Ohio Cooperative Living – January 2023 - North Western

North Western Electric Cooperative

We’re building the next generation of leaders by supporting their education through programs like college, technical and trades scholarships, and the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour.

Contact your electric cooperative youth program coordinator to learn more about its youth programs.

Looking ahead to

Each year, I try to look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that appear to be on the horizon for Ohio’s electric cooperatives. While the topics I’ve highlighted have been important, my views on the future have been overwhelmed by events that “stole the show” in recent years. In 2020, COVID dominated our daily lives, but it was unheard of as I put together my list for that year. Last year, there were certainly signs of inflation ahead and challenges to the supply chain for certain goods, but no indication of the enormous economic impact of supply chain disruptions, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or the staggering inflation we would endure through 2022. Yet with sound business plans and a capable workforce, electric cooperatives across Ohio still delivered safe and reliable electricity at affordable prices — even without knowing much about future headlines.

So, at the risk of being overshadowed by upcoming events, here’s a look at what we see ahead for 2023:

• Cost pressures are expected to continue this year, particularly in energy commodities like natural gas, coal, and petroleum products. Despite these cost pressures, we expect that electric cooperatives will provide high-quality service at a cost that is lower than other utilities — again — this year.

• We’re continuing our work to improve the operation and maintenance of our power plants. The availability of our plants to produce electricity during critical periods of high demand becomes more important each year as the number of baseload power plants that can be dispatched to meet electric demand continues to shrink.

• Government overreach in regulating energy industries generally, and electricity production specifically, is expected to be a headwind we will fight throughout the coming year.

• Electric cooperatives are planning to take a larger role in local community development projects as we seek to keep some of the taxes that are already being collected on electricity sales available for projects that benefit the local community where they’re collected.

• We will continue to emphasize workforce training and development for lineworkers, power plant employees, and managers to help us make sound decisions in our day-to-day work and continue to build a strong and enduring business foundation for the challenges that lie ahead — both seen and unseen.

Hope you and your family enjoy a safe and happy New Year.

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

With sound business plans and a capable workforce, electric cooperatives across Ohio still delivered safe and reliable electricity at affordable prices.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Caryn Whitney Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister

Managing Editor Crystal Pomeroy Graphic Designer

Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Jamie Rhein, Damaine Vonada, and Margie Wuebker.

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 Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices. National/regional

Getting an edge: Cooperative skill-development program helps turn employees into leaders.

Butchering school: A pair of Frontier Power Company members teach lessons that go from pasture to table.

Wild at heart: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife celebrates its 150th birthday this year.

Lighten up: You love these classic dishes — here are some ways to make them fit into that New Year’s resolution.

LOCAL PAGES News and information from your electric cooperative.

CALENDAR

What’s happening: January/ February events and other things to do around Ohio.

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Cooperative

Alliance for Audited Media Member

Stu ed besties: These co-op kids always have their cuddly plush toys around when they need a friend.

Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com! Read past issues and watch videos about our articles or our recipes. Our site features an expanded Member Interactive area where you can share your stories, recipes, and photos and find content submitted by other co-op members across the state.

ChillTex Minster, OH | 937-710-3308

Geothermal Professionals Northeast OH | 440-543-5740

Homeland Geothermal, LLC Logan, OH | 740-407-1379

Shafer Heating & Cooling LLC Hillsboro, OH | 937-466-2755 Simpson Heating & Air New Philadelphia, OH | 330-339-1177 Steve & Ted’s Services, Inc. Anna, OH | 419-628-2645 Stratton Heating & Air,

Getting an edge

Electric cooperatives often are destination workplaces within the communities they serve. Coops offer competitive pay, strong benefits packages, and a commitment to work-life balance.

But there’s another aspect of a co-op career that may not be apparent to potential employees: Co-ops tend to promote from within when job openings arise. Part of that’s because they tend to hire strong employees, but they also work hard to prepare those employees to handle more responsibility when the time comes.

Rise to the top

Matt Berry and Tim Street served similar roles at two Ohio distribution cooperatives in 2017 — Street was director of communications and member services at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative in Kenton, while Berry was manager of community and customer relations at St. Marys-based Midwest Electric — when the statewide cooperative association initiated a leadership-training program called Leadership Edge for co-op employees around Ohio.

Both employees’ managers recognized leadership potential in their employees and nominated them to participate in that first session. By coincidence — or

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER

maybe not — both also have since risen to become CEOs at Ohio electric distribution cooperatives: Berry at Midwest, and Street at Logan County Electric Cooperative in Bellefontaine.

“I don’t really think people go into the program thinking they’re going to become a general manager or CEO,” Street says. “It’s designed more to show staff how to lead departments, to lead a crew, even to lead themselves or their families; that’s the benefit. But I guess our situation shows that it certainly can happen.”

Know yourself first

The program begins with a series of self-assessments, then uses the results to teach each individual to recognize their own unique interpersonal style and how they might interact more efficiently with the styles they find in those around them.

“It’s one thing to know the nuts and bolts of the business, but as you get further into management, you deal less with nuts and bolts and more with people,” Berry says. “At a cooperative, everyone’s roles lean so heavily on accomplishing their day-to-day tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of the people skills that are crucial to being a leader.”

Skill-development program helps turn co-op employees into leaders.

Tim Street (left) was one of Ohio’s first Leadership Edge participants. He later moved into a role in which he ran the program, and has recently been hired as president and general manager at Logan County Electric Cooperative in Bellefontaine (file photo).

The training, Berry says, often comes with a caveat: “We try to give our employees every opportunity to grow professionally,” he says. “But since co-ops are generally so small, opportunities to rise into a leadership role might be limited.”

Street says skills developed in Leadership Edge, however, translate even outside the workplace. “Not everyone has or even will have direct reports at a cooperative,” he says. “The tools and skills Leadership Edge teaches can be used beyond the workplace. They can even be implemented in your home life. One of the principles is ‘Lead from wherever you are,’ so when an opportunity to lead arises, no matter the situation, you’re going to be ready.”

Expanding scope

The program has been so successful, it’s spawned a pair of spin-offs: In one, the curriculum has been adapted and condensed to be appropriate for lineworkers and others who might lead crews in the field.

Dwight Miller, director of safety and loss prevention at Ohio’s statewide co-op association, says it was a natural to bring the Leadership Edge principles to the training already undertaken by the linemen. “It just gives these guys a broader perspective to their work than just the everyday linework elements, so they can relate better to

the guys they’re leading,” Miller says. “It adds another level when they have that bigger picture.”

The other, dubbed Leadership Excellence, is for those already in executive leadership roles. “The new program will give general managers a better sense of those skills their employees are bringing back to the co-op,” says Street, who, after completing his training, came on to run the program for the statewide association before advancing to become CEO at Logan County EC.

Employee boost

The program has become another way co-ops are able to reward employees and keep them happy even when there may not be much room for advancement.

“To see that your employer sees something in you and is willing to invest in you to cultivate that really gives you, as an employee, a sense of pride in your work,” Street says.

“Honestly, once you work in a co-op you get to understand how great of a place it is to work,” Berry says. “We understand that everyone has their hopes and dreams and goals, so even when there may not be a promotion available, we’re going to make that investment in training and development, add those skills, and people stay pretty happy.”

Matt Berry was one of the first Ohio co-op employees to go through the Leadership Edge program in 2017. He has since been promoted to CEO at Midwest Electric in St. Marys (photo courtesy of Midwest Electric).

Butchering

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

Friends Andy Lane and Doug Wharton offer tasty lessons and plenty of hands-on experience during unique “Pasture to Plate” workshops at rustic Hand Hewn Farm in rural Tuscarawas County.

They have been offering intensive three-day whole hog sessions since 2019 , showing participants how to proceed from dispatching a hefty forest-raised hog with a single shot to preparing the carcass and then efficiently breaking it down into hams, tenderloin, sausage, bacon, and other components. The men, who began homesteading at the Fresno-area farm once owned by Lane’s grandmother in 2015 , raise heritage hogs, chickens, and rabbits. They initially learned to butcher for their families’ consumption, relying on pointers from oldtimers as well as detailed books on the subject.

“We learned through trial and error,” says Wharton, a former commercial contractor. “Now we focus on doing it right and demonstrating how to use each cut to its best purpose.”

Classes are offered in a former milking parlor equipped with a large walk-in cooler and a spacious butcher block table capable of accommodating 8 to 10 participants at a time. Banks of wall shelves hold tools of the trade — knives and cleavers in various sizes.

Word of their hands-on sessions spread slowly at first, but the demand exploded when COVID-19 struck in 2019, closing a number of meat-packing plants and markets. Lane, a retired art teacher, says many people decided they wanted to learn the butchering process to ensure a safe and ready supply of meat for their dinner table.

Initially, most classes were held at the Fresno-area farm, but word of the offerings has allowed them to spread beyond Ohio. The men have presented sessions in Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and California. The schedule usually runs fall through early spring, with October to March being the busiest times.

The format is fairly set: Day one involves the killing of the hog, then evisceration, scalding, and scraping the carcass, cutting it into halves, and cleaning the intestines that later will hold blood sausage. Day 2 begins with Lane and Wharton helping participants cut the sections into standard American cuts and

Frontier Power Company members teach lessons that go from pasture to table.

Left: Co-owner Andy Lane of Hand Hewn Farm shows the latest class of would-be butchers the first steps in the process (photo by Margie Wuebker).

school

variations. Salting, seasoning, and curing takes place on the final day. The men occasionally add a fourth day dedicated to charcuterie — the art of curing and drying meats for preservation and flavor that results in products like salami, prosciutto, pâté, and soppressata.

“Many first-timers are surprised about the cleanliness of the butchering process and the small degree of waste,” Lane says. “We render lard from the skin and fat, use organs for special products, and boil the bones for broth. Somebody once said we use everything but the squeal, and that’s certainly true.”

Participants not only gain information that can be used later, but many leave sporting a couple extra pounds thanks to the hearty meals served during the 10- to 12-hour class days. The program has drawn its share of confirmed foodies.

The men have offered beef workshops, but it is the in-depth hog sessions that have become their bread and butter. Upcoming workshops are listed on their website and quickly sell out.

Hand Hewn Farm, 10990 Patterson Road, Fresno, OH. 330-503-3883; www.handhewnfarm.com or find on Facebook and Instagram.

Right: After the initial butchering, students put the parts back together to show where all the parts were cut. Below: A group of students with their teachers (Andy Lane and Doug Wharton, in matching hats) after a recent workshop (photos courtesy of Hand Hewn Farm).

Wild at art

The Ohio Division of Wildlife celebrates its 150th anniversary.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

Aldo Leopold, the “Father of Wildlife Management,” described his classic book, A Sand County Almanac, like this: “There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. These essays are the delights and dilemmas of one who cannot.”

It was as if he was also describing the tens of thousands of employees and volunteers of the Ohio Division of Wildlife who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of wild mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, and insects

In general, fish and wildlife populations at the time were in pretty sad shape, due mainly to habitat destruction coupled with unregulated hunting and fishing. Ohio’s forests were similarly on the ropes. Once covering 95 percent of the state, only about 10 percent of the virgin woodlands remained by 1873. The creation of the Ohio Fish Commission, which eventually became the Ohio Division of Wildlife, came none too soon.

I had the privilege of working for the division for 26 years, from 1976 to 2022, beginning my career as a state wildlife

—mission statement of the Ohio Division of Wildlife

over the last century and a half. This year, 2023, marks the 150th anniversary of the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

“The division is a direct descendant of the Ohio Fish Commission, which was created by the General Assembly in 1873,” says Steve Gray, a former chief of the division from 2003 to 2007. “In 1949, the commission was joined with other state conservation agencies to create the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which today consists of nine separate divisions and three offices.” Gray is currently an assistant director of the ODNR.

The Division of Wildlife currently either manages or cooperates in managing over 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife lands throughout the state, plus thousands of miles of streams and rivers, inland lakes, and 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie. Nearly all of the Division of Wildlife’s funding comes from Ohio hunters and anglers through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and excise taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition.

In 1873, the Ohio landscape looked very different than it does today. Prior to statehood in 1803, the Ohio country had once been described by an early historian as a “howling wilderness.” But those frontier times were long gone, the era taking with it two large, iconic carnivores (wolves and mountain lions) and two of their larger prey animals (bison and elk). Those four indigenous species were destined to never return to the wilds of the Buckeye State.

officer. Those were exciting times, as the latter half of the 20th century was when keystone species of wildlife were being restored: white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, Lake Erie walleyes, river otters, and bald eagles, to name just a few of the more charismatic critters.

One of the many changes I witnessed during my career with the division was the professional advances made by women. Once relegated mainly to office jobs, women have since become wildlife officers, fish and wildlife biologists, managers, and administrators. The current chief of the Division of Wildlife, in fact, is Kendra Wecker; appointed in 2019, she is the first woman to hold that position.

In addition to the 11 million people who call Ohio home, the Buckeye State is also now home to robust wildlife populations that once again offer outstanding hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities. For that, we can thank those many men and women who have worked for the Ohio DNR, Division of Wildlife, both past and present. None of them got rich —believe me, I know — but their passion and dedication to their careers is seen today in the many wildlife species we all continue to enjoy.

The work of wildlife management continues statewide, of course, and no doubt there will be more and possibly unprecedented challenges in the future. But for now take a bow, Division of Wildlife — well done and congratulations on your 150th anniversary!

“To conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.”

Both spicy

foods and foods with a high water content promote eating less while feeling fuller.

Stovetop balsamic chicken

Balsamic vinegar adds tons of flavor while containing zero sodium, zero fat, and few carbs. It can also reduce blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and promote healthy digestion via probiotics.

Prep: 10 minutes | Marinate: 2 to 12 hours | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 ½ cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon salt

1 pound thin boneless,

skinless chicken breasts

1 small red onion

1½ pounds Brussels sprouts

¼ cup water

cooking spray Russian dressing, cocktail sauce, or coarse mustard for dipping

In a bowl, whisk together the first 7 ingredients (from balsamic vinegar to salt) to create a marinade. Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour about half the marinade on top. Cover remaining marinade and refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate chicken for 2 to 12 hours.

Remove chicken from fridge and let rest 15 minutes before cooking. Meanwhile, slice red onion into half-moons. (Cut off ends, peel, lay on a flat end and cut in half vertically, then turn on flat side and slice into thin strips.) Trim Brussels sprouts and cut in half lengthwise. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium burner. Sauté red onion for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Set cooked onion aside and coat skillet with cooking spray again. Toss in Brussels sprouts and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are a little browned and crispy, then pour in ¼ cup water and steam uncovered until water has evaporated. Return onion to skillet with sprouts and coat with reserved sauce. Heat another minute or so, then transfer vegetables to a serving platter and serve with Russian dressing for dipping.

Using tongs, place chicken breasts flat in the hot skillet, pouring in all the marinade. Cover with lid and poach chicken for 9 to 12 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165 F. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest for a few minutes, then slice chicken breasts and place on top of Brussels sprouts. Serve hot.

Per serving: 327 calories, 12 grams fat (3 grams saturated fat), 67 milligrams cholesterol, 377 milligrams sodium, 27 grams total carbohydrates, 7 grams fiber, 32 grams protein.

Vegan chocolate pudding

Avocado in chocolate pudding might seem unusual, but avocados contain all kinds of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats, and their mild flavor is quickly masked by the cocoa, making this an easy, healthy, vegan, and dairy-free version of a beloved dessert.

Prep: 10 minutes | Servings: 4 2 ripe avocados ¼+ cup unsweetened plain almond milk

4+ tablespoons pure maple syrup or agave

4 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Note: Unsweetened plain soy or oat milk may be used as substitute for the almond milk. Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and scoop the green flesh into a food processor. Add remaining ingredients (starting with ¼ cup almond milk and 4 tablespoons syrup) and blend for a few minutes, stopping twice to scrape down the sides. Add a splash more almond milk if needed to achieve desired thickness, and taste test for sweetness level. Serve chilled with your favorite toppings, like raspberries and fresh mint. Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Per serving: 275 calories, 21 grams fat (4.5 grams saturated fat), 0 milligrams cholesterol, 20 milligrams sodium, 25 grams total carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber, 3 grams protein.

Orange chicken and rice

Citrus adds depth, sweetness, and sometimes a tart kick to healthy dishes. In this dish, the orange mellows in the oven, bringing a comforting warmth and lightness to the rice and chicken.

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 35 to 45 minutes | Servings: 4

3 navel oranges

1 teaspoon ground thyme

1 teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon salt

1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 medium onion, finely diced

2 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup brown rice (basmati [shown], jasmine, or short)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 F. Zest and juice two of the oranges (include pulp, if desired) and whisk together with thyme, pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Slice the remaining orange into half-inch rounds and lay flat in a medium baking dish. Place thighs on top of the orange slices and pour orange juice mixture evenly across the dish. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. Meanwhile, rinse rice in a mesh strainer and set aside to drain. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, sauté onions with olive oil for about 5 minutes. If they start to dry out or brown, pour a little chicken stock in and place a lid on top so the onions steam a bit. Locate the cooking instructions on your package of rice. Follow the instructions for amount of liquid, cook time, and cook instructions, except substitute low-sodium chicken broth for the water listed and cook the rice in the pot with the sautéed onions.

If the chicken finishes cooking before the rice, turn off the oven and let the chicken rest inside until the rice is ready. Serve platter-style or slice chicken and plate individually, spooning remaining orange sauce on top. If you’re looking for a vegetable to pair with this dish, try steamed green beans, zucchini, or broccoli.

Per serving: 489 calories, 13 grams fat (3 grams saturated fat), 121 milligrams cholesterol, 325 milligrams sodium, 46 grams total carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 45 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, check out a video of a few of our recipes being prepared.

Expect a slight rate adjustment effective in February

It’s never an easy thing to introduce a rate adjustment, but in February, your cooperative will be adjusting rates slightly to recover the increasing costs of operation. This adjustment will be, on average, around 1.5% over our current residential Rate 1. (This is the rate paid by the majority of you reading this.) If you consider the 9% inflation last year, material shortages, and other industry struggles NWEC is facing, we are sure you can relate.

• Coal and commodity prices directly affect the cost to generate electricity. NWEC’s purchase cost has been creeping up; over the last few years, it has gone up about 1 cent per kWh.

• Transmission costs — the cost to transmit power many miles from generation plants to local substations — are surging, with NWEC’s average transmission network demand charges (billed by grid operators PJM) up 13.5%. In 2022, the increase was $194,793 per month.

2022 Rate Adjustment Comparison

Rate 1 - Residential Previous New Distribution Service Charge (monthly) $35.00 $37.00 per kWh charge (regardless of amount used) 0.0995 0.100 Average adjustment per account (monthly) $2.64 1.5%

Darin Thorp PRESIDENT/CEO

Effective on the bill you receive in late February (due on March 10), residential, seasonal, and general service member-owners will see a $2 adjustment to the monthly distribution service charge and a roughly 0.0005 increase per kilowatt-hour (kWh). For a detailed breakdown of each rate class adjustment, see the chart at right or visit our website at www.nwec.com.

Please note this is the first time in seven years that we are talking to you about a rate adjustment. I think that’s a pretty good record of price stability, when all around us we see fluctuations and price inflation.

Providing a reliable source of power is getting harder to do these days. Why?

• Material prices are up between 40% and 60% for everyday equipment like wire, poles, transformers, etc. Conduits alone saw a 313% price jump last year from the year prior.

Rate 4 - Seasonal Previous New Distribution Service Charge (monthly) $35.00 $37.00 per kWh charge (regardless of amount used) 0.1060 0.1065 Average adjustment per account (monthly) $2.19 2.8%

Rate 5 - General Service Previous New Distribution Service Charge (monthly) $35.00 $37.00 per kWh charge (regardless of amount used) 0.1015 0.1020 Average adjustment per account (monthly) $2.36 2.0%

Devices Previous New Outdoor Lights (monthly) $8.50 $9.00

Chris Oberlin CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

continued from page 17

• Even basic truck and fuel costs have swelled. From November 2021 to November 2022, in Ohio, gas prices jumped 17.42%; diesel surged 53.11%. In the first 8 months of 2022, we spent an extra $25,000 to run our trucks and equipment.

Despite these financial burdens, NWEC has continued to return capital credits each year; last month, we returned $611,249 to current and former member-owners. This is proof that we are responsible stewards of your capital investment. Because we are not-for-profit and member-owned, you can rest assured that any profits (known as margins) are invested into the electric system or allocated to you via capital credits.

In today’s modern, connected world, having a source of safe, reliable, and affordable electricity is crucial. That’s what your local cooperative strives to deliver to you all day, every day. We’re proud of our efforts to serve your needs with competitively priced electricity, responsive member service, and proactive, necessary investments in the electric delivery grid.

You support all these services through the rates you pay for electricity, but those rates must cover costs.

I know that rate adjustments are never pleasant. I hope all member-owners understand that costs go up, but NWEC is doing everything we can to keep rates affordable and your power supply reliable.

Please remember these facts:

1. We understand rate adjustments are difficult for everyone, and we are trying to minimize the impacts on your bill. We offer rebate programs, free home energy audits, online energy calculators, and other efficiency resources to help you reduce your usage and lower your monthly bills. Our SmartHub account manager provides energy-monitoring capabilities, usage alerts, paperless billing, and automatic payment options to avoid late fees and save on mailing costs.

2. This is our first adjustment in seven years (since 2016), and the small 1.5% increase is well below the inflation rate.

3. The co-op board and all NWEC employees work hard to keep costs down. We do

more with fewer employees on average than other co-ops our size.

4. Your electric rates are competitive compared to neighbouring utilities. The savings are compounded more if you factor in that NWEC has distributed over $1.3 million back to member-owners over the past two years via capital credits.

For more details on this rate adjustment, you are encouraged to contact us Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 419-636-5051. Our helpful staff is here to answer any questions you may have.

What is the distribution service charge?

This charge covers all the cooperative’s fixed costs — expenses NWEC will incur regardless of how much electricity our member-owners use. It is our responsibility to provide available electric service whenever you need or want it — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These costs include:

• meters, wires, poles, transformers

• depreciation

• distribution and transmission capacity

• expenses for billing, member, and administrative services

• tree trimming and line maintenance

Let’s talk about the annual meeting

member-owners of the cooperative who represent the seven districts in our service territory. The cooperative bylaws, referred to as the Code of Regulations, assigns the responsibility of making adequate preparations for the annual meeting to the Board of Trustees. This also includes choosing the method (or methods) of voting that will be used for the election.

What is the annual meeting?

NWEC is a cooperative, meaning that we are different from other utilities because we are owned by the people who use our electric service, not outside investors or shareholders. As a member-owner of the cooperative, you have the right to vote on bylaw changes and to elect trustees that will serve on the board. Once a year, a meeting is held for the general purpose of sharing NWEC’s management and Board of Trustees’ reports regarding the general economic condition of the cooperative and reporting the results of the election.

Do you have to attend?

No, you do not have to attend the annual meeting. Your membership will not be affected one way or the other. Every member-owner of the cooperative is welcome to attend, if they choose to do so.

Who decides when, where, and what kind of meeting will be held?

The Board of Trustees is made up of seven

Those decisions are only made after considering many factors. As representatives for the nearly 6,000 member-owners, the Board must take into consideration the feedback that they receive throughout the prior year; the amount of attendance at past annual meetings; the cost of the meeting; and the requirements as laid out in the bylaws. In the past several years, the Board also had to consider public health mandates, in relation to the safety and well-being of those attending and those who would be working at the event, as well as the availability of services.

Scheduling the date for the meeting has to happen in early fall of the year prior. Similar to a “domino effect,” the date of the meeting determines other important dates, such as when nomination petitions will be due, when notifications of the meeting and election must be received by the member-owners, and when documents must be prepared. Once this type of “domino effect” is in motion, it is time-consuming and costly to reroute any part of its path. Booking a venue, a caterer, and an audio company, plus ordering gifts, is all relevant to the date too.

The days of holding a formal meeting where everyone brought the whole family in their “Sunday best” attire and listened to lengthy speeches are long gone. Our member-owners all have busy lives now — sporting events, kid’s programs, work schedules, family obligations — and these all take priority over attending a meeting for your electric company for most people. But the Board of Trustees wants to make it easy for as many memberowners as possible to participate in the annual meeting.

The 2023 annual meeting

We will be holding an in-person annual meeting again in 2023. Some parts of it will be a little different from our previous in-person meetings. The meeting will be held on Saturday, April 15 at Edon Northwest School. The doors will open at 3 p.m. and the business meeting will begin promptly at 5 p.m.

Member-owners will be given the opportunity to vote prior to the meeting date using a link available in their SmartHub app, the same as the past two years. For those who do not want to cast their vote electronically, you can come to the school on April 15 anytime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to cast your vote in person. Paper ballots and a secure ballot box will be available during that time frame only. At 5 p.m., when the business meeting begins, the voting will be closed and all the votes will be tallied by our cooperative attorney and any member-owners who volunteer to help.

Also, during the 3–5 p.m. timeframe, we welcome you to visit the booths in the gym and enjoy a sandwich meal. This will be set up in an “open house” format, so feel free to attend anytime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. You do not have to stay the entire time, unless you choose to. You

can grab a sandwich, visit our booths, cast your vote, and then leave if you want.

For those who choose to stay for the business meeting, it will begin promptly at 5 p.m. and all other activities will stop. You are welcome to join us in the main gym to hear reports from Chairman of the Board Chris Oberlin, CEO/President Darin Thorp, and a representative from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. Before the meeting is adjourned, the results of the election will be announced.

Even if you vote online, you are still welcome to attend the business meeting on April 15. All member-owners who participate in the annual meeting by casting your vote online will receive a bill credit. Those who choose to participate by voting in person on April 15 will be given a gift at the door on that day. If you voted online but also want to attend the business meeting, you will only receive the bill credit, not the gift at the door.

Your Board of Trustees has planned this event with the entire membership in mind. They encourage everyone to take part in the annual meeting, either by casting your vote through your secure SmartHub app or by dropping your paper ballot in the box on April 15. We will be sharing more information, such as the list of candidates, as it becomes available and we get closer to April.

FINAL

NOTICE:

Unclaimed capital credits

North Western Electric Cooperative is requesting your help in locating the following individuals or their heirs. These people have money due to them as a result of our general retirement of patronage capital refunds they never collected. Checks were mailed to their last known addresses; however, the checks were returned to us for various reasons. Heirs of deceased individuals may claim the money through proper application to the cooperative. If you know the whereabouts of any of the people listed below, please have them contact our office at 419-636-5051 or 800-647-6932 or by letter. NWEC’s Code of Regulations allows for 60 days after this notification for individuals to contact us to claim their payment. After the 60 days has expired, the payment will become a gift to the cooperative.

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FZoo’s Hippo Cove exhibit to visit Fiona, her favorite hippopotamus. Cora was born shortly before Fiona and has practically grown up with the remarkably charming and friendly hippo. When Cora’s mom, Randie Adam, got ready to take her birthday photo in front of Hippo Cove, Fiona was right on cue and got into the photo by positioning herself directly behind the smiling little girl.

“Cora has told me that if Fiona ever goes to another zoo, we’ll have to move too,” says Adam. “She

Like Cora, people everywhere feel a personal connection with Fiona. Born so small she nearly died, Fiona defied the odds, and the story of how she survived and thrived made the plucky hippo an international celebrity.

Fiona has been called a symbol of hope, a source of inspiration for overcoming obstacles, and an ambassador for her species.

Since Fiona — and now her half-brother, Fritz — is such a phenomenon, we think you might be curious about her and her rotund relatives, a group (officially called a “bloat”) of hippos who exclusively inhabit Hippo Cove.

Everythingyou need to know about Cincinnati’s favoritefamilyofhippos,butneverthoughttoask.

Birthplace

Henry was born at the San Francisco Zoo on Aug. 29, 1981. At the age of 7 months, he was transferred to Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Missouri, where he was named after one of the zoo’s benefactors. Henry spent more than 30 years there and sired five calves (only one of which survived) with a female hippo named Patsy. After Patsy died, he lived alone for two decades, but Henry’s distinctive pink coloring and fondness for watermelon endeared him to the Missouri zoo’s visitors.

Cincinnati Zoo residency

To remedy Henry’s solitary lifestyle and provide him with a pool suited to his 4,500-pound frame, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) for hippopotami recommended his transfer to the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016. Its new, $8 million Hippo Cove offered Henry state-of-the-art accommodations as well as the companionship of a female half his age, 17-year-old Bibi. Henry was immediately smitten with Bibi, and after Hippo Cove opened to the public on July 21, 2016, the couple delighted zoo-goers by cavorting like honeymooners in its 70,000-gallon pool.

Claims to fame

Henry became a father for the sixth time when Bibi gave birth to Fiona on Jan. 24, 2017. Though out of practice

as a parent, Henry gradually accepted her and patiently kept his mouth wide open while Fiona curiously inspected his teeth. By midsummer, dad, mom, and baby were one big happy bloat and cuddled together during naps.

Demise

After contracting a chronic infection, 36-year-old Henry’s health declined rapidly. The zoo humanely euthanized him on Oct. 31, 2017

Postmortem

In 2018, Dickerson Park Zoo honored Henry with a plaque that reads: “The world’s most handsome hippo. Father of Fiona. Loved by our community for more than 30 years.”

Birthplace

Born Feb. 7, 1999, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, Bibi became one of the first — and most mischievous — residents of the St. Louis Zoo’s Hippo Harbor when she was transferred there in 2001.

Cincinnati Zoo residency

Bibi moved to Cincinnati to inaugurate Hippo Cove in 2016 and keep her blind date with Henry, the first male hippo she ever encountered.

Currently

Bibi is 24 years old and weighs some 3,200 pounds. She has two offspring: Fiona, who turns 7 this month, and

BIBI, FIONA’S MOTHER

Fritz, a baby boy fathered by Bibi’s latest flame, Tucker, whom she met four years after Henry died.

Claims to fame

Fiona’s premature birth and struggle for survival made her an internet sensation, which likewise turned Bibi into one of the world’s most famous mothers. Apparently, she’s also one of the most dedicated mothers; incentivized by treats, Bibi patiently stood still for ultrasound procedures while pregnant with Fiona, and as a result, the Cincinnati Zoo made history by capturing the world’s first image of a Nile hippo in the womb. When her newborn proved too weak to stand and nurse, Bibi also walked into a chute twice a day and allowed her milk to be collected.

Singularly Cincinnati

The human care needed to keep Fiona alive meant that the zoo separated her and Bibi for months. When they were reunited, Bibi was so steadfastly protective and attentive that Fiona’s caregivers started calling the mother-daughter duo “BiFi” (pronounced “beefy”).

Birthplace

Fiona was the first Nile hippo born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 75 years. She arrived six weeks earlier than expected, and at 29 pounds, she weighed 25 pounds less than the lowest previously recorded birthweight for her species. Because Fiona was so small and frail, zoo staffers immediately intervened to save her and even enlisted nurses from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to administer IVs. “Team Fiona” provided intense, round-the-clock care, and the first indication that their extraordinary efforts were paying off came rather quickly, when the zoo announced that the week-old calf had been given a name: Fiona, a Gaelic word meaning “fair.”

Cincinnati Zoo residency

The zoo started posting photos and videos on social media so that people could follow Fiona’s progress. Well-wishers around the globe sent Fiona messages and cheered her every milestone, and on Aug. 25, 2017, The Fiona Show, documenting her growth and development, debuted on Facebook Watch. It garnered 34 million views in its first season. In mid-December, the zoo announced that Fiona had transitioned from bottlefeedings to solid foods, and by the time she turned 1 year old, Fiona tipped the scales at 650 pounds. With her cute face and perky personality, she also possessed tons of charisma and was undoubtedly the zoo’s star attraction.

Currently

As she nears her 7th birthday, Fiona currently weighs more than 2,100 pounds — and is still growing. She devours lettuce, veggies, beet pulp, and hay; consistently makes a big splash diving and playing in Hippo Cove’s pool; and appears to love people as much as people love her.

Claims to fame

Fiona is the first premature hippo raised by humans; the first animal voted the No. 1 Cincinnatian (five years in a row!); the first hippo to predict Super Bowl results; and the world’s most beloved hippopotamus.

Singularly Cincinnati

On Fiona’s first birthday, all of Cincinnati seemed to shout, “Hip-Hip-Hippo-Ray!” While herds of fans signed her birthday card at Hippo Cove, businesses and zoo partners celebrated with Fiona-themed products. Graeter’s made Chunky Chunky Hippo toffee-andpeanut ice cream; Rookwood Pottery did a coaster featuring Fiona, Bibi, and Henry; Cincy Shirts sold Fiona birthday tees; and the zoo announced that pre-orders were available for Fiona, the Hippo, a book by bestselling illustrator Richard Cowdrey (a member of The Energy Cooperative in Newark). Fast-forward to 2023, and Fiona remains queen of the Queen City. Graeter’s still churns out Chunky Chunky Hippo; Rookwood’s growing Fiona collection includes ornaments, plates, bookends, and coin banks; and Cincy Shirts has multiple items saluting Fiona’s entire family. Cowdrey is working on his sixth Fiona book, and of course, the zoo’s hippo-rific gift shop stocks them all (www.cincinnatizoo.org).

Birthplace

Like Bibi, Tucker is a native of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where he was born May 18, 2003. At age 6, he went to the Topeka (Kansas) Zoo to be a companion to a female hippo named Mara. Their son, Vision, was born on Aug. 20, 2010, and shortly afterward, he was relocated to the San Francisco Zoo because Topeka’s hippo enclosure could accommodate only two animals. Tucker lived without a mate in San Francisco until the SSP program suggested he should go to Cincinnati and get acquainted with Bibi.

Cincinnati Zoo residency

When he arrived at the Hippo Cove on Sept. 6, 2021, Tucker was described as “huge, dark, and handsome,” and he and Bibi were soon hanging out by the pool and feasting on squash, melons, and hay during dinner dates. They got along so swimmingly that in April 2022, the zoo announced that Bibi was expecting her second calf.

TUCKER, BIBI’S BOYFRIEND

Currently

Tucker is 19 years old and weighs about 4,300 pounds. He was officially introduced to his -month-old son Fritz last October, and Tucker now happily occupies Hippo Cove with Bibi, their not-so-little bundle of joy, Fritz, and Fritz’s half-sister, Fiona.

Claims to fame

To date, Tucker has surprised the staff at two different zoos in two different cities by conceiving two sons with two different females who both were on birth control; Tucker confounded expectations in Topeka when Mara became pregnant, and the same thing happened again at Cincinnati’s zoo.

Singularly Cincinnati

Although christened Tucker at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, he was called “Bruce” at the San Francisco Zoo in honor of Giants manager Bruce Bochy. In a nod to Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart, the Cincinnati Zoo reverted to Tucker’s given name, and Barnhart reciprocated by welcoming the hippo with a video message.

FRITZ, FIONA’S BABY BROTHER

Currently

Fritz was born at the Cincinnati Zoo . In contrast to Fiona, Bibi carried him to full term, and his birthweight was

Cincinnati Zoo residency

After nursing and bonding with Bibi indoors, Fritz, with his ever-watchful mother, finally ventured into Hippo Cove’s pool at the tender age of 2 weeks old. A few days later, he made his public debut in the glass-sided pool, staring back at the media and visitors who were staring at him. On Aug. 24, Fiona met Fritz for the first time, and on Oct. 13, Tucker completed the family circle by joining them in Hippo Cove.

By this past November, 3-month-old Fritz weighed more than 300 pounds. He has a spunky personality and appears to have inherited Tucker’s bulging eyes.

Claims to fame

When the zoo asked the public to help name him, it received 90,000 suggestions from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. The zoo selected two finalists — Ferguson and Fritz — and asked folks to choose. The response was enormous: 223,542 votes, of which 56% favored Fritz. While the winning name alliterates nicely with Fiona, it also alludes to the fact that Fritz exists because Bibi’s birth control was, well, on the fritz.

Singularly Cincinnati

Virtual zoo members can access the live Hippo Cove webcam to view the everyday lives and playful antics — including nose bumps, blowing bubbles from their nostrils, and the occasional hippo “kiss” — of Fritz, Fiona, Tucker, and Bibi (www.cincinnatizoo.org). Tip: The weather must be 40 F and sunny for them to go outside.

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1. 7 Series unit uses approximately 900 watts while running in speeds 1-2.

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Both of these devices create hot air but which uses less power?

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Winter adventure

Cold-weather camping stimulates the senses and rewards resilience.

BY JAMIE RHEIN; PHOTOS COURTESY OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Wonderlands of frozen, misty lakes and woods of snow-covered branches are reasons to head outdoors. Between state parks, Metroparks, KOA campgrounds, and more, there are several options for a tent or RV winter getaway.

“Don’t let the cold stop you,” says Louis Andres, park services specialist with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. “Winter is a great time to go camping. There are less people, you don’t have bugs, and you see more wildlife.” In the winter, Andres looks for outdoor sweet spots where bald eagle nests, wild turkeys, racoon, coyote, and deer are part of the scene. Geese and ducks are frequent visitors, too.

Both Charles Mill and Pleasant Hill Lake, two district parks, have campgrounds with RV and tent sites with

groomed trails that are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. To stay warm, “the key is staying dry,” says Andres. He recommends dressing in layers including polar fleece to combat the chill.

As a boy, tent camping for Ohio native David Klco meant warm-weather trips with his family. These days, Klco camps year-round. Zaleski State Forest in southeastern Ohio is his camping go-to, where winter offers a quiet beauty in the ice formations. “Lake Hope State Park is right across the street,” he says. Michael Reed, his buddy since high school, sometimes joins in on the outdoor escape. “You leave whatever you’re worried about behind you — [camping] stimulates your senses,” says Reed. Both appreciate the heightened challenge of colder weather.

“It feels good to go against nature,” says Klco, who often

Winter Camping Tips

The winter camping season is generally considered to run from Nov. 15 to April 1, according to Ohio State Parks. Before heading out, check campground availability and amenities.

hikes a mile or two up a trail for the perfect spot. His two-person tent has a rain fly large enough for a chair. To keep warm, Klco wears a base layer of thermals and thick socks. His Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad has a 6 9-R value to combat cold, but 4 or above is sufficient. Before tucking in at night, he changes into dry socks or thermal booties. Bringing a small amount of wood is another camping must. “You don’t know if you’ll find wood dry enough to burn,” Klco says. “You do appreciate the fire more,” Reed laughs.

Last New Year’s Eve, Amy and Gino Love pulled into their campsite at Alum Creek State Park in their SUV. “Let’s see how this camping thing works for us,” these North Carolina transplants said before they headed out from their New Albany home. After an evening of sitting

by the fire enjoying the sky darkening over the lake, they put down the rear seats, bundled up in blankets, and slept on an air mattress. In the morning, they heated coffee on their grill. The camping thing worked fine. Since then, they’ve added a tent that attaches to the SUV’s open hatch, but they see an RV in their future.

Angie Ratliff and her husband are year-round RVers who enjoy Deer Creek and Alum Creek state parks for their proximity to Columbus. Although the metro area offers amenities, the solitude of the parks is a plus. “It’s so quiet. It’s more peaceful here in the winter,” Ratliff says as she enjoys outdoor time with her dog. “This time of year, you can hear the deer,” she says. Their tips: Aim for a sunny campsite near the shower house; bring extra propane; and heat the underbelly of the RV to prevent its pipes from freezing.

• A dome-shaped tent is best. It’s less likely to collapse if there’s snow. Pitch it on a tarp and away from branches that could fall. Undo the zipper a little to let out moisture from your breath.

• Use a mummy-style sleeping bag with a temperature rating of 20 degrees. A sleeping bag liner adds warmth.

• Bring waterproof matches, a flashlight, and a headlamp. A shovel is useful to clear snow from under an RV and flatten snow before pitching a tent.

• Rugs add insulation on the floor of an RV.

• Make one-pot meals to cut down on prep and cleanup.

First impressions

A visit to the first new state park lodge built in Ohio for the last 31 years.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

LHocking Hills is the Buckeye State’s most popular state park, visited by some 5 million people annually, and this past October, the brand-new, highly anticipated Hocking Hills State Park Lodge and Conference Center opened its doors to guests.

The nearly 74,000-square-foot lodge has 81 guest rooms, and the event space can accommodate hundreds of people.

My wife and I were among the first visitors, booking an overnight stay to celebrate our birthdays in early November. “The lodge has been very busy ever since we opened,” says general manager Todd Tucker.

As expected, the lodge is gorgeous. Especially stunning is the view through the four-story picture windows of the main lobby. The open, timber-frame architecture incorporates the surrounding woods and natural landscape into a rustic yet state-of-the-art modern design. Overnight guests can choose from king beds, double queen beds, king and bunk beds, and queen and bunk beds. Two-room suites are also available. All rooms have a mini-refrigerator and microwave.

The lodge has two swimming pools, indoor and outdoor; and two large hot tubs, again, indoor and outdoor. After enjoying the many scenic areas of the Hocking Hills, visitors can relax and warm up in front of any of five massive, 39-foot-tall limestone fireplaces.

Both lodge guests and day visitors can enjoy full-service dining at the Rock House Restaurant and Pub. My wife and I ate both supper and breakfast there, and the food

The Hocking Hills State Park Lodge has an inviting air, with its rocking chair-lined porch and an entranceway that lights up the night.

was excellent. Reservations are not required, but highly recommended, as the available seating fills up quickly. A grab-and-go snack shop (Café 22) offers sandwiches, pizza, soft drinks, and other finger foods. There’s also a gift shop, filled with creations from local artisans.

Outdoors, a large patio overlooks a tree-filled gorge. “The Forest Plaza with its wooden pergola is going to become one of the most popular guest areas at the lodge,” Tucker says, “likely the site of many future weddings.” Nearby, on the Grand Terrace, are several propane-fueled fire tables that guests can gather around after dark.

The Hocking Hills are known for their hiking trails, arguably the best and most scenic in the state. If you are new to the park, not to be missed are Old Man’s Cave,

Whispering Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls, Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs, and Conkles Hollow. The trails range in skill level from easy (handicap accessible) to difficult, so there is something for everyone. Two mountain bike trails are also available: the Purple Loop is rated moderate, and the Orange Loop rated difficult. If you’re a stargazer, John Glenn Astronomy Park is located near the lodge within Hocking Hills State Park.

The only regret my wife and I had concerning our visit was that we hadn’t booked a second night’s stay. Gee, guess we’ll just have to go back.

To make your reservations at the lodge, visit www.hockinghillsparklodge.com or call 800-AT-A-PARK.

2023 CALENDAR JANUARY/FEBRUARY

NORTHWEST

JAN. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Ice Skating Lessons, The Cube, 3430 N. Main St., Findlay, noon. $44/session. Group skating lessons for ages 5 and up. Sessions are once a week for four weeks. 419-424-7176 or www. visitfindlay.com/event.

JAN. 21–22 – Lima Symphony: “Harp by Candlelight,” Sat. 7:30 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 W. Market St., Lima; Sun. 4 p.m., Grand Opera House, 119 W. Spring St., St. Marys. Featuring works by Debussy, Mozart, Pärt, and Tchaikovsky. 419-222-5701 or www.limasymphony.com.

JAN. 25 – Presidential History Book Club, Hayes Presidential Library and Museum, Spiegel Grove, Hayes and Buckland aves., Fremont, noon. In-person and online discussion of The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783–1789 by Joseph Ellis. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

JAN. 29 – Dragons and Mythical Beasts, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Ctr., 7 Town Square,

WEST VIRGINIA

Lima, 3 p.m. $15–$35. Calling all brave heroes! Enter a magical world of myths and legends, of magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts, in this fantastical new show for the whole family. 419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com.

FEB. 2–5 – Greater Toledo Auto Show, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, Thur. 3–9 p.m., Fri. 12–9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $6–$8, under 10 free. Displays of the latest and greatest models and automotive technologies from more than 25 different manufacturers. 800-686-9100 or www.toledoautoshow.org.

FEB. 4 – Ice-A-Fair, 685 Main St., Vermilion, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Free. A daylong winter event for the entire family, featuring glittering ice sculptures on display and ice carving demos throughout the day, ending with the towering Fire & Ice display. 440-9630772 or www.mainstreetvermilion.org.

FEB. 4–5 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima (2 miles east of Lima on St. Rte. 309), Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $6, under 18 free. Over 400 tables of modern and antique guns, knives, hunting equipment, and associated collectibles for purchase. 419-647-0067 or www.tristategunshow.org.

FEB. 7 – Fiddler on the Roof, Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, Donnell Theater, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 7:30 p.m. Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher and his team bring a fresh and authentic vision to this beloved theatrical masterpiece. $59+. 419-423-2787 ext. 100 or www.mcpa.org/events/ detail/fiddler.

FEB. 10–11 – Winterfest BG Chillabration, downtown Bowling Green. Free. Annual communitywide festival featuring a Frozen Swamp Tent, ice garden with carving demos, live entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. 419-353-9445 or www.winterfestbgohio.com.

FEB. 11 – Valentine Tea Party, Manor House, 229 Monroe St., Wauseon, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Bring your daughter or granddaughter for a delightful tea party in a vintage setting. Call by Feb. 4 for reservations: 419-337-7922

FEB. 12 – Family Concert: “Wall to Wall Percussion,” Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, 7 Town Square, Lima, 3 p.m. Join us for the U.S. premiere of acclaimed Canadian percussionist Vern Griffiths. 419-222-5701 or www. limasymphony.com.

JAN. 20–22 – West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show, Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Dr., Charleston. 304-768-9999 or www.wvtrophyhunters.com.

CALENDAR JANUARY/FEBRUARY

JAN. 8 – Concert: “Hammered Dulcimer and Bass,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free; reservations recommended. Tina and Bryan Bergmann will showcase a variety of Celtic, American Old Time, and South American arrangements, as well as discuss the tunes and their instruments. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

JAN. 13 – National Geographic Live: Secrets of the Whales, Mimi Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 7 p.m. $30–$150. National Geographic Explorer and underwater photographer Brian Skerry turns his lens to one of the world’s most beloved animals to illuminate the groundbreaking science of whale life and culture. 216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org.

JAN. 13–15 – Model Train Expo, Hans Event Center, 165 N. Water St., Loudonville. www.discovermohican. com/events-calendar.

JAN. 14 – Mohican WinterFest, downtown Loudonville, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Free family entertainment centering around Olympic Ice Carvings and the Model Train Expo. Ice sculptures will be placed along Main Street around 5 p.m. and stay in place throughout the weekend (weather permitting). www.discovermohican. com/events-calendar.

JAN. 14, FEB. 11 – Hartville Sports Card Show, Hartville MarketPlace and Flea Market, 1289 Edison

SOUTHEAST

NW, Hartville, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Over 30 vendors selling sports cards, memorabilia, autographs, and more. 330-417-1400 or www.hartvillemarketplace.com/ events.

JAN. 14–15, FEB. 11–12 – Medina Gun Show, Medina Co. Fgds. Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7. Over 450 tables of displays. 330-948-4400 (Jim Conrad) or www.conraddowdell.com.

JAN. 21 – Hartville Antique Show, Hartville MarketPlace and Flea Market, 1289 Edison NW, Hartville, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Showcasing local vendors selling vintage, antique, and unique items. 330-8779860 or www.hartvillemarketplace.com/events.

JAN. 21 – Mentor Chill Out, Mentor Civic Center Park, 8600 Munson Rd., Mentor, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. Fun festival featuring wagon rides, snowman building contests, ice sculpting demos and displays, outdoor skating rink, chili cook-off, food trucks, fireworks, and more. https://cityofmentor.com/departments/parksrecreation/events.

JAN. 22 – Flea Market of Collectables, Medina Co. Fgds. Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd. (St. Rte. 42), Medina, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $2. Earlybird special admission, 6–9 a.m., $3. A treasure trove of vintage items and collectables. 330-948-4300 or www. conraddowdell.com.

JAN. 28 – TCA Great Lakes Division Train Meet, UAW Hall, 5615 Chevrolet Blvd., Parma, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $6 330-273-6404 (John Twarog), tcalakeerie@gmail. com, or www.greatlakestca.org.

FEB. 3–12 – The Great Big Home and Garden Show, IX Center, 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland. $5–$15, under 6 free. See website for hours. Over 600 exhibitors. Meet industry experts and home professionals; enjoy the

garden showcase and other unique displays. www.greatbighomeandgarden.com.

FEB. 4 – Mid-Winter Stamp and Coin Show, Mozelle Hall, Ashland Co. Fgds., 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Stamp dealers, coin dealers, and a U.S. Postal Service table. For more information, contact Tom Zuercher at 419-496-1317

FEB. 5 – Model Railroad and Toy Show, Medina Co. Fgds. Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd. (St. Rte. 42), Medina, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7 330-948-4400 (Vikki Conrad) or www.conraddowdell.com.

FEB. 10–11 – Cleveland Beer Fest, Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland. $25–$90. Must be 21 or older to attend. Sample more than 150 local and craft brews, as well as wine and spirits from new craft wineries and distilleries. www.clevelandbeerfest.com.

FEB. 10–19 – Little Shop of Horrors, Ohio Theatre, 156 N. Water St., Loudonville, Fri./Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Presented by the Mohican Community Theatre. 419-994-3750 or www.theohiotheatre.com/live-shows. FEB. 11 – Hike for Health, Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas. Free. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. 419-774-4761 or www.discovermohican.com/events-calendar.

FEB. 12 – Stephan Haluska: “Demystifying the Harp,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free; reservations recommended. The harpist, composer, and improviser will examine the instrument’s unique textural, harmonic, and percussive qualities. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

THROUGH DEC. 30 – River City Farmers Market, 200 Butler St., Marietta, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon (winter hours). Offering the best local products. All items are

handmade, homemade, or homegrown. 740-5166253 or www.therivercityfarmersmarket.com.

JAN. 15 – Ross County Bridal Show, Stillwater Event and Conference Center, 464 Debord Rd., Chillicothe, 1–4 p.m. $10 per person; tickets sold at door. Vendors, caterers, photographers, door prizes, dancing, free pizza party, free massages. Contact Tammy at 740-649-6177

JAN. 21–22 – Sons of Liberty Trade Fair, Canters Cave 4-H Camp, 1362 Caves Rd., Jackson, Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–3 p.m. $4, under 12 free. Indoor pre-1850s trade fair with sutlers (dealers) selling items of that period. 740-773-3891

JAN. 27 – Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $46. The Grammy Award–winning singer, songwriter, and musician

will perform songs from his latest album, Way Out West, as well as his many past hits. www.peoplesbanktheatre.com.

FEB. 10 – Chris Janson, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $53. The breakout country star is a platinum-selling recording artist, high-octane entertainer, multiinstrumentalist, award-winning singer/songwriter, and Grand Ole Opry member. www.peoplesbanktheatre. com.

FEB. 11 – Winter Hike, Burr Oak State Park, 10220 Burr Oak Lodge Rd., Glouster, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Free. Meet at the lodge. Join fellow outdoors enthusiasts for a great day of hiking! Hike lengths are 1, 3, 5, and 8 miles. Free bean soup and cornbread after the hike. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. 740767-3570 or http://parks.ohiodnr.gov.

JAN. 6–15 – Ohio RV and Boat Show, Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th St., Columbus, Wed.–Fri. noon–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $3–$15; 5 and under free. Hundreds of RVs, campers, boats, motorcycles, and more from over 21 dealers, plus camping gear, equipment, and related products. 614370-4399 or www.ohiorvandboatshow.com.

JAN. 20 – Chicks With Hits, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $12–$54 Featuring country music legends Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, and Suzy Bogguss. 740-383-2101 or www. marionpalace.org.

JAN. 21 – Hocking Hills Winter Hike, 20160 St. Rte. 664 S., Logan, continuous starts between 9 and 11 a.m. Free. Join us for a 6-mile trek from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave, with a stop at Cedar Falls for bean soup and corn muffins. Shuttle bus takes you back to the parking area. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. 740-685-6841 or www.hockinghills.com.

JAN. 21 – Logan Frozen Festival, downtown Logan, noon–6 p.m. Free. Ice sculptures by Rock on Ice, ice games, ice block carving demos, food, music, and more! 740-385-2750 or www.explorehockinghills. com/festivals-events.

JAN. 22–23 – Scott Antique Market, Ohio Expo Ctr., Bricker and Celeste Bldgs., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free; $5 parking. 800 exhibit booths. info@scottantiquemarket. com or www.scottantiquemarkets.com.

JAN. 25 – United Way Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting, Olivedale Senior Center, 253 Boving Rd., Lancaster, 8 a.m. www.uwayfairfieldco.org.

JAN. 28 – Buckeye Lake Winterfest, Buckeye Lake region. Free fun for the whole family! 740-398-7205 or www.buckeyelakecc.com/winterfest.

JAN. 28 – “Get Twiggy With It!,” Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Rd., Newark, 10 a.m.–noon. $15 Learn how to identify deciduous trees after they’ve lost their foliage; receive a Winter Tree Finder guidebook. Register at 800-443-2937 or www. dawesarb.org.

JAN. 28 – Winter Hike, Mt. Gilead State Park, 4119 St. Rte. 95, Mt. Gilead, 2–3:30 p.m. Free. Meet at the Nature Center for a walk with our naturalist. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. https:// ohiodnr.gov.

FEB. 2 – Groundhog Day Trek, Alum Creek State Park, 4550 Africa Rd., Galena, 2–4 p.m. Free. Meet at the New Galena Picnic Area. https://ohiodnr.gov.

FEB. 3–5 – Johnson’s Log Home and Timber Frame Show, Ohio Expo Ctr., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus. Expo for log home, timber frame home, and rustic furniture enthusiasts. 866-607-4108 or www. loghomeshows.com.

FEB. 4 – “Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute,” Woodward Opera House, Mount Vernon, 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. $45. The ultimate tribute to one of the bestselling pop groups of all time, with a repertoire of over 40 all-time favorite ABBA hits. 740-462-4278 or www.thewoodward.org.

FEB. 4 – Simply Queen, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $22–$32. Live tribute band faithfully re-creates the grand scope of Queen’s live shows — musically and visually capturing the Queen experience. 740-383-2101 or www. marionpalace.org.

FEB. 10–12 – Columbus Fishing Expo, Ohio Expo Ctr., Bricker Bldg., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Fri. noon–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $12+. Nearly 300 vendors, free seminars with expert anglers, kids’ zone, All-American Fish Fry, and more. 614-361-5548 or www.columbusfishingexpo.com.

FEB. 11 – Sweethearts Hike, Hocking Hills State Park, St. Rte. 56, Logan, 5–7 p.m. Free. Meet at Ash Cave parking lot. Take your sweetheart for a romantic stroll to Ash Cave in the soft light of dusk, then enjoy a cozy fire and refreshments. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. 740-685-6841 or www.hockinghills.com.

FEB. 14 – Rocks to Roots 5-Mile Hike, Alum Creek State Park, 3615 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, 1–3:30 p.m. Free. Meet at the Park Office. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. https://ohiodnr.gov.

THROUGH FEB. 22 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse. net, or www.vinokletwines.com.

JAN. 13–15 – National Fishing Expo, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Rd., Cincinnati, Fri. noon–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $12–$25. Hundreds of vendors, demos,

educational seminars, and fun activities. 614-3615548 or www.nationalfishingexpos.com.

JAN. 18 – Winter Wonderland Hike, Caesar Creek State Park, 8570 E. St. Rte. 73, Waynesville, 1–3 p.m. Free. Meet at the Nature Center for a guided hike with a naturalist. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. 513-897-3055 or https://ohiodnr.gov.

JAN. 20–22, 25–29 – Ford Cincinnati Boat, Sport, and Travel Show, Duke Energy Convention Ctr., 525 Elm St., Cincinnati. See website for hours and daily schedule. Boats, campers, ATVs, motorcycles, adventure sports equipment, demos, seminars, contests, and more, including crowdfavorite Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel! www. cincinnatiboatshow.com.

JAN. 20–22, 27–29 – Greater Cincinnati Remodeling Expo, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Rd., Cincinnati, Fri. noon–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. $5; 18 and under free. See innovative displays showcasing the latest design trends and product offerings; get advice from local experts on your home improvement projects. www.homeshowcenter.com/ details/Cincinnati.

JAN. 21 – Beans and Cornbread Hike, Caesar Creek State Park, 8570 E. St. Rte. 73, Waynesville, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Free. Meet at the Wellman Meadow boat ramp. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. 513-897-3055 or https://ohiodnr.gov.

JAN. 22 – Butler Philharmonic Orchestra: “Mendelssohn at the Sorg,” Sorg Opera House, 63 S. Main St., Middletown, 3 p.m. $20 www.butlerphil.org.

JAN. 31 – Drawing Room Chamber Concert, TroyHayner Cultural Ctr., 301 W. Main St., Troy, 7:30 p.m. www.troyhayner.org/music.html.

FEB. 3–4 – Cincy Beer Fest, Duke Energy Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati. $25–$90. Must be 21+ to attend. Sample more than 150 local and craft brews, as well as wine and spirits from new craft wineries and distilleries. www.cincybeerfest.com.

FEB. 4 – Go-Kart Swap Meet, Roberts Centre, 123 Gana Rd., Wilmington, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. $10–$15, under 6 free. Asphalt and dirt karting along with quarter midgets and other categories. 250+ venders. New and used equipment and parts; educational and tech seminars. For more info, call Bruce at 513-309-2963 Register online at www.ovka.com/swap-meet.

Stuffed besties

For April, send “Tea party” by Jan. 15; for May, send “Junior gardener” by Feb. 15.

Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive. Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website.

Our grandson, Jackson, with a few of his stuffed besties. Kathy Jefford, South Central Power Company member

My granddaughter, Lyndon Lee, with her best friend, Berry. Julie Finnegan, North Central Electric Cooperative member

Calvin cuddling his Cuddles for Clefts bear he got for his upcoming cleft lip repair. Jessica Cawley, South Central Power Company member

Brady’s “bestie” Christmas present from Grandpa. Fran Booker, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member

My son, Franz Horton, now 10 years old, received this bear for his birthday several years ago. Erika Klaber, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member

Shopping with our 5-year-old son, Klay. Ethan and Kacey Kramer, South Central Power Company members

My grandson, Gabriel, surrounded by all his favorite buddies. Debi Fagan, South Central Power Company member

THE VALUE OF ELECTRICITY

As prices for everyday things, like bread, go higher and higher, your electric cooperative is constantly working to keep the price of electricity affordable AND stable.