OHIO
APRIL 2020
COOPERATIVE Washington Electric Cooperative
Lineworker Appreciation Month We keep your lights on
ALSO INSIDE Co-op lineworkers: always on duty Underground Railroad in Ohio Hunting for Easter eggs
Celebrate National Lineman Appreciation Day: April 13
They keep our lights on every day. But they also help communities rebuild after weather disasters, and they even travel across the globe to bring electricity to people who have never had it. To recognize your co-op’s dedicated employees, #ThankALineman this April.
ohioec.org/purpose
OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
INSIDE FEATURES 24 PATH TO FREEDOM Geography and politics gave Ohio an important role in the Underground Railroad.
28 SAFETY MISSION A program aims to spread the word and reduce the dangers associated with living on the farm.
30 GATEWAY TO THE HILLS The new visitors’ center at Hocking Hills State Park gives adventurers a starting point for their stay.
40 A SUNNY SURPRISE One family’s farm pond yields a staterecord green sunfish to a 9-year-old in Richland County.
Cover image on most issues: Electrical linework is one of the most dangerous professions in the country, so in April, electric cooperatives take a day to honor their first responders.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 1
UP FRONT
DEDICATED I
f you’ve read this magazine for long enough, you get the idea that we respect, even admire, the people whose job it is to go out every day and keep our lights on. The lineworkers who represent each of the 24 electric cooperatives in our state are the first responders of the cooperative world. They are a dedicated, self-sacrificing bunch who do not flinch when the call goes out — any time of day, any season of the year. Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 13. The next time you flip a switch to bring a dark room to life, power up your cellphone or iPad, or even enjoy a hot shower in the morning, remember the people who power your co-op. The dedication of the lineworkers — and the entire co-op staff — to keeping your lights on is remarkable, and it’s genuine. In March, a group of Ohio lineworkers volunteered to leave the safety and security of their hometowns and share that skill and dedication with the 634 residents of Tierra Blanca Sebol, a tiny village in Guatemala. It was the third time an Ohio group has made such a trip — Ohio co-op lineworkers also electrified Guatemalan villages in 2016 and 2018 — and while neither of the previous ventures could be described as coming off without a hitch, this trip was especially complicated. Because the group’s status was evolving and things were still being sorted out while this issue of Ohio Cooperative Living was being printed, we’ll give everyone a more detailed account of the trip in the May magazine. Meanwhile, back here in Ohio, we know as we always have that we can count on our lineworkers when there’s trouble — big or small — and we’re proud of and grateful for these heroes every time they answer the call. Thanks to our lineworkers, for what they do for us each and every day.
2 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Pat O’Loughlin PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
The lineworkers are the first responders of the cooperative world. They are a dedicated, selfsacrificing bunch who do not flinch when the call goes out.
APRIL 2020 • Volume 62, No. 7
MORE INSIDE Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 memberinteract@ohioec.org www.ohioec.org Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO Patrick Higgins Director of Communications Jeff McCallister Managing Editor Rebecca Seum Associate Editor Anita Cook Graphic Designer Dava Hennosy Editorial Intern Contributors: Celeste Baumgartner, Colleen Romick Clark, Victoria Ellwood, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Craig Springer, and Damaine Vonada. OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official commun ication 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. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved.
DEPARTMENTS 4
POWER LINES
8
CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
Always on duty: Co-op lineworkers know their lives may be put on hold at any time when duty calls.
Consolidated Cooperative: The Mount Gilead-based co-op serves an area rich in history and recreation.
4
10 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
One weird bird: The experience of watching an American bittern in the wild is worth the wait.
12 CO-OP PEOPLE
10
Orchid empire: Green Circle Growers has blossomed into one of the nation’s most innovative greenhouses.
15 GOOD EATS
EGGS-tra good: Wholesome,
For all advertising inquiries, contact
Cheryl Solomon American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Offi ce, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101
Cooperative members: Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes. Alliance for Audited Media Member
nutritious, and delicious, versatile eggs can liven up any meal.
12
19 LOCAL PAGES
News and information from your electric cooperative.
35 CALENDAR
What’s happening: April/May events and other things to do around the state.
15
38 MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Easter egg hunt: Readers left no stone unturned for a fine haul of Easter eggs and other surprises.
38
Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 3
POWER LINES
ALWAYS ON Co-op lineworkers know their lives may be put on hold at any time when duty calls. BY JEFF McCALLISTER
W
eather forecasters knew it was a potentially devastating storm — a moisture-laden system rolling up from the Gulf of Mexico on a collision course with an arctic blast from the north, with Ohio right in the crosshairs. Ohioans heard they could have heavy rain or heavy snow, depending on the timing. If they were really unlucky, it might be heavy rain that froze as it fell. Mike Martin, a lineman at HolmesWayne Electric Cooperative in Millersburg, didn’t really concern himself with the forecast that December day in 2004; whatever would come, he and his brother lineworkers would deal with as they always did — and early on, it looked like his co-op would be spared the worst of it. “It was really just a good soaking rain that first night,” Martin says. “We were getting a few calls, and
4 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Mike Martin once worked 18 consecutive shifts when an ice storm left nearly 90% of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative’s consumer-members without power.
it looked like some of our members might be out for as long as a day or two. Then when we woke up the next morning and saw it in the daylight, we knew it was a bad situation.” The arctic air met the rain on a path that led directly through the Holmes-Wayne service territory, and as many as 15,000 of the co-op’s 17,000 members lost power. In all, a half-million Ohioans were in the dark, including an estimated 100,000 electric cooperative members across the central, southwestern, and northeastern parts of the state. Even with help from lineworkers sent by less-hard-hit areas, Martin and his crew worked 18 consecutive 16- to 18-hour days, including Christmas and New Year’s, in freezing temperatures, getting power restored. “I remember being up on a pole turning one house back on,” he says. “It was after dark, and the kids came running out of the house yelling and cheering and
thanking us. It actually took us a little bit to realize that it was Christmas Eve. It was a touching moment for us. It makes you feel really proud of the work you do.” Meanwhile, Martin’s own family and extended family put off their Christmas celebration for two full weeks while he was on the job. That’s the type of courage and dedication electric cooperatives across the country honor on Lineworker Appreciation Day, this year on April 13. “Electric linemen don’t often get the recognition they deserve,” says Kyle Hoffman, who heads up the lineworker training program for Ohio’s electric cooperatives. “They work all hours of the day, often in hazardous conditions, far from their families. They go above and beyond to restore power to their Continued on page 6
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 5
Barry Wisniewski, a lineman for Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, got his introduction to co-op work during the notorious blizzard of 1978. Co-op lineworkers across the country are being honored April 13 for their 24-hour dedication to duty.
Continued from page 5
communities. Our linemen, as well as linemen across the nation, deserve a day of recognition.” Barry Wisniewski has been on the job for more than 40 years at Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, based in New Concord. He says he appreciates the recognition that lineworkers get on Lineworker Appreciation Day, but it’s certainly not the reason they do what they do. Originally hired as the co-op’s first meter reader, Wisniewski got an early taste of the lineworker mindset when he got a field promotion on his first day on the job. The snow that was falling that day turned into the notorious blizzard of 1978. “It was all hands on deck, right from the start,” Wisniewski says. “We were clearing paths through 6 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
snowdrifts that were higher than our trucks to get through and restore power when no one else could go anywhere. That was my introduction to this type of work, so starting that way, nothing else that has come up really seems that unusual.” The experience made such an impression that Wisniewski decided to go into the profession full time. “I think to a one of us, our attitude says that we are going to stay out there until the power’s on, no matter what,” he says. “There’s not a bit of quit in them, and there aren’t many linemen who would even consider changing that, no matter what day it is — Christmas, their birthday, a hundred degrees in the summer or 10 below in the winter — that’s just how these guys are.”
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CO-OP SPOTLIGHT
CONSOLIDATED COOPERATIVE
C
onsolidated Cooperative serves almost 18,000 members in eight counties in north-central Ohio, concentrated in Delaware and Morrow counties. The cooperative not only provides electricity but also offers propane and fiber internet in some areas.
Morrow County Consolidated Cooperative’s main office is located on State Route 95 in Mount Gilead, the Morrow County seat. The county is home to an impressive and awe-inspiring park system, which co-op employees and many others often enjoy during lunchtime walks. Visitors from around the state are drawn to Mount Gilead State Park for its outdoor amenities, but Morrow County’s Parks District is also well-known for its recreational opportunities. The district is made up of five parks: Sheedy Sanctuary, Cedar Fork Park, Sautter Memorial Park, Fishburn Reserve, and Gleason Family Nature Reserve. The parks have well-maintained hiking trails, and some of the parks have organized, family-friendly activities. Gleason, Sheedy, and Sautter have each held guided interpretive nature walks. Gleason is the largest park in the reserve and has been undergoing rapid ecological change since reforestation and grassland restoration began in 2008. The previously agricultural fields are changing into a more diverse habitat featuring new migrants such as beavers.
Delaware County The Delaware County Fair becomes the center of the harness racing universe each September, when it’s the site of the Little Brown Jug — the second leg of harness racing’s Triple Crown for pacers. The event, hosted by the Delaware County Agricultural Society since 1946, takes place at the Delaware County Fairgrounds racetrack on the third Thursday after Labor Day, during the county fair. Delaware County residents also take special pride in their most famous native: Civil War hero, abolitionist, and the 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes. Last fall, a 7-foot statue of Hayes was unveiled in downtown Delaware on the 197th anniversary of his birth. Before taking the oath of office on March 3, 1877, Hayes also served in Congress — elected while he still served as a general in the Union Army — then won three terms as Ohio’s governor before becoming president. Delaware residents revere Hayes for his hometown values and sense of community. Consolidated’s employees were proud to have represented the cooperative at the unveiling of the new statue, which overlooks the president’s birthplace.
8 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Co-op Spotlight appears regularly in Ohio Cooperative Living to give a glimpse into the land and the people of Ohio’s 24 electric cooperatives.
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WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
ONE WEIRD BIRD The experience of watching an American bittern in the wild is worth the wait. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
10 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
I
don’t consider myself an avid birder, but I understand enough about Ohio birds to know when something unusual shows up. Serendipity struck last year about this time when I came across an American bittern in a small wetland on private property near my home in north-central Ohio. A sizeable bird, measuring 2 feet tall with a 31/2-foot wingspan, it must have heard me coming. It was already “frozen” in its hiding-in-plain-sight pose when I saw it standing just a few feet from the swamp’s edge in shallow water near some cattails. The bird had compressed its body and was pointing its stout bill skyward. “Nothing to see here,” it seemed to say. “I’m just another marsh reed. Move along …” American bitterns are not easy to spot, for two reasons. First, there aren’t very many of them — they’re stateendangered. Second, they are masters of camouflage. The bird kept its heavily streaked breast turned toward me at all times, rotating slowly as I moved back and forth for a better camera angle. It would even sway slightly from side to side, as a reed does in the wind. But there was no wind that particular morning, which made the bird’s actions look a little ridiculous, as if he or she — the sexes appear similar — were a little tipsy. Nevertheless, the bittern continued its charade for more than two hours, convinced I couldn’t see it from a mere 20 feet away. Another reason the bittern was likely reluctant to flush and fly is that it was no doubt feeding on the dozens of leopard frogs that were breeding in a watery springtime amphibian orgy just a few yards away. As a result, I’ve never had a more cooperative, accommodating wildlife photo subject.
They are usually a bird of large open wetlands, such as Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge or the adjacent Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, east of Toledo. Both of those refuges are located along the Lake Erie shoreline and make up the largest wetland complex in Ohio. During migration, American bitterns can drop into smaller wetlands anywhere in the state, so keep your eyes and ears open this spring. The wild world is a constant stage of changing natural, ephemeral scenes. That’s part of the fascination of the outdoors — you never know quite what you’ll find. You just have to get off the couch long enough to discover what’s out there. If possible when you go, take a child or grandchild along. W.H. “CHIP” GROSS is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor and a member of Consolidated Cooperative. If you have an outdoors-related story idea, send him an email at whchipgross@gmail.com.
As if all that behavior wasn’t bizarre enough, American bitterns have one more unique feature: They make a call that is other-worldly. Usually heard at dawn, dusk, or even after dark during spring or early summer, it is a deep, slow, resonant, repetitive “pomp-er-lunk” or “oonka-choonk” that can carry a great distance. Some ornithologists have described the sound as a pump operating underwater, earning the bird its nickname: thunder-pumper. The sound is worth going online to hear; I suggest the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. The American bittern I encountered last April is the only one I’ve ever spotted in the wild, but I hope it’s not my last.
To hear a recording of the American bittern’s call, visit www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Bittern.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 11
CO-OP PEOPLE
Orchid empire
Green Circle Growers has blossomed into one of the nation’s most innovative greenhouses. BY DAMAINE VONADA
W
ith jade leaves held upright by translucent vases and tall flower spikes laden with buds, Phalaenopsis orchids ride on a conveyor belt inside the orchid range at Green Circle Growers. A computerized camera has just photographed the orchids, and soon a series of automated arms will embrace each one and methodically funnel it into a row of similar plants. “The camera takes 10 digital pictures of every orchid to determine how developed it is,” says Jose Martinez, marketing manager at GCG. “The plants are then grouped
12 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
according to their size and number of spikes and blooms. If a plant is too small, it goes back to a growing area.” A member of Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative, Green Circle Growers ranks among the nation’s largest and most innovative greenhouses, operating 100 acres of indoor growing space and 35 acres of outdoor growing space in the countryside west of Oberlin. It also employs more than 800 people and is Lorain-Medina’s largest consumer of electricity. John van Wingerden founded Green Circle Growers as a vegetable farm in 1968. While the company remains
to mass-produce Phalaenopsis hybrids. Since the Dutch are old masters at state-of-the-art floriculture, much of the advanced grading machinery came from the Netherlands. Orchids get digital codes that allow constant monitoring of their growth, and when they’ve sufficiently matured, a robot not only assembles shipping boxes but also packs the plants inside. “A box contains thirteen plants, and the robot can build and pack 180 boxes in an hour,” says Martinez. The company installed environment-friendly boilers fueled by tree waste and recycled pallets to help to simulate the tropical conditions in which the orchids naturally grow, and by using retention ponds to collect rainwater, its irrigation system yields 1.5 million gallons of water for every inch of rainfall.
VIDEO LINK: For a closer look at the production lines at Green Circle Growers, visit www.ohioec.org/orchids.
Those who work at Green Circle Growers, including Jose Martinez (left) and Caitlin Fisher (top), are constantly surrounded by a multitude of orchids in various stages of growth.
family owned and managed, it now grows and distributes bedding plants; seasonal plants such as poinsettias, Easter lilies, and mums; and a diverse selection of indoor potted plants that includes Crassula succulents, leafy dieffenbachia, tiny bonsai trees, and a veritable rainbow of prolifically blooming Phalaenopsis orchids. Green Circle Growers, in fact, devotes 33 acres of greenhouse space to orchids and has blossomed into the top orchid grower in North America. “We produce 8.5 million orchids every year,” says Martinez. “Because they’re all grown under roof, we raise and sell them year-round.” Florida and California establishments have traditionally dominated U.S. orchid production, but this Ohio company became a major player by adopting technology and sustainable practices that allow it
In addition to marketing succulent and foliage plants under its Wild Interiors trademark, Green Circle Growers developed the Just Add Ice brand for its Phalaenopsis orchids to emphasize that the plants, which are known as the “beginner’s orchid,” are exceptionally easy to care for. The name also reflects the Ohio State University and University of Georgia studies that proved ice cubes are a simple way for orchid owners to properly water plants. “Ice irrigation has no harmful effects and helps roots take water,” says Caitlin Fisher, GCG’s content manager. “The slow drip of melting ice is like raindrops in a tropical forest.” Green Circle Growers recommends three ice cubes per week and offers online video instruction and care tips. Although its primary customers are national retailers like Home Depot, Sam’s Club, and Trader Joe’s, Green Circle Growers also sells plants directly to consumers through its website. Just Add Ice orchids are two years old at the time of sale and are available in seven color categories and three pot sizes — premium (5 inch), petite (3 inch), and mini (2.5 inch) — suitable for gifting or decorating. In each size, all plants are the same height and have the same number of blooms. “We make sure the orchids are consistent because we want customers to avoid design fatigue,” Fisher says. “We just want people to enjoy picking their colors.” Green Circle Growers, 51051 U.S. Highway 20, Oberlin, OH 44074. 440-775-1411; www.greencirclegrowers.com.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 13
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CREAMY GARLIC DEVILED EGGS Prep: 20 minutes | Servings: 12 1 egg yolk 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice Notes: This recipe will make more garlic mayo than is needed for the dozen deviled eggs. Use on ham sandwiches, in egg salad, or as a dipping sauce for roasted cauliflower. Refrigerate up to a week. If you don’t have an immersion blender, try a standard blender or whisk continuously for 15 to 20 minutes. In a tall bowl or glass, combine egg yolk, mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and water. Blend with an immersion blender for 90 seconds until very smooth and thick. Add garlic and blend until incorporated. If mixture doesn’t turn into what looks like
1 teaspoon water 3 tablespoons finely chopped garlic 1 dozen hard-boiled eggs fresh dill and salt for garnish mayonnaise, try adding another teaspoon of water or start a new batch and mix the second batch into the first batch. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and slice in half lengthwise. For a more upscale presentation, cut off the thin ends and stand upright. Scoop out yolks into a medium-sized bowl. Add 1/4 cup garlic mayo and incorporate until smooth. Scoop mixture into a piping bag and pipe into the egg whites. Garnish with fresh dill and salt, if desired. Refrigerate up to 3 days. Per serving: 104 calories, 9 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 1 gram total carbohydrates, 0 grams fiber, 6 grams protein.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 15
SPRING CHEF SALAD Prep: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1/2 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried dill 6 cups lettuce
1 bunch asparagus, shaved 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced 4 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into small rectangular chunks 6 ounces ham, cut into small rectangular chunks 1 small bunch radishes, thinly sliced 1/2 cup croutons
Blend together all dressing ingredients (starting with Greek yogurt and ending with dill) with a whisk or immersion blender. Add up to 1/4 cup water to thin dressing for desired thickness. On a serving platter or large bowl, lay down the lettuce leaves, then arrange remaining ingredients (except croutons and dressing) into rows on top. Serve with dressing on the side, croutons optional. Per serving: 474 calories, 29 grams fat (10 grams saturated fat), 23 grams total carbohydrates, 5 grams fiber, 34 grams protein.
RHUBARB CUSTARD BARS Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Chill: 4 hours | Servings: 12
For the crust 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt
Rhubarb puree 4 cups chopped rhubarb 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Rhubarb curd 5 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 tablespoons lemon juice zest of 1 lemon
1/4 teaspoon salt 11/2 cups rhubarb puree red dye 1/2 cup flour powdered sugar for dusting
Note: There will be more rhubarb puree than the recipe calls for. Spoon some on top of the bars when serving for extra tartness. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a medium bowl, blend together butter, 2 cups flour, and 1/2 cup sugar until mixture is crumbly. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until firm and lightly golden in color. Set aside to cool. While the crust is cooking, start by making a rhubarb puree. Combine puree ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook on medium-high until rhubarb has turned into a sauce with very few chunks, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Set aside to cool before moving on to the next step. In a large bowl, whisk together curd ingredients except for red dye and flour. Slowly add red dye and whisk until incorporated. Stop when you reach the desired color (the color will fade a bit when cooked). Lastly, whisk in the flour until smooth. Pour curd on top of crust and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until set. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool. Chill in refrigerator for 4 hours. Pull the parchment paper up on all sides, lift, and lay on a flat surface for easy cutting of bars. Per serving: 326 calories, 17.5 grams fat (10 grams saturated fat), 38 grams total carbohydrates, 1.5 grams fiber, 5 grams protein. 16 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
EGGS ON FIRE Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1 tablespoon olive oil 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 serrano pepper, sliced thin (they’re spicy!) 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1 green pepper, diced 1 teaspoon cumin 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon coriander 1 small red onion, diced 8 eggs Heat olive oil in a wide/deep skillet (10 inches or wider) and sauté serrano peppers, green pepper, garlic, and onion for 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and stir in paprika, cumin, and coriander. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture starts to thicken. To avoid shells and broken yolks, crack one egg at a time into a small bowl, then slide into skillet on top of the tomatoes, repeating with each egg.
4 ounces Cotija (or feta) cheese handful of fresh cilantro, minced crostini for dipping (optional)
Cover with a lid and steam/poach for 10 minutes or so, until egg whites set fully and yolks are how you prefer. Top with crumbled cheese and cilantro. Serve with crostini or toasted bread if desired. Tip: To add more eggs or to double this recipe, cook in an electric skillet. Per serving: 236 calories, 13 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated fat), 18 grams total carbohydrates, 5.5 grams fiber, 15 grams protein.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 17
Technical Scholarships Available For adult and high school consumer-members
Rules and applications are available at www.ohioec.org/TechnicalScholarship APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 30
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Rate adjustment
begins with April billing
B
ecause Washington Electric Cooperative is a community-owned cooperative, we operate at cost — we do not raise rates or charges to create profits. Unfortunately, our costs have been increasing, and it has become necessary to implement a rate increase to ensure Washington Electric remains financially strong.
Why are rates increasing? Through Ohio Cooperative Living and Facebook, you have been hearing about Washington Electric’s four new substations, which are necessary to connect to AEP’s new 138-kV transmission infrastructure that replace antiquated facilities in southeast Ohio. The new substations and transmission lines mean that our consumer-members will see much more reliable electric service, and we’ll also be able to accommodate load growth that might come to our area for many years to come. These benefits, though, come at a cost of over $9 million to Washington Electric, making the substation construction the primary driver for the rate increase. But the new substations by themselves will not eliminate outages. To continue to improve reliability, we also need to continue investment into our poles, lines, and right-ofway clearing. The exceptionally wet weather over the past few years has caused even more tree and shrub growth to crowd our power lines and cause outages. To complicate matters, the emerald ash borer has killed literally countless ash trees, which then decay and fall into power lines. Managing tree and vegetation growth into our rightsof-way is essential to service reliability, so increased spending will be necessary. This is the other major driver for the rate increase. Rate Schedule
April 2020 Rate Increase
Finally, costs in general increase each year across our industry, as they do with most others. The last increase Jeff Triplett to Washington Electric’s GENERAL MANAGER rates was in 2017, so we have incurred three years of cost increases to labor, materials, equipment, and other regular costs of doing business.
How much are my rates going up? The overall targeted rate increase is 6.2% and will be between $5 and $10 per month for our average consumer-member. For most consumers, the monthly bill has two rate components: 1) distribution charge and 2) generation and transmission charge. The generation and transmission charge is a simple pass-through of the actual monthly cost to produce electricity at our power plants and get it across the transmission network to our substations. It’s based on how much electricity you use, which is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. The April rate increase applies only to the distribution charge, which covers the costs of distributing power across our facilities — like substations, poles, wires, transformers, and meters — to your location. It’s calculated each month based on a flat monthly fee, called the facility charge, and an energy charge that is applied to the amount of kilowatt-hours you used. The distribution charge adjustment comprises a $2 per month increase to the flat monthly facility charge and an increase of $0.009 per kilowatt-hour to the energy charge for all rate schedules except General Service Continued on page 20
Facility New kWh New Charge Facility Charge kWh Increase Charge Increase Charge
A - Residential service
$2.00
$39.00
$0.009
$0.038
B - Small Commercial
$2.00
$39.00
$0.009
$0.048
NR - Non-Residential
$2.00
$39.00
$0.009
$0.048
S - Seasonal
$2.00
$39.00
$0.009
$0.048
OL - Outdoor Lighting
$0.50
$10.75
-
GS - General Service
No increase at this time
LP - Large Power
No increase at this time
-
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 19
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES Continued from page 19
and Larger Power (see the table on page 19). If you use a Washington Electric outdoor light, the monthly charge for that will also increase by 50 cents per month.
How was the amount of the rate increase determined? The Washington Electric Board of Trustees and management staff have been closely monitoring costs and revenues to ensure we are maintaining a healthy organization and meeting our loan requirements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Last year, an independent third-party vendor performed a cost-of-service study and a 10-year financial forecast to determine the rate adjustment needed to meet projected revenue requirements. The existing General Service and Large Power rates were found to be adequately collecting
costs, so those rates will remain the same. The increase to the remaining rate schedules was broken down between the monthly facilities charge and energy charge, based on the results of the study. The flat monthly facility charge may seem high at $39 per month, but the actual cost to have electric service available at your location, regardless of whether you use any kilowatt-hours of electricity, is closer to $46 per month. This charge might also seem high as compared to AEP, but AEP has far more consumers to share the costs of providing service, which are the same no matter how many meters are served: AEP has 28 consumers and $62,509 in revenue per mile of electric line, while Washington Electric has just six consumers and $10,041 in revenue per mile. That’s the nature of our rural service area.
Economic challenges of a rural utility Consumers per mile of line
Revenue per mile of line $62,509
28
8
AEP
Ohio Co-op Avg
$21,210
$10,041
6
WEC
AEP
Ohio Co-op Avg
WEC
Large utilities like AEP also have a service charge, but theirs is lower than ours because they are city-based, serving many more consumers per mile of line with many more commercial consumers. Their revenue per mile is also higher than a smaller co-op like ours. This helps the city-based utilities spread out their fixed costs and thereby have a lower fixed charge. Source: PUCO, Buckeye Power
When will the rate increase go into effect? You will see the rate increase on your bill that’s generated at the end of April for electricity used during the preceding 30 days.
What can I do to reduce my bill? Most of the rate increase is being placed on the kilowatthour energy charge, so anything you can do to reduce your electricity use will help to lower your costs. Be sure to read Washington Electric’s pages of Ohio Cooperative Living, follow us on Facebook, and visit our website,
20 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
weci.org, for energy efficiency tips to help you reduce consumption. Small changes throughout the year can add up to big savings.
Questions? Washington Electric is, and has always been, committed to being a sound steward of your investment in your electric cooperative. If at any time you have questions regarding this rate adjustment, feel free to contact us at 740-373-2141 or weci@weci.org.
Make plans now to attend our annual meeting of members Join us for our 80th annual meeting of members on May 14 at the Marietta Shrine Club in Marietta.
Doors open at 5 p.m. We’ll treat you to a delicious KFC meal, entertainment, door prizes, and a $10 credit on your electric bill. You’ll also hear important news and information from your cooperative’s board and management team as well as the results of the 2020 board of trustees election.
Right-of-way work planned for Rouse substation area Washington Electric Cooperative has contracted with Penn Lines Services for right-of-way maintenance on 233 miles of line in the Rouse substation area. Work will begin in April and continue throughout the year. Penn Lines personnel will mow the right-of-way and apply EPA-approved herbicide treatment under the supervision of licensed applicators. A representative will attempt to make contact with co-op members at the member’s location in advance of this rightof-way work. Questions may be directed to Becky Lowe, WEC engineering coordinator, at 740-885-5941 or becky. lowe@weci.org. 1111439600
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20A
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
Casto, Paisley celebrate Allen Casto, IT specialist, 5 years His title might be information technology specialist, but Allen Casto considers himself a member of each department at Washington Electric. Whether it’s assisting member service representatives with electronic payment devices, maintaining the electronic mapping system for the engineers and linemen, or making sure the co-op’s internet, website, and phone systems are running smoothly, Casto has a role to play in each corner of the organization. Initially hired as a meter technician to help deploy the co-op’s automated meter infrastructure system, Casto
quickly found himself becoming involved in other technology projects. Just six months after being hired, he became responsible for establishing the cooperative’s first dedicated IT department — a task he says was a rewarding challenge for someone whose interest in computers began at a young age. “In third grade, we sold candy bars to help fund the first computer lab at my elementary school,” he says. “That’s really the first time I got to spend a lot of time on a computer and I was just fascinated by it.” He first used the internet at 11 years old. “The public library had a computer lab that had internet access. The reference librarian gave me a book on how to code websites, and I started my first business in eighth grade,” he says. “My first client was The Workingman’s Store. I worked every Saturday for four weeks coding their website by hand.” After high school, Casto maintained his IT consulting business and worked in banking and transportation. Prior to joining the Washington Electric Cooperative staff, he was an IT specialist and part-time instructor at the Washington County Career Center. All of his prior experience has been a stepping stone to his current role, and Casto says he’s found a home within the electric cooperative industry. “I grew up not far from the co-op’s former office building, and back then I thought the electric co-op was a place where electricians bought supplies,” he says. “When I applied for the job, I learned that the cooperative was a part of what used to be called the REA, the Rural Electrification Administration, that helped get co-ops started back in the 1930s and 40s. I was just impressed by how impactful that was, and that what started so long ago is still successful today. I kind of feel like I’m a part of history.”
Happy
anniversary 20B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
employment anniversaries When Paisley joined the co-op, staking engineers drew their line route plans by hand; now they’re all computerized. These improvements have allowed the cooperative to provide more efficient service. But it’s important to Paisley that increased speed doesn’t mean sacrificing opportunities to build relationships with coop members.
Don Paisley, staking engineer, 15 years When someone signs up for service in the investorowned world, whether for gas, water, or cable, it’s usually done through an impersonal phone call or email to a faraway customer care center. It’s different at not-for-profit cooperatives like Washington Electric, where our employees go the extra mile to ensure members receive a personal touch. And when you’re building a brand-new home or business, the details matter. It’s an exciting and sometimes emotional process that demands prompt and courteous attention. That’s something that Don Paisley has become known for in his 15 years at Washington Electric. Paisley joined the cooperative as an apprentice lineman and later transferred to the engineering department. As a staking engineer, he is responsible for helping members establish new services, planning power line routes, designing system upgrades, and securing permits and easements. Technology has completely transformed the engineering department over the past decade. Paisley has witnessed upgrades to the co-op’s outage management and metering systems that have helped narrow down the cause and location of power outages, which helps reduce the amount of time members are without power.
“One of the more recent nice things that has happened is how well I’ve gotten to know the people who live in the Brownsville area as I’ve been working on upgrades to the Jericho-Low Gap tie line,” he says. “I really enjoy learning about the people we serve, and I could tell lots of stories about people I’ve met and things that have happened since I’ve been at the co-op. “Washington Electric is a great place to work,” he says. “The employees are treated fairly, and there are many opportunities to network and get to know people at electric cooperatives across the state and share ideas and support.” Paisley’s current projects include examining the results of recent pole testing to determine the cost-effectiveness of relocating power lines versus simply replacing poles that need replaced where they are today. He’s also studying areas within the co-op’s service territory that experience frequent outages to identify the underlying cause and correct the problem through right-of-way maintenance or line rerouting. In cases where those options aren’t viable, Paisley says there are other measures, such as adding fuses to the line, that can isolate the outage and therefore reduce the number of affected members. These kinds of projects are deeply rewarding. “I enjoy the sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing a job become complete, and knowing that it’s going to help our members,” Paisley says. “That’s what an electric cooperative is all about.”
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20C
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
Raise your voice and vote! Six members seeking election to board of trustees Democratic member control is a guiding principle for cooperatives around the world. Your vote in our annual board election is your voice in your cooperative, a chance to have a say on who will represent you and your interests. There are three seats up for election this year. Candidates include incumbents Paul Fleeman of Lower Salem, Brent Smith of Caldwell, and Larry Ullman of Graysville, as well as challengers Jedd Butler of Newport, Peggy Byers of Marietta, and Shawn Ray of Cumberland. Members will vote by mail, and ballots will arrive in your mailboxes in mid-April. To vote, make your selection(s) on the ballot and return it in the provided postage-paid envelope. Ballots must be postmarked by May 7. To protect the election’s legitimacy, all mail-in ballots must be mailed to the post office box provided on the return envelope. Ballots may not be included with payments or given to a co-op employee or board member. We will not accept ballots dropped off or delivered to our office. The cooperative makes no exceptions to these rules. The co-op will announce election results at our annual meeting May 14 at the Marietta Shrine Club, located at 249 Pennsylvania Ave. in Marietta. Please note that all voting is conducted by mail. There is no voting at the annual meeting. All Washington Electric members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting to enjoy entertainment, a free KFC dinner, door prizes, a $10 bill credit, and election results.
Jedd Butler Reno Retired from B.F. Goodrich Washington Electric Cooperative member for 19 years hy are you interested in W becoming a member of the Washington Electric Board of Trustees? My intent to become a Washington Electric board member is to help our co-op continue to meet the power demands of all our customers, new and old. I feel my abilities in administration, technical, and economics would be an asset to the co-op board. My record for being a team 20D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
player and a leader when called upon would again be only a benefit to our local board. I enjoy being part of any organizations who strive to be greater than myself. Together we can achieve much. Since I have ran for a position on this board for the last five years, that should be a sign that I am very serious about obtaining a seat on the Washington Electric board. Persistence if nothing else. A chance to ensure our members receive the wonderful benefit of affordable, reliable, very useful electric that I have enjoyed since I became a member 19 years ago.
What in your opinion are the greatest challenges facing the cooperative in the future? Our board will face many, many challenges in the coming years. In my mind they include cybersecurity, state and federal regulations, power demand, and transmission to consumers.
Peggy Byers Marietta Retired from the Washington County Board of Elections Washington Electric Cooperative member for 43 years Why are you interested in becoming a member of the Washington Electric Board of Trustees? I have worked for the Board of Elections for the past 13 years. I’ve received valuable training in budgeting, Ohio Revised Code, time management, social media, teaching, negotiating, and more. I am retired now, and I want to continue to contribute.
What in your opinion are the greatest challenges facing the cooperative in the future? Security of the grid, providing the best product while controlling costs for the customers, and workforce challenges.
Paul Fleeman, incumbent Lower Salem Self-employed insurance agent, oil and gas producer, and beef farmer Washington Electric Cooperative member for 43 years
Why are you interested in becoming a member of the Washington Electric Board of Trustees? To maintain the financial integrity of the cooperative and do everything possible to keep us locally owned and operated so we can respond on a personal basis with our members.
What in your opinion are the greatest challenges facing the cooperative in the future? Our biggest challenge is having to replace our aging system with a declining member base. We need economic growth in the area so we can spread our costs over more accounts to keep rates affordable.
Brent Smith, incumbent Caldwell Minister, Main St. Church of Christ in Caldwell; business owner and farmer Washington Electric Cooperative member for 26 years Why are you interested in becoming a member of the Washington Electric Board of Trustees? I believe Washington Electric Cooperative is preparing to move into the future of electric transmission. With new substations under construction, there needs to be continuity at headquarters and on the board to see the projects through.
What in your opinion are the greatest challenges facing the cooperative in the future? In the immediate future, reliability of service is of utmost importance. The recent number of outages is a signal that line upgrades and right-of-way maintenance is critical to providing safe, reliable power.
Shawn Ray Cumberland Health commissioner, Noble County Health Department Washington Electric Cooperative member for 27 years Why are you interested in becoming a member of the Washington Electric Board of Trustees?
benefit of the owner-members. It is dependent upon intelligent and engaged board members. They ensure that the benefit is affordable, reliable, and available in sufficient quantities for present needs along with future growth of the community. I feel I offer that skill set and thus have an obligation to the community to serve. My prior time on the Washington Electric Cooperative board reinforces both my commitment and skills to serve.
What in your opinion are the greatest challenges facing the cooperative in the future? Are they challenges or opportunities? Here are some of my guiding principles: balance between affordability and fiscal responsibility; technological change — catching up and moving forward as appropriate; and competent, welltrained, and hardworking staff who are fairly compensated and supported. Washington Electric just received a grant for a broadband feasibility study for the co-op service area. Broadband is the utility of today, like electricity was in the 1940s. Can we use the cooperative principles to offer broadband to our area in a feasible way?
Larry Ullman, incumbent Graysville Retired from Switzerland of Ohio Local School District; small business owner and beef farmer Washington Electric Cooperative member for 54 years Why are you interested in becoming a member of the Washington Electric Board of Trustees? I believe that my extensive background in government, education, and business will be an asset in serving a fifth term on the Washington Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees.
What in your opinion are the greatest challenges facing the cooperative in the future? Maintaining our rights-of-way and replacement of defective and outdated equipment to better assure minimal power outages, and to provide reliable electric service to our customers at a reasonable and competitive rate.
An electric co-op is established and operated for the
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20E
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
Bowersock, DePuy renew
director gold certification The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) recently recognized Washington Electric Cooperative trustees William Bowersock and Gale DePuy for renewing their Director Gold certification.
William Bowersock
Gale DePuy
The Director Gold program recognizes trustees committed to growing their industry knowledge and performing their fiduciary duty to the best of their ability. It is the third and final program a trustee can complete through NRECA and demonstrates a commitment to continuing education, strategic leadership, and cooperative principles. In order to maintain Director Gold status beyond the initial achievement, trustees must earn three additional credits within a two-year period from the time their last Director Gold credential was awarded.
When you find yourself in the dark, we’ve got your back. Lineworker Appreciation Day April 13, 2020
20F OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Area students discover engineering Washington Electric Cooperative sponsored Discover Engineering Day, an annual event for area high school students interested in pursuing careers in engineering. Students complete engineering activities and enjoy a networking lunch with engineering professionals from various disciplines, including electrical, mechanical, chemical, civil, and environmental engineering. General Manager Jeff Triplett participated in the networking lunch and provided insight on electrical engineering. The event took place Feb. 21 at Washington State Community College and was hosted by the Building Bridges to Careers organization.
Linemen train at Highland Ridge substation Washington Electric Cooperative’s operations department personnel participated in training at the Highland Ridge substation on Feb. 24 to become more familiar with the operation of the new equipment. The substation has not yet been energized, so this allowed personnel an excellent opportunity to operate switches and other devices that they might typically operate infrequently.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20G
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES
Creating an electrical safety plan
before you plant a tree
T
rees and power lines often coexist without problems. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions when planting a tree.
Not only do dangers lurk for the person planting the tree, nearby power lines and trees can be harmed as well. Trees growing too close to electrical lines are the primary cause of momentary short circuits and flickering lights. When it storms, tree limbs that are too close to power lines can knock the lines out completely and create a greater threat to your safety. Overhead utility lines are the easiest to see and probably the ones we take for granted most. Although these lines look harmless enough, they are extremely dangerous. Meanwhile, underground utility lines can be buried very close to the ground’s surface. That’s why it’s so important to call before you dig. “Before you start planting, we encourage our members to call their local 811 call center at least five days before they start planting,” says Bruce Swope, line superintendent at Washington Electric. “Never assume these utility lines are buried deeper than you plan to dig.” Once you know where to plant to avoid underground utilities, find out where the prime planting spots away from overhead utility lines are. If you are planting a small tree that will grow no larger than 25 feet tall, planting it 25 feet away from power lines is a safe distance. If the tree will be 25 to 40 feet tall, plant it 40 feet away from power lines. The bigger the tree, the farther it should be. If the tree is expected to grow more than 40 feet high, it should be planted 60 feet away from utility lines. Keeping trees away from utility lines not only keeps you safe, it keeps them safe as well. Trees planted too close to underground lines can suffer root damage. Trees planted too close to overhead lines need regular pruning, damaging the tree and its appearance. Washington Electric Cooperative works hard to provide you with reliable electric service. You can help by following these guidelines when managing the trees on your property. Being aware of the dangers and how to avoid them can keep you, your home, and the trees safe.
20H OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Tips for safely planting a tree Call 811 to have underground pipes and utilities marked at least a few working days before digging. Knowing their locations helps you dig safely, and planting a safe distance away will help prevent damage from roots. Create a basic plan or a sketched diagram before you begin planting to avoid future troubles. Using the information from the underground utility locator service will be a big help in setting some guidelines. Consider a tree’s potential growth when choosing its location. If it’s expected to grow higher than 15 feet, choose a spot 25 to 50 feet away from utility lines and your home. Plant with energy savings in mind. Not only can you upgrade your landscape, you can decrease your energy use, too. Trees can keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Just be sure you’re aware of power line locations and avoid structural damage. Call us if you need help trimming a tree away from power lines. This will keep you and everyone around you much safer.
Four considerations
before replacing windows
Increased comfort The chill you feel near your windows when it’s cold out is likely due to radiant heat loss. When you’re near a cold surface such as a window, you can feel chilled even if the temperature inside your home is over 70 degrees. Your body is much warmer than the surface of the window, and heat radiates from warm to cold. The inside surface of an inefficient, singlepane window will be much colder on a winter night than that of a double- or triple-pane window. Window coverings are one approach to increasing the comfort level of your home. Curtains and blinds are very effective at reducing radiant heat loss in the winter and can even block some unwanted heat gain in the summer.
Appearance If your windows are older, new wood- or vinyl-framed windows can act as an exterior facelift. But keep in mind, if you own an older home with classic wooden windows, vinyl replacements might look out of place. It’s possible to buy new windows that match the style of some older wooden windows, or you could decide to apply a little elbow grease to get them back into shape. Wooden windows, even if they were built before 1960, can last the life of the home.
Resale value Windows are a major point of interest for most prospective homebuyers, which is why we often hear that window replacement is good for resale value. But a 2019 study by the National Association of Realtors found that on average across the U.S., installing new vinyl windows costs about $22,000 per home but only increased resale value by $16,500. Only 4% of realtors said the new windows helped close the sale, so if resale value is your main objective, the costs could likely outweigh the return on investment.
Energy savings Homeowners often believe that the best way to reduce energy use is to replace their windows, but this is rarely true. Companies that sell new windows sometimes advertise greater energy savings than the new windows can actually deliver. The amount of energy you save really depends on the efficiency of your existing windows compared to the efficiency of the replacement windows. An energy auditor can estimate potential savings, but most audits show that there are much more cost-effective efficiency investments than replacing windows. On average, according to ENERGY STAR, replacing single-pane windows in a 2,000-square-foot home with ENERGY STARcertified windows will produce an average savings of $125 to $340 a year, depending on where you live. At this rate, it would take a decade or more to pay off your initial investment. Replacing old windows can provide a number of benefits, but it’s a costly endeavor. By considering these factors and how long you plan to live in the home, you’ll be able to make the right decision.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 21
PHOTO BY MIKE SCOLTOCK
If your home’s windows are very old and you can feel a chill near them, you might consider replacing them with new vinyl windows. It’s a costly project, though. To help you decide if replacement is the right move, you’ll want to consider a few factors.
WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES NOTES Capital credits
Geothermal – rebates of $600 for newly installed
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc., refunded capital credits totaling $50,689.33 to the estates of 23 members through February. If you know a deceased member, please have the executor of the estate call our office for information on the member’s capital credits.
geothermal systems.
Credit for account number
who replace existing refrigerators and stand-alone freezers with a new ENERGY STAR-labeled appliance purchased after July 1, 2019. Rebates available on firstcome, first-served basis.
If you find the number of your account in the local (center) pages of this magazine, call the co-op office by the 16th of the month in which it is published; you will receive at least $10 credit on your electric bill.
Washington Electric Cooperative saved $277.90 in January on prescription drugs with the Coop Connections discount card. Members have saved a total of $95,050.67 since the program launched in June 2011. Be sure to check out www.connections.coop for information on discounts from national retailers and Coupons.com!
Refrigerators and freezers – $100 rebate for members
Co-op services After-hours outage reporting – Call 877-544-0279 to report a power outage outside of business hours.
Outage alerts – Use our SmartHub system to sign up for free outage alerts and other co-op information.
Online bill payment – Visit www.weci.org to use our secure SmartHub online payment system.
Automatic bill payment – Call our office for details on
Co-op rebate programs Water heater – rebates of $200 for qualifying 50-gallon or Dual Fuel – rebates of $400 for new heat pumps
conditioning systems with co-op load management switch. Applies to systems younger than 10 years.
Call for details.
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higher new electric water heaters.
Air conditioners – rebates of $100 for whole-house air
having your electric bill drafted from your checking or savings account each month.
Pay your bill by phone – Call 844-344-4362 to pay your electric bill with a check, credit card, or debit card.
installed with a fossil fuel furnace system and co-op load management switch.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Paul Fleeman, CCD, BL CONTACT 740-373-2141 | 877-594-9324 www.weci.org REPORT OUTAGES AFTER HOURS 877-544-0279 OFFICE 440 Highland Ridge Road P.O. Box 800 Marietta, OH 45750 OFFICE HOURS Mon.–Fri., 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Chairman 740-934-2306
Brent Smith Vice Chairman 740-585-2598
Betty Martin, CCD, BL Secretary-Treasurer 740-473-1539
Gale DePuy, CCD, BL Assistant Secretary-Treasurer 740-473-1245
William Bowersock, CCD, BL
General Manager/CEO jeff.triplett@weci.org
BILL PAY SmartHub www.weci.org HAVE A STORY SUGGESTION? Email your ideas to: jgreene@weci.org. Facebook.com/WashingtonElectricCoop
740-373-5861
Brian Carter 740-732-4076
Larry Ullman, CCD, BL 740-934-2561
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22 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
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Geography and politics gave Ohio an important role in the Underground Railroad.
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BY VICTORIA ELLWOOD
hen Dewey Scott retired from the hustle and bustle of Cincinnati to the peaceful hillsides surrounding Ripley — an hour to the southeast on land hugging the Ohio River — he thought he’d enjoy life without much on his to-do list.
living in Ripley, and fugitive slaves knew they could come here and live among them.”
“My wife, though, told me I needed a hobby,” he says. “So, I went down by the river to read, opened up the newspaper, and saw the John Parker House needed a tour guide. I walked across the street and applied for the job.”
Ohio’s location was key. “If you look at a map, you’ll see Ohio is the southernmost free state that bordered the northernmost slave states of Kentucky and (then) Virginia,” says Eric Herschthal, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of African American and African Studies at Ohio State University. That geographic reality made Ohio a natural pathway for fugitive slaves.
That was more than a decade ago. Today, Scott is the manager and docent at the John Parker House museum in Ripley, armed with a knack for storytelling and a wealth of knowledge about the historic home and about Ripley’s standing as a pivotal stop on the Underground Railroad.
Freedom-seekers could assimilate into black communities — such as Ripley — that dotted Ohio’s landscape. Or they could be aided by abolitionists, both black and white, who helped them journey north through Ohio and into Canada via the Underground Railroad.
“You were a free person once you came into Ohio at that time,” he says. “It was known that there were free blacks
Here’s a sampling of Ohio’s historically significant Underground Railroad sites:
A piece of artwork at the John Parker House museum in Ripley depicts travelers and “conductors” on the Underground Railroad; a slave pen that once stood in Mason County, Kentucky, now stands on display at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati; opposite page, the Parker (top photo) and Rankin houses in Ripley.
24 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
FREEDOM Ripley’s John Parker House and John Rankin House
John Parker, himself a former slave, bought his house (now the museum Scott oversees) and opened a foundry while he continued to help others. “Parker often traveled back to Kentucky to retrieve slaves and help them across the river, where he would send them along to other Underground Railroad ‘stations’ in Ripley,” Scott says. One of Parker’s neighbors, John Rankin, was a well-known abolitionist who lived high on a hill. “You could see his house from 30 miles into Kentucky,” Scott says. “His family would hang a lantern in a window to let fugitives know when they could cross the river. Eventually, he helped more than 2,000 slaves to safety.” Today, the John Rankin House is a National Historic Landmark. Ripley native Betty Campbell, site manager, says the restored house — where Rankin and his 13 children kept the lantern burning — and other Underground Railroad sites are a key part of American history. “They tell the stories of people — men and women, black and white — who helped others achieve freedom.” The John Rankin House is open April through October, and offers guided tours, exhibits, and a visitors’ center. The John Parker House is open May through October, and includes exhibits and artwork tracing Parker’s life.
Mount Pleasant’s Historic District Mount Pleasant, an eastern Ohio hamlet between Steubenville and Wheeling, is small — just eight blocks long. The historic district is even more compact, but boasts 40 antebellum houses and another 40 built between 1865 and 1900. “Pretty much the whole village was part of the Underground Railroad,” says Angela Feenerty, president of Continued on page 26
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 25
Nearly the entire village of Mount Pleasant (left) was part of the Underground Railroad. Below, the National AfroAmerican Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce (top) and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati are home to significant collections of art and historic documents.
Continued from page 25
the historical society in Mount Pleasant. The area was settled by southern Quakers, who brought along slaves who could live freely in the town. “Most of those hidey-holes you hear about had purposes other than hiding fugitives,” Feenerty says. “This village most definitely had a free black community, and no one from Mount Pleasant was ever sent back.” On the first Saturday and Sunday in August, a self-guided walking tour lets visitors explore eight historic buildings.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is built on the site of one of Ohio’s first black settlements. Says Christopher Miller, senior director of education there, “This area holds a lot of Underground Railroad history, a lot of African American history. Our building sits on what was once called Little Africa, in an area known for slaughterhouses, shipping, and floods. At nighttime there was a great deal of activity as people seeking freedom would cross the river.” Today, the museum, open year-round, includes exhibits and information from the Underground Railroad all the way to modern-day slavery. One of the center’s most significant artifacts, Miller says, is an authentic slave pen from Kentucky. “It’s important because it helps us get an understanding of the treatment of the African family during slavery.”
Wilberforce and the Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center Wilberforce was another early black settlement, says Charles Wash, director of the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in the tiny town near Xenia. “Wealthy white Southerners would vacation at the natural springs here with their enslaved female servants, producing mixed-raced children who could not be educated in the South. Many of these children stayed, and Wilberforce University provided educational opportunities.”
26 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Today, the area is home to three historically black educational institutions — Central State University, Payne Theological Seminary, and Wilberforce — along with the museum and its extensive archives. The museum, now in its 32nd year, is open Wednesday through Saturday. “We’re known for our art and artifacts collection, which is recognized as second to none,” Wash says. Current exhibitions include “Black Power in Comics” and “Art of Soul,” an annual juried show. Wash, born and raised in Flint, Michigan, moved to Ohio in 2007. “I thought I knew a lot about African American history, but when I moved here and learned about Ohio’s role in the Underground Railroad, it completely blew me away. There is a deep and rich history here in Ohio.”
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SAFETY MISSION
Program aims to spread the word and reduce the dangers of farming. BY CELESTE BAUMGARTNER
W
hile watching RFD-TV one night, Russ Beckner saw a segment that showed a California mom driving a tractor around with her two young kids in the tractor bucket.
included safety monitoring in construction and manufacturing.
Appalled, Beckner called the network and explained why they should never show such actions — if the tractor were to hit a bump, he told them, the kids could fall out and be injured or killed.
When he retired from P&G, that safety mindset carried over as he started helping his son, Jason, on Jason’s farm. People tend to associate farms with peaceful fields, fresh air, and contented cows, but as all farmers know, agriculture can be a dangerous way to make a living — and a farm is a dangerous place to live.
Beckner, a member of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, has worked on safety issues for more than 60 years. When he was a Boy Scout, he taught new Scouts how to safely use a pocketknife. During his career at Procter & Gamble, his responsibilities
Between eight and 12 people, on average, are killed on farms every year in Ohio. Thousands more sustain injuries. “I became aware of farm injuries locally, statewide, and nationally, and I thought we could make a difference,” Russ says.
28 OHIO OHIO COOPERATIVE COOPERATIVE LIVING LIVING • • APRIL APRIL 2020 2020 28
“Then we show them how many times a lawnmower blade or a power take-off shaft on a tractor would rotate during that time — between 10 and 50 times, depending on the motor. It emphasizes that no matter how young or how fast you are, you can get hurt.” A “no riding” demonstration uses a small model of a tractor — similar to the scene Russ saw on RFD. Kids place a plastic farmer figurine in the driver’s seat, and a figure of a child is placed on the fender. Two textured floor mats serve as the farm field. “We tell the children, ‘If you can move the tractor from one end of the field to the other — which is about 5 feet — without the little girl falling off, we’ll put your name in for a prize,’” Russ says. “They never make it. I can tell them, ‘Don’t ride on a tractor fender,’ but will they remember? I don’t know. I think they’ll remember that little figure falling off and sometimes going right underneath the wheels. That makes an impression.” Thus was the genesis of what has grown into the Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety program, with a mission to improve those statistics.
For information about the Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety program, email Russ Beckner at rgbeckner@frontier.com.
“I think it’s important to make people aware of being safe around farm equipment,” says Russ’ grandson, Ryland Beckner, a freshman at Talawanda High School in Oxford, who’s been actively involved in the program since he was in elementary school. “I feel that we’ve saved a few lives with what we’ve done. We’ve talked to hundreds of people. A lot of people have heard our message. Hopefully, out of that number, at least a few have been saved from doing something they would have done if they had not heard it.” Russ and Ryland distribute coloring books and literature promoting farm safety to area farm-related businesses, where customers can help themselves to the information. The Beckners also have booth displays they set up at various community events, such as the Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Family Day, where they talk to visitors and have demonstrations — after all, Russ says, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a demonstration is worth a thousand pictures. “For a grain bin safety demonstration, we have a grain bin model, and we fill it with soybeans,” Ryland says. “The children put in a little plastic figure. We pull a slide out and let the beans flow into a pan, and of course, that little figure just disappears in about two seconds. I don’t think they are going to forget that.” Visitors can test their reaction speed in another demonstration. “As soon as they hear the sound or see the light, they hit a button, and we can show that it generally takes about 0.7 seconds to react,” Russ says.
Russ Beckner and his grandson, Ryland Beckner, have made it their mission to build awareness of potential safety issues on the farm through their Southwest Ohio Family Farm Safety program. Part of their work involves setting up booths at public gatherings where they demonstrate potential hazards using plastic figurines.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 29
Gateway to The state park’s new visitor center gives guests a starting point for their stay. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
The rugged, natural beauty of the Hocking Hills region in southeastern Ohio attracts more than 4 million visitors annually, so it’s not surprising that Hocking Hills State Park is the most visited in the Buckeye State. To accommodate all those folks seeking outdoor adventure, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art visitor center. Earlier this year, the project won first place in the annual Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA) Awards of Excellence competition. Located at the entrance to Old Man’s Cave — the most well-known of seven major geological features in the park — the handsome log-and-stone structure includes 8,500 square feet of indoor space and both upper and lower covered outdoor verandas that add another 5,000 square feet to the two-story building. “The new visitor center features interactive exhibits on both levels of the building that help guests learn about the unique nature and history of the Hocking Hills,” says Pat Quackenbush, naturalist supervisor at the park. Upper-level displays assist visitors in planning their day by orienting them to Hocking Hills State Park, the surrounding Hocking State Forest, and nearby state nature preserves. Visitors will also learn about the locations and conditions of various trails systems, as well as the safety concerns of hiking area trails. “A trail simulator gives visitors a sample of what they might encounter,” Quackenbush says. “Hocking Hills trails vary from flat and smooth to steep and rocky. Conditions can change quickly even on the same trail, especially when trails become wet or snow- and ice-covered.” The lower level of the building takes visitors through the history and ecology of the Hocking Hills region. A simulated cave gives kids and adults a unique experience while learning about the geology of gorges in the area. It’s likely the most helpful feature in the new center is the information desk in the lobby, where you can have your questions answered by a naturalist and pick up a free park map. Hocking Hills Visitor Center at Hocking Hills State Park, 19852 State Route 664 S., Logan. 740-385-6842; http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/hockinghills.
30 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
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32 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
Ladybugs Ohio’s state insect is a garden protector. BY CRAIG SPRINGER
I
n 1975, the Ohio General Assembly chose the ladybug as the official state insect, citing attributes shared with the great people of the Buckeye State.
“The ladybug is symbolic of the people of Ohio,” reads the legislature’s proclamation. “She is proud and friendly, bringing delight to millions of children when she alights on their hand or arm to display her multicolored wings, and she is extremely industrious and hardy, able to live under the most adverse conditions and yet retain her beauty and charm, while at the same time being of inestimable value to nature.” The legislative body overlooked this: Ladybugs also are implacable, plundering predators — though that’s not a bad thing. This orange-and-black or red-and-black speck of an insect (which is technically a beetle rather than a bug) is the size of a pencil eraser, and it brings a welcomed utility to orchardists and farmers alike. Ladybugs, as cute and dainty as they may be, are voracious predators of other bugs, including some destructive ones that are too small for the human eye to see. Ladybugs live two years and survive the winter in their adult form, hiding en masse beneath the frostline under rocks and downed timber. As winter turns to spring, the warmth that comes with extra daylight stirs them to reproduce. Adults lay clusters of about 50 eggs at a time,
strategically placed near colonies of aphids and mealy bugs or other tiny pests that tend to destroy agricultural crops and greenhouse plants. The ladybug eggs incubate in less than five days. When they hatch, the larvae, which look like tiny, spiny crocodiles, are born into that smorgasbord and immediately go about their business of eating all those destructive neighbors. In less than two weeks, they change from that rather scarylooking form into the familiar Volkswagon-shaped beetle. Despite the cuteness, the adults are also efficient eating machines. They’re equipped with razor-sharp jaws that slice and squeeze their insect food. A single adult can consume upward of a thousand aphids in a single day. Their bright colors don’t provide camouflage in vegetation — quite the opposite. Their striking colors convey a message in nature that they are toxic. When agitated or picked up by a bird, ladybugs emit toxins that repulse would-be predators. In folklore, they have long been held as a harbinger of summer, hence another name for the little bugs: St. Barnaby’s bees. On the pre-Gregorian calendar, June 11, St. Barnaby’s Day, marked the beginning of summer and the date ladybugs were expected to make their first appearance of the season. Depending on the weather, though, they may start emerging from their winter naps as early as April.
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Ohio Cooperative Living has been a valued presence in rural Ohio homes and businesses for the past 60 years. 83.4% of our readers have taken action from something they have seen in Ohio Cooperative Living.
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APRIL/MAY
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling. COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK
400 dealers per show. Antiques, collectibles, furniture, crafts, produce, tools, glass, and more. 419-447- 9613, tiffinfleamarket@gmail.com, or www.tiffinfleamarket.com. APR. 26 – Glass City Marathon, downtown Toledo. One of the fastest marathon courses in the Midwest, regularly in the top list of Boston Marathon qualifying events. 26.2-mile marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon, 5K, and fiveperson relay. www.glasscitymarathon.org. APR. 29–MAY 2 – Annual Quilt Show, Sauder Village, Founder’s Hall, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, Wed.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Hundreds of quilts on display. Quilt shop and vendor market, workshops, special APR. 11 – Hayes Easter Egg Roll, Spiegel Grove, exhibits, demos, and shopping. Quilt appraisals Thursday Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, and Friday, and by appointment on Saturday. Registration Fremont, 2–3:30 p.m. Admission is three hard-boiled and ticket information at https://saudervillage.org/classescolored eggs. Children ages 3–10 are invited to events/special-events/quilt-show-2020. participate in a variety of egg games. Also face painting, MAY 1–AUG. 7 – Limaland Motorsports Park Races, games, crafts, and visits with the Easter Bunny. 419-3321500 Dutch Hollow Rd., Lima, 7:30–10:30 p.m. Sprints, 2081or www.rbhayes.org. UMP Modifieds, Thunderstocks, and more! Pit gates APR. 17–18 – Home Sweet Home: A Vintage-Inspired open at 4:30 p.m., grandstand gates open at 5 p.m., Market, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, Fri. warmup laps begin at 6:30 p.m. See website for updated 4–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Vintage, information. www.limaland.com. rustic, shabby chic, and repurposed items, handmade MAY 2 – Free Comic Book Day and Touch A Truck, Alter goods, and more. Food trucks on site. 567-204-7569 or Ego Comics, 230 N. Main St., Lima, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. http://homesweethomevintagemarket.com. Pick 5 free comic books from a selection of nearly 20 APR. 18 – Lima Symphony: “Journey in Sound,” different titles. Come dressed as your favorite character! Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Ctr., 7 Town Food trucks on site as well as local artists. Touch A Truck Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $10–$35. 419-224-1552 or www. event, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. 419-224-6700 or www.facebook. limaciviccenter.com. com/AlterEgoManiacs under “Events.” APR. 21–22 – Hidden Spaces, Secret Places Tour, MAY 2 – Kentucky Derby Affair on the Square, 100 starting at 109 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney. $15. Evening tour of E Court St., Sidney. $25. Get your hats and bow ties historic buildings in downtown Sidney. Purchase tickets ready! Enjoy southern fare and bourbon mint juleps, online. 937-658-6945 or www.sidneyalive.org. and vote for your favorite jockey. Cash bar; must be APR. 24–25 – GCM Health and Wellness Expo, Savage 21 and over. Tickets available online. 937-658-6945 or Hall Arena, University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft, Toledo, www.sidneyalive.org. Fri. 4–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Over 100 vendors. MAY 2 – Lima Walk to Defeat ALS, University of Family-friendly event includes a Kids Zone. www. Northwestern Ohio, 1441 N. Cable Rd., Lima, 10 a.m.– glasscitymarathon.org. 1 p.m. Check-in at 10 a.m., walk begins at 11. A fun day of APR. 25 – Chocolate and Wine Walk, 5495 Liberty Ave., games, face painting, balloon art, entertainment, music, Vermilion, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $20. Sample chocolate treats and raffles. To register, donate, or join a team, visit http:// and wine as you visit the quaint shops of downtown web.alsa.org/Lima. Vermilion. 440-967-4477 or http://vermilionchamber.net. MAY 2 – Springfest Car Show, Van Wert Co. Agricultural APR. 25–26 – The Fantastic Tiffin Flea Market, Seneca Society, Van Wert Co. Fgds., Van Wert, 2–5 p.m. ’50 and Co. Fgds., 100 Hopewell Ave., Tiffin, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 ‘60s music, dash plaques, goody bags, door prizes, food. p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m., rain or shine. Free. 250 to wrkchevy@hotmail.com.
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WEST VIRGINIA
APR. 18 – Dinner Theater, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. Enjoy a buffet dinner (seatings at 6 and 7 p.m.) and an entertaining show (8 p.m.). The show is written and performed by theater
students at Concord University and directed by Karen Vuranch. Reservations required. 304-643-2931. www. northbendsp.com. APR. 25 – Ramps and Rail Fest, 315 Railroad Ave., Elkins, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sample various foods made with ramps (wild leeks), enjoy live music, browse the craft booths, and take a ride on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. 304-635-7803 or https://elkinsdepot. com/ramps-and-rail-festival. MAY 8-9 — Bluegrass Festival, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. Fri. $10, Sat. $30. 304643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com. MAY 9–17 – West Virginia Strawberry Festival, Buckhannon. A unique tradition honoring the strawberry
MAY 2–3 – “Springtime in Ohio” Art and Craft Show, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $6 for unlimited entry both days; under 12 free. Repurposed goods and furniture; vintage, farmhouse, shabby chic, Americana, and primitive items; homemade treats, live music, kids’ activities, and much more. http:// cloudshows.biz/event-calendar. MAY 3 – Fort Recovery Historical Society Exhibits and Displays, Fort Recovery State Museum, 1 Fort Site St., Fort Recovery, 2–4 p.m. Free. Presentations: “Antique Hand Tools” and “History of Fort Recovery in Pictures.” 419-3754384, www.fortrecoverymuseum.com, or on Facebook. MAY 8–17 – Biggest Week in American Birding, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Ctr., 1750 State Park Rd., Oregon. Free. Enjoy the spectacular birding in northwest Ohio, the “Warbler Capital of the World.” Activities include guided walks, bird ID workshops, birding by canoe, field trips, presentations, birder’s marketplace, and evening socials. 419-898-4070 or www. biggestweekinamericanbirding.com. MAY 9 – Lilac Festival and Street Fair, downtown Defiance. Celebrate the official flower of Defiance with the community’s largest arts and crafts fair. Free lilacs to the first 750 attendees. 5K race, parade, live music, arts and crafts vendors, unique food vendors, and kids’ activities. 419-782-0739 or http://visitdefianceohio.com/ annual-events. MAY 9 – Bluffton Arts and Crafts Show, Main Street, Bluffton, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Street festival featuring arts and crafts, food trucks, farmers market, family/kids’ activities including free pony rides and free mini golf, music tent, and other entertainment. 419-369-2985 or www.explorebluffton.com. MAY 9 – Lima Area Band Concert, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Ctr., 7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $15. Guest conductor Jim Swearingen. 419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com. MAY 9 – Spring on the Farm, Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Meet baby animals and the new draft horses, Earl and Joe! Kids can wash clothes on a scrub board, learn about seed planting, and enjoy other hands-on activities. 800-590-9755 or https:// saudervillage.org.
Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event to Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 or events@ohioec.org. Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/ website for more information. harvest. Family fun includes a carnival, parades, contests, strawberry auction, craft show, and vendors selling everything strawberry! For times and schedule of events, go to www.wvstrawberryfestival.com.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 35
2020 CALENDAR
APRIL/MAY
NORTHEAST
THROUGH MAY 31 – “Tying the Knot: The History of Bridal Fashion,” McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton. Exhibit explores wedding fashions from the 1860s to the present day. Learn more about the history behind timeless wedding traditions such as the bouquet toss, wedding cakes, the engagement ring, the role of the best man, and more! 330-455-7043 or www. mckinleymuseum.org/events. APR. 17–9, MAY 1–17 – Mathilda the Musical, Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, 101 Water St., Chardon, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Stage musical based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl. 440-286-2255 or www. geaugatheater.org. APR. 18 – Avon Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Emerald Event Ctr., 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Features artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concessions stand on site. 440-227-8794 or www. avantgardeshows.com. APR. 22 – Nature Roars Back: National Geographic Live, Mimi Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. $25–$45. www.playhousesquare.org/events.
SOUTHEAST
APR. 11, 18 – An Insider’s Tour, Campus Martius Museum, 601 Second St., Marietta, 1:30–3:30 p.m. Take a deeper look at the early settlers whom David McCullough focuses on in his latest book, The Pioneers. Learn about their lives, their possessions, and the home of Gen. Rufus Putnam. Stories narrated by William Reynolds, the museum’s historian and a research contributor to McCullough’s book. 740-373-3750 or https://mariettamuseums.org. APR. 17–19 – Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge (Ross County). A weekend of guided hikes, delicious meals, and special talks from guest speakers. The theme is “The Storytellers: Women, Nature, and Art.” Space is limited and registration is required. https://arcofappalachia.org/ annual-wildflower-pilgrimage.
36 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling.
APR. 23–26 – Geauga County Maple Festival, Historic Chardon Square, Chardon. A festival celebrating “everything maple.” Features arts and crafts, lumberjack competition, beard contest, bathtub races, pageants, rides, and other fun events. Enjoy all-you-can-eat Pancakes in the Park every day, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. 440-2863007 or www.maplefestival.com. APR. 25 – Lakeside Sand and Gravel Open House and Antique Equipment Show, 3450 Frost Rd., Mantua, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free, but donations appreciated. Live demonstrations of antique construction and mining equipment. Tours of the company’s mine and processing plant. Static display of antique construction and mining equipment, trucks, tractors, and much more. 330-2742569 or www.lakesidesandgravel.com. APR. 28–MAY 17 – My Fair Lady, Mimi Ohio Theatre, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. $10–$110. “A sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), directed by Bartlett Sher. See website for dates and times. www. playhousesquare.org/events. MAY 1–2 – Dandelion May Fest, Roadhouse Amphitheater, 1/2-mile east of Breitenbach Wine Cellars, 5934 Old Rte. 39 NW, Dover, Fri. noon–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Dandelion food and wine tastings, dandelion sangria, cellar tours, arts and crafts, and entertainment on both days. Dandelion picking contest and jelly-making on Saturday; 5K run, Sat. 9 a.m. 330-343-3603 or www. breitenbachwine.com/events/dandelion-festival. MAY 1–24 – Ain’t Misbehavin’, Hanna Theatre/Great Lakes Theater, 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland. $15–$89. The Tony-winning musical showcases the infectious energy and masterful stylings of the legendary jazz musician Thomas “Fats” Waller. See website for dates and times. www.playhousesquare.org/events.
MAY 2 – Made for You Jewelry Show, 239 Market Square, Westlake, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. Handmade jewelry by local artisans/crafters. 440-227-8794 or www.avantgardeshows.com. MAY 2–3 – Model Train Days, Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad St., Painesville, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5, C. (3–12) $3, Family (max. 2 adults, 3 children) $12. See operating layouts in N, HO, and S scale and O and G gauge. Twelve different layouts! Model train flea market on grounds. Food and drinks available. Call Tom at 216470-5780 or visit www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org. MAY 2–3 – Ohio Civil War Show and Artillery Show, Richland Co. Fgds., 750 N. Home Rd., Mansfield, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7, under 12 free. Military items, relics, and memorabilia to buy, sell, or trade. Cannon firing demos, WWII small arms demos, Civil War hospital scenario, and much more. 419-884-2194, info@ ohiocivilwarshow.com, or www.ohiocivilwarshow.com. MAY 9 – Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park Dinner/Auction, Hopedale VFD Social Hall, 103 Firehouse Lane, Hopedale. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with buffet-style dinner and drinks at 5:30, followed by speaker Chris Runyan; auction begins at 7:30. $20. For reservations, details, or to donate items: 740-391-4135, 740-942-3895, or info@hcrhp.org. (Mail reservations to HCRHP, 143 S. Main St., Cadiz, OH 43907; make checks payable to HCRHP.) For more information, visit www.hcrhp.org, www. coalpark.org, or www.facebook.com/HCRHP. MAY 9 – Maifest, Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar. Free. Beers, brats, and bands! Celebrate the coming of spring with traditional German food and drink, music, dancing, games, make-and-take art projects, and a maypole. 800-262-6195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.
APR. 19 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 3–5 p.m. $22.50–$42.50. Join us for a special matinee featuring music by Beethoven, Brahms, Sarasate, and Rossini. 740753-1924 or www.stuartsoperahouse.org. APR. 23–26 – Pike County Dogwood Festival, Main St., Piketon. Contests, rides and other fun kids’ events, music, food, chili cook-off, and more. Car show and Grand Parade on Sunday. www.pikecountydogwoodfestival.com. APR. 25 – Earth Gathering Festival, Pump House Ctr. for the Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. A juried art festival with an Earth Day theme. Designed to entertain, educate, and inspire the public about nature, creativity, and sustainability through earth-friendly art, music, food, products, and ideas. Quality, affordable handmade art and music from local and regional artists. 740-772-5783 or http://visitchillicotheohio.com. APR. 25 – First Capital Garden Tours, Chillicothe, 9:30 a.m. $20–$30. Meet at the Ross County Courthouse steps (corner of W. Main and N. Paint), where you will meet your guide for a tour of area gardens. You’ll be treated to a small celebration at the last garden that day — our “thank you” for your participation and a welcome to Chillicothe and Ross County. Contact Dee Stevenson at delnora62@ yahoo.com or text/call 740-804-4310. APR. 25–26 – Lucasville Trade Days, Scioto Co. Fgds., 1193 Fairground Rd., Lucasville, Sat. 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ($5),
Sun. 7 a.m.–4 p.m. ($4); early bird admission on Fri., Apr. 24, 3 p.m. $5. Kids 12 and under free all days. Free parking on fairground lots. 937-728-6643 or www. lucasvilletradedays.com. APR. 30–MAY 10 – Sound of Music, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, Thur.–Sat. 7 p.m., Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. $20–$50. One of the most beloved musicals of all time comes to life in this stunning outdoor setting. Directed by Brian Clowdus. 740-775-4100 or http://tecumsehdrama.com/event/som. MAY 1–SEPT. 25 – Rise and Shine Farmers Market, 2135 Southgate Pkwy. (near Tractor Supply Co.), Cambridge, Fridays, 8 a.m.–noon. 740-680-1866 or find us on Facebook. MAY 7 – Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival, 100 E. Main St., McArthur, 6–10 p.m. 740-591-1118, www. wildturkeyfestival.com, or find us on Facebook. MAY 9 – Buckeye Furnace Spring Festival, Buckeye Furnace Historic Site, 123 Buckeye Park Rd., Wellston, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. A celebration of spring with food, vendors, music, demonstrations, and more. Kids will be able to make a free craft for mom for Mother’s Day! 740-3843537 or janmckibben@gmail.com. MAY 9–10 – Chillicothe Trade Days, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. $5, kids 12 and under free. Free parking on fairground lots. 937-272-2897 or www. chillicothetradedays.com.
farmhouse décor, boutique clothing, handcrafted items, and more. Live music and food trucks. http:// thevintageandmademarket.com or find us on Facebook. APR. 19 – Spring Import Face-off, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Road SW, Hebron. 740-9285706 ext. 24 or www.nationaltrailraceway.com. APR. 24 – Hey Mavis, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $16. From the hills of Cuyahoga Valley, Hey Mavis brings to the stage a soulful mix of original Appalachian Americana music. 740-3832101 or www.marionpalace.org. APR. 25 – Union County Bicentennial Parade, uptown THROUGH APR. 25 – Spring Farmers’ Market, Weasel Marysville, 10 a.m. A 1.25-mile route from Marysville Boy Brewing Company, 126 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville, High School to Partners Park on Sixth Street. Bring your Sat. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. www.zanesvillefarmersmarket.org. lawn chairs and bags for collecting candy. www.200uc. APR. 18 – Coshocton Earth Day Celebration, Coshocton org/parade. County Career Ctr., 23640 Airport Rd. Coshocton, 12–4 APR. 25 – Corks and Forks, Holy Trinity School, 225 S. p.m. Free. Local artisans, organic farmers, community Columbus, Somerset, 7–11 p.m. $25 admission includes 5 groups, and Native American groups. Explore solar power sample tickets and a door prize ticket. Open to the public; and green enterprises. Hands-on activities for kids. Music must be 21 and over. Beer and wine tasting with live by Mark Thunderwalker, Yellow Rose Cloggers, and The music, two food trucks, silent auction, door prizes, and Wayfarers. 740-502-6546 or http://cecaware.org. games. https://holytrinitypacers.com/corks-and-forks. APR. 18 – Amy Grant, Marion Palace Theatre, APR. 25 – Quilters Market Day, Fredericktown 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $32–$54. The Elementary School, 111 Stadium Dr., Fredericktown, six-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Buy and sell quilted items; quilt show, performs her timeless hits, “Baby, Baby,” “El Shaddai,” demos, and fat quarter drawing (bring one or more to “Every Heartbeat,” and more. 740-383-2101 or www. enter). Lunch available for purchase. To rent a space marionpalace.org. to sell your extra quilting tools, fabric, books, patterns, and everything quilting, visit www.fredericktown.org APR. 18–19 – Hocking County Ag Days, Hocking Co. Fgds., 150 N. Homer Ave., Logan. Experience agriculture, or call 740-694-6140. history, and the environment through interactive APR. 25 – Quilt Show, Sunbury United Methodist demonstrations, livestock display, antique tractor show, Church, 100 W. Cherry St., Sunbury, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. flea market, crafts, music, food, and fun. 740-474-6284, Quilts on display, vendors, fabric rummage sale, lunch hocking@ofbf.org, https://ofbf.org/counties/hocking, or available. Email: sunburypiececorps@aol.com. www.hockingcountyagdays.com. APR. 26 – “Glory and Honor” Spring Concert, APR. 18–19 – Spring at the Round Barn, Fairfield Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Rd., Coshocton, Co. Fgds., 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Sat. 10 3–4:30 p.m. Singers of all ages accompanied by piano a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $5, under 12 free. and brass ensemble celebrating 49 seasons of song! 740Early bird admission Sat., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ($10). 622-4877 or www.coshoctoncommunitychoir.org. VIP tickets available online only. Upscale market MAY 1 – Chocolate Hop, West Columbus Street and featuring rustic, repurposed, salvaged, and modern various locations around Pickerington, 6–8:30 p.m.
For a $5 donation, receive a map of participating businesses around the Olde Village where you will receive a little chocolate treat. More details at www. pickeringtonvillage.com. MAY 1–3 – Columbus Audubon’s EcoWeekend, Hocking Hills. The best family nature weekend retreat in Ohio. Pre-registration required. Register by Apr. 7. Contact Maura Rawn at 740-653-8574, email ecoweekend@ columbusaudubon.org, or visit www.ecoweekend.org. MAY 2 – Jefferson Starship, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $34–$52. Experience the music that defined a generation, spanned decades, and is still relevant in pop culture today. 740-383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org. MAY 2 – Zane Grey Day, National Road–Zane Grey Museum, 8850 E. Pike, Norwich, 1–4 p.m. Free, but donations are appreciated. The Ohio Village Muffins will take on the “Zane Greys” in a game of vintage baseball. Dutch oven cooking demos, kids’ activities, and music by Barefoot McCoy. www.ohiohistory.org. MAY 3 – Family Funday Sunday Sock Hop, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 12:15 p.m. $12 for a family of 4. Celebrate in ’50s fashion while boppin’ to family-friendly tunes. 740-383-2101 or www. marionpalace.org. MAY 9 – Hillbilly Nationals Demolition Drag Race, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Road SW, Hebron. New event this year! Fun for the whole family. 740-9285706 ext. 24 or www.nationaltrailraceway.com. MAY 12 – Inventors Network Meeting, Rev1 Ventures for Columbus, 1275 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, 7 p.m. Educational presentations and discussion about the invention process. Meetings held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. 614-470-0144 or www.inventorscolumbus.com. MAY 15 – Improv in the May, Marion Palace Theatre May Pavilion, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $6. An evening of improvisation comedy featuring audience interaction and suggestions for skits and games. 740383-2101 or www.marionpalace.org.
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SOUTHWEST
APR. 12 – Easter Egg Hunt, Young’s Dairy, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, 2 p.m. Free. Open to children up to age 10. Each year, Young’s hard-boils and dyes over 7,000 eggs for this fun family event. 937325-0629 or www.youngsdairy.com/easter-egg-hunt. APR. 18 – Run Wild Earth Day Celebration 5K, Brukner Nature Ctr., 5995 Horseshoe Bend Rd., Troy, 8 a.m. If you enjoy running or hiking on woodland trails, you’ll love this event! Each participant will receive a commemorative T-shirt, homemade refreshments, a visit with our wildlife ambassadors, the opportunity to win door prizes, and unique awards. All proceeds benefit BNC’s wildlife programs. Call 937-698-6493 or download a registration form at www.bruknernaturecenter.com. APR. 19 – Farm Toy Show, Champaign Co. Fgds., 384 Park Ave., Urbana, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.. Adults $2. Look, buy, sell, or trade at 120 tables. 937-826-4201.
APR. 22, 29 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, every Wednesday, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com/post/2018/09/30/bluegrasswednesdays-spaghetti-meat-balls. APR. 24 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music with Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass; lighting fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. 513832-1422 or http://fibbrew.com. APR. 24–25 – Midwest Ceramic Association Show, Butler Co. Exhibition Bldg., Butler Co. Fgds., 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ohio’s original ceramic show. www.midwestceramics.org. APR. 24–26 – Bellbrook Sugar Maple Festival, downtown Bellbrook. Enjoy a pancake breakfast with authentic Ohio-made maple syrup. Entertainment includes a parade, live bands, beer garden, kids’ activities, 5K run, craft vendors, and other fun activities. www. sugarmaplefestival.com. APR. 24–26 – Vintage Market Days, Greene Co. Fgds., 120 Fairground Rd., Xenia, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $10 admission good for both Friday and Saturday; Sunday admission is $5; children 12 and under admitted free. An upscale vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home decor, outdoor furnishings, seasonal plantings, and more. www.vintagemarketdays.com.
APR. 25 – Appalachian Artisans Guild Spring Show, Cherry Fork Community Ctr., 14815 St. Rte. 136, Winchester, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Guild members will be sharing their knowledge of the arts with demos, workshops, make-it-and-take-it projects, and booth displays with items for sale. It’s your chance to learn traditional skills from practicing artisans. 937-587-2394 or www. appartguild.com. APR. 25 – Queen City Beautiful Doll Club: Fashion Doll Show and Sale, EnterTRAINment Junction Expo Room, 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Fashion dolls, clothes, and accessories from all eras. https://entertrainmentjunction.com/calendar. MAY 1 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Butler County Bluegrass Association, Community Ctr., 5113 Huston Rd., Collinsville, 7–9 p.m. Lively bluegrass music with lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. Food available on site. 513410-3625 or www.fotmc.com. MAY 3 – Music at the Mound with Steve Free, Serpent Mound, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, 1 p.m. Free admission; $8 parking fee. Join the acclaimed singer/songwriter for an open air concert. http://arcofappalachia.org/steve-free. MAY 8 – Taste of the Arts, Main and Ash streets, Piqua, 5–9 p.m. Join us for an evening of fun, music, and food in downtown Piqua. Browse the stores, enjoy live music, and choose from a wide selection of food from local restaurants and caterers — your appetizer, meal, and dessert all in one place! Items range from $1 to $4. 937773-9355 or www.mainstreetpiqua.com.
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 37
MEMBER INTERACTIVE
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Send us your picture! For July, send “Corn-y” by April 15; for August, send “Cuddly kitties” by May 15. Upload your photos at www.ohioec.org/memberinteractive — and remember to include your co-op name and to identify everyone in the photos.
38 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2020
1. Gretchen Spurling found her Easter bunny in the wildflower patch. Dan Spurling South Central Power Company member
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2. One of my miniature American Eskimo puppies fell asleep in the basket while I was taking photos. Kathy DeHass Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member 3. I found this nest while taking pictures of our flowering trees. Dena Hoover South Central Power Company member 4. My grandson, Waylon, Easter egg hunting. Kirsten Hatfield Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member 5. M y granddaughter, Lilly May, after finding eggs and a new bunny rabbit. Valeria Manemann Pioneer Electric Cooperative member
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6. Our nephew, Joshua, hunting Easter eggs on the farm. Darold and Amanda Mathews Adams Rural Electric Cooperative members 7. These chicks made Sophie’s Easter extra special. Polly Michel Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member 8. Our grandson, Bryce, is trying to figure out the Easter egg hunt. Deb Schwartz Midwest Electric member
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9. My two sons and my nephew — Landon, Oliver, and Kody — on Easter in 2000. They were excited to get the Easter egg hunt started! Kimberly Lindemer Harrison Rural Electrification Association member 10. It wouldn’t be Easter at Grandpa Joe’s without an Easter egg hunt for these big kids, too. JoAnna Griffin Washington Electric Cooperative member 11. Our daughter, Kaylee, enjoying our local Easter egg hunt a few years ago. Amy Smith South Central Power Company member
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12. “Bucketheads,” getting ready for their Easter egg hunt in the woods. Shannon Kuhlman Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative member 13. M y great-niece, Ryleigh, with her big haul of Easter eggs after the big hunt. Katie Grubba South Central Power Company member 14. Our group at the annual Adena Easter egg hunt. Patty Quaglia South Central Power Company member 15. My great-grandson, Maxwell, on his first egg hunt. Joan Rench Darke Rural Electric Cooperative member 16. Hoda and Ziva found the eggs, but are now looking for the Easter Bunny. Richard and Sheri Courter South Central Power Company members
APRIL 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 39
Surprise Family’s farm pond yields state record fish to 9-year-old. STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS
Or, you could just walk across the road to the family’s farm pond and catch a new state record. That’s what 9-year-old SueAnn Newswanger of Richland County did a couple of years ago when she caught the current state-record green sunfish, still the most recently reeled-in of all of Ohio’s state-record fish. “I knew it was a new record as soon as I caught it,” she says. Her father, Galen, explains. “We had gone fishing a few days previously, and SueAnn caught a very large green sunfish that we released,” he says. “That got me thinking as to what the state record might be for that species, so I looked it up and told her that we had likely released a state-record fish.” The Newswangers were fishing again a few days later in the same area of the same pond when Galen heard his daughter squeal with delight, “Daddy, I caught it again!” Sure enough, SueAnn had hooked the same huge green sunfish — or possibly another of similar size — but this time they didn’t release it. They had the fish weighed on certified scales (1.2 pounds), the whopper measuring 11 inches in length and 10.5 inches in girth. Galen then had a professional taxidermist mount the fish for his young daughter. By the way, SueAnn caught her record green sunfish using a simple spincast rod and reel with a worm on a hook.
Chip Gross, Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor and a member of Outdoor Writers of Ohio, awards Sue Ann Newswanger a plaque honoring her state-record catch.
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f you enjoy fishing in the Buckeye State, that next tug on your line just might be a new record fish. Take your pick from the 2.25 million acres of Ohio-owned Lake Erie on the north to the 451 miles of the Ohio River along our southern border and the 7,000 miles of rivers and streams in between — plus more than 200 inland lakes. Staterecord fish have been caught from them all.
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The official list of state-record fish is kept by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO). Fortyseven species are recognized: 42 for hook and line, and five for bowfishing. “Over some 70 years of maintaining records, it’s difficult to say who is the all-time youngest Ohio state-record holder,” says Fred Snyder, chairman of the OWO Record Fish Committee. “But SueAnn has to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest of all.” The complete list of Ohio’s state-record fish is available at www.outdoorwritersofohio.org, as is an application form that includes submission rules.
Remodeling your home
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Contact your cooperative and learn how to make cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades to your hom
ohioec.org/energy