Ohio Cooperative Living – June 2023 - Firelands

Cover image on most editions: College theater programs in Ohio do things a little differently in the summertime. Otterbein University, for example, casts students as well as faculty members, alumni, and professional Equity artists. Shown is the 2022 production of Mrs. Mannerly

This page: South Central Power Company member Kristin Hinkle submitted this multi-generational rite of passage for this month’s Member Interactive feature, “Hook, line, and sinker.”

Separating fact from fiction

Your electric cooperative’s mission to provide members’ homes and businesses with reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible electricity has faced its share of obstacles through the decades. In the past several months, I have warned of threats to our electric system’s reliability from overly ambitious environmental regulations.

Last month, the Biden administration issued a new set of power plant rules that may be the greatest threat yet to our mission. If implemented, those rules all but ban the use of fossil fuels to produce electricity by the 2030s. The U.S. EPA administrator, Michael Regan, has even claimed this can be done at very little cost and without affecting electric reliability.

That, of course, would be wonderful if it were true. The reality is that our electric power system has been built up over decades — and it continues to evolve with new technologies that are cleaner and more efficient. Our system works on the principles of science and engineering, not wishes and dreams. Any plan to move completely away from fossil fuels today is unrealistic based on the limits of technology, time, and money.

Your electric cooperative is a member-owned and -controlled organization that exists solely for the benefit of those members — like you — and the communities we serve. Like many other businesses, we advocate on behalf of the cooperative and our members with the government officials who make the laws and regulations that affect our operations.

Unlike most other businesses, however, your electric cooperative is not pushing for policies that allow us to earn greater profits or gain a competitive advantage. Electric cooperatives are not-for-profit organizations, and our advocacy seeks only commonsense policies that allow us to meet our members’ expectations as a trusted and reliable supplier of an essential service.

People of all political persuasions depend on a reliable supply of electricity for their health, safety, and security. Unfortunately, the administration’s plan is simply not realistic. We will need to fight our federal government for many months, likely years, to avoid the harmful effects it will bring about.

Please stay tuned. We will need your help and support to keep the lights on.

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

Our electric power system has been built up over decades ... it works on the principles of science and engineering, not wishes and dreams.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229

614-846-5757

www.ohiocoopliving.com

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Caryn Whitney Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Managing Editor

Amy Howat Associate Editor

Crystal Pomeroy Graphic Designer

Contributors: Margo Bartlett, Jodi Borger, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Jill Moorhead, Catherine Murray, and Craig Springer.

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.

DEPARTMENTS

4 POWER LINES

Why am I a member? Co-ops’ service areas were once loosely defined spots where big companies wouldn’t go. Now they’re written into Ohio law.

8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Frontier justice: A grisly story of the life and death of Col. William Crawford, whose name lives on across Ohio.

12 CO-OP PEOPLE

Empowering kids to be kids: Co-op-served youth home provides a safe place for kids to realize their worth after they’ve suffered trauma.

15 GOOD EATS

Like butter: There’s just nothing like the taste and feel of rich, smooth, churned-cream deliciousness.

19 LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

8

12

National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon

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

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

Alliance for Audited Media Member

37 CALENDAR

What’s happening: June/July events and other things to do around Ohio.

40 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Hook, line, and sinker: All these members’ fish stories are backed up with photographic evidence!

photos and find content submitted

15 40

37

Why am I a member?

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER; PHOTOS COURTESY OF EMILY BANIA

Matthew and Emily Bania, with their children, Kora, 5, and Lane, 2, live between Pleasant City and Sarahsville in rural Noble County. Their home is served by Washington Electric Cooperative.

Emily Bania has been a member of an electric cooperative for as long as she can remember. Growing up around Belle Valley, she and her family were members of Mariettabased Washington Electric Cooperative.

When she married her husband, Matthew, they moved to their place between Pleasant City and Sarahsville, in northern Noble County, where they still live with their kids, Kora and Lane. They have remained members of Washington Electric for the past 10 years. “It’s just what we’ve always had,” Emily says. “We’ve always just appreciated being members. We know several people who work for the co-op, including one of our neighbors, who’s a lineman. They’re always friendly and helpful and I haven’t given it much thought past that.”

Emily’s story is typical for co-op members. They get their electricity from, and pay their bills to, one of Ohio’s 25 electric distribution cooperatives; usually vote in the election for the coop’s board of directors; and maybe attend the annual meeting of members. They might even get capital credits in the form of a check or a bill credit at the end of the year when the not-forprofit co-op’s revenues outpace its expenses.

It’s also typical for members not to think much about why their home or business gets electricity from a cooperative and not from one of the investor-owned utilities that operate in Ohio.

Co-ops, in fact, only came into being because the large, forprofit electric companies had no interest in stringing power lines out to farms and other rural areas — there was little or no profit to be made from doing so.

So, the farmers did it themselves. Thanks to the New Deal’s Rural Electrification Act back in the mid-1930s, funding became available for local co-ops to form and build out the infrastructure needed to turn on the lights on farms and in hamlets that were ignored by the power companies.

The first electric cooperative pole in the nation, in fact, was set by Piqua-based Pioneer Electric Cooperative in 1935, when only one out of every 10 rural Ohio farms and homes was electrified. By June of 1937, more than 36 percent of rural Ohio had electricity, and by 1950, it was almost 100 percent.

There have been as many as 57 distribution cooperatives in Ohio since that time. Through mergers or attrition, 25 still operate within the state. (West Virginia’s one co-op is a member of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, which provides shared services such as Ohio Cooperative Living magazine; Michigan-based Mid-Ohio

Service territory FAQs

What is a service territory?

Electric certified territories (ECTs), often called “service areas” or “service territories,” are geographic regions where an electric company — which may be either an investor-owned utility or a rural electric cooperative — has the obligation and exclusive right to provide electric service. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is the authority regarding ECTs, and you can view the PUCO’s interactive map of ECTs at https://puco.ohio.gov/utilities/electricity/servicearea-map/electric-certified-territories-webmapping-application.

What’s the di erence between my co-op and an investor-owned utility?

Investor-owned utilities are business organizations that are intended to be profitable. An electric cooperative is a notfor-profit, member-owned utility that provides electric service solely to its members. Each cooperative has its own unique set of bylaws and is governed by a board of directors elected from and by the members of the coop. Nationally, more than 800 distribution cooperatives serve about 56% of the U.S. land area and more than 21.5 million homes, schools, businesses, and farms.

Why does the PUCO not regulate cooperatives?

The PUCO does not have jurisdiction over electric cooperatives and municipalities by the definitions of a “Public Utility” as defined in 4905.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, which states that an electric company that operates its utility not for profit, or that is owned and operated by any municipal corporation, is not included.

Co-ops’ service areas were once loosely defined spots where bigger electric companies wouldn’t go. Now they’re written into Ohio law.

Ohio’s co-op service territories

North Western Electric Cooperative, Bryan

Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative, Malinta

Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, Paulding

Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative, North Baltimore

North Central Electric Cooperative, Attica

Firelands Electric Cooperative, New London

Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative, Wellington

Midwest Electric, Inc., St. Marys

Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Kenton

Darke Rural Electric Cooperative, Greenville

Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Piqua

Logan County Electric Cooperative, Bellefontaine

URE–Union Rural Electric Cooperative, Marysville

Consolidated Cooperative, Mount Gilead

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Millersburg

Carroll Electric Cooperative, Carrollton

Frontier Power Company, Coshocton

The Energy Cooperative, Newark

Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, New Concord

South Central Power Company, Lancaster

Washington Electric Cooperative, Marietta

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Oxford

Adams Rural Electric Cooperative, West Union

Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative, Rio Grande

Midwest Energy and Communications, Cassopolis, Michigan

Energy and Communications serves 1,000 members in northwestern Ohio.)

The co-ops determined the areas they’d serve when they formed, mostly based on geography and whether service was available from anyone else. Those territories remained mostly constant, though they were not legally defined. The situation led to some areas of overlapping service, which not only created confusion and safety issues, for example, for first responders arriving on an accident scene, but made it di cult for the utilities to plan for future growth.

Then in 1978, co-ops banded together to push the Ohio Legislature to pass House Bill 577, which defined service territories and mandated the Public Utilities Commission to certify the areas where each electric provider in the state has both the obligation and exclusive right to provide electric service. The legislation protected both co-ops and consumers, who could no longer be denied service for simple reason of convenience to the electricity provider. With the publication of the PUCO map, all co-ops, municipal systems, and investor-owned companies were granted specific, legally defined, and agreed-upon areas they serve. Co-ops serve about 400,000 homes and businesses in areas within 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties.

Service territories remained unchanged in the 1990s despite the deregulation that allowed competing energy providers to supply electricity to consumers through energy choice; co-ops and municipalities were specifically exempted. The PUCO’s regulatory authority does not extend to either government-run municipalities or member-run cooperatives.

And while that history is nice, members like the Bania family are just happy the place they live happens to be served by a co-op. “When our power was out for a couple of days during that winter storm a while back, we would watch our neighbor go out at all hours to get people reconnected,” Emily says. “He kept checking on us because he knew it might be a while and wanted to make sure we were OK. I can’t imagine you get that with the bigger companies.”

Remember when you were a child and got your first bicycle? I do. It gave me a sense of independence . . . I felt like I could go anywhere, and it was so much easier and more enjoyable than walking. Well, at my age, that bike wouldn’t do me much good. Fortunately, there’s a new invention that gives me the freedom and independence to go wherever I want . . . safely and easily. It’s called the Zoomer, and it’s changed my life.

My Zoomer is a delight to ride! It has increased my mobility in my apartment, my opportunities to enjoy the out-of-doors, and enabled me to visit the homes of my children for longer periods of time. The various speeds of it match my need for safety, it is easy to turn, and I am most pleased with the freedom of movement it gives me.

Sincerely, A. Macon, Williamsburg, VA

After just one trip around your home in the Zoomer, you’ll marvel at how easy it is to navigate. It is designed to maneuver in tight spaces like doorways, between furniture, and around corners. It can go over thresholds and works great on any kind of floor or carpet. It’s not bulky or cumbersome, so it can roll right up to a table or desk– there’s no need to transfer to a chair. Its sturdy yet lightweight aluminum frame makes it durable and comfortable. Its dual motors power it at up to 3.7 miles per hour

and its automatic electromagnetic brakes stop on a dime. The rechargeable battery powers it for up to 8 miles on a single charge. Plus, its exclusive foldable design enables you to transport it easily and even store it in a closet or under a bed when it’s not in use.

Why spend another day letting mobility issues hamper your lifestyle? Call now and find out how you can have your very own Zoomer.

Away

Joystick Control (adaptable left or right)

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Frontier Justice

A grisly story of the life and death of Col. William Crawford, whose name lives on across Ohio.

BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

One of the most infamous incidents in all of early Ohio history occurred 241 years ago this month, on June 11, 1782, when Col. William Crawford of the fledgling U.S. Army was burned at the stake by Native American locals out for revenge.

Eastern Woodlands tribes rarely killed captives in such a manner, reserving this worst of tortures and deaths for their

greatest of enemies. In Crawford’s case, however, the Natives killed the wrong man. And they knew it. …

The story begins several months earlier, in March 1782, when 96 members of the Delaware tribe, who had converted to Christianity, were rounded up, massacred, and burned along with their entire village of Gnadenhutten (meaning huts, or tents,

Detail from an artist’s rendering of the execution of Col. William Crawford.

of grace) along the Tuscarawas River by Col. David Williamson and his contingent of frontier militia.

Not surprisingly, when the Delaware Nation heard of the murders, its population was furious and swore vengeance. After the Moravian Massacre (as it came to be known because the Natives had been converted to Christianity by Moravian missionaries), Williamson and his men returned to Fort Pitt, which one day would become Pittsburgh.

Soon thereafter, some 500 Pennsylvania militiamen volunteered to return to the Ohio country and continue the campaign to punish tribes for their ongoing depredations on white settlers and frontier forts south of the Ohio River. Williamson and Crawford were both considered to lead the contingent. Crawford, 60 years old and a seasoned military leader of the American Revolution, had come out of retirement to join the campaign and was elected by a handful of votes; Williamson would be his second-in-command.

The Army headed northwest on horses, moving toward Natives’ towns located along the headwaters of the Sandusky River. The area was mainly prairie land, with copses of scattered trees. During the early afternoon of June 4, the advance guard was fired upon by tribesmen hiding in the tall grasses.

Not only had the frontiersmen not surprised their targets, as they had hoped, but they found themselves outnumbered 2-to-1. The ensuing Battle of Sandusky raged over a period of two days, resulting in an eventual rout of the militia. Crawford was captured during the chaotic retreat, and many other militiamen were either captured or killed.

The irony of the battle is that Williamson escaped without injury. Knowing he had been responsible for the deaths of the 96 innocent Moravian Delawares, Native combatants would have liked nothing better than to have captured Williamson, as well as Crawford. As they felt someone needed to be held accountable for the Gnadenhutten Massacre, Crawford became the scapegoat.

Chief Wingenund of the Delaware Tribe reportedly told Crawford coldly, “Now, you must pay for Williamson’s crime, because you have not attended to the Indian principle that as good and evil cannot dwell together in the same heart, so a good man ought not to go into evil company.”

The Delaware took Crawford back to their encampment, stripped him, and tied his hands behind his back. Crawford was then tethered to a large wooden post where the Natives lit a large, circular fire around him. The scene is too gruesome to describe here; suffice it to say he died several hours later.

A monument to Col. William Crawford stands today near the small town of Carey in Wyandot County. Adjacent Crawford County is named for him, as is the local Colonel Crawford School District. The site of the Moravian Massacre, Gnadenhutten, is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

There are numerous historical markers and monuments around Ohio and Pennsylvania that tell part of the history of Col. William Crawford. This one stands near Carey, Ohio.

Got a monstrously delicious dish you serve during the Halloween season? A ghoulishly clever presentation? We’re looking for SPOOKY recipes — and the stories behind them — for our

2023 Reader Recipe Contest.

2023 Reader Recipe Contest

Three ways to enter by June 15:

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. Include your name and address, a phone number and email address where you can be contacted, and the name of your electric cooperative.

Send 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!

Entrants must be electric cooperative members or residents of an electric cooperative household. Limit of three recipes per entrant. Contest winners will be announced in the October edition of Ohio Cooperative Living.

EMPOWERING KIDS

to be kids

BY JODI BORGER; PHOTOS COURTESY OF CCHO

About 60 years ago, the pastor at a church in tiny Rittman, near Wooster, heard about a young person who needed a safe place to stay. At the time, the pastor and his family weren’t in a place to be able to take the boy in, so he described the situation to members of his congregation — some of whom were members of a larger group that encompassed parishioners from multiple churches in the area.

That event set in motion an idea that soon became the Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, perfectly nestled on 163 acres of former farmland just north of Wooster, served by Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative. Originally conceived as a foster/group home for three to five young people, CCHO has grown into a residential center that provides a safe, structured environment to meet the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of children from across Ohio, many of whom have been abused, neglected, and traumatized by people they trusted most.

When the property was first acquired, there was a barn, a couple of outbuildings, and a farmhouse that was converted to the first foster home. Since then, five more cottages have been added to the property — each set up similarly to the original farmhouse. Cottages are separated by gender and age and can house as many as 36 residents at a time.

“Our kids have experienced severe trauma, so one of the things that we really want them to know is it’s okay to just be a kid,” says Kevin Hewitt, CCHO’s president and CEO. The property has evolved to include a baseball field, a basketball court, playground equipment, a swimming pool, and green space, and toward the back of the property is a 42-foot climbing tower with a 300-foot zipline, and Canopy Hills, a nine-hole disc golf course.

“The founders wanted to create a place where kids and God could meet,” says Hewitt. “Thanks to the vision of one

Co-op-served youth home provides a safe place for kids to realize their worth after suff ering trauma.

men’s group, we have now helped thousands of children and their families through the 50-year history of CCHO.”

Last month marked CCHO’s 54th anniversary, and it’s still living up to its original purpose: to help people realize their worth. That mission is supported by dozens of churches, community organizations, and individuals, along with the hard work of more than 190 employees and oversight from a board of trustees.

It’s common that kids at CCHO have either thought they were worthless or were told they were worthless and that no one cared about them. Hewitt’s goal is to have all children at CCHO understand who they are and know that they are so much more than what has happened to them.

“Many of our kids have had to tell their deepest, darkest secrets to police officers, child advocates, and prosecutors, and so many times the kids have never had the opportunity to just be kids,” says Hewitt. “Some of my favorite days are when I can have my window open and I can hear our kids laughing and playing ball or laughing and doing field events.”

CCHO currently has 1,500 active clients across all its service programs, which include residential treatment, Encompass Counseling, and Encourage Foster Care.

CCHO is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Children and Families, licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health, and is a member of the

Upcoming fundraising event

11th Annual Great Grill O June 11, 2023

www.greatgrillo .com

CCHO invites the public to feast on specialty burgers (sliders) on the Wooster-area campus. Events include games for the kids and tours of the campus, including an opportunity to see the climbing tower, log cabin, and trails.

Ohio Association of Child Caring Agencies. It’s also a licensed child care agency by the Ohio Department of Human Services.

Most of the children, aged 6 to 18, are placed at CCHO through local or county children’s services boards or departments of job and family services.

“I got into this field more than 30 years ago and I learned very quickly not to say, ‘I’ve heard everything’ because then another referral would come in,” says Hewitt. It is shocking, he said, what some adults do to children. “All of our kids come from some type of traumatic history, so we do our best to build resilience in them.”

Each child has his or her own therapist and case manager to provide clinical treatment. They also have the opportunity to participate in music and equine therapy on the property. “I have been blessed in my life to have so many people who have believed in me and wanted what’s best for me, and I’ve seen kids take one word they heard from someone and allow that to be the trigger to make tremendous life changes,” says Hewitt. “It springboards them to an unbelievable life. I love to see that. I love the concept of the overcomer.”

To learn more about CCHO or to make a donation, visit www.ccho.org.

bu t ter Like

There’s nothing like the taste and feel of rich, smooth, churned-cream deliciousness.

LEMON-BUTTER ARTICHOKES

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 20 to 60 minutes | Servings: 4

2 large whole artichokes

1 lemon

1 sprig rosemary

1 teaspoon salt

3⁄4 cup salted butter

1 large egg yolk (optional)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

NOTE: One artichoke serves 2 people as an appetizer. If you’ve never eaten a whole artichoke before, think of it like crab legs or edamame — it takes time to get to the good stu . Use leftover dipping sauce on broccoli, asparagus, or fish.

Trim the artichoke stems with a sharp knife, leaving about an inch. Cut an inch off of the leaves at the top and trim the spiky ends of the outer leaves. Rinse in cold water. Place artichokes in a large stockpot; fill with water until the artichokes float. Wash lemon and cut in half between the ends. Slice one half and add to the water along with rosemary sprig and teaspoon of salt. Cover, turn on high, and bring to a boil. Turn heat down a notch and continue boiling. Cook time varies significantly based on the size and age of the artichokes. Boil 20 to 60 minutes, checking every 10 or 15 minutes. They’re done when a knife easily slides through the stem lengthwise and the leaves are easy to pull off.

Using tongs, place artichokes, stem side up, in a strainer to drain and cool until they’re easy to handle. Slice each artichoke in half through the stem and scoop out the clump of fuzzy, satiny threads near the stem (careful: the threads are thin and sharp!), along with the small clump of spiky purple leaves just behind it.

Melt butter and let cool. Blend egg yolk and Dijon with an immersion blender while slowly adding the melted butter until mixture thickens, then mix in 2 tablespoons juice (from the remaining half-lemon), and black pepper. (If desired, you can skip the egg yolk and blender and simply mix remaining ingredients with a spoon.)

To eat, pull off each leaf, dip the end that was attached to the artichoke in the dipping sauce and scrape the tender flesh off with your teeth, discarding the rest of the leaf. Once you’ve made your way through the leaves, eat the remaining soft flesh near the stem.

Per serving: 355 calories, 36 grams fat (22 grams saturated fat), 144 milligrams cholesterol, 399 milligrams sodium, 7 grams total carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 3 grams protein.

BY CATHERINE MURRAY

RECIPES

Prep: 10 minutes | Bake: 25 minutes | Servings: 9

1 cup cornmeal

3⁄4 cup flour

2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

11⁄2 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 stick salted butter, softened

3 tablespoons honey

1⁄2+ teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce

Preheat oven to 425 F and grease a square 8 x 8-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter, then whisk in buttermilk and eggs. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and mix until well incorporated. Pour into greased dish and bake 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together softened butter, honey, and hot sauce until smooth. Taste for spice level and add more hot sauce if desired, then serve with cornbread. Butter can be kept at room temperature in a covered container for 2 days and added to other dishes like roasted carrots, fried chicken, or grilled corn on the cob. Per serving: 303 calories, 20 grams fat (12 grams saturated fat), 90 milligrams cholesterol, 476 milligrams sodium, 28 grams total carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 5 grams protein.

CORNBREAD WITH HOT HONEY BUTTER GOOEY BUTTER CAKE

Prep: 10 minutes | Bake: 35 minutes

Servings: 14

4 large eggs, divided 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 tablespoon

lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

1 (15.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

8 ounces cream cheese, softened 31⁄2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend together 2 of the eggs, butter, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla. With mixer on low, add yellow cake mix, then increase speed to medium until smooth and thick. Spread batter into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Once empty, use the same bowl to beat cream cheese, remaining 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla for 2 minutes, then mix in the powdered sugar. Pour over the cake batter, smoothing out the top. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until edges are golden brown and middle is slightly jiggly. Cool before dusting with powdered sugar, then slice and serve.

Per serving: 387 calories, 17 grams fat (9 grams saturated fat), 89 milligrams cholesterol, 318 milligrams sodium, 55 grams total carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 4.5 grams protein.

SAGE BROWN BUTTER GNOCCHI

Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

1 pound gnocchi

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

handful of fresh sage leaves, small

1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

black pepper to taste

Heat gnocchi according to package directions. Drain well. Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add sage and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until butter has brown flecks and a nutty smell. Quickly set aside and sprinkle nutmeg and salt over top.

Place a large skillet on the hot burner and melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Toss in gnocchi and let brown on one side, flip, and brown on the other side. Add in the sage brown butter and toss to coat. Serve with shaved Parmesan and black pepper to taste.

Per serving: 359 calories, 19 grams fat (12 grams saturated fat), 49 milligrams cholesterol, 498 milligrams sodium, 42 grams total carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 7 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

How a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can change your life

Remember when…

Think about the things you loved to do that are dif cult today — going for a walk or just sitting comfortably while reading a book. And remember the last time you got a great night’s sleep?

As we get older, health issues or even everyday aches, pains and stress can prevent us from enjoying life.

So what’s keeping you from having a better quality of life?

Check all the conditions that apply to you.

Personal Checklist:

Arthritis Dry Skin

Insomnia Anxiety

Diabetes Mobility Issues

Lower Back Poor Pain Circulation

Then read on to learn how a Safe Step Walk-In Tub can help. Feel better, sleep better, live better

A Safe Step Walk-In Tub lets you indulge in a warm, relaxing bath that can help relieve life’s aches, pains and worries.

A Safe Step Tub can help increase mobility, boost energy and improve sleep.

It’s got everything you should look for in a walk-in tub:

• Heated Seat – Providing soothing warmth from start to nish.

• MicroSoothe® Air Therapy System – helps oxygenate and soften skin while offering therapeutic bene ts.

• Pain-relieving therapy – Hydro massage jets target sore muscles and joints.

• Safety features – Low step-in, grab bars and more can help you bathe safely and maintain your independence.

• Free Shower Package – shower while seated or standing.

EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE

Trustee elections open through June 18

Dan McNaull GENERAL MANAGER

At Firelands Electric Cooperative, we are governed by a board of nine trustees. Elected by the membership, these trustees are also co-op members, just like you, who provide strategic guidance to ensure that Firelands continues to serve the best interests of all memberowners. As you consider whom to cast your ballot for in the current election of those representing districts 1, 3, and 6, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of voting and the role of a Firelands trustee.

As a member of Firelands Electric, you have the right — some may even say the obligation — to help set the direction for the co-op by voting in Firelands’ annual trustee elections. Unlike customers of investor-owned utilities, you have a direct say in who represents your interests on the board and in how your cooperative does business. The trustees you elect are then responsible for making decisions regarding the operation of the co-op that best reflect the needs of their fellow members.

Examples of these decisions include:

• Approving the annual budget for the co-op.

• Determining the cooperative’s rate schedules and fees.

• Examining and approving major work plans for ongoing maintenance and improvement of the cooperative’s distribution system.

• Monitoring the financial condition of the cooperative.

• Establishing policies.

The board of trustees is also charged with providing solutions that maintain the vibrancy of our local communities. Being a co-op board member requires a significant commitment of time and effort and those selected should want to make a substantial contribution to the membership and the community.

It is critically important that we hear your voice and the voices of a large and diverse group of members. Through active engagement and participation of the membership in the election process, the co-op can ensure it is leading in a direction that is right for both the members and the co-op.

At Firelands, we try to make it as convenient as possible for members to participate in the election process by offering both mail-in and electronic ballots. In early May, every member received a paper ballot, which can be returned in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you’ve misplaced your ballot, or prefer an electronic option, you can also securely cast your vote online by visiting https://firelandsec.coopballot.com.

Ballots must

be

received by Firelands’ independent service provider by 11:59 p.m. on June 18.

As a locally owned organization, Firelands Electric has the opportunity to rekindle the spirit of democracy at the grassroots level. We encourage discussion about the role we see our co-op playing in our homes, businesses, and community — and we urge you to vote and make your voice heard!

FIRELANDS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

CO-OP NEWS

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE

Firelands Electric Cooperative celebrates milestones for several trustees

DAN SCHLOEMER, DISTRICT 1 —

Elected to the board in June 2008, Dan is celebrating 15 years of serving Firelands Electric’s members this month. In mid-2017, he was selected by fellow board members to fill the role of board secretary/treasurer. Later that year, Dan was elected to his current position as board president. Recently retired from Croghan Colonial Bank, Dan has more than 40 years of experience in the business and financial management industry. Before his retirement, he served as an executive vice president and chief lending officer for Croghan.

As a board member, Dan is grateful for the opportunity to work with Firelands’ dedicated trustees, management, and

JOHN MARTIN, DISTRICT 9 —

Elected to the board in June 2018, John has held the position of Firelands Electric trustee for five years. He has a diverse background, including 37 years with CSX railroad, six years in the U.S. Navy, and ten years as a councilman for the Village of New London. John also served as the mayor of New London for four years.

John’s favorite aspect of being a Firelands board trustee is interacting with the cooperative’s members about their needs and concerns, including renewable energy sources, legislation, and the financial impact of the current economy. John also feels that EVs represent one of the electric industry’s biggest challenges. “Meeting the potential power demands of the growing number of EVs is something electric co-ops will continue to need to address,” John says.

John and his wife, Melissa, live in the New London area. The couple enjoys spending time with their three children and spoiling their grandchildren. John also likes to garden, fish, and support the local Boy Scout chapters.

employees to provide the best possible service for cooperative members. Looking toward the future, Dan believes that cooperatives should continue to be mindful of the adoption rate of electric vehicles (EVs). “The number of EVs is accelerating and co-ops need to be prepared,” Dan says. “It’s essential that our distribution system and infrastructure are ready to meet members’ needs.”

Dan and his wife, Debbie, live in the Willard area and spend much of their free time with their six grandchildren. He also enjoys working on projects with his family and in his yard.

GENE LAMOREAUX, DISTRICT 2, AND TOM LUCHA, DISTRICT 3 — Gene (top right) and Tom (bottom left) recently completed the Credentialed Cooperative Director certification through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). This 5-course program focuses on honing the governance and fiduciary skills essential for trustees who serve as representatives of their cooperative membership. Board President Dan Schloemer presented both trustees with their certificates during the board meeting held on March 28.

John Martin DISTRICT 9 TRUSTEE

Dan Schloemer DISTRICT 1 TRUSTEE BOARD PRESIDENT

ANNUAL REPORT

strong BUILDING A Legacy

about firelands

Firelands Electric, a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility serving more than 9,200 homes and businesses in rural areas of Ashland, Huron, Lorain, and Richland counties that ranks among the highest energy utilities in the country for customer satisfaction.

The electric distribution utility is headquartered in New London, Ohio. Firelands Electric and its employees are local, accountable, and committed. We are accessible to our consumer-owners around the clock and communicate primarily through our people, bolstered by technology.

9,710 SERVICES IN PLACE

by the numbers

9,233 MEMBERS-OWNERS

997 MILES OF ENERGIZED LINE

9.73 MEMBERS PER MILE

4 COUNTIES SERVED

30 EMPLOYEES (27 FULLTIME)

31 townships in 4 counties

ASHLAND

LORAIN

HURON

RICHLAND

JUNE 24, 2023

Please join us for Firelands Electric Cooperative’s 85th annual meeting event to be held on Saturday, June 24, at the Ashland University Myers Convocation Center.

Please join us for a complimentary hot breakfast buffet for members and their immediate families. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend the business meeting, but seating for the hot breakfast is limited, so be sure to RSVP. Official annual meeting registration cards will be mailed in late May.

Members must bring their registration card with them on June 24 to receive a $10 bill credit applied to their August electric bill.

They will also receive a complimentary membership bag and gift, and be entered in special prize drawings. Winners must be present to win.

Firelands Electric will also be collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House of Akron at the cooperative’s annual meeting. Please bring a container or resealable plastic bag filled with pop tabs and help make a difference.

RSVP BEFORE JUNE 12

Seating is limited for the hot breakfast buffet, so your reservation must be submitted before Monday, June 12, 2023. Complete your reservation online at www.firelandsec.com/ annual-meeting-members OR by contacting Firelands Electric’s office at 1-800-533-8658.

MISSION STATEMENT

Improving the quality of life of our members by delivering reliable electric service at competitive prices, following the Seven Cooperative Principles, while supporting the communities where our members live and work.

building f the future

MESSAGE FROM MANAGEMENT

Firelands Electric is pleased to announce that 2022 was another successful year for your cooperative. Thanks to the diligent efforts of management and employees, we finished the year with strong margins. These margins are being allocated and $1 million in general retirement will be returned to members’ capital credits accounts in August, which is equivalent to the amount retired the previous year. Since 1948, Firelands Electric has returned nearly $20 million in capital credits back to its membership — which is one of the many benefits of a not-for-profit electric cooperative.

Your cooperative’s board of trustees, management, and employees are striving to keep the company’s controllable costs at the lowest levels possible, while continuing to maintain and improve our distribution system to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable power.

Significant increases in the cost of doing business over the past three years have been a challenge, especially with the rate of inflation and rising material costs. This resulted in a necessary rate adjustment to the monthly distribution charge and kilowatt-hour (kWh) charge that was reflected on the January 2023 bill. Rest assured, Firelands Electric will continue to make every effort to keep rising costs from further affecting our members.

Firelands’ rates remain very competitive with other area suppliers and electricity remains a truly outstanding value, especially when you consider everything it does for us every minute of the day. Each day, the cooperative strives to do everything possible to keep the lights on to ensure the safety and security of everyone in our community. Firelands has also established a long-range work plan that extends out to 2045, which will further strengthen our distribution grid and address substation upgrades. These improvements will help to meet growing power loads and kilowatthour demand — BUILDING A STRONG LEGACY FOR A POWERFUL TOMORROW.

Enhancing reliability continues to be a primary goal for Firelands Electric Cooperative. Management and crews are actively working on the cooperative’s current construction work plan, which extends through 2025 and entails nearly $12 million in improvements, with more than a million dollars dedicated to prioritizing lines with the highest incidents of outages. Increasing capacity and resilience of substation interconnection tie-lines is a priority in keeping our service steadfast.

SMARTHUB

General Manager

District 1 Trustee Board President

55.7% OF MEMBERS USE THE COOPERATIVE’S SMARTHUB APP TO RECEIVE NOTIFICAITONS ABOUT OUTAGES, BILLING, AND PEAK ALERTS.

focused on reliability

Firelands Electric and its employees are local, accountable, and committed. We are accessible to our consumer-owners around the clock and use people to communicate. The cooperative values personal contacts and relationships with members, and all of our employees strive to provide immediate response to outages.

From linemen and operation crews working in the field to office personnel advising members on the efficient use of technology or assisting those experiencing financial hardship or reduction of income, every employee is dedicated to serving our members.

A major component of Firelands’ commitment to reliability is the cooperative’s right-of-way maintenance program. In 2022, this included 238.5 miles of brush-hogging, trimming, and necessary tree removals at a cost of more than $860,000. Much of this work was completed throughout portions of Green Township in Ashland County; Hartland Township in Huron County; and Mifflin and Monroe townships in Richland County.

The cooperative’s right-of way maintenance program has traditionally been on a 4-year rotation. With a goal of 331 miles of regular rightof-way maintenance in 2023, Firelands plans to move toward a 3-year rotation in certain areas of the cooperative’s service territory.

In 2022, the cooperative completed multiple line rebuild projects to replace aging conductors, poles, and equipment to better serve increased load capacity. More than 3,000 utility poles were inspected in Ashland, Huron, and Richland counties — followed by the replacement of any deficient poles.

OUTAGE CAUSES

34.84% SQUIRRELS, SMALL ANIMALS, AND BIRDS

19.46% TREES

9.05% LIGHTNING UTILITY POLES

3,002 INSPECTED

26 REPLACED

OUTAGES

107AVERAGE MINUTES PER MEMBER*

*Excludesmajorstormoutages and transmission events.

The board of trustees, elected by the membership, oversees the general manager, sets company policy, and monitors the finances of the cooperative. They receive education and training to help better serve the membership.

board of trustees

Sitting (l-r): President Dan Schloemer, District 1 ; Vice President Bruce Leimbach, District 4; Secretary/Treasurer Carl Ayers, District 5.

Standing (l-r): John Martin, District 9; Kevin Reidy, District 6; Rob Turk, District 7; Gene Lamoreaux, District 2; Tom Lucha, District 3; Elaine Oswald, District 8.

Don Englet Director of Operations

Tabi Shepherd Director of Finance & Accounting

Shelley Magyar Director of Human Resources

Zach Collins Line Superintendent

management

Andrea Gravenhorst Director of Communications & IT

Dan McNaull General Manager

Melissa Wilson Engineering & Operations Data Coordinator

Ken Keener Meter Technician

Julie Amato Billing Representative

Jennifer Stevens Part-Time Office Services Assistant

Phil Pickering Lead Lineman

Josh Kirk Groundman

Stephanie Schmidt Consumer Services & AMI Coordinator

Tracy Gibb Communications & Member Relations Specialist

James Miller System Right-of Way Coordinator

Jessica Schwanger Part-Time Consumer Services Representative

Rob Swiger Engineering Operations Coordinator

Cindy Thompson Accountant

Bob Stokes Contracted Energy Advisor

Dave Sumpter Lead Lineman

Zach Hart Groundman

Evan Clemons Lead Lineman

Chris Kent Apprentice Lineman Robert Shepherd Journeyman Lineman

Matt Whiteside Apprentice Lineman

Jake Willbond Apprentice Lineman

Jake White Apprentice Lineman

Rick Bowers Lead Lineman

April Hicks Operations Assistant

Melissa Zacharias Accounting Clerk

SERVING the community . . .

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Concern for community is another way the electric cooperative distinguishes itself as more than just a power company. After nearly two years of COVID restrictions, Firelands was thrilled to get back into the community by participating in various parades and events, and providing safety education and demonstrations throughout the cooperative’s local communities.

SCHOLARSHIPS $10,500 IN SCHOLARSHIPS WAS AWARDED TO 11 CHILDREN OF MEMBERS, INCLUDING ONE CAREER SCHOLARSHIP.

OPERATION ROUND UP

Members supporting Operation Round Up contributed more than $46,600

to the People Fund in 2022. Since 1995, the People Fund has awarded nearly $1.3 MILLION

to individuals and organizations within our local communities to help with special needs in Ashland, Huron, and Richland counties.

AMERICAN CONSUMER SATISFACTION INDEX SCORE 88

*Thisis17.85%higherthanthe averageofotherutilitiesnationwide.

CAPITAL CREDITS

$1,264,470 WAS RETURNED TO CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS IN 2022

REBATES & INCENTIVES

326 APPLIANCE REBATES WERE AWARDED FOR A TOTAL OF $38,424

PAID TO MEMBERS OVER THIS PAST YEAR.*

*CostissharedwithBuckeyePower.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

292 SOLAR PANELS HAVE BEEN SOLD TO RESIDENTIAL MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN FIRELANDS’ COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECT, OURSOLAR, WHICH WAS EXPANDED THIS PAST YEAR.*

*This is in addition to the 36 members whohavesolarpanelsinstalledat theirresidenceorbusiness,whichare interconnectedtothecooperative’s distributionsystem.

EMPLOYEE FUNDRAISING

A TRADITION FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, FIRELANDS’ EMPLOYEEDRIVEN FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES DONATED $3,230

TO MORE THAN A DOZEN CHARITIES AND LOCAL FAMILIES IN 2022.

health

COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEARS ENDED

UTILITY PLANT

Electric plant in service

Construction work in progress

Less: Accumulated provision for depreciation and amortization

Net Utility Plant

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Investments in associated organizations

Deferred charges Total Non-Current Assets

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, consumers and other, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $249,145 ($237,838 in 2021)

ASSETS EQUITIES & LIABILITIES

STATEMENTS OF REVENUE & EXPENSES FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021

OPERATING

MARGINS

TheaccountsofyourcooperativefortheyearsendedDecember31,2022and2021,havebeenaudited.Theauditor’scomplete reportisonfileattheofficeofthecooperativeandisavailableforinspectionbythemembersofthecooperative.

Power cost – 56¢

Operations/maintenance – 15¢

Depreciation – 7¢

Administrative – 6¢

Margins – 6¢

Consumer, accounting, and sales – 4¢

Interest – 3¢

Taxes – 2¢

HOW EACH DOLLAR WAS SPENT IN 2022

YOUTH PROGRAMS

2020 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Winners of April drawing receive Amazon gift cards

Education helps shape the leaders of tomorrow. That’s why Firelands Electric includes it as one of our seven core principles. The A Team is a cooperative program designed to encourage students in their pursuit of academic excellence. Students in grades 6 to 8 are invited to participate and be recognized for their hard work and dedication to education.

Send

How you can win

Students in grades 6–8 who have a minimum of three A’s on their most recent report card and whose parents or guardians are members of Firelands Electric Cooperative are eligible to apply. A copy of the report card should be submitted by mail to Attn: The A Team, Firelands Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 32, New London, OH 44851. Report cards may also be emailed to members@firelandsec.com.

Be sure to include the student’s name, school, grade, address, phone number, parents’ name(s), and email address on your entry. Complete program details are also available at www.firelandsec.com/team.

Ady Stevens South Central Middle School Daughter of Chris and Mindy Stevens

Stephen Wiltrout Hillsdale Middle School Son of Brice and Sarah Wiltrout

Cody Anderson Mapleton Middle School Son of Josh and Georgia Anderson

BOARD MEETING

Firelands Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees met March 28 and covered the following items:

• Board President Dan Schloemer reported that the cooperative received 25 membership applications for approval by the board.

• General Manager Dan McNaull reviewed the petitions that had been filed for the 2023 trustee elections.

• Trustees nominated members for the Credentials Committee for the upcoming elections. Dan Schloemer appointed Dennis Rees; Gene Lamoreaux appointed Gary Hunter; Tom Lucha appointed Steve Gray; Bruce Leimbach appointed John Noss; Carl Ayers appointed Kevin Hahn; Kevin Reidy appointed Steve Willeke; Rob Turk appointed Steve Taylor; Elaine Oswald appointed Dave Seiss; and John Martin appointed Richard Murr. All nominations were accepted.

• The board reviewed an OEC Statistical Report issued in September 2022 and reported on how the cooperative compared to others in the state.

• McNaull advised the board of the upcoming NRECA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., which he and Director of Operations Don Englet would be attending.

• The board reviewed the cooperative’s 2022 audit. BHM CPA Group, who conducted the audit, reported it was a clean audit and that no issues were found.

• Englet reviewed recent projects in the operations department, including the planned widening of a portion of State Route 545 by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the progress on AEP’s construction of the new 69kV line in New London.

• The board discussed amounts for a potential retirement of capital credits.

• Director of Finance and Accounting Tabi Shepherd reviewed the February financials and reported on recent accounting and billing department activities.

• Director of Communications and Technology Andrea Gravenhorst reported on recent activities involving the member services and IT departments. McNaull commended Gravenhorst on a high score in the coop’s recent assessment with the Rural Electric Cyber Advancement Program.

The cooperative’s next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 27. If you would like to attend the next scheduled meeting, please contact the Firelands Electric o ce at 1-800-533-8658

Inspired by the Leather Vest John Wayne Wore in Many of His Classic Western Films!

Genuine Leather and Suede

4 Front Welt Pockets

A Quality Apparel Design Available Only from The Bradford Exchange

America’s classic cowboy, legendary actor John Wayne made a name for himself as a western movie star hero and a no-nonsense, ruggedly handsome star of the silver screen. This John Wayne Replica Leather Vest features hand-crafted genuine leather and suede just like the vest he wore in some of his most famous movies. Masterfully crafted with a genuine leather front and a real suede back, this vest includes a notched lapel, leather tie front, four welt pockets, and a rough striped cotton blend interior lining just like the vest he wore in True Grit, Big Jake, El Dorado and many more! This comfortable vest is designed for rugged good looks and classic western style.

An Outstanding Value Not Available in Stores

This leather vest is a remarkable value at $199.95*, payable in 4 interest-free installments of $49.99. It is available in men’s sizes M-XXXL (for sizes XXL and XXXL, add $10), and is backed by our unconditional 30-day guarantee. This vest is only available from The Bradford Exchange, so don’t miss out. To order, send no money now… just fill out and mail in your Priority Reservation today!

BY MARGO BARTLETT

This summer, you can take a voyage on a 19th-century British ship, visit ancient Rome, witness 50 years in a couple’s bedroom, travel to the underworld, and even go to the prom, all within the confines of the Buckeye State. Those are only some of the journeys offered by Ohio college theater programs that celebrate summer as a time to heat up the stage with musicals.

Of course, college summer theater programs showcase the talents of their own theater students. But it’s also a time they may feature alumni, students from other schools, and professional actors and designers from around the country, says Terri Kent, producing artistic director for Kent State University’s Porthouse Theatre. The combination adds up to robust performances that delight audiences, she says.

“The enthusiasm and commitment of the younger actors inspires everyone,” she says. “More seasoned actors are teaching by example. There are no classes, no exams. The students are learning through experience, and everyone is having a wonderful time.”

Ohio Cooperative Living caught up with three renowned college programs to get a sense of what’s happening on campus during the summer months. (Several others stage their own productions, so make sure to check out your local institution’s website to see what might be in store).

Ohio Light Opera at the College of Wooster

Freedlander Theatre, 329 E. University St., Wooster, OH 44691. 330-263-2345; www.ohiolightopera.org

At its peak, Ohio Light Opera’s program allows ambitious theater lovers to see as many as six shows in one week. While there are some devoted ticket holders who do just that, many others come to see one or two favorites.

Ohio Light Opera, the resident professional company of the College of Wooster, has been entertaining audiences since 1979, says Laura Neill, OLO’s executive director.

“The program offers a classical rotating repertory,” Neill says. “We open one show, then the next, then the next, and so on, and by the last three weeks of the season, we are playing and rotating all six shows.”

Performers, musicians, and production workers come from all over the country to participate in OLO shows. Auditions are held in Wooster and New York City, as well as virtually.

Cast members tend to perform in more than one show, Neill says. Actors might have lead and supporting roles in a couple of shows and perform in the chorus of a third, she says. Stage crews work on all the shows.

Summer Schedule

Camelot (Lerner and Loewe) — June 10, 14, 23, and 27; July 1, 7, 15, 18, 20, 23, 28, and 30.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Loesser) — June 15, 21, 24, and 30; July 2, 8, 12, 15, 21, 26, and 29.

No, No Nanette (Youmans, Harbach, and Caesar) — June 22, 24, and 28; July 1, 8, 14, 21, and 29.

H.M.S. Pinafore (Gilbert and Sullivan) — June 29; July 5, 7, 11, 13, 22, 25, and 28.

Arizona Lady (Kàlmàn) — July 6, 9, 14, 20, and 27.

Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach, Crémieux, and Halévy) — July 13, 16, 19, 22, and 27.

Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University

3143 O’Neil Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223. 330-672-3884; www.porthousetheatre.com

This year’s theme for Kent State’s Porthouse Theatre is “LOL all summer long,” Kent says. “To young people, that means ‘laugh out loud,’ but to some more ‘mature’ people, it can mean ‘lots of love.’ Our shows will provide plenty of both.”

Porthouse Theatre’s summer season features three shows: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a classic Stephen Sondheim musical; The Marvelous

Ohio Light Opera has been a College of Wooster summer tradition since 1979.

Wonderettes, a jukebox musical that follows four high school friends from prom to a reunion and features songs from the ’50s and ’60s; and The Prom, a Broadway show that tells a compelling story of love and acceptance.

The performances take place in the 500-seat Porthouse Theatre, a venue that is outdoors but covered from the elements, at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls. That setting, with lots of land adjacent to the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park, enables the group to offer an experience that goes beyond viewing the performances, Kent says. “People come to picnic before the shows,” she says. “Longtime subscribers come to meet and become friends. Some people stay to tailgate after the shows, meet the actors, and toast with champagne.”

Summer Schedule

(Shows run Tuesday through Sunday each week; check website for showtimes)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Shevelove and Gelbart; music/lyrics by Sondheim) —June 9–24

The Marvelous Wonderettes (Bean, Baker, and Borth) —

June 30–July 15

The Prom (Martin, Beguelin, and Sklar) — July 21–Aug. 6

Otterbein University’s Fritsche Theatre

30 S. Grove St., Westerville, OH 43081. 614-823-1109; www.otterbein.edu/summertheatre

When students and faculty in Otterbein University’s nationally recognized theater program returned to campus

college

from winter break in January 2023, they discovered pipes had burst under the main stage in Cowan Hall.

The damage required a subfloor to be replaced, a major repair that forced all theater performances and other programs to be relocated. To everyone’s relief, the new stage will be ready when I Do, I Do! opens June 1.

Otterbein Summer Theatre was launched in 1967 by a former theater department chair, Charles Dodrill, who, with technical director Fred “Pop” Thayer, built a theater in the basement of the student center, then the campus’s only air-conditioned building. In 2013, the summer theater moved to Cowan Hall’s Fritsche Theatre.

Most of the summer season’s performers are Otterbein students, according to Lenny Leibowitz, the artistic director, but professional Equity guest artists, Otterbein graduates, faculty members, and performers from other theater programs occasionally are hired. Most performers live on campus during the shows.

Saltzgiver says when Leibowitz was named artistic director in 2016, he brought a vision to the program to be “a company of epic imagination and intimate encounters. He challenged us to think bigger, to re-imagine the big, lush musicals in smaller, more intimate settings.”

Summer Schedule

I Do, I Do! (Jones and Schmidt) — June 1–4 and June 8–10 Baby (Shire, Pearson, Maltby Jr.) — June 15–18 and June 22–24

A break in the academic calendar gives

theater programs a chance to stretch and flex.

Kent State’s Porthouse Theatre operates on the grounds of the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls.

Otterbein’s summer schedule was jeopardized by a burst water pipe, but repairs were finished in time for the opening curtain.

BY JILL MOORHEAD

Along the road connecting Fredericktown and Amity in Knox County is a red wooden sign with a lobster on it, marking a driveway leading to 22 acres of wooded property featuring a creek, walking trails, two cabins and a 1961 Shasta Airflyte camper trailer for rent, a house, a small private writing hut, and, if the season is right, 700 pounds of live lobsters.

Brett Fletcher built the Lobstah Shack in 2008 using free lumber provided by a neighbor and has been selling Maine lobsters out of the 96-square-foot shack in Amity, Ohio (population 50), ever since. A 460-gallon lobster tank fills up the structure, though there’s enough room inside for Maine memorabilia and a small always-on radio that plays music to deter the squirrels. That tank, along with an additional 1,200-gallon tank in his garage, can hold up to 700 pounds of lobster, which he sells from May through December.

Knox County business brings a luscious bit of the East Coast to Ohio’s heartland.

Brett Fletcher has been selling Maine lobsters out of a 96-square-foot shack in Knox County for 14 years.

The road to Amity

After graduating from Ohio State University, Fletcher talked his dad into co-signing a loan for a lobster boat and moved to an off-the-grid family cabin in Georgetown, Maine. He spent the next 20 years as a professional lobsterer, hauling water to his makeshift shower and 200 traps’ worth of lobsters per day from the waters surrounding the island town.

The 2008 financial crisis hit hard for the lobster industry, especially in Maine. “Lobsters are a party food. They’re historically expensive,” Fletcher says. The market rate for lobsters plummeted along the coast, and he needed an alternate way to make income.

His plan? To open a lobster shack on his mother’s property in Amity. He would make regular trips to Maine to catch lobsters, bring them back to Ohio, sell them, and do it again.

“Everyone told me that I was crazy,” says Fletcher, “and because it’s so crazy, a lot of people come here.”

Aside from luring those intrigued by the absurdity of purchasing fresh lobsters from a shack in the middle of the woods outside of Mount Vernon, part of his strategy to attract customers is to keep prices the lowest in the area, by at least $4 a pound. “Last summer, places in Columbus would sell for $24.99 per pound. I was half of that,” he says.

Sea change

While the shack has remained the same, many parts of Fletcher’s operation have changed through the years.

First, he realized the difficulty of maintaining his lobster boat from 850 miles away. “My boat was unattended and broke loose in a storm,” he says, “and I knew I couldn’t be in two places at once. You really have to be there to take care of a boat.” So he now relies on his network of friends back in Maine to supply his lobsters.

For the first four years of the venture, Fletcher drove to Maine three times a month to purchase lobsters. But that turned out to be unsustainable as well. “I lost two transmissions, and I had one trip that was 36 hours,” he says. Fletcher now contracts with a trucking company that comes to Akron every Thursday with fresh lobsters. Fletcher fills his 2006 Chrysler Town and Country minivan with 18 boxes of lobsters and completes their trek to Knox County.

Live like a lobsterer, eat like a lobsterer

In 2018, Fletcher widened the experience at the Lobstah Shack by adding off-the-grid, pretend-you’re-in-Mainestyle accommodations on his property through Airbnb. Fletcher rents each of the three structures (two cabins and a trailer) for less than $80 a night.

He started with rehabbing a 1930s moonshiner’s cabin, complete with a trap door in the floor that leads to a pit for hiding moonshine during Prohibition. The cabin emulates Fletcher’s living experience as a trapper in Maine — with a wood stove inside, an outdoor solar shower, an RV toilet, charcoal grill, outdoor fireplace, and candles and lamps for lighting. Instead of views of the Atlantic coast, the cabin showcases the windy and determined Little Schenck Creek.

He also facilitates lobster dinners for guests who purchase lobsters. In some cases, he’ll deliver the cooked lobster. If guests prefer to boil dinner themselves, he provides large pots.

But either way, dinner is sure to be delicious.

The Lobstah Shack, 18784 Lower Fredericktown Amity Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. 207-751-9151 or www.thelobstahshack.com.

“I’m on the

with my UPWalker ® !”

For years, I found myself walking less and less. As I got older, aches and pains in my back and legs caused me to stay in my chair, watching TV . . . and watching life go by. My doctor told me to be more active, and I tried. I tried canes, walkers and rollators . . . and I hated them. Shuffling along, hunched over, looking at the ground two feet in front of me– that didn’t seem like a fun way to get around. Then, one day, a friend introduced me to the UPWalker. Nothing’s going to stop me now!

The UPWalker is a revolutionary new mobility device that can change your life by changing the way you walk. It enables you to stand upright when you walk–with your spine straight and your eyes looking straight ahead. Your weight is supported by your upper arms and shoulders, some of the strongest parts of your body. Traditional walkers and rollators force you to put the pressure of your body weight on your hands and wrists. You push them in front of you, looking at the ground instead of where you are going. The UPWalker moves with you, with your body perfectly aligned and your feet free to walk in a normal fashion. Its easy-adjust height system allows it to be the perfect fit/height for anyone from 4’10” to 6’1” and supports up to 300 pounds. The new stand-assist handles enable you to distribute your weight across your arms and

shoulders, not your hands and wrists to help reduce back, neck, wrist pain and discomfort. It features comfortable arm pads, hand brakes, a fold-down seat, a backrest and two storage bags. It’s built with aircraft-grade aluminum to be sturdy yet lightweight, and its sleek design and oversized wheels make it perfect for tight spots in the house or walking in the yard. Why spend another day bent over and shuffling around– or worse yet, plopped in front of the TV all day. Pick up the phone and take back your life. Call now.

facebook.com/waterfurnace

comfort

Switch WATERFURNACE UNITS QUALIFY FOR A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT* JUNE 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING  31

If the only thing bigger than your utility bill is the noise from your air conditioner...

Math problems are unforgiving; they are either right or they are not. Sure, you can show your work for credit, but if the answer is wrong, it’s wrong. And it gets complicated when equations involve measuring rainfall and land surface area and the projection of improbable events that one cannot possibly accurately foretell.

The state park that wasn’t

BY CRAIG SPRINGER

This is the story of a failed state park and its lake. To tell it faithfully, though, I need to tell you how I came across it. To do that, I need to first beg forgiveness, because I fibbed 44 summers ago.

When I was a boy, I worked in a supermarket fetching carts and sacking groceries. It was a fun job, a social outlet, and I met a great many wonderful folks. But it was work, after all, and I enjoyed catching smallmouth bass a whole lot more.

Indian Creek was my home waters, and I explored its every reach, from the Indiana line downstream to Millville. On one occasion I faked the flu, skipped work, and headed to the creek. I recall the day for two distinct reasons:

First, I encountered the ruins of curious concrete edifices in the creek bed that were clearly relics from another time. Old sycamores and silver maples grew thickly through cracked concrete. A tall tower stood there, orphaned, in what seemed the most out-of-the-

most

way place. Not 40 yards away, Indian Creek bent into a deep pool beneath sheltering box elders. That leads to the second reason for the memory: It was there that I hooked a smallmouth bass as long as my forearm and thick as a pillow from the smallest of waters. I deserved the private anguish that followed, given I couldn’t tell anyone — especially my parents — about the bass, because I should have been sacking groceries.

So now, about that lake, and that park that wasn’t.

I have come to understand that the concrete relics embody the desire and tenacity of local folks wanting to improve their quality of life during the Great Depression. The Hamilton Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, a national conservation organization, lobbied the FDR administration circa 1935 to have the Works Project Administration build a dam and plant the seeds of a state park with a lake between Hamilton and Reily, a quaint town nestled between gentle hills, bisected by the meandering Indian Creek in Butler County, near the Indiana state line.

The WPA built other small dams in Ohio, but never got to Reily. The Depression waned and the WPA became a postscript to hard times, but the Waltonians never gave up. Finally, in 1947, the Ohio Division of Conservation relented and contracted the construction of an earthen and concrete structure across Indian Creek, projected to create a 185-acre lake within what was to be a 300acre state park, both named Pater Lake. The dam was completed in December 1949. Then it rained. And rained some more.

According to records provided by the Reily Historical Society, a National Weather Service rain gauge at Oxford measured nearly 15 inches of rain in the first six weeks of 1950. Pater Lake rapidly filled, and promptly overflowed.

A math error revealed itself. The designing engineers failed to take into account the land surface area in the headwaters of Indian Creek inside Indiana. The road running to Reily flooded, as did farmland. In an emergency measure, the dam was breached to save

property and prevent loss of life. Photos taken in February 1950 show a torrent coming over the spillway. Crestfallen, no doubt, the Waltonians did not give up. They continued to press for a dam repair for several years, but it was not to be. The cost to fix the mistake was prohibitive, and the site was determined not to be as suitable as once thought. State officials turned their energies north of Oxford to Hueston Woods.

Had someone checked the engineers’ math, it would have saved a great deal of money and heartache. Ten years after the expected christening of a new state park, in 1960 , Pater Lake Park was accessioned by Butler County’s MetroParks, sans a 50 -foot-deep lake. Indian Creek still tumbles on toward the Great Miami, unimpeded.

I confess my irresponsibility that summer day in 1979, but, by gosh, that smallmouth bass was enormous.

A story of persistence, miscalculation, and a secret long kept.

Above: Before it all went wrong — the sign photographed by Gilson P. Wright (courtesy Smith Library of Regional History) marking the longanticipated state park that was to have been developed near Reily. At left: After the rains, a flooded road that led around the lake toward Reily (courtesy Reily Historical Society).

Explore Parkersburg:

Don’t just read about history – experience it in Parkersburg.

Ride the Island Belle sternwheeler down the Ohio River to explore the dramatic past and scandalous backstory of Blennerhassett Island. Take a guided tour of the reconstructed mansion or a narrated horse-drawn wagon ride.

Enjoy a leisurely self-guided walking tour of ornately detailed Victorian-era homes within the Julia-Ann Square Historic District, the state’s largest and oldest residential historic district.

Visit one of America’s finest and most complete historic mansions, filled with heirlooms collected by the five generations who called Henderson Hall their home.

Learn how oil and gas fueled the industrial revolution at the nationally recognized Oil & Gas Museum

With all this plus fantastic local shopping, dining and lodging options, make sure a historical getaway in Parkersburg, West Virginia is in your future. Plan your trip today!

2023 CALENDAR

NORTHWEST

JUN. 22–24 – Spencerville Summerfest, 116 S. Broadway St., Spencerville, Thur./Fri. 5 p.m., Sat. noon. Free. Rides, games, food, and entertainment tent. Craft and vendor show Sat. 10 a.m. at the American Legion; Route 66 Car Show Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; parade Sat. 4:30 p.m., fireworks 10 p.m. www. facebook.com/spencervillesummerfest.

Music by the Lima Area Concert Band at 9 p.m., followed by the area’s largest fireworks display at 10 p.m. See website for registration information. https://lima4th.com.

THROUGH JUL. 21 – “All Together Now”: Summer Library Program, Shelby County Libraries, in Anna, Botkins, Ft. Loramie, Jackson Center, Russia, and Sidney. Join us for a variety of themed programs, special guests, crafts, snacks, and more, plus prizes. Sign up at any of our six locations. www. shelbycountylibraries.org.

THROUGH AUG. 4 – Limaland Motorsports Park Races, 1500 Dutch Hollow Rd., Lima, 7:30–10:30 p.m. Sprints, UMP Modifieds, Thunderstocks, and more! Pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., grandstand gates at 5 p.m., warmup laps begin at 6:30 p.m. See website for updated information. www.limaland.com.

THROUGH SEP. 10 – NWORRP Museum Summer Hours, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. $3; 12 and under, $2. Museum tours, quarter-scale train rides, model train displays, games, play area, and more. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp.

THROUGH OCT. 14 – The Great Sidney Farmers Market , Shelby County Court Square, 100 E. Court St., Sidney, Sat. 8 a.m.–noon. Fresh produce, baked goods, jams and jellies, crafts, plants, and flowers. 937 - 658 - 6945 or www.sidneyalive.org.

JUN. 17 – Family Fun Day: “Summer Kick-Off,” Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. , 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 1 – 4 p.m. $ 5 . Enjoy games, quarter-scale train rides, bounce house, and other fun activities. 419 - 423 - 2995 , www. nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp.

WEST VIRGINIA

JUN. 23–25 – Maria Stein Country Fest, 2291 St. Johns Rd., Maria Stein. Free. Handicapped accessible. Tractor Square Dancers, tractor pulls, cruise-in car show, live music, games, horse and wagon rides, food, and more. www.facebook.com/ mscountryfest.

JUN. 24 – Lake Seneca Annual Miles of Yard Sales and Chicken Dinner, off St. Rte. 576, 1-1/4 miles north of U.S. 20, Montpelier. Chicken dinners start around 11:00 a.m. at the Arrowhead Lodge, with plenty of extras to eat and homemade bake sale items. For any questions, call 419-485-0393 or 419-485-0810

JUN. 24 – Lima Half-Mile Motorcycle Races, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, doors open 1 p.m., racing begins 6:30 p.m. $30–$45. Fans can meet the stars of the sport, get autographs, and take photos during open pits before the racing begins. Food and beverage vendors on-site. www. limahalfmile.com.

JUL. 1–2 – The Fantastic Tiffin Flea Market, Seneca Co. Fgds., 100 Hopewell Ave., Tiffin, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m., rain or shine. Free; handicapped accessible. 250 to 400 dealers per show. Food available for purchase. 419-447-9613 or www.tiffinfleamarket.com.

JUL. 4 – Independence Day Concert, Hayes Presidential Library and Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 2–3:30 p.m. Free. Bring a chair or blanket for this patriotic concert performed on the verandah of the historic Hayes Home. Civil War reenactors will fire cannons in sync with the “1812 Overture.” Food trucks on-site. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

JUL. 4 – Star Spangled Spectacular Fireworks and Freedom 5K, Faurot Park, South Cole Street and Lakewood Avenue, Lima. Race begins at 9 a.m.

JUL. 5 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities are geared for preschoolage children and focus on farming and nature in a picturesque outdoor setting. Families welcome! 419-447-7073, www.conservesenecacounty.com, or follow Seneca Conservation District on Facebook.

JUL. 7–8 – Cridersville Fireman’s Jamboree, 100 E. Main St., Cridersville, Fri. 4–10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–midnight. Family fun events all day long; concerts 8–11 p.m. both nights. www.facebook.com/ Cridersvillefiremansjamboree.

JUL. 7–9 – Huron River Fest, Huron Boat Basin, 330 N. Main St., Huron. Free. Live entertainment, games, rides, 5K and Fun Run, Road Show, food, and other activities. Fireworks over the river Fri. 10:15 p.m., parade Sat. 11 a.m. www.huronriverfest.com.

JUL. 8–9 – World War II Reenactment, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. There will be a camp area, open to the public, and then stations where reenactors will discuss aspects of being an Allied or Axis soldier during different points of the war. Public “battles” both days. 419-990-0107, www. auglaizevillage.com, or contact Robert Mergel at rjmergel@gmail.com.

JUL. 9 – Motorama, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 donation suggested. Open to self-propelled, motorized, or powered “anything,” including antique cars, custom rods, fire trucks, and cycles. No registration or fee. Breakfast at 9 a.m. Concession stand open till 2 p.m. 419-9900107 or www.auglaizevillage.com.

JUL. 15 – Malinta Festival, 8931 Co. Rd. K-2, Malinta, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., rain or shine. Flea market, car show, axe throwing, chicken BBQ, live auction, kids’ area, wagon rides, and other entertainment. 419-966-9909 or www.facebook.com/Malintafest.

JUN. 17 – Wild and Wonderful Celtic Festival and Highland Games, Camp Pioneer, 38 Pioneer Circle, Kings Run Rd., Beverly, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. First annual festival! Featuring Clan Village, Highland dancers, pipe and drum bands, Highland games, live entertainment, food, beer garden, and more. 304641-8770 or www.wvcelticfestandgames.com.

2023 CALENDAR JUNE/JULY

operas and musicals, as well as lesser-known works. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics. Rain location: United Church of Christ, 217 E. Liberty St., Medina. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

JUN. 18 – Father’s Day Car, Truck, and Bike Show, Grace Church, 4599 Burbank Rd, Wooster, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Registration 8–10 a.m.; no entry fee. All makes, all models. Trophies at 1:30 p.m. Free food and music. Rain date Jun. 25 330-465-8009 or www. graceforohio.org.

vendors, guest comic creators, hourly prizes. 330-462-3985 or www.harpercomics.com.

JUN. 30 – Loudonville Antique Festival, Central Park, Loudonville, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Buy, sell, and trade antiques and collectibles. 419-994-4789 or www. discovermohican.com.

JUL. 1 – Annual Car Show, downtown Loudonville, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Over 500 cars on display! Enjoy music, food, a raffle, and downtown shopping. http:// loudonvillechamber.com/events.

THROUGH JUL. 29 – “Susan Cook’s Award-Winning Quilts,” McCook House Museum, Carrollton, Fri./Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3. Susan has completed more than 200 quilts and has given away machine-made quilts to veterans, cancer patients, and many others. This exhibit features hand-sewn projects only. 330-4379715 or kathorn4120@gmail.com.

THROUGH AUG. 3 – Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series, Fort Steuben Park, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Thur. 7–9 p.m. Free. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy a variety of live musical performances. 740283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.

THROUGH OCTOBER – Quilt Exhibit: “History in Pieces,” Bimeler Museum, Historic Zoar Village. Featuring fine quilts from the National Quilt Museum in Kentucky (including one from an Ohio quilter) and Zoar-made quilts from the 19th century. See website for museum schedule. 800-262-6195 or www. historiczoarvillage.com.

JUN. 16–17 – Simply Slavic Festival, Federal Plaza East, downtown Youngstown, preview Fri. 5–11 p.m., Sat. noon–midnight. $5, 12 and under free. Live music, folk dance, homemade food, kids’ learning areas, educational exhibits, and ethnic vendors. www. simplyslavic.org.

JUN. 17 – Dean Martin Festival and Parade, South 4th Street and various sites, Steubenville. Dino Dash, Rat Pack Parade, music, food, entertainment, and displays on the life of native son Dean Martin. 740283-4935 or www.visitsteubenville.com.

JUN. 17 – Opera Under the Stars, Uptown Park, Medina, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy tunes from your favorite

SOUTHEAST

JUN. 21–23 – Greek Food Festival, Holy Trinity Greek Church, 300 S. 4th St., Steubenville. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Free. Outdoor dining and take-out, music, dance, entertainment, plus tours of the church. 740-282-7770 or www.holytrinitygreekfest.com.

JUN. 23 – Russian Duo: “An Evening of Piano and Balalaika,” John Streeter Garden Amphitheater, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Free, but registration recommended. Siberian balalaika virtuoso Oleg Kruglyakov and American concert pianist Terry Boyarsky. Rain location: Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco. org.

JUN. 23–24 – Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival, Cuyahoga Co. Fgds., 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Berea. $10–$20. Scottish heavy athletics, competitive jousting, axe throwing, keg toss, haggis throw, genealogy, clans, competitions in bagpipe, Highland dance, harp, fiddle, and more. www. ohioscottishgames.com.

JUN. 23–25 – Cy Young Days Festival, Newcomerstown. Live music, food, competitions, midway, car show, parade, old-fashioned baseball games, and other entertainment. This year’s parade marshal is Eric Gagne. www.cyyoungdaysfestival.com.

JUN. 24–25 – Our Little World Alpacas Spring Open House, 16800 Cowley Rd., Grafton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Come see our newest crias (babies). Learn about alpaca care and feeding and about processing the fiber. Locally hand-knitted products for sale. 440-7247070 or www.ourlittleworldalpacas.com.

JUN. 25 – Akron-Summit Comic Con, Summit Co. Fgds., 229 E. Howe Rd., Tallmadge, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5 (cash at entrance); 6 and under free. Comic and toy

information, email director@visitnoblecountyohio.com.

JUN. 16–SEP. 3 – Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, Mon.–Sat. 8 p.m. $30–$50. Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country. www.tecumsehdrama.com.

JUN. 17 – Kenworth Truck Parade, downtown Chillicothe, 8 p.m. Free. The second annual parade will have over 50 new, classic, and customized Kenworth semi-trucks. Come help celebrate Chillicothe’s 100th anniversary! 740-702-7677 or www.visitchillicothe.com.

JUL. 1 – “History and Culture of Native Americans in the Ohio Country in the 18th Century,” 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, 11 a.m. Free. Presented by Alan Fitzpatrick. Held in the Fort Laurens Theater. 330874-2059 or www.fortlaurens.org.

JUL. 7 – First Fridays on Fourth, 155 N. 4th St., Steubenville, 6–10 p.m. Free. Art, crafts, games, food trucks, live entertainment, and activities to stimulate the imagination. www.theharmoniumproject.org/ first-Fridays.

JUL. 7–8 – Shelby Bicycle Days, downtown Shelby. Bikes, parade, food, fireworks, and more. www. shelbycic.com/bikedays.

JUL. 8–9 – Ashland County Yesteryear Machinery Club Show, Ashland Co. Fgds., 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland. Free; donations accepted. Featuring John Deere tractors and equipment, garden tractors, and engines. Farm toy show, model train show, flea market, food vendors, kiddie rides both days; car show, antique tractor pull, kiddies’ pedal pull on Sunday. 330-465-3387 (Kevin Williard) or www. yesteryearmachinery.org.

JUL. 11–15 – Ashland Chautauqua: “History’s Real Action Figures,” Ashland. Living history performances and daytime workshops on Meriwether Lewis, Jackie Cochran, Pauli Murray, Samuel Bellamy, and Harry Houdini. Evening performances at Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell, 209 Parkside Dr. For more information, email info@ashlandchautauqua.org or visit www.ashlandchautauqua.org.

JUL. 11–16 – Trumbull County Fair, 899 Everett Hull Rd., Cortland. An array of grandstand entertainment, daily shows, local bands, exhibits, and rides. 330-6376010 or www.trumbullcountyfair.com.

JUN. 23–24 – National Cambridge Glass Collectors Show and Sale, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge, Fri. 1–5 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, good for both days. 740-432-4245 or www. cambridgeglass.org.

JUN. 24 – Glass Dash, St. Benedict’s Gymnasium, 701 Steubenville Ave., Cambridge, 7–8:30 a.m. early bird admission, $10; 8:30–11 a.m., $5. Off-site glass sale, usually almost all Cambridge. www.cambridgeglass.org.

JUL. 5–8 – Ohio Hills Folk Festival, Fair and South Streets, Quaker City. Parades, car show, country store, entertainment, rides, 5K, and activities for kids. 740-685-6590 or www.facebook.com/profile.

THROUGH DECEMBER – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon; Apr. 20–Nov. 23, Wed./Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Voted Ohio’s #1 favorite farmers market! 740-593-6763 or www.athensfarmersmarket.org.

JUN. 9–10 – Art on the Square, downtown Caldwell, Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Outdoors arts and crafts show, vendors, food, live entertainment. For more

JUN. 17 – National Road Bike Show and Ribfest, Historic Downtown Cambridge, 11.am.–7 p.m. Hot rods and bikes, live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and more. 740-439-2238 or www.downtowncambridge.com.

JUN. 23–24 – Kicking Bear One-on-One, Deerassic Park Education Ctr., 14250 Cadiz Rd., Cambridge. For ages 5–13. Archery, fishing, canoeing, riflery, camping, and other outdoor activities. Free, but registration required. 740-435-3335 or www.deerassic.com.

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JUL. 7–9 – Ohio Jeep Fest, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. $15–$60. Trail rides, modified and stock obstacle courses, kids’ zone, vendors, mud pits, camping, live entertainment. www.ohiojeepfest.com.

JUL. 8 – Red, White, and Blue Ice Cream Social, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $5–$12. Bring your lawn chairs. www.adenamansion.com.

CENTRAL

JUN. 8, JUL. 13 – Inventors Network Meeting, The Point at Otterbein University, 60 Collegeview Rd., Westerville 43081, 7 p.m. Educational presentations and discussion about the invention process. Zoom meetings Jun. 15 and Jul. 20 at 7 p.m. 614-470-0144 or www.inventorscolumbus.com.

JUN. 15–17 – Washboard Arts and Music Festival, downtown Logan. Free. Live music, arts and crafts, craft demos, food vendors, Columbus Washboard Company factory tours, classic car cruise-in, and more! washboardfestival@gmail.com or www. washboardmusicfestival.com.

JUN. 30–JUL. 4 – Ashville 4th of July Celebration, various spots around Ashville. Our five-day celebration features our famous fish fry, free entertainment, ride specials, midway food, parade, and, of course, fireworks! www.ashville4thofjuly.com.

JUL. 3 – Red, White & BOOM!, downtown riverfront and the Arena District, Columbus, noon–midnight. Free event featuring a parade, street festival, and two stages of live music entertainment, ending with Ohio’s largest fireworks display. www.redwhiteandboom.org.

THROUGH SEP. 30 – Sunbury Farmers Market, Sunbury Town Square, 9 E. Granville St., Sunbury, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Offering local handmade, homemade, and homegrown products. 740-513-9192 or sunburyohiofarmersmarket@gmail.com.

THROUGH OCT. 28 – Coshocton County Farmers Market, 22375 Co. Rd. 1A, Coshocton, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon. Local fresh produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts at our new location by the Walhonding River. market.manager@coshfarmmarket.org or www. facebook.com/coshoctonfarmersmarket.

THROUGH OCT. 28 – Spring Farmers Market, Adornetto’s, 2224 Maple Ave., Zanesville, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Locally grown produce, homemade food, locally raised/processed meat, farm eggs, Ohio cheese, and more. www.zanesvillefarmersmarket.org.

THROUGH OCT. 29 – Rock Mill Days, Stebelton Park at Rock Mill, 1429 Rockmill Place NW, Lancaster, Wed./Sat. 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Sun. 1–4 p.m. Free. Tour the restored 1824 gristmill, walk on the covered bridge, and enjoy the view of Hocking River Falls. 740-2434436 or www.fairfieldcountyparks.org.

SOUTHWEST

JUN. 16–18 – Zane’s Trace Commemoration, 375 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville. Free. Live bands, parade, 5K/10K races, arts and crafts, History Canal Walk, History Village with demonstrators, kayak races, kids’ fishing tournament, food, and much more. 740-4876776 or https://zanestracecommemoration.com.

JUN. 17 – Marysville Uptown Food Crawl, 131 N. Main St., Marysville, 12–3 p.m. $20 advance ticket required; purchase at Richwood Bank Marysville Branch. Enjoy samples from local restaurants while you stroll around uptown. Live music, face painting, balloon animals. Proceeds benefit Union County Guardianship Services. 937-209-2275 ext. 0 or www. ucvgp.org.

JUN. 20 – Farmers Market, Roseville Branch Library, 41 N. Main St., Roseville, 4–6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Roseville Branch Library Friends Group. 740-6970237 or juanita@muskingumlibrary.org.

JUN. 24 – Family Fun on the Farm Festival, Malabar Farm State Park, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, 2–6 p.m. Free annual festival featuring hands-on kids’ activities focused on natural resources and where food comes from. Food available for purchase. http://bit.ly/3XBX7aN.

JUL. 3–8 – Marion County Fair, 220 E. Fairground St., Marion. Livestock shows, horse shows, tractor pulls, rodeo, live music, and much more. 740-3822558 or www.marioncountyfairgrounds.com.

JUL. 9 – Tour of Gardens: “Fantastic Plots on Urban Lots,” Marysville, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $10. Presented by Union County Master Gardener Association. See landscaping examples of perennial, shade, wildflower and vegetable gardens at residences and the demonstration gardens at the Agricultural Center. 937644-8117 or https://union.osu.edu.

JUL. 12–15 – Pottery Lovers Show and Sale, Holiday Inn Express, 1101 Spring St., Zanesville. Join fellow pottery lovers from across the nation at the largest and oldest gathering of pottery collectors and dealers. www.potterylovers.org.

JUL. 13–15 – Picktown Palooza, Pickerington Central High School, 300 Opportunity Way, Pickerington. Fun and family-oriented event with live entertainment, carnival rides, food vendors, kids’ corner, and more! Car, truck, and bike show Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 614-3792099 or www.picktownpalooza.org.

THROUGH JUL. 26 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www. vinokletwines.com.

JUN. 9–11 – Versailles Poultry Days, 459 S. Center St., Versailles. Free. Enjoy our world-famous barbecue chicken dinners, contests, Ultimate Frisbee tournament, cornhole, grand parade, antique car show, and other entertainment. www. versaillespoultrydays.com or www.facebook.com/ versailles.poultrydays.

JUN. 16 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, a wide variety of craft beers, and food truck eats. 513-832-1422 or http:// fibbrew.com.

JUN. 17 – Family Program: “Wonder Walk,” Wagers Memorial Park (Devils Backbone), 1301 OH-725 W., Camden, 1–3 p.m. Free. Bev Holland, naturalist and teacher, leads the walk/hike. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com or www. preblecountyparks.org.

JUN. 24 – Family Program: The Dulcimer Guy, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 7 p.m. Enjoy a free concert by Matthew Dickerson, National Hammer Dulcimer Champion. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www. preblecountyparks.org.

JUN. 24 – Kids’ Program: “International Mud Day,” Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 1–3 p.m. Free. Mud provided! Bring play clothes and old shoes. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@ gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

JUN. 24–25 – Carillon Park Rail Festival, 1000 Carillon Rd., Dayton, Sat. 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $10–$14, 2 and under free. Miniature train rides, live steam engines, model train displays, historical displays, train merchandise, and much more. www.daytonhistory.org/events/special-events.

JUL. 3–4 – Centerville–Washington Township Americana Festival, downtown Centerville. Free. Community concert, flag ceremony, and fireworks on the 3rd; parade, 5K run, street fair, and auto show on the 4th. 937-433-5898 or www.americanafestival.org.

JUL. 4 – Red, White, and Blue Ash, Summit Park, Blue Ash, 4–10:30 p.m. Music, rides, games, food, drink, and family fun. Concerts followed at 10 p.m. with the biggest and best fireworks in the area. http://blueashevents.com.

JUL. 6–9 – Greenville Farm Power of the Past, Darke Co. Fgds., 800 Sweitzer St., Greenville. $5–$10, 12 and under free. Featuring John Deere tractors and equipment, gas engines, truck and tractor pulls, car show, horse events, kids’ events. 937-547-1845 or www.greenvillefarmpower.org.

JUL. 8 – Family Program: “Guitars in the Night,” Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N, Lewisburg, Sat. 7 p.m. Free concert by Eric Loy, featuring acoustical and harp guitars. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail. com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

JUL. 8 – Family Program: “Recycle for Art,” Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 1–3 p.m. Free. Led by water, soil, and recycling expert Beth Wright. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

MEMBER INTERACTIVE Hook, line, and sinker

A great day at the pond for my son (who took the picture) and his friend, Kaleb Pond.

For September, send “Strike up the band” by June 15.

Henry catching a little minnow. Adam Schnipke, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative member

Corey Sullivan, Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative member

Patty Diehl, 74, with her big one that didn’t get away, at Lower Loramie Creek in Shelby County. Lew Diehl, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member

5-year-old Kayden Herman with a largemouth bass he caught. Ashley Herman, South Central Power Company member

This is a photo of our grandson, Fisher Jones, catching his first fish in our pond. Ron and Becky Knippen, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative members

Our son Luke with a big catch! Joe and Curri Seifert, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members

My daughter, Aubrey Schumm, showing up her brother with her catches. Jeremy Schumm, North Central Electric Cooperative member

My daughter Alisha with a 34-pound catfish she caught. Rachel Seaman, Adams Rural Electric Cooperative member

SAVE A LIFE

Downed Power Lines & Distracted Drivers

Drivers distracted in their cars crash into utility poles too often. It can lead to outages but, even worse, it can be deadly if you don’t know what to do. Downed lines energize the ground up to 35 feet away.

1. Stay in car if no fire

2. Call 911 and wait for emergency crews

3. If fire, open door, jump out, keep both feet together on the ground

4. Shu e feet away from car 35 feet; keep both feet on the ground at all times