle can appreciate the growing popularity of electric bikes — bicycles outfitted with electric motors that lend extra oomph to your pedaling.

“E-bike” sales are booming, adding ease to urban commutes and adventure to global travel.

many models available for less than $1,000. What’s more, after early conflicts with traditional cyclists, e-bikes are gaining acceptance on bike paths and public lands, with the National Park Service, for example, blessing the use of most e-bikes in 2020. Local rules vary, however, even in the national parks, so make sure to check before you ride.

In 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, there were 1.1 million e-bikes sold in the United States, quadrupling sales figures from 2019. Options are expanding as well, with models available in almost every bicycle style, from lightweight commuter bikes to heavyduty mountain bikes. And although they remain relatively pricey compared to conventional bicycles, there are now

In 2023, my wife and I were contemplating a “bike and boat” tour of the Dalmatian Islands, a string of rocky gems lining the southern coast of Croatia in the crystalline waters of the Adriatic Sea. Let’s be honest about our fitness level: We’re both nearing retirement age, and most of our limited cycling experience has been on the flat-land bike paths of central Ohio (and our favorite destination is a brew pub) — not exactly the training regimen for the Tour de France. As we studied photos of the steep, twisty roads over craggy peaks on

islands like Hvar and Korčula, I wasn’t sure we could make the climbs. The tour company, however, suggested that e-bikes might just get us up those hills.

We signed up, paying a bit more for the extra power. We’d never ridden e-bikes, though, so we went in search of experience.

Our first venture onto e-bikes was with Hocking Hills Bike Rentals (www.hockinghillsbikerentals.com), a company that rents both commuter-style e-bikes and electric mountain bikes. Owner Doug Ellis, who started the company in 2021, met us in Nelsonville, where we hopped on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, a rail trail connecting Nelsonville and Athens.

With e-bikes, “you can go twice as far with half the work,” says Ellis. “If you do the whole bikeway, that’s 36 miles, and if you ride [a conventional bike] 36 miles and you’re not used to it, you’re going to want to sit down the rest of the day. If you ride it on an e-bike, you can go out dancing later.”

The rail trail was smooth and scenic, and we grew comfortable with the bikes easily, learning fairly quickly that these bikes will go faster than we were used to, a good thing to know when approaching a curve or a stop.

We wanted more practice on hills than a rail trail could offer, so our next trip was to Ohio’s Amish country, where Charged Ride (www.chargedride. com), in Holmesville, caters to Amish and non-Amish riders alike. Joel Chupp, manager of the Holmesville location, says most of the Amish congregations in the area have accepted e-bikes as appropriate technology, so we saw many young people in “plain” dress on e-bikes scooting about the little village of Shreve, where we stopped for lunch.

Ohio e-biking

Opportunities to rent and ride e-bikes are expanding rapidly, but here are a few other spots where you can get your first experience on an e-bike while taking in some of the best scenery Ohio has to offer. Rental prices vary by the location, the type of bike, and the number of hours. In general, hourly rates are roughly $18 to $25, with additional costs for specialty bikes. Many locations are closed or have limited hours in the winter.

There are multiple options for e-bike rentals within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In Peninsula, Century Cycles (www. centurycycles.com) and Pedego Peninsula (www.pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/ peninsula) are adjacent to more than 90 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail (including 20 miles within the national park). Valley Bike Rental (www.valleybikerental.com) occupies a spot on the park’s 35 -mile Bike and Hike Trail, with access to Brandywine Falls and a connection to the Towpath Trail via local roads. Farther south, Outspoken E-Bike Rentals (www. outspokenebikerentals.com) near Akron will get you on the Towpath Trail as well.

Youngstown, Cruise the Creek (www. cruisethecreek.com) will open a new location in May, providing a second access to the 2,600 -acre Mill Creek Park, including the 11mile Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway.

Most people who rent the e-bikes use them to ride the Holmes County Trail, Chupp says. One section of this rail trail can be reached through an easy ride from the store, and riders can travel 30 miles out and back, visiting the popular Amish towns of Fredericksburg and Millersburg along the way.

A misconception about e-bikes is that they don’t provide exercise, but most e-bikes allow riders to dial back the assistance and choose the challenge they prefer, Chupp says. “You can still get your exercise, but you can triple your distance and still get home on time.”

In Marietta, the Marietta Adventure Co. (www.mariettaadventurecompany.com) rents e-mountain bikes for use on the growing Marietta Trail Network.

In Xenia, K&G Bike Center (www.kgbikes. com) rents e-bikes with easy access to the 78 -mile Little Miami Scenic Trail.

In addition, many urban bike share companies are now offering e-bikes, including Link Dayton Bike Share, which in 2022 added 140 e-bikes to its fleet of bikes in Dayton.

Writer Randy Edwards and his wife, Mary, toured Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands on e-bikes (left page). Hocking Hills Bike Rentals (below) offers e-bikes both for cruising rail trails and for mountain biking.

Grant ’s day

BY DAMAINE VONADA

Ohio is known as the “Mother of Presidents” because eight of the nation’s 46 chief executives called it home. The first of them, Ulysses S. Grant, now has a state holiday in his honor.

April 27, which this year marks his 202nd birthday, is officially “Ulysses S. Grant Day” in the Buckeye State. That distinction reflects Grant’s considerable military and political impact as well as his deep roots in southern Ohio, where three Ohio History Connection sites illustrate how his upbringing shaped his life and legacy. In the hamlet of Point Pleasant, on the Ohio River in Clermont County, the U.S. Grant Birthplace preserves the humble cottage where he came into the world. About 25 miles away, in Georgetown, the Brown County seat, stand the restored Grant Boyhood Home and two-room Grant Schoolhouse. Grant lived in Georgetown from age 1 until he left to attend West Point — spending more years there than in any other place in his lifetime.

The idea for Grant Day came from State Sen. Terry Johnson (R-Scioto County), whose 14th District covers Clermont, Brown, Adams, and Scioto counties. “I was attending Grant’s 200th birthday celebration in Georgetown and got to thinking it would be nice to make his birthday a state holiday,” Johnson says. Adam Bird, who represents House District 63 in southern Ohio, wholeheartedly agreed, and in May 2022, the two legislators introduced companion bills proposing Grant

New state holiday honors the former president and hero of the Civil War.

Day. They worked together as their bills moved through the legislative process, and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law in early 2023, to begin observance this year.

Johnson, a retired physician, and Bird, a former educator, have much in common. Their respective districts overlap in Clermont and Brown counties, and they’re both history buffs and Grant admirers. Bird, in fact, considers Grant to be Ohio’s greatest native son. “In Grant, President Lincoln finally found a general with the resolve, skill, and leadership ability to win battles and change the course of the Civil War,” he says. “Grant also wrote the South’s terms of surrender, and they were conciliatory to help the nation heal.”

Although Grant Day is a commemorative rather than legal holiday, Johnson thinks it provides an important reminder of Ohio’s rich history and a resolute Ohioan who made history. Grant’s steadfast determination to rebuild his shattered country — from his “Let Us Have Peace” campaign slogan to protecting African Americans’ civil rights to approving Yellowstone as the first national park — made him a popular, two-term president. “As we say here in southern Ohio,” Johnson says, “Grant was tough as a pine knot.”

Apparently, Grant Day started a trend, because in October 2023, Gov. Mike DeWine authorized James A. Garfield Day (Nov. 19) to honor the president born in 1831 in present-day Moreland Hills.

Want to observe Grant Day?

The U.S. Grant Homestead Association schedules tours of the Grant Boyhood Home and Schoolhouse and hosts a four-day U.S. Grant Celebration for his birthday. Festivities include patriotic music performances, programming by U.S. Grant living historian Curt Fields, and fireworks on April 27. 877-372-8177; see www.usgrantboyhoodhome.org/ grant-days-2024 for details.

CALENDAR 2024

NORTHWEST

APR. 3, MAY 1 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities are geared for preschoolage children and focus on farming and nature in a picturesque outdoor setting. Families welcome! 419-4477073, www.conservesenecacounty.com, or follow Seneca Conservation District on Facebook.

APR. 18 – Jesus Christ Superstar, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 8 p.m. $50+. A new, mesmerizing production of the iconic musical phenomenon returns to the stage. www. limaciviccenter.com.

APR. 19–20 – World War II Reenactment, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. There will be a camp area, open to the public, and then stations where reenactors will discuss aspects of being an Allied or Axis soldier during different points of the war. Public “battles” will demonstrate some of the different skills and tactics used, and just how difficult combat could be for soldiers. School Day on Friday. 419-990-0107, villageauglaize@gmail.com, or www.auglaizevillage.com. For participant information, contact Robert Mergel at rjmergek@gmail.com.

APR. 20 – Foghat: Road Fever Tour, Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin, 7:30 p.m. $30–$60 419-448-8544, info@ritztheatre.org. or www.ritztheatre.org.

WEST VIRGINIA

APR. 20–21 – Findlay Flea Market, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. New, used, and vintage items, crafts, and more. Vendors welcome! For more information, contact Christine at 419-619-0041 or findlayfleamarket@ gmail.com.

APR. 21 – NW Ohio Low Brass Collective Spring Concert, Allen East High School Auditeria, 9105 Harding Hwy., Harrod, 4 p.m. Free. Come hear musicians from around northwest Ohio and beyond play themes from your favorite movies! www.facebook.com/people/NWOhio-Low-Brass-Collective/100085554007401

APR. 21 – Sing, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 3 p.m. $5 See the computer-animated musical comedy on our 60-foot screen. Cash concessions and drinks. www. limaciviccenter.com/groupiemovies.

APR. 25 – Fourth Thursdays Spring Fling, downtown Lakeview. Grab dinner from one of many food trucks and enjoy live music while shopping local vendors for a chance to win a gift basket full of springtime goodies. www.facebook.com/downtownlakeviewohio.

APR. 25 – 2024 Legislative Breakfast, Camden Falls Reception and Conference Center, 2460 OH-231, Tiffin, 8 a.m. Join Senator Bill Reineke, State Representative Gary Click, the president of the Seneca County Board of Commissioners, and the mayor of the City of Tiffin to hear their annual messages. Registration required. www. senecaregionalchamber.com.

APR. 27 – “Arbor Day, Trees: Past, Present, and Future,” Mac-A-Cheek Castle, 10051 Township Rd. 47, West Liberty, 9 a.m. Free. Celebrate Arbor Day by investigating petrified wood, beautifully crafted historical woodwork, and living trees, and by planting a tree for the future. 937-465-2821, 937-844-3480, or www. piattcastle.org.

APR. 27 – Defiance Community Band: Cabaret Concert, Defiance High School Gym, 1755 Palmer Dr., Defiance, 7 p.m. $12. Hors d’oeuvres included. Reservations needed by Apr. 15. Contact Linda Schatz at 419-769-4808

APR. 27 – “Homegrown Habitat: Bringing Nature to Your Community,” University of Findlay, Winebrenner, 950 N. Main St., Findlay, 9 a.m. $10–$25. Presentation by author Doug Tallamy, Q&A session, book signings and sales, exhibits, resource fair. Admission includes native plant and continental breakfast. Register by Apr. 12 at www.homegrownhabitat.org.

MAY 2–12 – Live Theatre: Hands on a Hardbody, Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race St., Van Wert, Thur.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $16 419-238-9689 or ww.vwct.org.

MAY 3 – First Fridays Brewfest, downtown Bellefontaine. Sample 10 unique Ohio beers as you make your way through downtown. Food trucks and full-sized limited-edition pours are also available. Don’t miss the adult-only fun! www.firstfridaysbellefontaine.com.

MAY 3–12 – Biggest Week in American Birding, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Ctr., 1750 State Park Rd., Oregon. Free. Come to the “Warbler Capital of the World” for spectacular birding activities, including morning flight counts, workshops, field trips, and more. Register at www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com.

MAY 4–SEP. 15 – NWORRP Museum Summer Hours, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. $3; 12 and under, $2 (includes 1 train ride ticket per admission). Museum tours, ¼ scale train rides, model train displays, games, play area, and more. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp.

MAY 11 – Lilac Festival and Street Fair, Clinton Street, Defiance, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Celebrate the official flower of Defiance with the community’s largest arts and crafts fair. Free lilacs to the first 750 attendees. 419-7820739 or http://visitdefianceohio.com/annual-events.

MAY 3–5 – Kanawha Valley Railroad Association

Model Train and Craft Show, Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Dr., Charleston, Fri. 12–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

www.kvrailroad.org.

2024 CALENDAR

APRIL/MAY

APR. 13 – Hamfest and Computer Show, Emidio & Sons Expo Center, 48 E. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. $8. VE testing will be available. Talk-In: 147 270+ and 444 850+ (both PL 110 9). Contact: Bruce Ferry, AK8B, 2907 Lee Rd., Silver Lake, OH 44224 330-790-1680, hamfest2024@w8vpv.org, or www.w8vpv.org/hamfest.

APR. 18–20 – Original Sewing and Quilt Expo, I-X Center, 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, Thur./Fri. 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. See the latest in sewing, quilt making, and embroidery. Special presentations, classes/ workshops, runway fashion shows, shopping, and more. www.sewingexpo.com/Events/Cleveland-OH.

APR. 19 – Home School Day, 254 E. 4th St., Zoar, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $7. Open to all public, private, and homeschool students. Learn how the Zoar Separatists prepared for spring. Bread relay, butter churning, planting seeds, and tin smithing. Reservations requested. 800262-6195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.

APR. 19 – Tribute Concert: “Ricky Nelson Remembered,” Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39, Sugarcreek, 7 p.m. Unique multimedia event featuring Ricky Nelson’s hit songs performed by his twin sons, Matthew and Gunnar. Tickets are available at www. ohiostartheater.com and by phone at 855-344-7547

APR. 21 – World Tour of Music: Fire & Grace, AkronSummit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron, 2–3

SOUTHEAST

APR. 19 – KANSAS: The 50th Anniversary Tour, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. $68+. www.peoplesbanktheatre.com.

APR. 19–NOV. 2 – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Wed. 9 a.m.–noon. Open year-round Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Voted Ohio’s #1 favorite farmers market! 740-593-6763 or www.athensfarmersmarket.org.

APR. 20–21 – Lucasville Trade Days, Scioto Co. Fgds., 1193 Fairground Rd., Lucasville, Sat. 7 a.m.,

p.m. Guitarist William Coulter and violinist Edwin Huizinga explore the connective musical elements of classical, folk, and contemporary traditions from around the world. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

APR. 25–26 – Jeff Allen, Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39, Sugarcreek, 7 p.m. Christian comedian whose rapid-fire humor centers on marriage and family, appealing to all ages. Tickets available at www. ohiostartheater.com and by phone at 855-344-7547

APR. 25–28 – Geauga County Maple Festival, Historic Chardon Square, Chardon. A festival for celebrating “everything maple”! Arts and crafts, lumberjack competition, beard and mustache contest, bathtub races, pageants, and other fun activities. Enjoy all-you-can-eat Pancakes in the Park every day, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. ($10, under 6 free). 440-332-7055 or www.maplefestival.com.

APR. 26 – Archaeology School Day, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $7. Open to all public, private, and homeschool students in grades 4–8. Learn the importance of archaeology, how it is conducted, and how it affects other fields of study. Reservations requested. 330-874-2059 or www.fortlaurens.org.

APR. 26–27 – Earlier Times Antiques and Folk Art Show, Harvest Ridge, Holmes Co. Fgds., 8880 St. Rte. 39, Millersburg, Fri. 4–7 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. $7. For more information, contact Cheryl Williams at 614-989-5811

APR. 26–27 – International Watch Fob Association Show and Sale, Lakeside Sand & Gravel, 3540 Frost Rd., Mantua, Fri./Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. World’s largest watch fob, construction equipment memorabilia, and toy show. Combined with Lakeside Sand & Gravel Open House and Antique Equipment Show on Saturday. 50/50 raffles both days. See equipment as old as 1910, take gravel pit tours, enjoy food and refreshments, and watch live demos of antique construction and mining equipment. 440-816-1882 (Chuck Sword), chuck@dhsdiecast.com, www.watchfob.com, or www.facebook.com/IWFAI.

MAY 3–4 – Dandelion May Fest, The Tool Shed at Breitenbach Vineyards, 5773 Old Rte. 39 NW, Dover,

Fri. noon–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Dandelion food and wine, cooking demos, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. 5K and 10K on Saturday. 330-343-3603 or www.breitenbachwine.com/dandelion-festival.

MAY 4–5 – Ohio Civil War Show, Richland Co. Fgds., 750 N. Home Rd., Mansfield, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7, under 12 free. Seven buildings with 750 tables of military items, relics, and memorabilia to buy, sell, or trade. Cannon firing demos, WWII small arms demos, Civil War battleground encampments, and much more. www.ohiocivilwarshow.com.

MAY 5 – Carol Leslie: “Women with Cinematic Impact,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. This presentation will highlight many of the biggest movie theme songs ever produced, and the women who sang them. Register at www.ormaco.org or by calling 419-853-6016.

MAY 10–11 – Holmes County Training Center Benefit Auction and Spring Festival, 8001 Township Rd. 574, Holmesville. Proceeds benefit children and adults in Holmes County DD facilities and those in the community. Furniture, quilt, silent, and special auctions; raffle prizes; children’s games. Volleyball, food stands, and musical entertainment Friday night. Breakfast, chicken barbeque, food court on Saturday. 330-674-8045 or www.holmesdd.org.

MAY 11 – German Maifest, Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5; 11 and under free. German food and drink, music, make-and-take art projects, spring tours of the village, and German car show featuring a variety of antique German-made vehicles. 800-262-6195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.

MAY 11 – Plant Discovery Day Sale, Secrest Arboretum, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Free. Unique, rare trees and shrubs along with fruit and nut trees, conifers, native plants, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, vegetables, and herbs. Orchids and carnivorous houseplants will also be available for purchase. www. friendsofsecrest.com.

Sun. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. $7; 12 and under free. Earlybird shopping Fri. 3–7 p.m. 937-728-6643 or www. lucasvilletradedays.com.

APR. 25 – The Guess Who, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. $54+. www. peoplesbanktheatre.com.

APR. 26–28 – Pike County Dogwood Festival, Pike Co. Fgds., Piketon. Free. Live music, food, royalty contest, bike race, parade, and more. Email pikecountydogwood@yahoo.com or follow us on Facebook.

MAY 2–5 – Wild Turkey Festival, downtown McArthur, Thur. 5–11 p.m., Fri./Sat. noon–11 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Nightly entertainment, midway, car and bike shows, queen and baby contests, karaoke contests, and more. Grand parade Sat. 6 p.m., followed by crowning of the festival queen. wildturkeyfestival@outlook.com or www. wildturkeyfestival.com.

MAY 4 – The Big Deal at Great Seal, Great Seal State Park, 4908 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, 7 a.m. $45–$99 This course is a 25K loop of nearly 100% single track. Each 25K loop comes with roughly 2,800 feet of elevation gain of southern Ohio’s Appalachian foothills.

www.facebook.com/events/2960093900846351

MAY 4–19 – Heirloom Plant Sale, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, Wed.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. The annual sale focuses on plants that are varieties raised and passed on before the advent of industrial farming, with many going back at least as far as Thomas Worthington’s time. www. adenamansion.com.

MAY 10–12 – Chillicothe Trade Days, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe, dawn to dusk. $5. Huge event with hundreds of vendors offering a wide range of products and even animals. www. chillicothetradedays.com.

MAY 11 – Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Bellavenue Manor, 207 S. 10th St., McConnelsville, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Join Flora by Fawn Flower Farm on the front lawn of the manor, where Fawn will be offering a unique assortment of annuals and perennials for one day only! New this year: cutting garden flower trays. 419-571-9303 or florabyfawn@gmail.com.

MAY 11 – Three Dog Night, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. $62+. www. peoplesbanktheatre.com.

CENTRAL

APR. 5, MAY 3 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday of each month, when all our participating galleries, studios, and small businesses are open at the same time! Visit the Artist Colony of Zanesville’s website for a map of current participants: https://artcoz.org/arts-district-map.

APR. 11, MAY 9 – Inventors Network Meetings, Rusty Bucket, 3901 Britton Parkway, Hilliard, 43026 (614-7775868, MyRustyBucket.com), 7 p.m. Informal meetings for networking and invention-related discussion. 614-4700144 or www.inventorscolumbus.com.

APR. 19 – The Malpass Brothers, Cornerstone Global Methodist Church, 207 S. Court St., Marysville, doors open 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Part of the Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series. Entertainment, food, homemade pies on-site. 937-642-4712 or www. marysvillewinterbluegrass.com.

APR. 20 – Ohioana Book Festival, Columbus Metropolitan Main Library, 96 S. Grant, Columbus. Free. This festival celebrating Ohio’s authors will bring more than 100 authors together with readers of all ages for a day of panel discussions, readings, a book fair, children’s activities, prizes, entertainment, and food. 614-466-3831 or www.ohioana.org/programs/ohioana-book-festival.

SOUTHWEST

THROUGH MAY 29 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com.

APR. 19, MAY 17 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, a wide variety of craft beers at the Beer Garden, and food truck eats. 513-832-1422 or http://fibbrew.com.

APR. 19–20 – Midwest Ceramic Association Show, Butler Co. Exhibition Bldg., Butler Co. Fgds., 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ohio’s original ceramic show. www.midwestceramics.org.

APR. 19–21 – Bellbrook Sugar Maple Festival, downtown Bellbrook, Fri. 5–10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. Parade Sat. 10:30 a.m., pancake breakfast Sat. 8–10:30 a.m., children’s activities,

APR. 20 – Pickerington Community Chorus: Spring Concert, Epiphany Lutheran Church, 268 Hill Rd. N., Pickerington, 4 p.m. Free admission; free-will offering will be taken. www.pickeringtoncommunitychorus.com.

APR. 20 – Quilters Market Day: A Flea Market for Quilters, Fredericktown Schools, 111 Stadium Dr., Fredericktown, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. Buy and sell quilting tools, books, patterns, fat quarters, quilted items. Fat quarter drawing, quilt show, and quilting demos. Lunch available for purchase. For more information, call Patty at 740-694-6140 or visit https://fredericktown.org/qmd.

APR. 20 – Sunbury Piece Corps Quilt Show, Sunbury United Methodist Church, 100 W. Cherry St., Sunbury (NE corner of Rtes. 3 and 37), 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. Quilts made by guild members on display, vendors, fabric rummage sale, and demonstrations. Lunch available. For more information, email sunburypiececorps@aol.com.

APR. 21 – Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra Concert, Brown Chapel, College Dr., New Concord, 7 p.m. $20. Season finale! 740-826-8197, www.seoso.org, or find us on Facebook.

APR. 26–27 – Spring at the Round Barn: Vintage and Made Market, Fairfield Co. Fgds., 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Fri. 4–8 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. $7. Open-air and barn markets showcasing 125+ modern makers, vendors of authentic vintage finds, clothing boutiques, designers, growers, food trucks, and live music. 614-2961621 or www.thevintageandmademarket.com.

APR. 28 – Marysville Toy Show, Union Co. Fgds., Beef Barn, 845 N. Main St., Marysville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $6; 12 and under free; early buyer (8-9 a.m.) $12. Diecast cars, action figures, model kits, farm toys, toys old and new. For more information, follow Marysville Toy Show on Facebook.

5K, dog show, beer garden, and much more. www. sugarmaplefestival.com.

APR. 20 – “Invasive Species Removal,” Hueston Woods State Park, 6301 Park Office Rd., College Corner, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Rain date Apr. 27. Free. Join Audubon Miami Valley and park staff to celebrate Earth Day by taking action against invasive plants. Meet at the Maple Grove Picnic Area. Please wear long pants and boots and bring a water bottle. Tools and gloves will be provided. Call 513-523-6347 or email greynolds27@ gmail.com to sign up as a volunteer.

APR. 26–27 – Grassy Run Heritage Rendezvous, Cook Log Cabin Heritage Center, 6707 Goshen Rd., Goshen. Pre-1840 encampment that brings to life the pioneers who settled here and the crafts and skills they needed to survive. Friday is School Day ($2 per student). Open to the public Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m. $5 per person; family $10 513-520-2882, grassyrun@gmail.com, www. grassy-run.org, or see our Facebook page.

APR. 27 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, North Second Tap & Bottle, 134 N. 2nd St., Hamilton, 8–11 p.m. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music with lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. 513-805-7796

MAY 3 – First Friday Concert: Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, First United Methodist Church, 120 S. Broad St., Middletown, noon–1 p.m. Free. Bring a lunch and enjoy the show! 513-423-4629 or www. myfumc.net/first-fridays-concert-series.

MAY 3 – McIntyre Bluegrass Trio, Hamilton’s Urban Backyard Taproom, 501 Main St., Hamilton, 7–10 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass

MAY 3 – Pickerington Chocolate Hop, Olde Pickerington Village, 6–8:30 p.m. A $5 donation gets you a map of locations where you will receive a little chocolate treat as a thank-you. Begin on the plaza at Columbus and Center Sts. Limited number of maps; donate in advance to reserve one. For more information, visit www.pickeringtonvillage.com.

MAY 4–OCT. 26 – Coshocton Farmers Market, 22442 Co. Rd. 1A, Coshocton, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon. Fresh, locally grown, in-season produce; baked goods; and handmade artisan crafts. For the most up-to-date information about vendors who will be attending the market, visit www. facebook.com/coshoctonfarmersmarket or email market. manager@coshfarmmarket.org.

MAY 9–11 – Ham and Eggs Music and Comedy Show, Ohio University Lancaster, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster, Thur./Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 3 p.m. $10 presale, $12 at the door. Join us for fun music and lots of laughter as we raise money for college scholarships. Original comedy sketches featuring a group of grannies trying to get into “The Hammys,” followed by a concert of pop and Broadways songs from the ’70s and ’80s. www. lancastermenschorus.org.

MAY 11 – Boogie on the Blacktop Concert: North to Nashville, Circleville Eagles, 135 E. Main St., Circleville, 7–11 p.m. $5. Outdoor concert with food vendors and drinks. www.pickaway.com.

MAY 11 – Fly-In BBQ Lunch, Union County Airport (KMRT), 760 Clymer Rd., Marysville, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free. Fly or drive on over for a great BBQ lunch featuring Triple P Barbeque Co.! EAA Chapter 1629 will be giving Young Eagles rides. The Commemorative Air Force CAF Buckeye Wing will be meeting and have their WWII PT-26 airplane on static display. www.unioncountyohio.gov/ Airport-Authority.

music by Vernon and Kitty McIntyre and guest Robert Campbell. 513-893-9482, info@hubhamilton.com, or www.hubhamilton.com.

MAY 4 – Bird Walk/Hike, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 9 a.m. Free, but registration required. Join naturalist and nature photographer Tom Hissong. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

MAY 4 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Clifton Opry House, 5 S. Clay St., Clifton, 7–9 p.m. $10 937-342-2175, schasnov@netzero.net, or www. villageofclifton.com/clifton-opera-house.

MAY 7 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Christ Church Cathedral, 318 E. 4th St., Cincinnati, 12:10–12:50 p.m. Free. Part of the Music Live at Lunch series. Bring your own lunch or purchase a box lunch on-site for only $5 513-842-2066, sroby@cccath.org, or https:// cincinnaticathedral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ Music-Brochure-2023-2024.pdf.

MAY 11 – Bird Walk/Hike, Wagers’ Memorial Park (Devil’s Backbone), 1301 OH-725 W., Camden, 9 a.m. Free, but registration required. Join naturalist and nature photographer Tom Hissong. 937962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www. preblecountyparks.org.

MAY 11–12 – Appalachian Festival, Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $5–$15; 4 and under free. Handmade crafts, down-home food, Living History Village, educational exhibits, music, old-time dance and storytelling, and more. Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass will perform on Sunday. 513-251-3378 or www. appalachianfestival.org.

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1 Our granddaughter under the ceiling fan enjoying a cool breeze. Jennifer Shunk, South Central Power Company member

2 An osprey with the wind in its hair at Kiser Lake. Brent Grieves, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member

3 Our daughter Delaney, at the front of the ship on the Caribbean. Anthony Heastrup, South Central Power Company member

4 My daughter on a snowshoe hike at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Marla Schrader, South Central Power Company member.

5 McKinley with the wind in her hair and sunset on her back. Lindsey Patrick, Union Rural Electric Cooperative member

6 My grandson Huntley’s wild hair on the trampoline. Valerie Crist, South Central Power Company member.