LOCAL PAGES

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.

While you’re there, check out a video of a few of our recipes being prepared.

www.ohiocoopliving.com

REFRIED BEAN AND PICKLED CABBAGE TOSTADAS

Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1 cup shredded red cabbage 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon salt 2 black peppercorns (optional) ¾ cup apple cider, white, or rice vinegar 1 cup boiling water 1 tablespoon olive oil (or pork fat) 1 small yellow onion, diced fine ½ teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon ground coriander 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, seeded and diced fine 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 lime, juiced 8 6-inch corn tortillas 4 ounces crumbled queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 ripe avocado, sliced handful fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

In a large jar with lid, place cabbage, sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, black peppercorns, and vinegar. Pour boiling water on top and seal with lid (but not too tight). Swish or shake jar to aid in the salt and sugar dissolving and dispersing. Chill in fridge to pickle for at least half an hour. It’ll keep for a few weeks in the fridge. In a medium pot, heat olive oil and add diced yellow onion. Cook until onions are translucent, about 7 minutes. Add chili powder, cumin, and coriander. Stir and cook another minute or two. Add pinto beans, chicken stock, jalapeño, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Turn temperature down to medium-low, partially cover with a lid, and continue cooking 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if the beans become too dry. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes before blending in lime juice and pulsing with an immersion blender or food processor. Preheat oven to 425 F. Generously spray both sides of each tortilla with cooking spray and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake 4 minutes, flip, then bake an additional 4 to 6 minutes, until tortillas are lightly browned and crispy. Top tortillas with a layer of refried beans, crumbled queso fresco, pickled cabbage, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately. If there are leftovers, store the elements separately.

Per serving: 1,142 calories, 21 grams fat (6.5 grams saturated fat), 9 milligrams cholesterol, 549 milligrams sodium, 186 grams total carbohydrates, 40 grams fiber, 55 grams protein.

reader recipe contest Salads

When you think of “salad,” what comes to mind?

A bowl of chopped iceberg lettuce with a glop of dressing on top? A can of tuna mixed with a heaping spoonful of mayo? A giant bowl of colorful, cut-up fruit? For our 2022 Ohio Cooperative Living reader recipe contest, we’re looking for your most delicious SALAD! Whether it’s extra healthy or more on the decadent side, we want to hear all about it! The grand-prize winner will receive an Ohio-made KitchenAid stand mixer. Two runners-up will receive consolation gifts.

Entry deadline is April 15, 2022! Ground rules

• Entrants must be electric cooperative members or residents of an electric cooperative household. • Entries may be submitted by email to memberinteract@ ohioec.org; uploaded to www.ohiocoopliving.com/ memberinteractive, or mailed to Catherine Murray, c/o

Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus,

OH 43229. Limit of three recipes per entrant. • To enter, write down your recipe, including all ingredients and measurements, directions, and number of servings. Then tell us the basic story behind your recipe — is it a family tradition, passed down through generations? Or did you make it up one day out of thin air? A good back story can never hurt! • On each recipe, include your name and address, a phone number and email address where you can be contacted, and the name of your electric cooperative. • Submissions may be an original recipe or one adapted from an existing recipe published elsewhere, with at least three distinct changes from the published version. • Winners will be featured in the August issue of Ohio

Cooperative Living.

MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Are you ready to serve?

In one of the most notable inaugural speeches given, John F. Kennedy spoke his famous words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” His inspiring words urged Americans to take actions that benefited the greater good. In essence, Kennedy was saying our country thrives when we all contribute our talents to the common good. On a smaller scale, I think the same can be said about our co-op, specifically with regard to our board members. Carroll Electric Cooperative’s board members are community-minded individuals with a variety of skill sets. We rely on their many talents to help us make informed decisions on long-term priorities and investments. Our directors live right here in the co-op’s service area, and we consider them the eyes and ears of the community because they provide their perspective on important community issues. We recognize it takes many people with different skills to create a well-rounded board that can represent the full spectrum of our community. That’s why we want folks with diverse perspectives, experience, expertise, and views. We’re seeking local members of our community who can apply their unique talents to benefit all our friends and neighbors. But above all else, we’re looking for folks who love our community and want to see it thrive now and in the future.

What does it mean to serve on the board?

Serving on Carroll Electric’s board means you’re making a difference locally, using your individual talents and perspective to guide big decisions about the co-op that in turn benefit the larger community. While day-to-day decisions are made by co-op staff, major decisions are made by the board, whose mission is to look out for the vitality of the co-op and the community it serves. Board members typically provide input and guidance on: • Budgets • Co-op goals and direction • The co-op’s community/charitable contributions • Capital investments and upgrades in equipment and technology • Renewable investments and energy mix • The co-op’s role and involvement in economic development The energy industry is undergoing a major transition. Technology advancements and increased consumer preference for more renewable energy is driving change. Carroll Electric is facing big decisions, and board members have an opportunity to help chart a course for our future. To serve the community best, we need input from a wide range of people that represent the broad spectrum of views within our community. Larry Fenbers CEO/GENERAL MANAGER

Opportunity to serve

Carroll Electric’s board elections will be held in August. While you don’t need to be an expert in electricity or business to run, you do need to have a passion for the community and a willingness to actively serve and learn. We’re looking for individuals who can represent the full gamut of the members we serve. Our board meets on a regular basis, and we offer specialized training opportunities to help board members make informed decisions. Board members gain a deeper understanding of the electric utility industry, the cooperative business model, and local economic development efforts. Ultimately, our board is the community pulse for the co-op and helps keep us on the right track. We love our community and want to help it thrive. If you share the same commitment and want to contribute to the greater good in a tangible way, I hope you’ll consider running for a board position. To learn more about Carroll Electric’s director election process and 2022 details, please visit www.cecpower.coop.

Your neighbors share advice on home solar

With advertisements for residential solar arrays reaching members through social media, television, and radio nearly every day, we know many of our members have wondered if residential solar arrays are an investment they should make. A very important first step is to contact us, so we can be a resource for you as you talk with a solar contractor. An important benefit of your electric cooperative membership is access to experts who can help you navigate this decision.

You may have seen some of your neighbors who already have installed solar arrays. We asked them to share their experiences and any advice they might have for other members who are considering home solar arrays.

After speaking with multiple Carroll Electric members who had residential solar arrays, some were happy with their investment, but the majority shared the same frustration — their solar arrays do not generate as much electricity as their contractors told them they would.

Todd and Chris Horvath and Robert and Dave Brown were told by their solar company that the solar arrays they agreed to install would save them around 80% on their electric bills. Both said they are far from that.

“We’re probably at 30 or 25% savings on our electric bill,” Todd Horvath says. “We expected a lot more savings.”

Dave Brown, who lives with his parents, Robert and Marilyn Brown, said he felt the main issue was the contractor’s lack of knowledge about Ohio’s weather, explaining that you need cloudless skies to really generate much solar energy. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, Ohio ranks 42nd in the U.S. in terms of days of sunshine, with a range between 63 and 68 days of sunshine a year. (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/top10-cloudiest-u-s-states-22480)

“[The contractor’s] calculators aren’t good for this area,” Dave Brown says. “Those were made for where these solar companies began, which was down south and out west. They haven’t done enough studies in states like Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, and others.”

The Browns, who paid around $66,000 for their 22 panels, feel their contractor should cover the cost of adding more panels in order to meet the solar production they were told to expect from their 22 panels.

“Their calculations show we have enough panels to cover what we use,” Dave Brown says. “I have an electric bill here to disprove that. Big time. Their only solution is for me to pay for more panels. But if you put another 10 panels on there, add more money, then is it worth it?”

That’s the ultimate question — is it worth it? For these members, it depends on what you value. Our members agreed that if you are trying to save money, solar is likely not the route you want to take. But if using more renewable energy is a priority, the cost may not be as great a negative factor.

For the Horvath’s 16-panel solar array that was activated in January of 2019 with a cost of around $22,000, the array’s app shows the array has generated 18,290 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in its lifetime, generating 5,380 kWh in 2021. This averaged to about 448 kWh generated a month, with their highest month of generation in March of 2021 with a little over 700 kWh.

Even with solar panels, though, the Horvaths purchased 12,055 kWh from Carroll Electric in 2021, an average of about 1,005 kWh per month. Additionally, the Horvaths are still responsible for Carroll Electric’s $32.75 monthly service availability rate, a maintenance and operations charge that is allocated equitably to all members to ensure that everyone has electric service anytime they need it — including in the dead of night or on a very cloudy day.

Prior to installing the solar panels in 2019, the Horvaths averaged 1,577 kWh a month in 2018. Comparing their usage from Carroll Electric from 2021 to 2018 is not an exact science, since many factors have to be considered. The Horvaths may have increased or decreased their electrical consumption in this time. It’s possible that 2021 may have been cloudier than usual and therefore not a useful accurate estimation for how much solar energy will be generated in future years. But with that in mind, the Horvaths’ kilowatts used from Carroll Electric from 2021 to 2018 shows the solar array helped them use about 572 kWh less per month on average from Carroll Electric.

“Everything said and done, it’s still nice to go a little more green and save the environment,” Todd Horvath says.

In terms of monetary differences, their average monthly electric bill is currently around $150 compared to an average of $210 per month before installing their solar array. However, Todd Horvath reminded us that any of the savings are going toward the loan for the solar panels, and the true savings will not be enjoyed until they are paid off.

His wife, Chris, agreed, adding, “I’m not disappointed [in the solar panels’ production], but I’m not 100% happy. The big question is in 20 years, have we saved enough to at least pay for the loan? That’s a good question.”

For other members interested in solar, the group was in consensus that for those interested in residential solar power, they need to contact more than one solar contractor and work with Carroll Electric so they know what questions to ask. Aside from one member who did contact several different contractors, each family admitted they did not know at the time that they had the ability to hire any solar contractor and that some are likely better than others.

Larry Callen, a Carroll Electric member who installed 28 solar panels in July 2019 and spent about $30,000 says, “I talked to four different companies before I made a choice. That’s what I have to say — talk to multiple companies and don’t overlook Paradise Solar here in Sugarcreek. I think I made a better choice with going with someone local. I had a meeting with Power Home Solar, and when I told them I was meeting with several different contractors, they said they would have to call and reschedule and they never did [call]. I know a couple of people with Power Home Solar, and I’m kind of glad they didn’t come.”

If you are interested in solar or have any questions about solar energy, please give us a call at 800-232-7697.

Three interesting facts about electricity

Electricity turns dark into light, makes hot foods cold and cold foods hot, washes the dishes, and searches the internet. It is essential to our everyday lives, so much so that we rarely think about it. But behind the scenes, interesting things are happening.

Here are three interesting facts about electricity that cause even some experts to scratch and shake their heads.

1. Electricity must be used or stored after it’s generated.

A rechargeable battery stores electricity — more on that later. But the kind of electricity you use in your home needs to be used after it’s generated.

A vast and intricate system of devices controls that power flow in a precisely balanced way. It’s one reason utility operators must be strategic when adding renewable energy to the nation’s fuel mix — a coal or natural gas plant can ramp generation up or down fairly quickly to meet changing energy demand. But solar energy and wind power depend more on the whims of Mother Nature, which adds an extra degree of difficulty to power management. However, technology advances could be a gamechanger.

Large-scale battery storage technology is rapidly improving, allowing big batteries to offer another way for electric utilities to better balance the flow and timing of electricity. Wider use of large utility-scale batteries could also make it much easier to add more solar and wind energy to our grid — by storing energy when it’s breezy and sunny, then using it at night and during calm weather.

2. Power out? Blame a squirrel.

While severe weather causes most outages, if it’s nice out and your electricity goes off, it could be caused by a squirrel.

We all know to play it safe around electricity, but squirrels don’t. They scamper and chew around transformers, substations, and utility poles where they can disrupt highvoltage equipment, shutting down power for you and me.

But it’s not just squirrels. Snakes, birds, and other critters can find their way into dangerous places. There’s no official recordkeeping of wildlife-caused power outages, but estimates run as high as 20%.

3. Highways could charge electric vehicles in the future.

If researchers have their way, electric vehicles wouldn’t need to plug in — they could charge while they’re being driven. “Wireless dynamic charging” projects are underway around the world. The idea is similar to wireless chargers you can buy for your home electronics, the kind you can set near a charger rather than actually plugging in the smart phone or other device.

Charging cars while they’re driving along the freeway is of course a lot more ambitious. But some developers predict that within five years, in addition to today’s special highoccupancy-vehicle lanes for rush-hour traffic in large cities, there could be stretches of vehicle-charging lanes. See page 24 for an article about a test project right here in Ohio!

Electricity is such a basic part of our everyday life, so it’s easy to forget about it. But every now and then it’s good to think about all its benefits and mysteries. That awareness can help make sure we pay attention to safety precautions, but also, sometimes it’s good just to be amazed.

Track your energy use through SmartHub’s Usage Explorer

Usage (kilowatt-hours)

1 2

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Many members want more access to their electric accounts, including ways to track their usage, pay their bills online, or receive outage notifications. Our SmartHub app and website accomplishes all of this.

In the “My Usage” tab of SmartHub, members can: • 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 in the My Usage tab. Sign up for SmartHub by visiting

our website at https://cecpower.coop/what-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, the harder our system has to work to keep the house warm. one one zero one zero zero

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 so I can catch problems like this sooner in the future.

We want to hear from you!

Your thoughts and opinions about Carroll Electric Cooperative help us to serve you better.

In May and June, Carroll Electric Cooperative will be working with NRECA Market Research Services to complete member satisfaction surveys. The surveys will be both by phone and email, but not everyone will be contacted. If you are contacted, we would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to share your opinions of the cooperative. We strive to provide all members with safe, affordable, reliable, and clean electric service. By participating in the survey, you will help us make decisions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors. Thank you!

All information is confidential.

Budget billing sign-up

Carroll Electric’s budget billing program allows members with non-electric heat who own their homes to pay a set amount each month based on prior use habits. That means that you will pay a uniform amount every month for electric service, instead of paying for actual use. A uniform payment may be easier to plan for each month and can help you avoid high electric bills when more electricity is being used for heating and cooling. The cooperative requires a budget billing agreement to be signed by the member before the account can be put onto a budget. This document allows the cooperative to remove members from the budget should the terms of the policy be violated. Once you are enrolled, Carroll Electric will use the last 12 months of electric use to calculate a monthly charge. This will be the amount you will pay each month until your account is reviewed. The enrollment period for budget billing varies depending on the type of heat you have in your home. Members with nonelectric heat may enroll in the budget billing program now, with the first budgeted bill beginning in April. Members with electric heat may enroll in the budget billing program in July, with the first budgeted bill beginning in August. The cooperative works individually with members to determine eligibility and, for those who qualify, the budget payment amount. Carroll Electric reviews budget payments periodically and may make adjustments to budget payments if the use varies from the original budget estimate. Every 12th month, Carroll Electric will adjust your payment to settle any difference between the budgeted payment and the actual use. Any payment due is collected at that time, and any overpayment is credited to the next month’s bill. This 12th month of the budget cycle is referred to as the “catch-up” month.

Am I eligible for budget billing?

q I own my home (or mobile home) and the land on which the residence is located. q The account I will sign up for budget billing is my primary, full-time residence. q I heat my home with nonelectric heat like propane, natural gas, fuel oil, or wood. Members with electric heat may sign up in July. q I have been a CEC member for at least 12 months. q I have excellent credit history with Carroll Electric.

Excellent credit is needed to establish and remain on the budget billing program. If you checked all five of the boxes, you are most likely eligible for budget billing. Call 800-232-7697 during regular business hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., to discuss budget billing with a member service representative. The enrollment period for nonelectric heat is March 1 to March 25.

Technical scholarships available

For adult residential members or high school seniors

You could be eligible for a technical scholarship from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives! The OEC technical scholarship offers up to $2,000 to electric cooperative members or children of members who are pursuing technical training after high school. This program is open to all adults!

For more information and an application, go to ohioec.org/technicalscholarship.

Deadline for application is April 30.

2022 Nominating Committee members

District 1 Todd Wright

7980 Arrow Road N.W. Minerva, Ohio 44657 330-802-7699

District 3 Debbie Meister

10075 Salineville Rd. NE Salineville, Ohio 43945 330-738-2132

District 5 Cliff Brown

1220 Poinsettia Rd. Scio, Ohio 43988 330-627-4751

District 2 Tonya Bryan

6247 Apollo Rd. NE Kensington, Ohio 44427 330-341-9658

District 4 Jim Ramsey

515 Sutton Rd. Richmond, Ohio 43944 740-317-1372

District 6 Todd Davis

5051 Autumn Rd SW Carrollton, Ohio 44615 330-575-7940

District 7 Beth Lowe

5315 Polen Rd. NE Mineral City, Ohio 44656 330-602-4178

District 8 Bill Newell

3080 Avalon Rd. NW Carrollton, Ohio 44615 330-323-4832

District 9 Katie Mickley

3217 Lander Rd Malvern, Ohio 44644 330-704-1892

CARROLL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

CONTACT

800-232-7697 | 330-627-2116 www.cecpower.coop

REPORT OUTAGES 24/7 TO:

800-232-7697

OFFICE

350 Canton Rd. NW P.O. Box 67 Carrollton, Ohio 44615

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

If you have suggestions for articles in Carroll Electric Cooperative’s local pages of Ohio Cooperative Living, contact Carroll Managing Editor A.J. Atkinson at aatkinson@cecpower.coop.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Harold Sutton

President Gary Snode

Vice President Kevin Tullis

Secretary-Treasurer Todd Brown William Casper Vince Carter Robert McCort Diane Brown Tim Dayton

Trustees Larry J. Fenbers

CEO/General Manager A.J. Atkinson

HAVE A STORY SUGGESTION? Email your ideas to:

info@cecpower.coop

facebook.com/CarrollElectricCoop

twitter.com/CarrollElectric

HIDDEN ACCOUNT NUMBER

Check the Carroll Electric local pages of this magazine for the hidden account number. Somewhere in this section is an account number spelled out. If this number matches your account number, call the co-op office to claim your credit. You must call by the end of the month in which your account number appears.

HIGH-TECH

Ohio’s 33 Smart Mobility Corridor is helping to develop the future of transportation.

BY ALICIA ADAMS

Ohio, a state long-obsessed with being in motion, has a rich history of being on the leading edge of transportation innovation. In the late 19th century, John Lambert, from Mechanicsburg and later Van Wert County, built the first gasoline-powered vehicle in the U.S. (he also was involved in the first motorvehicle crash in the U.S.). Ohioan Charles Kettering revolutionized the auto industry when he invented the electric starter. An Ohio manufacturer was the first to put seat belts in cars.

It’s not surprising that the Transportation Research Center (TRC) near East Liberty has grown from its beginnings as an Ohio State University research center in the 1960s to become North America’s largest and most advanced vehicle proving ground. And from that, the next generation of transportation research has sprouted — the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor, billed as the most connected highway in the world. The 35-mile section of U.S. Route 33 runs from Dublin through Marysville and up to the gates of the TRC in East Liberty. It’s a one-of-a-kind vehicle testing ground that seeks to shape the future of connected and driverless vehicles.

What is smart mobility? Imagine this scenario: You’re driving along the highway when you receive a sudden braking alert. There is an obstacle in the road that cars ahead of you are braking hard to avoid. Those vehicles closest to the obstacle communicate a warning to other approaching vehicles to let them know to slow down to avoid the obstacle and other cars. That’s smart mobility in action. The system can also notify drivers of potential icy spots on the roads, approaching emergency vehicles, traffic lights getting ready to change, pedestrians, or oncoming bad weather. Smart mobility helps take surprises out of driving and empowers drivers to make better decisions.

HIGHWAY

“The tech infrastructure being deployed on the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor will help develop and advance transportation technologies that will make travel safer for everyone,” says Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who serves as director of InnovateOhio, which aims to make the state a leader in technology innovation. The Honda Motor Company and its affiliates have played a major role in the guidance and support of the corridor. With an auto manufacturing facility as well as its research and development arm located in Marysville, Honda has deployed over 200 connected vehicles to study the interaction between drivers and smart mobility technology. “Ohio’s 33 Smart Mobility Corridor enables us to conduct real-world testing of Honda’s ‘Safe Swarm’ technology, which uses ‘vehicle-to-everything’ communication to help mitigate collisions, improve traffic flow, increase fuel efficiency for all road users, and prepare for higher levels of automated driving features,” says Sue Bai, chief engineer at Honda Research Institute USA. The Smart Mobility Corridor has created another Ohio first in transportation research: the world’s first fully connected city. All the intersections within the city of Marysville are connected to the 432 strands of fiber-optic cable that are the central nervous system of the project, so researchers can quickly and easily test the latest safety technology regarding traffic signal phases, traffic timing, and other data. “What’s nice about Marysville is that we are a selfcontained, smaller-sized city with a manageable traffic flow, so we have the ability to shut down an intersection or redirect traffic for testing with minimal effort or impact on the surrounding community,” says Terry Emery, Marysville’s city manager. “We are the perfect testing playground.” The city of Dublin serves as another live laboratory, connecting some of its intersections with the system to provide vehicle data regarding multilane roundabouts and other traffic situations.

The 33 Smart Mobility Corridor started as a local initiative in 2014 to bring fiber-optic broadband to Marysville and

surrounding rural areas, but pivoted into a transportation test bed. That conversion has resulted in unique partnerships across local, state, federal, private, industrial, and academic institutions. Tim Hansley, Union County administrator and president of the NW 33 Innovation Corridor Council of Governments, says the collaborative nature of those partnerships is what allows the system to work so well. “It’s unusual to have such a cooperative collaboration among all of these different groups,” he says. “We are a model for the rest of the country on how to do this.” Obviously, having a reliable source of electricity to power the 63 roadside units that collect and distribute data is a crucial component to the system, and Marysville-based Union Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. (URE), has been an important partner. “URE played an important part in bringing together the other electric utilities, ODOT, and Union County officials to efficiently power the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor,” says Anthony Smith, URE’s CEO/president. “Providing power to this project was unlike anything we had done before, and the team effort was critical to getting the job done right. We’re proud to have played a role in such an important mobility research program.”

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Well, what I found was a whole lot of trouble. As in 8 feet and 800-pounds of trouble in the form of a grizzly bear. Seems this grumpy fella was out looking for some adventure too. Mr. Grizzly saw me, stood up to his entire 8 feet of ferocity and let out a roar that made my blood turn to ice and my hair stand up. Unsnapping my leather sheath, I felt for my hefty, trusty knife and felt emboldened. I then showed the massive grizzly over 6 inches of 420 surgical grade stainless steel, raised my hands and yelled, "Whoa bear! Whoa bear!" I must have made my point, as he gave me an almost admiring grunt before turning tail and heading back into the woods. I was pretty shaken, but otherwise fine. Once the adrenaline high subsided, I decided I had some work to do back home too. That was more than enough adventure for one day. Our Grizzly Hunting Knife pays tribute to the call of the wild. Featuring stick-tang construction, you can feel confident in the strength and durability of this knife. And the hand carved, natural bone handle ensures you won’t lose your grip even in the most dire of circumstances. I also made certain to give it a great price. After all, you should be able to get your point across without getting stuck with a high price. Make sure to act quickly. The Grizzly Hunting Knife has been such a hit that we’re having trouble keeping it in stock. Our first release of more than 1,200 SOLD OUT in TWO DAYS! After months of waiting on our artisans, we've finally gotten some knives back in stock. Only 1,337 are available at this price, and half of them have already sold!

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Fun with a purpose

Columbus-based Highlights for Children lets kids have fun while learning life lessons.

BY MARGO BARTLETT

Highlights for Children founder Garry Meyers reads the magazine to his grandchildren.

When Garry and Carolyn Meyers created Highlights for Children in 1946, they did so with the belief that children have an innate ability to think and learn and create and that they should be encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings. “They believed that children and what they think matter and that childhood is a short, sweet season worthy of the thoughtful, loving attention of adults,” says Christine French Cully, the magazine’s current editor in chief and “chief purpose officer.” “They believed it’s important to

stand up for what’s morally right, even when it’s difficult, and that we never stop learning and growing.” Highlights, based in Columbus, recently celebrated its 75th year of “fun with a purpose”— presenting opportunities for parents to “lean in and listen” to encourage curiosity and self-confidence. Along with longtime favorite monthly features such as “Hidden Pictures,” the magazine offers stories, puzzles, and riddles. Readers’ writing and artwork are showcased on “My Own Pages,” and “Brain Play” asks open-ended questions such as “Name some things that can’t be cleaned with soap” and “If paintings could come to life, what would you paint?” The Myerses lived and raised their children in Cleveland, where Garry taught at what is now Case Western Reserve University and Caroline studied early childhood education. When they designed Highlights’ first issue, aimed for ages 2 to 12, they were 61 and 58 years old, respectively. A few years later, they bought the magazine Children’s Activities, for which they had worked for 12 years. One of its features, “Goofus and Gallant,” created by Garry Myers, was moved to Highlights. Another early decision was to establish the magazine’s business offices in Columbus. In 1946, just after World War II, paper was scarce. A printer in Columbus was available, and since the family knew Ohio — and Ohio knew them — it just made sense. Over the years, the company has expanded its offerings. Highlights, for ages 6–12, is now one of four publications. Highlights Hello (ages 0–2) launched in 2012; High Five (ages 2–6) began in 2007; and High Five Bilingue, in Spanish and English, was introduced in 2014. The brand also includes its retail division, Highlights Press; the publishing companies Zaner-Bloser and Stenhouse Publishers; and a slew of other publications, websites, apps, and podcasts. The big picture, though, is simple (and without hidden objects): It’s a story of enduring focus on children. “It’s important for young readers to be able to see themselves in our products, whether it’s their race, their religion, their gender, the type of home they live in, their family makeup, their ability level, or their interests,” Cully says. And while children today are different from those of 1946, they still care about the same things they always have: friendship struggles, school, boredom, and siblings, as well as adult topics like divorce, and national and global problems. The difference? They’re more sophisticated, Cully says. “They have access to so much more information. We look hard to find the untold or less-familiar stories to share with them. We don’t want to publish content they can find easily elsewhere.” Through all the growth, evolution, and expansion, the founders’ original dream continues to resonate. “The amazing thing about Highlights is the continuity of philosophy,” Cully says. “We still believe the things that Garry Cleveland Myers and Caroline Clark Myers believed, and we still try to show that in everything we do. We are all committed to Garry and Caroline’s belief that children are the world’s most important people.”

One 75th-anniversary puzzle asked kids to find words associated with winter (above), while the magazine also highlighted its first “Hidden Pictures” game (below) (courtesy Highlights for Children).

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