OHIO
FEBRUARY 2021
COOPERATIVE Butler Rural Electric Cooperative
Donut mind if I do A sugary trail in southwestern Ohio
ALSO INSIDE Collective voice Forging a path Hero dogs
Concern for Community THAT’S THE COOPERATIVE DIFFERENCE
We take care of our neighbors and communities through service projects that benefit organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities.
ohioec.org/purpose
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
INSIDE FEATURES
12 DONUT PARADISE Foodies can explore and devour their way through Ohio’s sweetest trail.
24 HE WHO SMELTED IT The process for obtaining aluminum
was invented in an Oberlin backyard.
28 HERO DOGS Ohio golden retrievers are helping all dogs live healthier lives.
32 STREAMING CONSCIOUSNESS Buckeye-based podcasters share their stories around the world. Cover image on most editions: Lily Garver, an employee at Kelly’s Bakery in Hamilton, demonstrates the proper way to eat the donut shop’s signature Kelly Bread. This page: Extreme heat and an electrical charge turn bauxite into aluminum, a metal once considered to be more precious than silver.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 1
UP FRONT
Being involved W
ith a month of the new year now under our belts, we can see the hope of a healthier and happier year, we can expect new ideas on how to govern our country and our institutions, and we can take away lessons from our recent experiences regarding what worked and what did not. Electric cooperatives, like most enduring institutions, are guided by principles and governed by people entrusted with the best interests of the enterprise. We may have taken for granted our ability to get together, discuss ideas, and elect leaders to guide our organizations — but we endured, we stuck to our principles and values, and we found new ways to meet our obligations to you, our consumer-members. We can carry forward an appreciation for the importance of cooperation, collaboration, and compromise as the foundation for achievement and accomplishment. We have an opportunity to reflect on the changes that resulted in improvements, as well as the traditions that continue to hold value, and we can recognize that the way we’ve always done things may not be best — or even possible anymore. We are certain that new government priorities will emerge this year, some of which will have the potential to directly affect our ability to provide a reliable and affordable supply of electricity to your home or business. Your electric cooperatives are actively engaged in fostering rapport with legislative officials, with the objective of representing the best interests of — and effecting the most favorable results for — you, our members. Our story, “Collective voice,” on page 4, provides a glimpse into the electric cooperative government affairs program, our advocacy efforts, and the benefits of legislative outreach to co-op members. We’ll also let you in on how you can get involved. Through our participation, we can help honor Lincoln’s solemn oath that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
2 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
Pat O’Loughlin PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
We have an opportunity to reflect on what changes are improvements, and which of our traditions continue to hold value.
FEBRUARY 2021 • Volume 63, No. 5
Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com
MORE INSIDE
4
DEPARTMENTS
Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO Patrick Higgins Director of Communications Jeff McCallister Managing Editor Rebecca Seum Associate Editor Anita Cook Graphic Designer Contributors: Margaret Buranen, Colleen Romick Clark, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Michael Pramik, Wendy Pramik, Craig Springer, Damaine Vonada, and Patty Yoder. 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 Pontiac, IL 61764, 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 Offi ce, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.
4 POWER LINES
Collective voice: Co-ops and their members have representatives’ ears through support of ACRE.
7
CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
North Central Electric Cooperative: Located in the heart of northern Ohio, NCE takes pride in superior service to members and the community.
8 CO-OP PEOPLE
Iron man: A member of South Central Power Company, master blacksmith Doug Lockhart forges his own path through life.
Logan’s trees: A pair of trees named for the prominent Mingo chief stood witness to Ohio’s storied history.
American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop
10
15 GOOD EATS
Easy pantry meals: Sometimes you just have to pull together a quick dinner with ingredients already at hand.
electric cooperative.
Cheryl Solomon
8
10 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
19 LOCAL PAGES News and information from your
For all advertising inquiries, contact
7
15
36 CALENDAR
Cooperative members: Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes. Alliance for Audited Media Member
What’s happening: February/March events and other things to do around the state.
40 MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Golden anniversaries: Members celebrate love’s longevity.
40
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com! Read past issues and watch videos about our articles or our recipes. Our new 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.
www.ohiocoopliving.com FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 3
POWER LINES
Collective voice Co-ops and their members have representatives’ ears through their support of ACRE. BY JEFF MCCALLISTER
4 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
A
llen Heindel of Celina says he’s not particularly active politically, beyond voting for issues and candidates that represent his views.
both in total number of members (more than 6,200) and total annual amount contributed to the cause.
“Our cooperatives made a concerted effort to put the However, as a member of St. Marys-based Midwest issues in front of our members a few years ago, when there Electric, Heindel were some specific things understands that in front of Congress that “When you, as a legislator, get there are political would have been especially issues that affect the costly to them, because donations from a group like cooperative and, as those issues may well have ACRE, you can be sure that a result, also affect caused the shutdown of his own individual our power plant,” says Matt group’s voice is going to be interests. Berry, general manager heard loud and clear.” of Midwest Electric. “We “I feel that Midwest got that information out, — Brian Hill, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative general manager does a nice job the members agreed that keeping us informed our position needed to about what’s be communicated to our representatives, and we got happening legislatively and how those things might affect hundreds of members to sign up almost overnight.” the cost of electricity,” says Heindel, an engineer with Crown Equipment Corporation in New Bremen. “It just That kind of grassroots involvement from similarly makes sense for electric cooperative members to have a motivated individuals can have a significant impact on voice in the legislative arena, because these are things that legislation, according to Brian Hill, the general manager affect us every day.” of New Concord-based Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative. Before he took over as GMEC’s general Heindel says his parents, also Midwest members, were manager, Hill represented the 97th district in the Ohio active participants in ACRE — the Action Committee for House of Representatives for six years and served another Rural Electrification, which was founded in 1966 — and he few months in the Ohio Senate. His campaign was the and his wife recently decided to join, through ACRE’s Corecipient of donations from ACRE. op Owners for Political Action (COPA). They make a small donation to the political action committee (PAC) each “No one should have any illusions that their donation is month through an addition to their electric bill. going to buy anyone’s vote — that’s not what it’s all about,” says Hill. “But when you, as a legislator, get donations from ACRE is the federal PAC of the nation’s electric co-ops. a group like ACRE, a truly grassroots organization that It supports political candidates who will speak for and might not have a huge amount of money but has a large protect the interests of electric co-ops and their members number of contributors, you can be sure that that group’s around the country. Through COPA, co-ops can invite voice is going to be heard loud and clear.” their residential consumer-members to be politically engaged in ACRE and in other important grassroots “ACRE is a completely nonpartisan organization,” says advocacy initiatives. Marc Armstrong, director of government relations at Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, the statewide organization More than 35,000 individuals nationwide make an average that provides services to Ohio’s co-ops. “The idea is to annual contribution of $65 to be members — and Ohio, in support candidates who have shown that they support the fact, is the national leader in co-op members’ participation, issues that we also support.”
Several co-ops in Ohio hold events for their members — such as this ACRE breakfast hosted by Firelands Electric Cooperative — to help members become familiar with the candidates and issues supported by ACRE (photos by Tracy Gibb).
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 5
Dan McNaull, general manager of Firelands Electric Cooperative, addresses members during an ACRE breakfast, which featured Rep. Bob Gibbs (center, seated), as well as state representatives.
Among national priorities in the next legislative session will be to ask Congress to allow repricing of some of the debt held by co-ops nationwide, which could save a typical co-op around $2 million per year in interest payments — members’ money — by taking advantage of current rates.
How to make your voice heard
In Ohio, a main priority will be to expand connectivity to broadband in un- or underserved parts of the state, area that is largely served by electric co-ops. Regulations, tax reform, and governance are also issues in which co-op members have a vested interest.
Electric cooperative members can add their voice to thousands of others around the state and nation by joining ACRE Co-op Owners for Political Action for as little as a $25 annual contribution, or about $2.08 per month.
Heindel appreciates the work done by co-op and local representatives to keep membership apprised of co-oprelated issues. “To me, it’s helpful to be able to get insight that goes beyond what news coverage is able to convey,” he says. “Being a member of ACRE has helped me, I think, to get a complete picture of the issues involved and really opened my eyes to the items that are important to me as a co-op member.”
Ninety-nine percent of all contributions to ACRE go directly to the campaigns of candidates for political office, based solely on their support for electric cooperative issues — and never on party affiliation.
“Before the pandemic, we hosted a breakfast for our ACRE members and invited our U.S. congressman and two state representatives,” says Dan McNaull, general manager of Firelands Electric Cooperative in New London. “For some of our members, that was the first time they ever had an opportunity for one-on-one conversations with their elected representatives. But just as importantly, it let the representatives actually see the expressions of our members when they were talking about these things, to see how passionately they felt.”
6 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
“Sometimes, when someone emails or writes to their representatives, they wonder if that message even makes it out of the mailroom,” says Dan McNaull, general manager of Firelands Electric Cooperative. “With an ACRE membership, we are assured that our messages are being personally delivered and that they are being heard.” Those wishing to join with their contributions should contact their electric cooperative for details and information. The process is usually as simple as filling out a short form and agreeing to have the small donation added to a member’s monthly electric bill.
CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
NORTH CENTRAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
L
ocated in the heart of northern Ohio, North Central Electric Cooperative (NCE) serves 9,972 consumer-members on 1,794 miles of electrical line across eight counties. NCE, whose headquarters is in the small town of Attica, serves communities that offer a variety of opportunities to locals and visitors alike.
Service partners In addition to residential service, NCE boasts a strong and diverse commercial and industrial presence in its service territory, and provides electricity for several larger industrial companies. The National Lime and Stone Company in Carey provides aggregates and minerals throughout Ohio and the U.S., while remaining a local business proud of its history of civic involvement. The company offers tours and other educational opportunities for local school systems, and employees work with local charities and organizations to benefit their community. NCE also serves Charter Steel, a leading American supplier of carbon and alloy steel bar, among other products. NCE further serves three rural schools and offers a variety of youth-focused programs for students, including scholarships, internships, and the chance to participate in Ohio Cooperative Youth Day and the Youth Tour to Washington, D.C.
Things to do NCE’s service territory comes to life in the summer months, with a variety of places and activities for both residents and visitors to enjoy. Acres of campgrounds, local and county fairs, and several festivals liven up the warmer Ohio months. The Oak Ridge Festival in Attica, held in July and October, is a particular favorite, with live entertainment, handmade items, food, and fun for the whole family. Seneca Caverns in Bellevue is one of Ohio’s largest underground caverns, where visitors have the opportunity to descend 110 feet below the surface for a truly memorable adventure. North Central Electric prides itself on being with its members from the time they wake up, while they’re on the job or in school, and when they return home at night. It’s all part of being a cooperative family.
Co-op Spotlight appears regularly in Ohio Cooperative Living to give a glimpse into the land and the people of Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 7
CO-OP PEOPLE
IRON MAN
Master blacksmith Doug Lockhart forges his own path through life. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAMAINE VONADA
8 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
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woman who had purchased a skillet from Lockhart Ironworks recently asked Doug Lockhart if he could add a helper handle to her cookware. The veteran blacksmith, a South Central Power Company member, gladly obliged. “I enjoy making things like they did in the olden days,” says Lockhart, “when people actually could come into a shop and talk to the blacksmith.” Lockhart’s shop sits amid 83 acres of woods and fields on his farmstead, 10 miles northeast of Logan. He and his wife, Berta, live in an 1824 log farmhouse; keep ducks and goats for eggs, meat, and milk; raise some hay; and harvest their trees for lumber that they cut in the farm’s sawmill. While a metal pole barn houses the ironworks’ forges and anvils, the smithy’s gift shop was once a dog kennel before Lockhart upcycled it into a showcase for the wide variety of hooks, fireplace pokers, knives, cooking utensils, and other items that he and his family — son Benjamin Lockhart, daughter Annah Lockhart, daughter Danielle Chamberlain, and son-in-law David Chamberlain — handmake. “Our kids were all raised in the shop and taught forging skills,” says Lockhart. “They’re also cross-trained on every station in the shop so that anybody can do any job.” Danielle, for example, started working there at age 12, and when she turned 18, he sold her the Ironworks for one dollar. “I did that so when I’m not around anymore, the kids can go back into the shop and continue the business without any courts involved,” he says. Lockhart’s introduction to blacksmithing came in 1981, when he was studying to be a living-history interpreter at Salem College in West Virginia. The curriculum’s 18th- and 19th-century occupations included printing, carpentry, and basketmaking, but Lockhart recognized his calling the first time he saw a blacksmith hammering hot metal. He was all in. “That was the day I started eating coal for breakfast,” he recalls. Blacksmithing dates to the ancient Iron Age, and in medieval Europe, it was considered the king of all the trades because, unlike a mason, weaver, or glassblower, only a blacksmith can make his own tools. Because Lockhart strives to preserve those age-old traditions and techniques even while he practices them, he also operates the Southern Ohio School of Blacksmithing. “An unbelievable amount of things a blacksmith knows how to do are being forgotten or not handed down,” Lockhart says. “My passion is passing my knowledge on to my kids and students.” Although he suspended classes because of COVID-19, students typically receive a full day of instruction at
Doug Lockhart (opposite page) caught the blacksmithing bug while he was in college, and when his daughter, Danielle Chamberlain, (above) turned 18, he sold her his ironworks business.
Lockhart Ironworks, where they finish four projects. Of course, blacksmiths always strike while the iron is hot, so mastering the scorching 3,000-degree fires is a must. “You’ve got to get close to that dragon in the forge and can’t be afraid,” says Lockhart. “If you learn to work with fire, it becomes your ally, and you can create something.” During 40 years of blacksmithing, Lockhart’s creativity has ranged from restoring historic iron bridges to designing a National Christmas Tree ornament to fashioning light fixtures for Disney World’s Beauty and the Beast Castle. He also reproduced vintage sconces at the Ohio Governor’s Residence and made two state-sealinspired sculptures — a sheaf of wheat and cluster of arrows — for the residence’s Heritage Garden. Besides iron, Lockhart works in copper, bronze, and brass, and he chose carbon steel for Lockhart Ironworks’ line of heirloom-quality skillets. “Only a handful of blacksmiths in the United States currently make cookware, and we spent three years consulting with chefs and developing our skillets,” says Lockhart. Carbon steel is lighter and more durable than cast iron and yields a smooth, naturally nonstick cooking surface. “Put just a small amount of oil in the pan, and a fried egg practically floats on the surface,” says Lockhart. In addition, skillet handles are attached with rivets and have a low-enough pitch to easily fit in an oven. Every Lockhart skillet comes with not only care instructions but also a thank-you card featuring a photo of the entire family of blacksmiths. “I have each of the kids sign the card,” says Lockhart. “I want customers to know who made their cookware, and that it’s made in the USA.” To learn more, view videos, and shop for cookware and other items, visit www.themakersofhandforgediron.com. Lockhart Ironworks is open to the public, but visitors should call ahead: 740-380-6816.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 9
WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
Logan’s trees The Logan Elm and Logan Oak stood witness to Ohio’s storied history. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
The Logan Oak, which stands in a cemetery near Logan, is estimated to be more than 600 years old.
10 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
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ogan’s Lament is well known in Ohio history. Chief Logan of the Mingo tribe of Native Americans uttered the short speech in October 1774 from beneath a huge, spreading elm tree in his camp, located a few miles south of what is today Circleville, Ohio. What Logan was specifically lamenting is less well known — and the incident is both intriguing and tragic. Logan (known as Talgayeeta to his Indian brothers) had always considered himself a friend of the white man — so much so that his fellow tribesmen even mocked him for it, claiming he would one day regret his beliefs. Unfortunately, they were right. In April 1774, Logan was away hunting when members of his family and some friends ran afoul of a settler named Daniel Greathouse and his band of border thugs, all of whom hated Indians. The Greathouse party first feigned friendship, then once they had gained the Indians’ confidence, murdered them in cold blood. Among those killed were Logan’s wife, brother, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, as well as a fetus — a future nephew — that was slashed from his sister’s pregnant womb.
Today, the Logan Elm is long gone; the tree finally succumbed in 1964 to disease and repeated lightning strikes. In its prime, it measured 104 feet tall, its branches spread 180 feet wide, and the circumference of the trunk was 24 feet. Fortunately, the place where it once stood has been preserved by the Ohio History Connection as the Logan Elm State Memorial and is open to the public. If you’d like to visit a living tree of similar size, the Logan Oak stands in the northeast corner of the Old Logan Cemetery in Logan, Ohio. A plaque there claims that the white oak is more than 600 years old, which is possible for such a long-lived species. If that age is accurate, the Logan Oak was already a century old when Christopher Columbus began his journey toward North America in 1492 and nearly 400 when Logan lamented under the nearby elm. W.H. (Chip) Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor. For more information on the Logan Elm State Memorial, visit www. ohiohistory.org/visit/museum-and-site-locator/logan-elm.
In retaliation, Chief Logan and small parties of Mingo and Shawnee took to the warpath, vowing to kill 10 whites for each Indian who had been slain. Logan personally vowed to take the lives of 20 settlers in retaliation for the death of his unborn nephew. Months later, after the killing had ceased, Logan issued his lament (in part): “During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his tent, an advocate for peace. Nay, such was my love for the whites that those of my own country pointed at me as I passed and said, ‘Logan is the friend of the white man.’ I had even thought to live with you, but for the injuries of one man … [who,] last spring, in cold blood and unprovoked, murdered all the relatives of Logan, not sparing even my women and children. There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for revenge. I have sought it. I have killed many. I have fully glutted my vengeance … Who is there to mourn for Logan? Not one.” The Indians had long memories, reserving their greatest tortures for their greatest enemies. Daniel’s brother, Jacob, who also played a part in what came to be known as the Yellow Creek Massacre of Logan’s relatives and friends, was on that list. In 1791, according to legend — a full 17 years later — the Indians captured Jacob and his wife. The method the warriors used to kill the pair is too gruesome to describe here; suffice it to say that Jacob’s wife died relatively quickly, but Jacob himself suffered hours in unspeakable agony before death finally came.
Ask
chip!
Email Chip Gross 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 FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 11
Donut paradise Foodies can explore and devour their way through Ohio’s sweetest trail. BY MICHAEL PRAMIK; PHOTOS BY WENDY PRAMIK
I
n the kitchen of Jupiter Coffee and Donuts in Fairfield, Ohio, co-owner Cindy Wallis proudly shows off a feathery circle of sweetness — warm, luscious, and oozing with classic glazed-donut flavor. Certainly, this is donut heaven, and it’s just a small serving of the nirvana available on the Butler County Donut Trail, 13 shops that celebrate the specialized culinary craft. For many, the southwestern part of the state has become the sweet pastry’s Promised Land. “Donuts sell here. They just sell,” says Terri Niederman, owner of the Donut Spot, also in Fairfield. “It’s unbelievable.” Nine shops, in cooperation with the Butler County Convention and Visitors Bureau, launched the trail in 2016 to boost sales and draw visitors. Participants secure a Donut Trail Passport and have it stamped at each location. A completed passport earns the bearer a souvenir T-shirt. It didn’t take long for the idea to pay off. Tracy Kocher, with the visitors bureau, says a small group of travelers came to her office two days after the trail opened, bearing completed passports. “That group comes back every year,” she says.
The trail has successfully tapped tourists’ sweet tooths. Kocher says the number of passports handed out or downloaded has topped 400,000, and more than 25,000 have finished the trail. Visitors have come from all 50 states and 22 countries. The bureau has a “donut concierge” line that visitors can call for assistance, including setting up itineraries and finding places to stay. “We’ve seen people completing the trail as an activity before a family member is deployed overseas, or to celebrate the completion of cancer treatment. We’ve seen wedding parties, team building, and school trips,” Kocher says. “It’s family friendly, anybody can do it, and everybody loves a donut.” The trail runs from Middletown in the northeast to Oxford in the west, through Hamilton and neighboring Fairfield, and to West Chester in the southeast. You can pick up a passport at any of the stops. Wallis established Jupiter in 2014 with her husband, Gregg Trueb, both Miami University graduates. When two marry from that college, it’s known as a “Miami Merger,” and Continued on page 14
12 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
This page: Cindy Wallis of Jupiter Coffee and Donuts gives the call of "Hot glaze!" to let staff know this batch is ready to sell. Opposite page: Terri Niederman of the Donut Spot displays her wares.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 13
Amanda Stevison (right) preps a batch of donuts at Mimi's in Hamilton, while employees at Holtman's in West Chester serve them up by the dozen (bottom). Meanwhile, an employee at Jupiter uses a cutter (left) to start the next batch.
Grab your Butler County Donut Trail Passport, complete the journey, and earn your SWEET Donut Trail T-shirt.
Which shop will be your favorite?
Continued from page 12
Dayton (30 min.)
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1518 Central Ave., Middletown, OH 45044
66
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Holtman’s Donuts
9558 Civic Centre Blvd., West Chester, OH 45069
Milton’sDonuts Donuts Milton’s
10
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Mimi’s Donuts & Bakery
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The Donut Dude
Oxford Doughnut Shoppe Hamilton, OH 45013
12
3533 Blvd., 3533Roosevelt Roosevelt Blvd Middletown, OH 45044
Middletown, OH 45044
7
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Cincinnati (20 min.)
Pastry Pastry Shop Shop 1 Central 1518 Central Ave. 1
(90 min.)
6
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177
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Ross
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7967 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., 7967 Cincinnati Dayton Rd. West Chester, OH 45069 West Chester, OH 45069 7132 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., Liberty Township, OH 45069
2 Holtman’s Donuts 7 Mimi’s Donuts & Bakery 11 The Donut Dude 9558 Civic Centre Blvd 2267 Millville Ave. 7132 Cincinnati Dayton Rd. 3
Jupiter Coffee & Donuts
West OH 45069 5353 Chester, Dixie Hwy.,
8
Fairfield, OH 45014
2267 Millville Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013 (Optional) 120 S. Locust St., Oxford, OH 45056
The Donut Hole by Milton’s Liberty Township, OH 45069 8268 Princeton Glendale Rd., West Chester, OH 45069
Coffee & Donuts 8 Oxford Doughnut Shoppe 12 The DonutSpot Hole by Milton’s Kelly’s Bakery The Donut 3 Jupiter 5353 Dixie Hwy. (optional stop) 8268 Princeton Glendale Rd. 4
1335 Main St.,
Hamilton, OH OH 45013 Fairfield, 45014
5
4
Martin’s Donuts
Kelly’s Bakery
4 W. State St., Trenton, OH 45067
Ross Bakery
9A 9B
120 S.Eaton Locust St. Ave., 1051 45013 or OH45056 Hamilton, Oxford, OH 4421 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013
Ross Bakery
13
5148 Pleasant Ave.,
Fairfield, OH 45014 West Chester, OH 45069
13
The Donut Spot
1335 Main St. 5148 Pleasant Ave. 9A Hamilton, OH Visitors 45013 Bureau 1051 Eaton Ave. Fairfield, OH 45014 Butler County 8756 Union Centre Blvd., West Chester, OH 45069 OR Download your Butler County Donut4421 TrailHamilton Passport,Cleves and Rd. fun things to do9B along the way OH at BCDonutTrail.com Hamilton, 45013 4 W. more State St. 5discover Trenton, OH 45067
Martin’s Donuts
For information, visit www.gettothebc.com/donut-trail or call the Donut Trail concierge line at 513-860-0917.
they created a donut to mark that occasion — the Miami Maple Merger, crafted with maple fluff and candied pecans. Wallis relates that story as she’s turning over raised donuts in hot oil. She shocks bystanders by suddenly screaming out, “Hot glaze!” “That way, the staff out in front knows that the donuts are about to be glazed, and we can start selling them now,” she says. Across town at the Donut Spot, Niederman has been making donuts for two decades. She says the trail has been good for business, although locals don’t need any help finding her. On a recent Valentine’s Day she sold more than 1,500 specialty donuts in addition to many dozens of the glazed variety. “Butler County has a lot of donut shops per capita,” she says. “It’s unbelievable the number of donuts we can run through.” Niederman’s sister, Diana Ramsey, owns another stop on the trail: Kelly’s Bakery in Hamilton, where the specialty of the house is Kelly Bread — essentially a huge, pull-apart glazed donut with cinnamon icing. About 31/2 miles southwest, Mimi’s Donuts and Bakery is tucked in a nondescript strip center adjacent to the Millville Cemetery, where owner Sherry Richardson opened the store in 2015 after retiring as a police officer. Mimi’s makes a tempting cake-style treat, filled with peanut butter and covered with chocolate icing and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup pieces. While many of the Donut Trail stops are nestled in quiet retail centers, there’s nothing subtle about Holtman’s — the West Chester location of the Cincinnati-based chain that’s on the trail is surrounded by huge retail developments, such as Top Golf and Ikea, as well as several chain hotels and restaurants. Holtman’s has been around for 60 years and has earned its strong reputation by making everything from scratch each day. You can watch much of the magic happen through a large window. Holtman’s isn’t afraid to top their donuts — with bacon, children’s cereal, sprinkles, you name it. While it’s possible to complete the trail in a day, travelers along the trail don’t have to finish the circuit in one trip to earn the T-shirt. Check Facebook pages for daily hours of your planned stops before you go, and remember that some of the shops will close early if they sell out that day’s goodies.
14 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
GOOD EATS
Easy
pantry meals Sometimes, you just need to pull dinner together at the last minute. Here are some easy dishes that come together quickly and use ingredients you likely have on hand. RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY CATHERINE MURRAY
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 15
ITALIAN POLENTA BOWL
15-MINUTE BLACK BEAN SOUP (From page 15)
Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Servings: 6 3 (15.25-ounce) cans black ½ cup water beans, not drained 1 teaspoon ground cumin 24 ounces (3 cups) mild ½ teaspoon garlic powder chunky salsa ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 15-ounce can corn, drained
Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes | Servings: 4 1 tablespoon olive oil 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 pound boneless, skinless 3.8-ounce can sliced black chicken breast olives, drained 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth separated 4 cups water 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, drained 1 cup instant polenta and rinsed ½ teaspoon black pepper 14-ounce can quartered 2 ounces goat cheese (optional) artichoke hearts
Pour black beans into a large pot. Mash about 1/3 of the beans against the side of the pot. Add in rest of ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring regularly. Finish with your favorite toppings, such as corn chips, sour cream, avocado, or cheddar cheese.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons of the Italian seasoning and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until cooked through. Remove from skillet; let cool for a minute, then cut into strips. Cover chicken and set aside. Using the same skillet, simmer together the chickpeas, artichoke hearts, diced tomatoes, black olives, and broth. Add chicken strips and heat through. Meanwhile, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium pot. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in instant polenta and black pepper. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. When ready, pour polenta into serving bowls, then top with chicken mixture and crumbled goat cheese (optional).
Per serving: 559 calories, 7 grams fat (1 gram saturated fat), 0 milligrams cholesterol, 1,310 milligrams sodium, 112 grams total carbohydrates, 24 grams fiber, 26 grams protein.
Per serving: 868 calories, 22 grams fat (5.5 grams saturated fat), 84 milligrams cholesterol, 689 grams sodium, 111 grams total carbohydrates, 29 grams fiber, 61 grams protein.
16 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
PUMPKIN SPICE PANCAKES WITH SWEET SYRUP Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 6 2 cups flour 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ¼ cup packed brown sugar 1 cup canned pumpkin 2 teaspoons baking powder 1½ cups + 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted ½ teaspoon salt In a large bowl, sift together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice. Stir to incorporate. In a medium bowl, whisk canned pumpkin, 11/2 cups milk, butter, egg yolks, and vinegar. Fold wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold whites into batter, careful to stir as little as possible. Grease and heat skillet over medium heat (300 F in an electric skillet). Pour 1/3 cup batter into skillet.
2 eggs, separated 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ½ cup (7 ounces) sweetened condensed milk ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Cook pancakes about 3 minutes per side. Try flipping the first pancake a few times to get a sense of the best cook time. Cook remaining pancakes. To make syrup, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl. Serve immediately. Per serving: 386 calories, 10 grams fat (5.5 grams saturated fat), 81 milligrams cholesterol, 530 milligrams sodium, 64 grams total carbohydrates, 2.5 grams fiber, 11 grams protein.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 17
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 6 to 8 16-ounce box rotini pasta 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided 5 tablespoons unsalted butter ¾ cup frozen peas, thawed 1 tablespoon dried minced onion 4 ounces canned mushrooms, drained (optional) 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 12-ounce cans tuna in water, 2 cups milk drained 10.75-ounce can condensed ¼ cup bread crumbs cream of mushroom soup Cook rotini pasta according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease 9 x 13-inch baking dish. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter with the dried onion. Add flour and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until flour begins to brown and have a nutty smell. Slowly whisk in milk, then whisk in cream of mushroom soup until sauce thickens. Add ½ cup of the cheddar cheese, stirring until melted. Stir in rotini, peas, mushrooms, and tuna. Pour into casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Melt remaining butter and toss with the bread crumbs. Scatter crumbs over cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until crumb topping is nicely browned. Per serving: 631 calories, 25 grams fat (13 grams saturated fat), 147 milligrams cholesterol, 666 milligrams sodium, 58 grams total carbohydrates, 1.5 grams fiber, 42 grams protein.
Have you tried one of our recipes? Do you have a recipe to share with other Ohio co-op members? Visit the Member Interactive page on www.ohiocoopliving. com to find recipes submitted by our readers and to upload yours.
www.ohiocoopliving.com While you’re there, see a video of some of our tasty dishes being prepared. 18 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Committed to a cooperative culture
for all
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is different. As a cooperative, our business model sets us apart from other utilities because we are guided by seven cooperative principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, equality, inclusiveness, and service to the greater good of the community.
Electric cooperatives, including Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, have a unique and storied place in our country’s history. We brought electricity to rural areas when for-profit electric companies determined the effort was too costly. Back then, cities were electrified, and rural areas were not, creating the original rural-urban divide. Newly established electric lines helped power economic opportunity in rural areas. Today, that spirit of equality and inclusion is a vital part of our co-op.
Equal access for all When Butler Rural Electric Cooperative was founded 85 years ago, over 500 people met at the Hamilton YMCA to discuss forming an electric cooperative. Each member paid a membership fee of $5, contributing an equal share to gain access to electricity that benefited families as well as the local community. Each member had an equal vote in co-op matters. That sense of equality and inclusion is still how we operate today. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative was built by and belongs to the communities and members we serve. Membership is open to everyone in our service territory, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Every member has an equal voice and vote when it comes to co-op governance. This ties back to our guiding principles of equitable economic participation and democratic control of the co-op.
We encourage all members to vote in our board of trustees election each year, and we invite all members to weigh in on discussions that set co-op policies and priorities, like the fiber internet project with Cincinnati Bell, Butler Rural Community Solar, and the electric vehicle charger at our office.
Robert Hoelle VICE PRESIDENT, BOARD OF
We know members of our TRUSTEES community have different needs and perspectives, and we welcome diverse views on all issues under consideration by the co-op. The more viewpoints we hear, the better we are able to reflect the needs of all corners of our community.
Inclusion While our top priority is providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity, we also want to be a catalyst for good in our community. Because we are your local electric cooperative, we invest in our community through scholarship programs, Butler Rural Community Solar, the Holiday Harvest Food Drive, and more. We strive to make long-term decisions that improve and enrich the communities we serve. While today’s world is radically different than it was when Butler Rural Electric Cooperative was founded, our values have stood the test of time and remain just as relevant today. We recognize that today’s co-op members expect more, and my pledge to you — the members we proudly serve — is to promote a cooperative culture of inclusion, diversity, and equality for all.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 19
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Holiday Harvest Food Drive Annual food drive contributes $1,200 to local food banks Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s Holiday Harvest Food Drive was a little different this year as the cooperative continues to keep our employees safe while responding to the needs in our community.
The Open Hands Food Pantry in Hamilton, Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services in Oxford, and Ross and Morgan Ministries in Hamilton each received $400 to purchase items to distribute to those in need.
The need for local food banks is greater now more than ever before because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help keep local food pantries stocked, the cooperative made monetary donations to local organizations instead of collecting donations in our office. Members and employees also donated food, personal care items, and clothes to these organizations.
Thank you to these organizations for responding to the needs in our community and thank you to cooperative members, trustees, and employees who donated to the 2020 Holiday Harvest Food Drive. These donations assisted many local families during the holiday season.
Thank you for helping local families in need during the holidays!
Cooperative employees deliver gifts to Woodland Country Manor Each year, cooperative employees enjoy celebrating the holidays with the residents and staff at Woodland Country Manor during the annual St. Nicholas party in December. Woodland Country Manor is a nursing facility that is a commercial member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. While we couldn’t celebrate in person this year, cooperative employees enjoyed dropping off gifts to residents to help spread some holiday cheer. Thank you to the staff at Woodland Country Manor and to all essential employees, who continue to ensure our community stays healthy and safe. From left, cooperative employees Kara Hendrickson and Emily Bourne.
20 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
HOW YOUR THERMOSTAT AFFECTS YOUR ELECTRIC BILL One of the largest influences on your home’s energy use is the weather. Cold winter temps can cause your heating system to run often, which can result in high winter bills. How much weather affects your electric bills depends on many factors, including your home’s original construction materials, insulation, and air leaks. Personal comfort plays a role too, as does the difference between the thermostat setting inside and the temperature outside. During especially cold or hot days, your heating and cooling system has to work hard because of the temperature gap between the exterior and interior of your home. Let’s say you keep your thermostat set to 70 degrees year-round. If temperatures reach 85 degrees in the summer, there would be a 15 degree gap between the temperature inside your home and the temperature outside. This gap becomes smaller when temperatures cool during the nighttime, so your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard to overcome the difference. Winter is a different story. The same thermostat setting of 70 degrees would have a daytime gap of 40 degrees if the outside temperature is in the 30s. When the sun sets, temperatures drop and the gap increases. If temperatures dip into the 20s, your heating system is working against a 50 degree difference. That temperature gap would be equivalent to a 120 degree summer day!
Receiving a bill that is higher than expected can be surprising and distressing. Learning how to monitor and manage your electric use can help you take charge of your electric bills. While we can’t control the weather, you can wisely use electricity by following these tips to help save energy and money this winter.
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees. You can maximize your energy savings by setting the temperature even lower, to 65 degrees at night and when you are away from home for more than a few hours.
Don’t use space heaters. Using space heaters may cost a lot more than you think. Avoid purchasing or using space heaters that claim to be energy efficient. Using one 1,500-watt space heater for eight hours a day costs $48.60 per month! Find out how much space heaters add to your electric bill by using the space heater calculator on our website, butlerrural.coop > Save Energy & Money > Home Energy Calculators.
Use SmartHub to analyze how you’re using electricity. SmartHub can be used for much more than paying your bill and reporting power outages. SmartHub provides insights into your electric use and allows you to compare energy use over time and against weather data. More information about tracking your energy use through SmartHub is on the next page. Get the free SmartHub app by visiting butlerrural.coop > My Account > SmartHub.
DID YOU KNOW? SmartHub shows you how the temperature might have affected your bill. Download the free SmartHub app at butlerrural.coop.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20A
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Track your energy use through SmartHub’s Usage Explorer 4
2 1 Usage (kilowatt-hours)
3
You can use the Usage Explorer in SmartHub to understand your home’s energy patterns and to get an idea of how to conserve electricity. The Usage Explorer provides members with their electricity use data on a monthly, daily, and hourly basis. The Usage Explorer allows members to: • Access their home’s energy use history. • Monitor how changes in temperature impact energy use. • Troubleshoot malfunctioning items that may be using more energy than normal. Here is an example of how one member monitors their daily energy consumption using the Usage Explorer. Get the free SmartHub app at butlerrural.coop > My Account > SmartHub.
1. It was cold outside, but we kept the thermostat low. If we had turned the thermostat up when it was cold, our electricity use would have been even higher. The greater the difference between the temperature outside and our thermostat inside,
20B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
the harder our system has to work to keep the house warm.
2. Our kids were home for the weekend. It’s amazing how much energy we used these few days, but we did a lot of baking, took plenty of hot showers and baths, and used the dryer a lot. Ovens, hot water heaters, and dryers are appliances that use a lot of energy.
3. We went on a short vacation. While we were away, we put the lights on timers and turned the heating system down so it would cycle less. It made a difference, but the fridge, water heater, and electronics still used energy.
4. There was a problem with our heating system. It wasn’t very cold outside, but our energy use was high. We found out our heating system wasn’t working properly, which caused our bill to be higher than usual. I will sign up for Usage Alerts through SmartHub at butlerrural.coop > My Account > Power Usage Alerts so I can catch problems like this sooner in the future.
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Upgrades at
THE HUESTON WOODS LODGE Hueston Woods Lodge and Conference Center is under renovation as the roof of the 92-room lodge is replaced. The renovation project is estimated to cost $3.3 million and also includes exterior work and minor structural repairs. Other than routine maintenance, this is the first major renovation to the lodge since 1991, when a new front entryway was added, and 1999, when an elevator was added. The lodge’s original cedar shake roof was constructed in 1967. The roof was beyond its useful lifespan and exposed the building to water leaks. It is being replaced with a roof made of synthetic plastic material that is guaranteed to last at least 50 years. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has provided electricity to the lodge since 1969. The cooperative has also served Hueston Woods State Park since 1954. The state park was the cooperative’s second commercial account. The cooperative sponsors the annual Fireworks Extravaganza over Hueston Woods’ Acton Lake and also hosts our
annual golf outing to benefit Community Connection at the park’s golf course. The 92,300-square-foot lodge is the centerpiece of the 3,000-acre state park, which is five miles north of Oxford. The lodge includes guest rooms, dining facilities, conference facilities, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor swimming pool, and access to all other park amenities. The state park’s property features cabins, campsites, canoeing, fishing, fossil hunting, golfing, hiking, paintball, disc golf, miniature golf, and an 18-hole championship golf course. The lodge offers different dining options for those visiting from near and far, and carryout is also available. The Smokehouse at Hueston Woods Lodge is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Specials include weekend breakfasts, an all-you-can-eat fish fry on Friday nights, and incredible holiday meals. Large groups are welcome. For a more casual dining experience, the Continued on page 20D
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20C
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Upgrades at the Hueston Woods Lodge Continued from page 20C
Johnny Appleseed Lounge offers cocktails, sandwiches, and great pizza. The lodge has remained open during the renovation project. If you are planning to visit, keep in mind that the busiest season at the state park is April through October. It is recommended that guests wanting to stay during the peak season make reservations 12 months in advance. Special rates and getaway packages are available. To learn more about Hueston Woods, visit huestonwoodslodge.com.
Hueston Woods Lodge, shown here during Christmastime, has a massive stone fireplace and large windows that overlook the 625acre Acton Lake. Photo by Justin Harris. Photos courtesy of Great Ohio Lodges.
BURIED IN A STACK OF BILLS? SmartHub can help! Auto Pay Save time and money by signing up for Auto Pay with your checking or savings account. Auto Pay automatically deducts the amount due on your bill from your checking or savings account each month on the day after the due date. To sign up for AutoPay, visit butlerrural.coop to log in to SmartHub or log in using the mobile app. Click on “Billings & Payments” and “Auto Pay Program.” On the right side of the page, click on “Sign Up For Auto Pay” and then “Bank Account.” Follow the instructions and continue paying your bill until your statement reads “Automatic Payment – DO NOT PAY!”
Paperless billing Get your bills automatically sent to your email each month with no paper bill to mess with. Log into your SmartHub account and click on “My Profile” and “Update My Printed Bill Settings,” then move the “Printed Bill Status” to OFF on the right side of the page. 20D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Upgrade these kitchen appliances to save energy and money Suppose you have a kitchen full of old appliances but a budget to replace just one — which will get you the most value for your money?
efficient models available. Sometimes the energy use of an older fridge can be reduced by replacing the seal around the door.
Most new appliances use much less energy than they did in the past. Manufacturers have found innovative ways to reduce appliance energy use without sacrificing performance. The federal government began tightening appliance standards in the 1980s and has continued as technological innovations became more cost-effective.
When you’re looking to replace an old fridge, style counts. A top-freezer setup is the most efficient, while a lower-freezer unit offers medium savings. A side-by-side style is the least energy efficient.
It may seem like the oldest appliance should go first. That may make sense if you want the looks and features of a newer oven or dishwasher, but with most appliances, the energy savings you get from a new one will take several years to pay for itself with the energy saved.
Upgrade your fridge to cut down on energy costs The appliance replacement most likely to produce the greatest energy savings is your refrigerator. An older fridge can cost about $20 to run every month. Replacing an old fridge with a new ENERGY STAR-rated model can cut that down to less than $5 a month. The ENERGY STAR label certifies that the appliance saves energy. New refrigerators will include an additional label, the Energy Guide label, which shows how much energy it uses annually and compares that to the most and least
If your goal is to save money on your energy bill, resist the urge to keep the old fridge in the basement or garage. An old fridge in an uninsulated garage on a hot summer day can use a lot of energy. Consider unplugging or selling the old fridge instead. Maybe you just need more freezer space. If so, consider the most efficient freezer you can find. You can find recommendations at energystar.gov.
Consider upgrading your dishwasher, too If your current fridge is in good condition, another appliance you may want to consider upgrading is the dishwasher. With most of us spending more time at home these days, chances are you’re using your dishwasher more than you used to. As with any major purchase, be sure to read customer reviews for any brands and models you’re considering, and look for additional opportunities to save money, like an upcoming Presidents Day appliance sale. FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20E
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Fiber internet from Cincinnati Bell Butler Rural Electric Cooperative and Cincinnati Bell have partnered to allow Cincinnati Bell to expand its fiber network and begin delivering high-speed Fioptics internet to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s members. Cincinnati Bell will notify members as addresses become eligible for internet. Cincinnati Bell is also providing fiber-based services to the cooperative’s substations and other equipment to enhance reliability. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s employees will not be involved in the fiber construction, maintenance, or set-up for fiber services. The cooperative will not have any Cincinnati Bell account information once services are installed.
to your bill from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Members will be billed directly by Cincinnati Bell. Cincinnati Bell’s pricing depends on many factors, like location and promotional offers. Speaking with Cincinnati Bell after fiber is available at your location will give you the most accurate pricing information. Members will receive a piece of mail with information about how to sign up for Fioptics internet from Cincinnati Bell once fiber construction is completed in their area. Cincinnati Bell employees may also visit member homes once fiber is available. Members residing in Frontier Communications Telephone service territory are not eligible for Fioptics TV from Cincinnati Bell. These members will be offered YouTube streaming services, which includes local stations. We understand some members will not have access to internet after the project is complete. Our hope is that the project will help reduce the cost of fiber expansion in the future. We will continue to look for ways to make fiber available to all members.
Visit cincinnatibell.com/special-pages/ BREC to find out if your home will have access to Fioptics internet. Cincinnati Bell will complete all of the work to install fiber and will calculate the rates and charges for Fioptics internet. Cincinnati Bell’s services will not be added
We are aware that electric cooperatives in other parts of Ohio and the country are providing fiber internet to their members. The cooperative has chosen not to sell and install fiber internet. We are committed to doing what is best for our members and the local community.
Fiber availability To find out if your home or business will have access to Fioptics internet, visit cincinnatibell.com/specialpages/BREC to submit your address and contact information. Members should only complete the form once. If your address is not part of the current agreement, Cincinnati Bell will add it to a database of interested members.
Bill credit winners
Virtual annual meeting
$50 bill credit winners are randomly selected from the entire cooperative membership each month. Congratulations to the December winners — Leroy Hudson, Tara Hunt, Dennis Link, Peter Reising, and Kikuko Williams!
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the annual meeting on April 29 will be held virtually. More information about the annual meeting will be in upcoming issues of Ohio Cooperative Living magazine.
20F OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Celebrate with us! e Bu
er
tl
Cooperative employees and trustees recognized that member education was invaluable in the 1950s. At this point, most homes in Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s service territory had electricity, but the idea of cooking with electricity was still fairly new. Kitchen demonstrations were conducted to help members learn to cook effectively with electric appliances. The cooperative’s
In the 50s, the cooperative hosted kitchen demonstrations to help members learn to cook with electric appliances.
tiv
Cooperatives around the world operate according to the same set of core principles and values. These seven principles are a key reason why electric cooperatives operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of our members first. The fifth cooperative principle focuses on educating and training members, board members, and employees to help them effectively contribute to the development of the cooperative. Communicating about the benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, helps boost cooperative understanding.
office even had a kitchen to use for demonstrations, and instructors also gave demonstrations during the Butler County Fair in 4-H tents.
ra
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is celebrating our 85th anniversary in 2021!
Ru
ral
o Ele ctric C
op
e
SHARE YOUR
family heirloom recipes
There’s no doubt electricity made cooking and baking a snap 85 years ago. We’re asking members to share their favorite family recipes to help celebrate the cooperative’s 85th anniversary. Recipes will be shared in Ohio Cooperative Living magazine and on the cooperative’s social media pages. Submit recipes by email to butler@butlerrural.coop or by mail to the cooperative’s office, 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road, Oxford, Ohio 45056.
WIN A KITCHENAID STAND MIXER, INSTANT POT, OR AIR FRYER IF YOUR RECIPE IS SHARED IN THE MAGAZINE!
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20G
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
How to avoid solar energy scams Solar energy is booming, and the future is brighter than ever. Through the use of solar panels, many homeowners can now harness the sun’s natural rays to produce their own electricity that’s environmentally friendly and cost effective. With the increasing popularity of solar, unfortunately, some businesses are taking advantage of consumers who are interested in generating their own energy through rooftop panels. While many solar companies are genuine and truly want to help consumers with a successful solar installation, there are the occasional bad apples. You’ve likely heard a story or two about solar vendors who promised rooftop panels that would generate enough electricity to power the entire home. Then, after the homeowner has paid thousands of dollars for the installation, the solar panels aren’t working, and the vendor is nowhere to be found. Sadly, this story has been the reality for many consumers.
Consider these tips before installing solar panels: • Talk to us first! Butler Rural Electric Cooperative should be one of your first contacts when
considering solar. We can answer basic questions, provide resources and materials, and direct you to reputable websites. We want you to feel confident about any decisions you make about your home energy use, especially decisions about generating energy at home. We also have answers to frequently asked questions about solar, steps to take before installing solar, and more information on our website, butlerrural.coop > Electric Service > Renewable Energy. • Make your home as energy efficient as possible before installing solar. Adding insulation, sealing air leaks, and completing other projects makes sense for several reasons. You can cut your energy costs, and you’ll be able to reduce the system size needed for your home. • Collect at least three quotes from different solar companies to ensure you’re getting a competitive deal. As with any major purchase, research is key, so thoroughly read customer reviews for each of the solar vendors you are considering. You can create a list of companies from website research,
TIPS FOR AVOIDING SOLAR SCAMS As the popularity of rooftop solar panels increases, so do solar scams. Here are a few tips to consider before you install a solar PV system for your home.
• Talk to your electric co-op first. We can offer guidance and recommendations. • Get at least three quotes from solar companies, and thoroughly read their reviews. • Avoid solar companies that use high-pressure tactics. • Don’t believe unrealistic promises. • Only sign clear, easy-to-understand contracts.
20H OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
Continued on page 21
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
How to stop annoying retail choice calls Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned utility. We provide at-cost electric service to our members, while investor-owned utilities maximize profits for shareholders. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative buys electricity from Buckeye Power, the not-for-profit wholesale supplier for Ohio’s 25 distribution electric cooperatives. By doing so, the cooperative offers members stable rates, as opposed to purchasing power on the fluctuating open market. Because we own our sources of generation, we give members the lowest possible rate without any gimmicks, surprises, or limited-time offers.
Telemarketers who contact electric cooperative members and insist you can switch electric providers could be in violation of the law. However, we have heard that many Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members continue to receive these marketing calls. Unfortunately, the cooperative is unable to remove our members from contact lists to stop these annoying calls. One of the best ways to avoid telemarketing calls is to enroll in the national Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.
Customers served by investor-owned utilities can choose the generation provider for their electricity but are unable to choose their distribution provider. Municipal customers and members of electric cooperatives across the country cannot choose who they receive electricity from. As a cooperative member, you do not have to face the volatile electric energy market like customers of investorowned utilities. Our members regulate the cooperative and vote for members of the board of trustees, who are cooperative members just like you. You should not receive calls or solicitations from competitive retail electric service providers.
Avoid telemarketing calls by enrolling in the national Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.
How to avoid solar energy scams Continued from page 20H
• local or state Better Business Bureaus, renewable energy associations, the Ohio Attorney General’s office, and extension service staff. You can review our fact sheet, “Questions to Ask a Solar Contractor,” by visiting butlerrural.coop > Electric Service > Renewable Energy. • If you speak to a solar vendor and they use highpressure tactics, like an offer that’s only good for 24 hours, run! Any reputable company will recognize that you need time to review a proposal and thoroughly weigh your decision. • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If a company is making promises that sound
unachievable and outlandish, they probably are. Remember, if you have any questions, you can always contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative for advice. • Finally, when it’s time to review and sign a solar contract, make sure the language is clear and easy to understand. If possible, ask a contract specialist or lawyer to review the contract before signing. Going solar is a major decision, so you’ll want to conduct a good bit of research first. If you’re looking for a general starting point, check out the resources on our website, butlerrural.coop > Electric Service > Renewable Energy.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 21
BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Thank you!
Ross Township Board of Trustees thank members for Community Connection grant
Dear Butler Rural Community Connection, On behalf of the Ross Township Board of Trustees, I would like to thank you for the grant for a grave marker at the Ross Township Scatter Garden. Ohio townships are required to pay for the burial or cremation of a body that is not claimed or is indigent. In order to meet that obligation, Ross Township has land that is designated as the Ross Township Scatter Garden. The grave marker will indicate the name, date of birth, and date of death of any Ross Township resident whose remains are scattered there. Thank you, again, for the Community Connection grant. Sincerely, Keith Ballauer President, Ross Township Board of Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Thomas McQuiston PRESIDENT
Robert Hoelle
Tom Wolfenbarger GENERAL MANAGER
Jade Guthrie COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVE
VICE PRESIDENT
CONTACT
David Evans
513-867-4400 | 800-255-2732 butlerrural.coop
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Thomas Humbach
OFFICE
William Foster Jr. Jay Hasbrook Ronald Kolb James Meador Robert Spaeth Michael Tilton
3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 OFFICE HOURS
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
22 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
ATTORNEY
TRUSTEES
SMARTHUB
Access your electric use and pay your bill 24/7 through SmartHub at butlerrural.coop.
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He who smelted it The process for obtaining aluminum was invented in an Oberlin backyard. BY CRAIG SPRINGER
A
s you peel the aluminum wrapper as thin as onion skin from your Valentine’s Day candy, you can thank the inventor, chemist, and capitalist Charles Hall. His story is a sweet one that has nothing to do with love or chocolate, directly. Instead, it’s one born of an affection for knowledge and from an inquisitive mind, one driven to invent. Thompson, Ohio, native Charles Hall discovered by experimentation the process that reduces aluminum from its ore to the malleable metal that swaddles your candy or can be put to use in any of thousands of ways. It all started in Ohio in February 135 years ago. What is today a most common metal was, prior to 1886, a semi-precious commodity more expensive than silver. Aluminum does not occur in nature in a metallic form, say, like gold or silver, but it is the third-most-common metal in the world in its ore form, called bauxite. Where there is clay, you can probably find bauxite — it’s that common. Aluminum oxides have long been used to harden clay pots, as evidenced in Persian pottery. It’s found in ancient Egyptian cosmetics and medicines. In more modern times, the metal was commonly used in lighting rods for fire prevention, given the ease at which it conducts electricity. In fact, a 6-pound, 9-inch pyramid of aluminum was set atop the Washington Monument in 1884 just for that purpose. The cost of that pyramid is unknown, but had it been constructed two years later, its cost would have been far less: Reducing aluminum’s ore to a metal was labor-intensive and expensive before a 23-yearold Hall — working in a shed in his parents’ Oberlin
24 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
The Hall process produces aluminum with a purity of above 99%, such as in the billets above. Before Charles Hall came up with the process, which involves running an electrical current through molten bauxite to separate its components (left), aluminum was considered a precious metal, rarer than gold or silver (photo by Maksim Gusev/Getty Images).
backyard — happened upon what is now called the Hall method for reducing globs of ore to metal by applying electric current. Hall was in the spring of life during the Civil War. He was one of eight siblings, the son of parents engaged in the ministry. At the outbreak of the war, the family returned from a foreign mission in Jamaica to Thompson, and there, Charles was born. He came of age at a time of rapid change in science, and his innovation in metallurgy fell in that milieu. Charles Hall became interested in chemistry as a boy, spurred by his father’s books on the subject. He entered Oberlin College at age 16 and eventually intersected with a professor of chemistry, Frank Jewett, who mentored the young student. Hall and Jewett experimented in the professor’s lab with aluminum reduction using heat and electricity, but met with no great success. After graduation, Hall continued his experiments in an outbuilding behind his parents’ home. With a small furnace that produced high heat, an elaborate array of batteries, and much trial and error, Hall eventually extracted the Continued on page 26
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 25
Charles Hall is commemorated with a statue not of bronze, but aluminum, on the campus of Oberlin College in Lorain County.
Continued from page 25
lightweight metal from an admixture of salts and clays. The discovery created an entirely new industry. Hall secured a patent, and he went from an Oberlin shed to a nearby mecca of metal reduction: Pittsburgh. The then 25-year-old chemist secured financial backing to produce aluminum on an industrial scale. His Pittsburgh Reduction Company got off the ground and found new markets for the newly affordable metal. The ease of Hall’s reduction method dropped the price of aluminum like, well, an aluminum ingot sinks in a pond. Hall’s Pittsburgh Reduction Company in 1907 became the Aluminum Company of America, perhaps better known as ALCOA, and he became a wealthy man and philanthropist. Hall died in 1914, unmarried and without children. He left vast amounts of money to charity. Inexpensive aluminum found its use in electrical transmission, cookware, machinery, and aircraft. Aluminum was the primary structural component of a new U.S. Navy rigid airship endeavor in 1922 and would frame countless aircraft during the Second World War. Charles Hall is remembered not in bronze, but aluminum, on the Oberlin College campus. His likeness looks contemplatively at an aluminum globule and holds a chemistry book — memorializing a man with an inventive mind and a heart for charity. 26 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
John Wayne: heroic charge
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Hero dogs
Ohio golden retrievers are helping all dogs live healthier lives. STORY BY MARGARET BURANEN PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIM AND SCOTT FAULK
28 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
Nine-year-old Montana (above and at left on the opposite page with Kim Faulk and Montana’s late brother, Spenser) is part of a nationwide study about golden retrievers that researchers hope will benefit all dog breeds.
G
olden retrievers are beautiful and affectionate dogs. They’re great with children and get along with other dogs and, usually, cats. Those characteristics make them among the most popular dog breeds. Sadly, more than half of them develop cancer, which is in fact the leading cause of death in all dogs age 2 and older. That’s why, in 2012, the Morris Animal Foundation launched one of the largest, longest-running animal-health studies in history. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) enrolled 3,044 dogs to be followed for their entire lives. The researchers’ aim is to discover nutritional, environmental, and other risk factors for cancer and other major health problems in all dogs. The owners and their veterinarians collect health and behavior information on every dog for the researchers. In Ohio, 102 golden retrievers were enrolled in the study. Among them is Montana, now 9, who lives in Oberlin with his owners, Kim and Scott Faulks, members of LorainMedina Rural Electric Cooperative. Montana was a full brother to Ryder, the Faulks’ first golden retriever. “Ryder gave us three wonderful years,” says Kim Faulk. “He was never upset or angry, always loving and trusting.” The Faulks were devasted when Ryder died of cancer at only 3 years old. Ryder is the reason that Montana is a “Hero,” which is what GRLS participants are called.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 29
Scott Faulk sits in the bed of his truck with Montana. Montana is a golden retriever “Hero” who is part of a study about the breed’s susceptibility to cancer. The Faulks enrolled Montana in the study after their first golden, Ryder, died of cancer at only 3 years old.
“We thought it was a great idea to enroll his full brother in the study,” Faulk says. “We wanted to see if we could get some answers.”
health of our pets,” Douds says. “I wasn’t able to go into research after graduation, so at least this may help make up for a part of that.”
The Faulks’ third golden retriever, Spenser, was a GRLS Hero, too. Sadly, Spenser (named for the Spenser: For Hire mystery series) also died of cancer about a year ago.
Since the GRLS began, Douds has cared for four golden retrievers, owned by three different clients. Two of the dogs succumbed to cancer.
“Spenser was a joy,” Faulk recalls. “He had the cutest puppy face until the day he died.”
Douds says the participating veterinarians submit multiple samples of hair, nails, urine, and blood. There is an extensive questionnaire to fill out online after every visit, and many owners find it easier to leave their dog at the office for part of the day, since the process takes a while.
“We’ve lost two retrievers to this horrible thing,” she says. “My husband and I — and Montana — are giving back, and that’s all we can do.” Besides Montana and their golden retriever puppy, Jake, the Faulks have three cats: LuWeeze, Inky, and Rambo, who, incidentally, all adore Montana. The GRLS dogs’ owners must keep detailed records about the dogs’ diet, behavior, sleeping habits, and more. They fill out an annual questionnaire that Faulk says takes two to three hours to complete. “They want to know about chemicals you use at home, whether or not you put chemicals on your lawn, and other environmental information,” she says. The owners’ other major commitment is to make sure the dogs get needed medical care and a thorough annual physical from a veterinarian, who also contributes to the study. The Faulks’ animals are cared for by Dr. John Douds of Douds Veterinary Hospital in Oberlin, where Faulk works as a pet groomer. “I really feel like it’s a privilege as a private practitioner to be able to make a significant difference in the future
30 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
“The study requests seem to change a little from year to year as the scientists keep learning new facts,” he says. Douds describes the GRLS as “the first large-scale prospective study of dogs.” Instead of looking at past records to try to find answers (a retrospective study), this 3,000-dog investigation follows the health of the very young all the way through their end-of-life changes. Douds adds, “Goldens are prone to many types of cancer and are an ideal breed to monitor, because of their size and temperament. Although cancer is the prime target, some very smart people working with the information we send may be able to uncover the genetics and risk factors for many other illnesses in multiple canine breeds.” Faulk is grateful for the GRLS. “Too many people are losing precious pets to cancer,” she says. For more information about the MAF and the GRLS, visit www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/golden-retriever-lifetime-study.
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Streaming consciousness Ohio podcasters share their stories around the world. BY PATTY YODER
A
week after Paula Schleis retired from the Akron Beacon Journal, she received a text message from her nephew:
I know what you’re going to do in retirement — do a podcast with me. Schleis texted back: What’s a podcast?
Podcasts, she soon learned, are digital audio programs that listeners can stream or download. The technology emerged in 2004, allowing people to play internet radio shows on iPods and other early devices — hence the name. Today, Apple’s iTunes is home to more than 1.5 million programs covering nearly every topic imaginable. After several brainstorming sessions, Schleis and her nephew, Stephen Yoder, created Ohio Mysteries, a podcast that explores unsolved crimes, local legends, and interesting stories with an Ohio connection. They use Facebook and Instagram to interact with a growing community of armchair detectives — some of whom occasionally provide additional details or a family connection to that week’s episode. “We’ve told the story of everything from the gold of Minerva to the monsters that live in Lake Erie,” says Yoder, the show’s host and producer. “People sometimes stop me on the street and say, ‘You were talking about my aunt on your show.’” Schleis, the storyteller, relies on her newsroom experience to research each mystery. She has a gift for pulling out details that paint a clear — and sometimes harrowing — picture, as in the 1846 Donner party’s doomed trek west.
Paula Schleis and Stephen Yoder untangle state lore on their Ohio Mysteries podcast.
32 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
Not all stories are grim. The show also explores Wooster’s claim of having the first American Christmas tree and why buzzards visit Hinkley every March 15. To Schleis, Ohio Mysteries is part entertainment and part crowdsourcing unsolved crimes.
Kim Jump, host of OOD Works, interviews horticulturist and business owner Floyd Poruban in his home for episode 9: “Floyd Poruban Runs Successful Nursery.”
“It’s a long shot — it would be like winning the lottery if you can solve a crime that way, but it can happen,” she says. “To us, this is a labor of love.” Mysteries and true crime are popular podcast themes, but they’re not for everyone. Listeners who want a positive boost to their day can look to Kim Jump, creator of the OOD Works podcast, which shares success stories from the state’s Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities. To Jump, OOD’s chief of communications, it’s a platform to connect people to employment, disability determinations, and independence. “The longer format of podcasts allows us to share details, and there’s just something about listening to an individual’s voice that highlights their personalities,” she says. It’s impossible to miss the enthusiasm in an episode featuring Brock Ewing, a Marion resident determined to “prove to the world that just because my eyes don’t work doesn’t mean I can’t do things that you can do or out-achieve the things you do.”
Paula Schleis, a former Akron Beacon Journal reporter, relies on her newsroom experience to research her podcast.
A longtime podcast listener herself, Jump learned the technical aspects of sound mixing and editing by reading articles, watching YouTube videos, and taking online
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 33
Josh White (left) and Tyler Cassidy (not pictured) say they knew they'd made it onto the podcast scene with their mysterybased series when they got their first troll in the comments section.
classes. Building new skills can be frustrating, but Jump says she finds inspiration through OOD clients, who, by necessity, have to find workarounds in everyday life.
“So many crazy events happened in that one location, and when you think things couldn’t get any more bizarre, it gets worse,” White says.
“The individuals we serve are so unique, and they have incredible stories to share,” she says. “It’s an honor to lift them up and reaffirm the progress they’ve made in their lives and celebrate that.”
The longtime friends are surprised by the amount of attention the show has received since its 2020 debut.
Podcast newcomers Josh White and Tyler Cassidy parlayed their love of scary movies and murder-mystery dinners into The One That Got Away, a weekly show about bizarre crimes, with plenty of comic banter (and salty language, so listener beware) thrown in. Their stories span government scandals, giggling grannies, and the infamous Cecil Hotel, home to multiple grisly activities since it opened in 1927.
“We have dedicated fans who message us after the show,” White says. “They’re an off group, kind of like us, and we really enjoy interacting with them.” Listeners around the world give the TOTGA high ratings, and the show once reached the top 200 podcasts in the U.S. and No. 2 in Bolivia, of all places. “The five-star reviews are great, but it was a two-star review that got our attention,” Cassidy says. “We knew we made it when we finally got our first troll.”
Never tried it? Here’s how to listen to a podcast If you have a smartphone, you probably have a podcast app already, or you can download one from Google Play or the App Store. Once it’s installed, use it to browse a list of popular podcasts or search for specific topics, like “Buckeyes” or “NPR.” When you find something that interests you, download individual episodes or subscribe to the entire series.
34 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
No smartphone? Many podcasts have websites that list and stream each episode. If a friend tells you about a can’t-miss story from Ohio Folklore, for example, you can visit www.ohiofolklore.com, select the episode you want to hear, and click “Play.” It will stream right into your computer speakers.
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p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $10 at door; $5 in advance at Tony Packo’s or Walt Churchill Market, or buy online; under 12 free. Talk directly to the experts about your dreams of updating the inside of your home, sprucing up your curb appeal, or building a brand-new home — all under one roof! www. toledohba.com or www.toledohomeshow.com. FEB. 26 – Burning Snowman Fest, 249 E. Perry St., Port Clinton, noon–10 p.m. Say goodbye to those winter blues as you enjoy live bands, local food vendors, craft beers, and the climax of the fest — the burning of a giant snowman! See Facebook page for FEB. 16 – Virtual Tales for Tots, University of Findlay Mazza Museum, online event. A fun storytime tailored entertainment lineup and activities. 419-357-6247, www.facebook.com/BurningSnowman, or https:// for toddlers and preschoolers, with activities, sign putinbay.com/events/burning-snowman. language, and songs. This month’s selected book is Love Monster by Rachel Bright. Video will be posted on MAR. 6–7 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., the museum’s website and Facebook pages at 8 a.m. 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima (2 miles east of Lima on St. on the day of the event. www.mazzamuseum.org. Rte. 309), Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–3 FEB. 19–21 – HBA House and Home Show, SeaGate p.m. $6, members and under 18 free. Over 400 tables of modern and antique guns, edged weapons, Convention Ctr., 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Fri. 3–8
NORTHEAST
THROUGH MAR. 7 – “Colors!” Exhibit, McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, Keller Gallery, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton, Tue.–Sat. 9 a.m.–12 p.m., 1–4 p.m. $8–$10. Features artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection that are grouped by color, ranging from vintage dresses and hats to glassware and china. 330-455-7043 or https:// mckinleymuseum.org/exhibits/keller-gallery. FEB. 13–14, MAR. 13–14 – Medina Gun Show, Medina Co. Fgds. Community Ctr., 735 Lafayette Rd. (St. Rte. 42), Medina, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7. Over 450 tables of displays. 330-9484400 (Jim Conrad) or www.conraddowdell.com. FEB. 14 – Dane Vannatter: “Come to the Cabaret,” online concert, 2 p.m. Free. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Vannatter will sing the romantic songs of Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, and other songwriters of the Great American Songbook. Piano accompaniment by Joe Hunter. Livestream at www. facebook.com/Ormaco.Inc. FEB. 14–16 – Big House Valentine’s Bash, Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, Fri. 6 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $50/person. Preregistration required. Join us for an evening of Just Jazz Live as they present artistic stylings in the
tradition of the Great American Songbook while you enjoy a five-course meal in the historic Big House. Ticket includes a guided tour of the house one hour before the show. 419-892-2929 (Victoria Cochran) or www.malabarfarm.org. FEB. 17 – “Praying Grounds: African American Faith Communities,” Western Reserve Historical Society online event, 6–7 p.m. $10–$15. Part of the “Speaking of Cleveland” lecture series. Historian and author Regennia N. Williams will discuss the evolving role of religion in Black America, based on her ongoing research for the Praying Grounds Oral History Project and her books and other publications. Register for the Zoom event at www.wrhs.org/events/speakingof-cleveland-praying-grounds. FEB. 21 – Flea Market of Collectables, Medina County Fgds. Community Ctr., 735 Lafayette Rd. (St. Rte. 42), Medina, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $2. Early bird special admission, 6–9 a.m., $3. A treasure trove of vintage items and collectables. 330-948-4300 or www. conraddowdell.com. FEB. 26–MAR. 7 – Cleveland Auto Show, IX Center, One I-X Dr., Cleveland. $14, Srs./C. (7–12) $12, under 7 free. Indoor test drives, vehicle giveaway, classic car competition, and other special features. See website for hours and schedule of events. www. clevelandautoshow.com. FEB. 27 – Almost Queen, Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, 8 p.m. $29–$59+. New date; tickets from previous date will be honored. Donning genuine costumes, Almost Queen recaptures the live energy and precision that is the ultimate Queen experience. 330-535-3179 or www.akroncivic.com/shows/206. FEB. 28 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone, Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, 4 p.m. $45–$69+. 330-535-3179 or www.akroncivic.com/ shows/157.
36 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK
and sportsmen equipment. 419-647-0067 or www. tristategunshow.org, MAR. 7 – Virtual Funday Sunday: “Horsin’ Around,” University of Findlay Mazza Museum, online event. Enjoy virtual activities from the familiar organizations and individuals you see during traditional Funday Sundays at the museum. Video will be posted on the museum’s website and Facebook pages at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. Be sure to tune in until the end for a chance to win a Mazza prize pack! www. mazzamuseum.org. MAR. 14 – Family Concert: “Outer Space Symphony,” virtual event, 3 p.m. Blast off for outer space with the Lima Symphony Orchestra. Guided by a young starship captain on the bridge of her ship, take a musical journey to the outer reaches of the solar system and back again, from Star Trek to Star Wars, E.T. to Holst. www.limaciviccenter.com.
MAR. 6–7 – Dave and Ed’s Super Auto Events ProFormance Swap Meet, Stark Co. Fgds., 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton, gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Single day $7, weekend pass $10, under 12 free. Ohio’s largest indoor/outdoor performance meet, featuring vendors selling circle track, drag, sprint, and street parts. Two heated indoor buildings as well as outdoor spaces. 330-477-8506 or www.autoevents.com. MAR. 11–12 – The Adventures of Tortoise and Hare: The Next Generation, Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, Thur./Fri. 7 p.m., Fri. 4 p.m. $30. The show begins with Aesop’s classic fable but continues the story 10 years down the road, now including the new generation. Tortoise Junior and Lil’ Hare enter a whole new kind of race that leads them into unexpected territory. Can the fathers come together to find and save their children? 330-535-3179 or www. akroncivic.com/shows/269. MAR. 13–14 – Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Rocky River Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Large show featuring artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Portion of proceeds benefits local nonprofit Wigs for Kids. www.avantgardeshows.com. MAR. 14 – Any Road, online concert, 2 p.m. Free. The ensemble group’s program will consist of a discussion of the history of American music broadly classified under the umbrella term of “Americana,” from its roots in blues and Appalachian mountain music to the melding with folk and country that characterizes the genre. The group will perform examples of the genre through popular music history featuring instrumentation such as banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, cajón, and washboard. Livestream at www. facebook.com/ormaco.inc.
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling. FEB. 16 – Russian National Ballet Theatre, Secrest Auditorium, 334 Shinnick St, Zanesville, 7–9 p.m. $55. The company will present Romeo and Juliet with music by Tchaikovsky, and Carmen with music by Bizet. 740-588-0871, zanesvilleconcert@gmail.com, Facebook: "Zanesville Concert Association," or www. zanesvilleconcertassociation.org. FEB. 17 – "Classic French Date Night," Franklin Park Conservatory virtual cooking class, 6–7:30 p.m. $20–$25. Traveling to Paris might be out of reach right now, so join us virtually for a delicious French bistro-style dinner! Kristi Crilles will teach you how to pan-fry a tender strip steak with a delicious red wine sauce and lightly steamed green beans, seasoned THROUGH FEB. 28 – "Russian Decorative Arts from with herbs de Provence and topped with toasted the Tsars to the USSR," Decorative Arts Center of almonds. Complement the main course with simple Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, Wed.–Fri. 11 a.m.–4 oven-baked frites dipped in French aioli, and end the p.m., Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. Free. From the decadence meal with a chocolate soufflé for dessert. Register of the tsars to the destitute communist-rule years, online at www.fpconservatory.org/events/classicRussian history is filled with contradictions. During the french-date-night-2. Bolshevik Revolution (1917–45), a significant amount FEB. 21– Fairfield County Antique Tractor Club of Russian-made art was destroyed, lost, or taken Toy Show, Fairfield Co. Fgds., AAA Bldg., 157 E. from the country. For the first time, curator Michael Fair Ave., Lancaster, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Lunch served Reese will display his incredible private collection. by local 4-H club. For exhibitor info, contact Doug www.destinationdowntownlancaster.com/calendar. Shaw, 4585 Crumley Rd. SW, Lancaster, OH 43130. FEB. 9 – Inventors Network Meeting, virtual event, 740-407-2347, stractorlover@sbcglobal.net, or www. 7 p.m. Educational presentations and discussion about fairfieldcountytractorclub.com. the invention process. Meetings held the second FEB. 26 – "Virtual Paint and Sip: Floral Cascade," Tuesday of each month. For more information, call virtual class, 6–8 p.m. $18–$20. Grab a beverage 614-470-0144 or visit www.inventorscolumbus.com. and join us on Zoom as art educator Sarah Robison
CENTRAL
conducts the class. Learn to paint different types of flowers in a lush draping design. All painting experience levels can participate. A painting supplies list will be provided in advance, or you can pick up a supply box at the Conservatory for $10. Register online at www.fpconservatory.org/events/virtual-paint-andsip-floral-cascade. MAR. 6 – Columbus Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Makoy Event Ctr., 5462 Center St., Hilliard, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Large show featuring artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Portion of proceeds benefits local nonprofit Hope Hollow. www.avantgardeshows.com. MAR. 13 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade, historic downtown Dublin, 11 a.m.–12:15 p.m. The day starts with the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast at Sells Middle School, 7–11 a.m., and continues with the parade stepping off at 11. Approximately 110 units including marching bands, clowns, floats, and giant balloons are featured. After the parade, guests can find Irish entertainment and specials at various Dublin establishments. 614-410-4545 or www. visitdublinohio.com/events/annual-festivals-andevents/st-patricks-day. MAR. 13 – Maple Tapping Festival and Pancake Breakfast, Charles Alley Nature Park, 2805 Old Logan Rd. SE, Lancaster. Breakfast served 8–11 a.m. ($5/ plate); festival 8 a.m.–noon (free). www.ci.lancaster. oh.us/281/Maple-Tapping-Festival.
FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 37
2021 CALENDAR
FEBRUARY/MARCH
SOUTHEAST
FEB. 13 – Hayes Anniversary Banquet, Lucy Hayes Heritage Center, 90 W. Sixth St., Chillicothe, 4–6 p.m. $25. A dinner to commemorate the December 30, 1852, marriage of Lucy Ware Webb and Rutherford Birchard Hayes. Payment must be made by Feb. 10. For more information, call 740-775-1780 or visit http://visitchillicotheohio.com/event. FEB. 27 – Motown Sounds of Touch, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 8–10 p.m. $18–$20. The Midwest’s number one
SOUTHWEST
THROUGH FEB. 24 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, every Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Because of restricted seating due to COVID precautions, reservations are strongly recommended and should be made early. 513385-9309 or vinokletwinery@fuse.net. FEB. 19–21 – Miami County Home and Garden Show, Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy, Fri. 2–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $6, under 13 free. With people staying home now more than ever, home improvement projects are on everyone’s minds. Early spring is a great time to get those projects started! Talk to experts on everything from kitchen and bath
WEST VIRGINIA
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling.
“Motown sound” vocal group performs all your favorite Motown hits. 740-772-2041 or www. majesticchillicothe.net. MAR. 4–7, 11–14 – Blithe Spirit, Chillicothe Civic Theatre, 83 S. Walnut St., Chillicothe, Thur.–Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $12–$15. Noel Coward’s supernatural comedy about a married novelist whose late first wife is accidentally summoned during a séance, leading to a complicated love triangle with his current wife. 855-723-3768 or www.cctchillicothe.com. MAR. 13 – Fiber Artisans Fair, Campus Martius Museum, 601 Second St., Marietta, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Learn about weaving, knitting, quilting, and more. Have your questions answered by experts or hobbyists in the fiber arts, or share your own techniques and suggestions. Many artisans will offer items for sale. 740-373-3750 or www. campusmartiusmuseum.org. MAR. 13 – Miller’s Automotive-Racers Swap Meet, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe, 9 renovation to outdoor projects. 937-339-7963 (Donna Cook), eo@westernohiohba.com, or www. miamicountyhomeshow.com. FEB. 27–28 – Dayton Off-Road Expo, Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Rd., Wilmington, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 13 free. Jeeps, monster trucks, raffles, vendors, and more! Fun for the whole family. 877-428-4748 or www. daytonoffroadexpo.com. FEB 27–28, MAR.4–7 – Cincinnati Home and Garden Show, Duke Energy Convention Ctr., 525 Elm St., Cincinnati. See website for times and schedule of events. $11–$14, under 13 free. www. cincinnatihomeandgardenshow.com. MAR. 4–6 – Spring Fever Indoor Pull, Preble Co. Fgds., Expo Bldg., 722 S Franklin St., Eaton, 7–11 p.m. $20, under 11 free. Sponsored by Angry Farmer Products. Three days of truck and tractor pulling indoors. Vendor space is available. 937-564-5633 or www.springfeverindoorpull.com. MAR. 7 – Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Oasis Golf Club and Conference Ctr., 902 LovelandMiamiville Rd., Loveland, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Large show featuring artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Portion of proceeds benefits local nonprofit Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank. www.avantgardeshows.com.
FEB. 27 – Cardboard and Duct Tape Sled Race, Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with race to follow. Fee under $5. Make a sled of cardboard and duct tape able to withstand a race down the Blackwater Falls sled run. The goal is to have super-safe sledding fun. This year’s theme is Star Wars. Get creative! 304-259-5216, blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov, or https://wvstateparks. com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park.
38 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
a.m.–4 p.m. From restoration to racing: race cars, tools, hot rods, apparel, collectibles, go-karts, and more. www.millersswapmeet.com. MAR. 14 – Aoife Scott, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 7 p.m. $19–$44. New date; tickets from previous date will be honored. Aoife is an award-winning folk singer and songwriter based in Dublin, Ireland. Born into the legendary Black family, Aoife is steadily rising to the top of the traditional and folk music scene. www. peoplesbanktheatre.com.
Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event to Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 or events@ohioec.org. Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/ website for more information.
Pond Chemicals / Management Certified Aquatic Applicators Custom / Pond Aeration Water Features / Fountains De-Icing www.diversifiedpondsupplies.com
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FEBRUARY 2021 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 39
MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Golden anniversaries 2
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1. Ann and Pete Bird, my mother- and father-in-law, on their 50th anniversary. Jodi Bird South Central Power Company member 2. We had our 50th anniversary on June 13, 2020. Thurman and Sheila Harmon Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative members 3. My parents, Richard and Barbara Fischer, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2020. Christina Fischer Pioneer Electric Cooperative member
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4. My dad and mom, Karl and Dorothy Hein, on their 50th wedding anniversary. Christa Hein Consolidated Cooperative member 5. Every year, my parents, Ron and Karen Pairan, get their photo taken on their anniversary. This year they celebrated 50 years of marriage with a photo of their extended family. Front row: my nephew Jon, my niece Noelle, my son Noah, my niece Abbie, and my nephew Nick. Back row: my sister-in-law Anne, my brother Tom, my father, my mother, my son Christopher, my wife Kelly, and me. Scott Pairan South Central Power Company member See more Golden Anniversaries at www.ohiocoopliving.com/reader-photos.
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Send us your picture! For May, send “Little League” by Feb. 15; for June, send “Ohio countryside” by March. 15. Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive. Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website.
40 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • FEBRUARY 2021
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40’x60’x12’ • Garage/Hobby Shop
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STRUCTURES, LLC Installed
30’x40’x10’ • Garage/Hobby Shop
•2-10x10 Garage Doors
•2-9x8 Garage Doors
•1-3’ Entry Door
•1-3’ Entry Door
•Sof�it/Wainscot Optional
30’x60’x12’ • Storage Building
Installed
•Sof�it Optional
24’x32’x10’ • Garage/Hobby Shop
•1-60’ Sidewall Open •5-12’ Bays •3’ Overhang On Front
30’x36’x10’ Horse Barn with 8’ Lean-to
Installed •10’ Split Slider w/Windows •1-3’ Entry Door •3-4’x7’ Dutch Doors •Sof�it Optional
Installed
Installed •2-9x8 Garage Doors •1-3’ Entry Door •Sof�it Optional
30’x48’x16’ • Drive Thru RV Storage
Installed •2-12x14 Garage Doors •1-3’ Entry Door •Sof�it/Wainscot Optional
