Ohio Cooperative Living - August 2020 - Midwest

OHIO

AUGUST JULY 2020

COOPERATIVE Midwest Electric, Inc.

Comeback Banding together for small town renewal

Tropical treats Enjoy a taste of the islands

ALSO INSIDE Clearing ALSO INSIDE power’s path It’s electric!

Summer Outdoor bird-feeding tips photo tips World’s longest Purple yardreign sale

Be E Smart 3

ENERGY•EFFICIENCY•EDUCATION

LOGO WINNERS y of the Wo Wa

d rl

Th e

Electricity

2020 Winner

2019 Winner

2018 Winner

✔ 9 years in Ohio middle school classrooms ✔ 100 teachers given FREE energy curriculum ✔ 45,000 children given FREE energy efficiency items for home ✔ 1 program: Be E3 Smart 2017 Winner

ohioec.org/energy

2016 Winner

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

INSIDE FEATURES 28 RENEWAL AND RESTORATION How vision, optimism, and true grit have sparked a small town’s turnaround.

32 PURPLE REIGN Fields brimming with lavender bring joy to folks around the state.

36 SMALL ISLAND, BIG RACE Put-in-Bay keeps its road race tradition alive, albeit a bit more laid-back than in days of old.

Cover image on most issues: Jason Duff could have taken off to find success in a big city after college, but instead has focused his attention on revitalizing his hometown of Bellefontaine. He founded Small Nation, a company that helps other small businesses prosper (photo by Susie Jarvis, The Photo Booth).

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 1

UP FRONT

Don’t Veto Your Vote “E

very election is determined by the people who show up.”

It’s a platitude that Americans dust off every four years as we prepare to go to the ballot box either to cast a vote for change or to stay the course. Pundits traditionally delight in telling us that this is the most important election in the history of the democratic process. In reality, every election is an essential exercise of democracy that allows our voices to be heard through the ballot we cast. The right to vote is often taken for granted, as others may have fought the battle or made the sacrifices required to gain or maintain that privilege.

Co-ops, like our country, are grounded in consensus. Governed by their owners (you) with open and voluntary membership and guided by democratic control, the electric cooperative community is an apt reflection of the power of a system based in equality — one member, one vote. In an era in which we’re experiencing increasing division and unrest, elections, and the responsibility to vote, provide the chance for us to ponder our values and our interests and then hit the “continue,” “pause,” or “reset” button.

Voting is easier and more convenient than ever. First, make sure that you’re registered to vote by October 5 by contacting your county board of elections or by visiting https://olvr.ohiosos.gov.

Then, either cast your ballot in person or request an absentee ballot at www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/absentee-voting.

Elections offer us a chance to quietly express our individual priorities for the governance of our communities, our state, and our nation. Elections also result in a collective expression of our community priorities and values. Please express your views during our upcoming election, honor this truly American principle, and let the nation know what’s important to you.

Stay safe.

2 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

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

In reality, every election is an essential exercise of democracy that allows our voices to be heard through the ballot we cast.

AUGUST 2020 • Volume 62, No. 11

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd.

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

MORE INSIDE DEPARTMENTS

4

4 POWER LINES

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Patrick Higgins Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Managing Editor

Rebecca Seum Associate Editor

Anita Cook Graphic Designer

Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, Victoria Ellwood, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, James Proffitt, Damaine Vonada, and Margie Wuebker.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Elec­tric Co­op­eratives, Inc. It is the official 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.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101. Periodicals postage paid at Pontiac, IL 61764, and at additional mailing offices.

Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved.

The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an en­dorse­ment. If you find an advertisement mis­leading or a product unsatisfactory, please not­ify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Of­fi ce, Consumer Protection Sec­tion, 30 E. Broad St., Col­um­bus, OH 43215.

Periodicals postage paid at Colum­bus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.

It’s electric! More and more, electricity not only saves money but also helps the planet.

6 CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

Midwest Electric, Inc.: The St. Marysbased electric cooperative serves a membership that’s dedicated to helping out in the community.

6

8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Learning to “see”: The first step to great outdoor photography is to envision the picture before you snap.

8

14 CO-OP PEOPLE

Training K-9: Co-op member provides world-class training of both police dogs and family pets.

17 GOOD EATS

Fresh from the garden: Use the

14

bounty that bursts from your backyard bed to create these culinary classics.

21 LOCAL PAGES News and information from your

For all advertising inquiries, contact

electric cooperative.

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

17

41 CALENDAR

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

Alliance for Audited Media Member Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

What’s happening: August/ September events and other things to do around the state. Just make sure to confirm before you travel.

44 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Cuddly kitties: Members show off their feline fur-babies!

44

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

www.ohiocoopliving.com AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 3

POWER LINES

It’s electric!

More and more, electric power not only saves money but also helps the planet.

BY JEFF McCALLISTER

J

oey and Kristin Huber have been considering — consciously and subconsciously — the benefits of electricity for some time.

Joey, who teaches STEM classes in the Dublin City School District, has numerous aspects of electricity included in his curriculum, but his interest goes deeper than that.

“I have an uncle in North Carolina who really got me thinking about what all we use electricity for and a lot of other things that we can and even maybe should use electricity for,” Joey says. “He put up solar panels and now has all the electric tools and toys that they can power. It got me thinking about that myself, and I’m convinced that’s where society is moving.”

The Hubers, who are members of Marysville-based Union Rural Electric Cooperative, installed solar panels on their house that they now use to charge their recently purchased Tesla Model Y, a fully electric vehicle with a nearly 400-mile range that can recharge about 150 miles of range in only 15 minutes. They took advantage of a rebate offer from URE to help pay for the charger installed at their home. The family also owns an electric bicycle and uses rechargeable battery-powered implements such as a string-trimmer and blower for yardwork.

The Hubers are part of a growing number of people taking advantage of the benefits of using more electricity as part of a strategic plan to save money

4 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

and reduce environmental impact. That, in turn, improves their quality of life and helps the stability of the entire electric grid.

For example, the simple act of replacing a gas-powered lawnmower with one that uses a rechargeable battery means no more gas cans to fill and store in a garage, no fumes or smoke, and no worries that the mower just won’t start when you pull the cord. Electric mowers are also quieter, so you can avoid those dirty looks from neighbors when you decide to mow early on a weekend morning.

From there, the benefits go global. An idle mower plugged in for recharging becomes part of the electric grid. The more electricity users plugged in and charging during times when people are using the least amount of electricity — probably overnight — the less stress on the grid during the day. That would allow electric utilities to operate more efficiently, evening out electricity use over a 24hour period — which also helps control costs.

More immediately, for those concerned about the environmental effects of their energy use, electricity is a future-looking choice.

“If you look at a national scale, electricity is being generated in cleaner, more efficient ways all the time,” says Ben Wilson, manager of power delivery engineering for Buckeye Power, which supplies electricity to all 24 Ohio electric cooperatives. “That means that every device that uses electricity — from cars to clock radios — will become even better for the environment over time as the electricity it uses gets greener.”

That energy trend is part of what led to one of the nation’s leading environmental groups becoming part of the beneficial electrification movement. In 2018, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) published a report outlining a broad plan to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 30 years. A key part of that plan called for using electricity for a bigger share of our energy consumption — a lot more. The group wants to increase electricity’s contribution to all end-use energy from about 20% today to 45% in 2050.

“We’re to the point, especially with our panels, where we save quite a bit of money by using electricity for as much as we can,” Huber says. “We also have a 7-year-old son, and this helps us feel good about trying to ensure a healthy environment for his future.

That’s really the best part about it.”

Did You Know?

• Electricity is much cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel, costing about $1.20 per gallon (of gasoline equivalent) at a nationwide average.

• All-electric vehicles are about three times more efficient than those powered by internal combustion engines and have earned EVs top spots on FuelEconomy.gov’s list of most efficient vehicles (fueleconomy. gov/feg/topten.jsp). Most are rated at more than 100 miles per gallon (equivalent).

To learn more about using solar energy in your home, visit www.ohiosolar101.com.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 5

CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

MIDWEST ELECTRIC, INC.

M

idwest Electric, Inc., is situated in west-central Ohio, based in St. Marys. The cooperative serves 11,000 homes, farms, and businesses in Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert, Shelby, Putnam, and Darke counties. One of the area’s most notable landmarks is Grand Lake in Celina and St. Marys, a man-made lake that attracts thousands of visitors every year with fishing tournaments, marinas, and lakefront restaurants. Grand Lake was originally built to supply water to the Miami and Erie Canal.

Midwest Electric also serves the area around Wapakoneta, home of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. In 2019, the city celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, and Midwest Electric was proud to assist with the balloon festival as a proud sponsor and advocate for the event.

A passion for community service Midwest Electric’s members are extremely engaged with their community: 88% of members participate in the co-op’s Community Connection Fund bill “round up” program, resulting in more than $1 million donated to more than 900 local charities and organizations since 1998.

Employees at Midwest volunteer in various youth programs in the community and at special events such as the annual Tailgate for Cancer and the United Way Day of Caring. The board of directors offers $11,000 in scholarships every year to local high schoolers.

Membership diversity Midwest maintains and operates 1,522 miles of lines. The co-op has 30 employees and is governed by a board of eight trustees.

While the majority of the cooperative’s consumer-members are residential, Midwest also serves several large commercial, industrial, and agricultural operations. One of those accounts is Ferguson Enterprises in Celina, the largest wholesale distributor of residential and commercial plumbing supplies and pipe, valves, and fittings in the U.S. Other well-known Midwest Electric members include Cooper Foods in St. Henry and microbrewery Moeller Brew Barn in Maria Stein.

Co-op key stats: • Midwest has returned more than $34 million in patronage capital to its members.

• In recent years, Midwest Electric has invested between $2 million and $3 million per year for electric system reliability upgrades, resulting in power reliability of around 99.9%.

• The peak-demand savings program has helped the cooperative save more than $500,000 annually in power costs.

• The revolving loan fund has provided $2 million in low-interest economic development loans to create area jobs and support local businesses.

• Excellent customer service is a point of pride — during normal business hours, the co-op answers incoming calls within five seconds.

6 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 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

LEARNING TO

“see”

For great outdoor photos, envision them before you snap.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

8 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

O

ne of America’s leading naturalists of the 19th century was the prolific Louis Agassiz (1807–1873), who, while teaching at Harvard, taught his students the skill of in-depth observation of natural objects. He did it by what his students termed “the incident of the fish.”

On the first day of class, Agassiz would put a large dead fish on a tin tray and lay it before his beginning students. “Now, look at your fish,” Agassiz would say. He’d then leave the room, not returning until hours later, if at all that day. As a result, the students either learned to look intently — to study every minute detail of the fish — or simply quit the class out of frustration.

Right: Sudden winter weather changes, such as an ice storm, can provide great photo opportunities; watch the forecast and have your camera ready. Below: A whitetailed deer peers at the camera through fall goldenrod at a Columbus Metropark.

The same approach can be used to learn outdoor photography. Not that you have to stare at the same photo subject for hours on end, but developing the ability to “see” the details of photos before you attempt to take them is a crucial skill — yet one that anyone can learn.

One of Ohio’s best outdoor photographers is Art Weber, founding director of the Nature Photography Center for Metroparks Toledo. He says there’s a difference between looking at the natural world as an artist and as a photographer.

“A painter begins with a blank canvas, then adds the image he wants to create,” Weber says. “A photographer is faced with the opposite situation. He or she has to edit the natural world through the viewfinder of the camera. In other words, a photographer has to answer two basic questions: What am I going to include in my photo and what am I going to leave Spread (and camera viewfinder): Adding people (lower right) to a large landscape photo adds scale to this photo of Columbia Glacier in Valdez, Alaska. Above: Caribou antlers frame Mt. Denali at Denali National Park, Alaska.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 9

out? My personal rule of thumb is to simplify a photo subject. You want to reduce a photo to what attracted you to take that particular shot in the first place.”

Weber also emphasizes the importance of light on outdoor subjects. “Beginning photographers talk about equipment, while the true masters of photography talk about lighting,” he says. “Light is what gives a photo subject color, shape, form, texture — everything in outdoor photography depends upon the intensity and direction of the natural light a photographer must deal with at different times of the day.”

I have been taking outdoor photos for decades — so long, in fact, that some of my younger photographer buddies claim I have a few grainy, black-and-white prints of actual, live dinosaurs tucked away in my desk. I will not confirm or deny that rumor, but one of the things that helped me learn to “see” photos was studying the shots published in magazines, books, calendars, and the like, and asking two basic questions: First, why did an editor choose to print a particular photo? And second, how did the photographer get that particular shot? Of course, to answer that second question, you have to answer a

10 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

few more, such as: What was the camera angle? What focallength lens was used? What might the camera’s exposure settings have been?

Another tip to producing great outdoor photos is to buy the best photography equipment you can afford. At the same time, however, you must realize that no camera, regardless of its price tag, guarantees good photos. It’s the photographer behind the camera who actually takes the photograph, not the camera.

The natural world is so vast and its subjects so varied that those new to outdoor photography often find it difficult to decide on a subject. Once they do, they find it’s just as difficult to figure out how to photograph it. Relax — you’re not alone. Photographers have always dealt with those two dilemmas. The good news is that “seeing” photos becomes easier with practice. So get outside and start clicking. Just remember: Before you push that shutter-release button, make sure to “look at your fish.”

W.H. “Chip” Gross (whchipgross@gmail.com) is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor and a member of Consolidated Cooperative.

Spread: I positioned myself along the shore beside a rapids to take this colorful shot of whitewater rafting on West Virginia’s New River. In viewfinder: During a vacation at Acadia National Park, I saw my granddaughter, Maddie, jumping from rock to rock. Left: Shooting into the sun can produce dramatic silhouettes, such as this angler landing a king salmon from a canoe along Michigan’s Black River.

Ask

chip!

Postioning yourself below a subject, rather than at eye level, can give a pleasing effect; the early morning fog in this lighthouse photo was a bonus.

Email Chip Gross with your outdoors questions at whchipgross@ gmail.com. Be sure to include “Ask Chip” in the subject of the email.

Your question may be answered on www.ohiocoopliving.com!

www.ohiocoopliving.com AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 11

When the going gets tough, Ohio Farm Bureau gets going!

We continue to be on the forefront, advocating for our members and educating legislative and business leaders as we help the agriculture community navigate through the challenges of COVID-19.

As with any adversity, Ohio's resilient agriculture community will get through this with the strength of the state’s largest farm organization, Ohio Farm Bureau.

OFBF.org/StillFarming

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CO-OP PEOPLE

Training K-9 Co-op member provides world-class training of both police dogs and family pets.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARGIE WUEBKER

A

l Gill believes well-trained German shepherds can mean the difference between life and death in many law enforcement situations.

As the owner of Von der Haus Gill German Shepherds and Police K-9 Academy near Wapakoneta in rural Auglaize County, he is committed to making sure the dogs and their two-legged handlers are prepared for whatever might happen on the job.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VON DER HAUS GILL

Gill, who formerly served as a K-9 officer with the Wapakoneta Police Department and later the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, started his business in 1992. He moved to the current 20-acre site, where the business is a member of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, five years later.

14 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

Opposite: Al Gill holds a puppy that could someday become a K-9 unit.

Left: Lima Police Officer Gaige Hennon searches with his dog, Emmy.

Below: Lima Police Officer Tanner Engle and his dog, Dre, with master trainer Steve Miller (with the protective sleeve).

The property is now home to a world-class training facility as well as housing units for male and female officers who come from across the country to participate in academy classes. There is also a kennel that can accommodate 60 adult dogs as part of the business’ breeding operation.

Gill travels to Europe five or six times a year, working with a longtime associate to acquire high-quality dogs — primarily from Germany and occasionally from the Czech Republic. He evaluates each animal on such factors as overall health, temperament, confidence, social skills, and the desire to work and please. More than 3,000 dogs have been brought to Von der Haus Gill (House of Gill) over the course of nearly 30 years.

“We want the best dogs possible, whether they’re destined to become K-9 units or family companions,” he says. “This is no hobby. We are a working, breeding, training facility 24/7.”

Academy training commences after a dog marks its first birthday. Handlers and their department dogs spend six weeks bonding and learning to work as a team. Twelveto 14-hour days are the rule rather than the exception.

Obedience comes first and then tracking, before moving on to more complex tasks. All commands are given in German and for good reason: Not only are the dogs accustomed to the words, but bystanders are not likely to understand the meaning.

Early on, police dogs were bred for a single purpose, such as tracking, officer protection, or patrol duty, according to Gill, who is one of three master trainers on staff. Nowadays, departments want dogs capable of serving multiple

purposes: narcotics detection, explosives detection, patrol, personal protection, and search and rescue.

A dog trained to detect narcotics represents an investment of around $12,000, while one adept at locating explosives is closer to $15,000. Agencies face a grand total ranging from $50,000 to $70,000 when other factors like special cruisers, safety equipment, and insurance are included.

Training never ends for the dogs or their handlers, with maintenance work taking place every two weeks to keep skills fine-tuned. A K-9 unit earns retirement status around the age of 10, with the likelihood of spending its golden years at the home of the officer it diligently protected.

Von der Haus Gill German Shepherds, 16863 Boundry Road, Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895. 419-568-9400.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 15

Stand Up Straight and Feel Better Discover the Perfect Walker, the better way to walk safely and more naturally It’s a cruel fact of life, as we age, gravity takes over. Our muscles droop, our bodies sag and the weight of the world seems to be planted squarely on our shoulders. We dread taking a fall, so we find ourselves walking less and less- and that only makes matters worse.

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GOOD EATS

Freshgarden from the

CUCUMBER TOMATO FETA SALAD Prep: 15 minutes | Chill: 4 to 24 hours | Servings: 6 1 large cucumber ½ cup red wine vinegar 1 small red onion 1 teaspoon dried oregano 2 cups cherry tomatoes 1 teaspoon sugar 8-ounce block feta cheese Cut cucumber in half lengthwise, then in half again. Dice cucumber and red onion into 1-inch chunks. Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Cut feta into half-inch chunks. Pour in red wine vinegar and sprinkle in oregano and sugar.

Toss a few times to incorporate ingredients. Cover and marinate overnight for best results.

Use the bounty that bursts forth from your backyard bed to create these culinary classics.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CATHERINE MURRAY

Per serving: 130 calories, 8 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 8 grams total carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber, 6 grams protein.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 17

RAINBOW RATATOUILLE Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 75 minutes | Servings: 4 2 small eggplants 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves 3 tablespoons coarse salt ½ teaspoon salt 1 medium yellow squash ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 medium zucchini ½ cup chopped fresh basil 13 roma tomatoes 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 roasted red pepper ½ teaspoon garlic salt 1 tablespoon olive oil ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 onion, diced 4 tablespoons olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced Notes: Using vegetables with the same circumference will make layering easy. If you have an abundance of vegetables, the recipe can be doubled. Simply stack the sliced vegetables vertically to fit more into the pan. If an oven-safe skillet isn’t available, use a regular skillet, then transfer sauce and layer vegetables in a round, oven-safe casserole dish.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Slice eggplant into rounds about ¼ inch thick. Generously sprinkle slices with the coarse salt and place in a single layer over paper towels to draw out excess moisture. Set aside for an hour or so. When done, blot/brush off excess salt and pat dry. Slice squash, zucchini, and 3 roma tomatoes about ¼ inch thick.

Boil remaining 10 tomatoes in a pot of hot water for 60 seconds, let cool, then peel, de-seed, and purée them with the roasted red pepper in a food processor or blender. Heat oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add puréed tomatoes, thyme leaves, salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered 5 to 10 minutes, until sauce thickens, straining excess liquid if necessary. Smooth surface of the sauce and begin arranging sliced vegetables in a spiral form with 1 slice each of eggplant, yellow squash, tomato, and zucchini, starting on the outside of the skillet and working inward. Cover skillet with foil and bake 30 minutes. Take skillet out of oven and remove foil. Sprinkle top with basil, parsley, garlic salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 4 tablespoons olive oil. Bake uncovered for another 30 minutes. Serve hot with a loaf of toasted, crusty bread (optional).

Per serving: 331 calories, 19 grams fat (3 grams saturated fat), 40 grams total carbohydrates, 17 grams fiber, 8 grams protein.

BERRY ORCHARD CRUMBLE Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Servings: 6 3 tart apples, chopped 5 tablespoons sugar, divided 2 pears or peaches, sliced ½ cup flour 1½ cups blackberries and/or raspberries ¼ cup unsalted butter, sliced and chilled 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup chopped fresh basil Note: If you’re not really into measuring ingredients or don’t have the right amount of one of the fruits, not to worry. This recipe is very forgiving; it can be adjusted in lots of different ways and will still turn out great.

Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly toss fruit with vinegar, basil, and 3 tablespoons sugar. (If fruit is pretty sour, lean on the side of more sugar.) Pour into 9 x 9-inch oven-safe baking dish. With your hands, crumble together flour, butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, and cinnamon until it resembles small clumps. Top fruit with crumble mixture. Bake 30 minutes, until the crumble is golden and fruit starts to bubble around the edges.

Per serving: 259 calories, 8 grams fat (5 grams saturated fat), 47 grams total carbohydrates, 7 grams fiber, 2 grams protein.

18 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

GARDEN STUFFED PEPPERS Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 45 minutes | Servings: 6 6 large bell peppers (mixed colors) 15-ounce can tomato sauce 1 medium onion, diced 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1 pound ground chicken 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 cup corn ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups chopped collard greens ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice 1½ cups colby jack cheese Note: Look for bell peppers that are of similar size to ensure even cooking time. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom sit better than those with 3 bumps.

Preheat oven to 350 F. De-stem and de-seed peppers. Cook whole peppers uncovered in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Remove with tongs, dunk in cold water, and invert to drain well. Cook onion and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add ground chicken, breaking it up as it cooks, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat. Add remaining ingredients except for cheese, stirring until heated through.

Stuff peppers with chicken mixture. Place peppers upright in a casserole dish or roasting pan. (If pepper won’t stand on its own, cut a thin slice off the bottom to make it level.) Cover with aluminum foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil, top peppers with cheese, and bake another 5 minutes or so until cheese has melted and begun to brown slightly.

Per serving: 470 calories, 19 grams fat (8 grams saturated fat), 40 grams total carbohydrates, 6 grams fiber, 35 grams protein.

Have you tried one of our recipes? Do you have a recipe to share with other Ohio co-op members? Visit the Member Interactive page on www.ohiocoopliving.com to find recipes submitted by our readers and upload yours.

www.ohiocoopliving.com AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 19

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MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Cost-of-service study shows need for rate change

Y

our Midwest Electric Board of Directors and management staff, with the help of a rate consultant, are completing a review of our electric rates. This includes what is known as a “costof-service study.”

Rate design is a balancing act between meeting our revenue needs on the one hand and minimizing member impact on the other. Creatively resolving tension between these two important goals is one of our most important challenges in implementing fair and equitable rates.

Since we are a not-for-profit organization, we do not need large profits to satisfy faraway owners (in fact, we don’t have shareholders; our members — aka, you — are the owners). Rather, we simply need to recover our costs of doing business, as well as provide sufficient margins to reinvest back into our electric distribution system and cover patronage equity refunds to members.

Our last rate increase was in August 2010. Since that time, we’ve invested $30 million in power reliability projects and maintenance.

Creating new rates is the last of a multistep, rate-making process. In addition to the cost-of-service study, this process includes a financial forecast, power requirements study, construction work plan, and long-range system plan.

Our studies show that since we haven’t changed rates in 10 years, our revenues are projected to fall short of expenses.

The cost-of-service study identifies the total revenue requirement for the cooperative: How much revenue do we need to cover all costs and provide a margin?

Matt Berry, CEO

MBERRY@MIDWESTREC.COM

Then we allocate costs to each customer class (such as residential, seasonal, commercial, etc.) based on the energy, capacity, equipment, and other costs that are incurred in providing service. Different classes of customers require different levels of service, different equipment, and different capacity needs.

We look at the minimum amount of distribution equipment required to serve a single customer in each rate class. This includes the cost of poles, wire, transformers, and meters. In fact, we invest $4,700 per residential member just to make electric service available — that’s before even the first kilowatt-hour is used.

With today’s economic uncertainty, we will do everything we can to limit the amount of the needed increase and to push off the timing as long as possible.

In addition, we need to properly allocate the cost of the actual energy and generating capacity (demand) to each customer class. One goal is to reduce subsidies as much as possible. Each customer class should pay its fair share of costs without having one customer class pick up the tab for another customer group.

Although it’s too early to tell what the new rates will be, we anticipate they will take effect in early 2021. With today’s economic uncertainty, we will do everything we can to limit the amount of the needed increase and to push off the timing as long as possible. We will continue to keep you informed.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 21

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

Saying goodbye after 33 years of service

Q&A with part-time member service representative Jane Dominik Tell us about your home and family:

What’s your biggest takeaway? When dealing with

I live in St. Marys with my husband, Mark.

We’ve been married 37 years and have two children: Jeremy and Megan. We don’t have grandchildren but do have grand-puppies!

people, it’s important to be kind to everyone.

What was your favorite part of your job? Definitely interacting with people!

How did you come to work for Midwest Electric? I was hired in September 1987. I was looking for a good part-time job, and it turned out to be the best one I could have ever hoped for.

Any fun memories you’d like to share? Back in 1990, my son, Jeremy, was on the cover of Country Living magazine (now called Ohio Cooperative Living). He was holding a reindeer by the Christmas tree.

How do you plan on spending time in retirement?

I’ll read, walk, bike, golf, do yoga, and enjoy the outdoors.

We will miss Jane and her sweet personality, but we wish her all the best in this next chapter of life!

What will you miss most? My co-workers. I have a lot of fond memories from Midwest’s Member Appreciation Days.

Congrats on your new position!

Midwest Electric is planning for the future with a new employee hire and several internal position changes: • Employee Joel Johns (St. Marys) is moving into employee Dave Waltermire’s position as business development coordinator upon Dave’s retirement in 2021. He will be responsible for economic and community development, commercial accounts, energy use advice, and member service programs like appliance rebates and peak load management.

• Employee Derek Backs (St. Marys) is moving into Johns’ former position as engineering technician, where he’ll be responsible for overseeing the co-op’s automated metering infrastructure (AMI).

This includes the programming, installation, and troubleshooting of digital meters, as well as meter data analysis for billing, outage management, and mapping.

• New hire Paul Pfenning (St. Marys) has accepted Backs’ position of operations clerk at the cooperative. This position is responsible for warehouse and inventory operations, as well as purchasing and 22 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

Joel Johns

Derek Backs

Paul Pfenning

assisting with dispatching. Previously, Pfenning was a CDL Class A truck driver for American Manufacturing Solutions in St. Marys with logistics experience. He also served in the U.S. Air Force in a variety of security roles, including law enforcement and security, and has certifications from the Southeast Lineman Training Center’s electrical lineworker training program in Georgia. He is a graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School.

Fun Fact: While in the Air Force, Pfenning served a security assignment to the Vice President and Secretary of State!

REBATES

New rebate available for EV charging station Member Craig Hart shares his experience “going electric” Have you ever considered purchasing an electric vehicle (EV)? If so, you aren’t alone. A 2019 survey, conducted by Consumer Reports and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), shows that 63% of prospective car buyers in America are interested in electric vehicles.

With dozens of new models expected to hit the market over the next few years, EVs are gaining popularity. But many consumers have limited experience with EVs, leaving them to wonder how one might fit into their daily routine — or if “going electric” is right for their lifestyle.

Midwest Electric is here to help. As your not-for-profit community cooperative, we are your trusted source for energy advice tailored to your specific needs. We don’t sell equipment directly to members, so we don’t benefit from pushing you either way. We are simply here to provide resources and information to help you make decisions that are best for your lifestyle — not to mention your wallet!

Member Craig Hart of Fort Recovery with his Tesla X electric vehicle, alongside the new charging station that Midwest Electric helped to install. Craig received a $200 rebate from the co-op.

The EV’s charging information will also be available for Craig to monitor through his online SmartHub account, giving him detailed stats at the touch of a button.

To help members interested in EVs, Midwest Electric launched a new rebate program. This new EV charging station rebate will reimburse the member $200, as long as their system has a load management control, meter, or accessible programming to allow for off-peak hour charging. This avoids charging when electricity is most expensive, raising demand and potentially increasing the co-op’s wholesale power costs, which are then passed on to members. Everyone wins in the end!

“Everything from the first contact to the install was great,” Craig says. “It was easy, and being able to see the data on SmartHub will give great insight into just how little power the car uses, compared to the total house, based on miles driven.”

When explaining why Craig decided to “go electric,” he says it all came down to technology, performance, and price.

One member has already taken advantage of this new rebate: Craig Hart of Fort Recovery. He purchased a 2020 Tesla Model X, an all-electric SUV with a 351-mile range.

Earlier this summer, Midwest installed a dedicated meter to record and monitor electric use at the Hart household.

“The electric side helps justify the cost, which was higher upfront, along with lower costs across the life of the vehicle, as I am not performing any regular maintenance outside of windshield washer fluid, tires, and wipers,” he says.

Craig also says the more he “dove into the electric ecosystem,” the more he loved the convenience of being able to have a “full tank” every morning before leaving.

“I enjoyed learning about the environmental impacts, how the U.S. grid gets cleaner every day, and how my EV becomes cleaner versus an aging gas car. Going electric also allows me to be 100% U.S.-based on energy.”

Have questions about our rebate programs? Call 800-9623830 or visit www.midwestrec.com/rebates to learn more.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 22A

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

TECHNOLOGY for the win How we’re using technology to improve power reliability Midwest Electric has invested $30 million in power reliability improvements since 2010 — the last time we had an electric rate increase. We are planning a rate increase for early 2021, our first rate change in 10 years. Since we have gone such a long time without a rate increase, it may be helpful to know about the power reliability technology we’ve been investing in these past 10 years.

Distribution automation to reduce outages The latest technology is called distribution automation (DA). DA is a family of technologies, including sensors, processors, communication networks, and switches, through which we collect, automate, analyze, and optimize data to improve our distribution power system. In other words, power outages affect fewer members, and power can be restored faster.

DA is the remote control of switches in order to feed power from a different source. Today, we send out a crew to manually control switches, which can take a few hours. With DA, switches can be opened and closed remotely and in a matter of minutes, instead of hours. The smart switches work on a two-way power feed, so if power is disrupted on one feed, it can be quickly switched to the other.

DA can improve the speed, cost, and accuracy of fault detection, feeder switching, and outage management; voltage monitoring and control; reactive power management; and preventive maintenance for critical substation and feeder line equipment.

22B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

The bottom line benefits of DA are as follows: • Improved fault location, isolation, and service restoration capabilities, resulting in fewer and shorter outages, lower outage costs, reduced equipment failure, and fewer inconveniences for consumers.

• Improved distribution system resilience to extreme weather events by automatically limiting the extent of major outages and improving operator ability to diagnose and repair damaged equipment.

• More efficient use of repair crews and truck rolls, reducing operating costs, enabling faster service restoration, and lowering environmental emissions.

We started our DA program in 2019 in the Spencerville/ Jonestown/Rockford area. It will take a number of years for DA to be installed throughout our service area. Not all power lines will be affected — only the larger outages affecting main feeders.

SCADA technology: “the dashboard” We’re also incorporating supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) technologies. Think of SCADA like the dashboard on your car, where you can instantly gauge your speed, fuel level, and engine diagnostics.

Both hardware and software are used. The software provides the intelligence. It processes the data gathered, allows us to program automated responses to particular

situations, and displays the data in a graphical format so we can interpret what is happening. The hardware consists of sensors that collect data, remote terminal units (RTUs) that monitor the sensors and transmit the data on the SCADA network, and communications gear.

So how do SCADA systems impact Midwest Electric members? Let’s walk through an example. We want to ensure that everything is operating correctly at our substations.

Inside the substation, sensors are connected to a remote terminal unit. A secure communication link is created between the devices and the co-op’s engineering office by using wireless, hardwired, or fiber optic connections.

We program the operating characteristics that we want to monitor and control — in this example, let’s say it’s voltage and frequency. This is to ensure that the power leaving the substation meets power quality standards. A diagram of the substation is created and displayed on a computer so we can see what is happening inside.

Everything is powered up, and the SCADA system goes into action. Suppose the voltage from a transformer goes too far out of its range, creating a potentially dangerous situation? The sensor sends this data to the RTU. The RTU sends this to the SCADA software, and an alarm is generated in our engineering office.

An automated response can be programmed that tells the RTU to implement a particular corrective measure. These types of automated actions provide immediate response to a situation while alerting the engineers that it has occurred. Or, the alarm allows us to assess the situation and issue commands from our computer to correct the problem. The system is flexible, so we can automate what we want and opt for human intervention for especially important actions.

Since the data is supplied in near real-time, these systems are extremely valuable to ensuring the safe, reliable, and stable operation of the grid.

Other proven technology to ensure a reliable supply of power are the fuses and reclosers (high-voltage circuit breakers) we install throughout our 1,500 miles of power line. Fuses and reclosers serve the same purpose as the fuses and circuit breakers in your home.

A fuse is a one-shot device. When a fault occurs, the fuse blows and everyone downstream from it loses power.

Reclosers are multishot devices, meaning they can operate a certain number of times before they stay open and an outage occurs. A common setting is what’s known as a triple-shot. Here’s how that works: A tree limb contacts

A substation contains crucial infrastructure that perform a variety of functions and integrate with our technologies for a smoother end result: minimized outages with more up-to-date information.

the power lines and creates a fault. The recloser senses it and opens, creating the first blink.

Here’s where a recloser differs from your home circuit breaker. It waits a certain amount of a time (typically a few seconds), then recloses to try and complete the circuit. If the fault is still there, it opens again. This creates the second blink. Triple-shot settings allow the device to reclose a third time, and if the fault is still there, it stays open and the members downstream experience a power outage.

Blinks are a nuisance, but they eliminate extended outages by protecting wires and equipment from serious damage.

AMI and OMS: mapping, billing, and more Our automated metering infrastructure (AMI) and our outage management system (OMS) are also critical pieces of our technology model. The basic element of an AMI is a digital electric meter that can communicate with your electric co-op. The OMS maps system data and meter locations into a piece of software that models the electric grid. When a meter reports loss of power, the OMS runs calculations to determine the exact location of the fault and the number of members impacted.

AMI also provides customer service benefits. Through our SmartHub e-bill site, you can see your hourly, daily, and monthly electric use. A number of chart options can help you analyze your electric use from different perspectives, and this can help you manage your use. You can also set up high-use notifications to be instantly notified when your electric use exceeds your pre-set threshold. And you can set up outage notifications. The high-use and outage notifications can be sent to you via text and/or email.

For quite a few years now, our linemen have been using tablets (iPads). This provides immediate access to updated electric system maps and the outage management system.

The end result of all this technology is the minimization of outages and their length, plus more availability of up-to-date information for the consumer.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 22C

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

Know a farmer or agricultural businessperson who works hard, has grit, and deserves recognition?

Nominate them today so they can be Farm Famous (and win $100)!

Midwest Electric needs YOUR help! We are looking for farmers and agricultural businesspeople whose hard work, strong ethics, and dedication deserve kudos. The only qualification is that the farmer or ag business being nominated is a Midwest Electric member.

Please submit your nominee’s full name and town of residence, co-op, where they work/ what they do, a high-resolution photo(s), and a description of why they deserve recognition via email to skuhn@ppec.coop.

22D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

At the end of the year, we’ll hold a vote for the farmer/ag business our members feel most deserves to be Farm Famous. The grand prize winner will receive a plaque, a feature story and custom cover on the magazine, and a $100 bill credit. Don’t wait; nominate a farmer you respect today!

GRAND PRIZE WINS $100!

Email your farmer’s nomination to skuhn@ppec.coop.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A heated debate: On vs. auto for air conditioning standards When it comes to operating the fan on your air conditioning system, the long-running debate of “On” versus “Auto” seems to heat up every summer. Although each setting has its advantages, most experts agree that the auto setting is preferred for maximum comfort and energy efficiency.

Better humidity control Your air conditioning system not only keeps your home cool, it reduces humidity levels as well. A typical cooling system includes an outdoor compressor as well as an evaporator inside. The compressor pulls heat out of your home, while the moisture from that warm air collects in the evaporator. The compressor turns on and off at intervals to allow moisture to drain off the evaporator, reducing humidity levels.

The blower fan is located underneath the evaporator.

When the thermostat is set in the On position, the fan continues to operate even when the compressor cycles off. The constant flow of warm, unconditioned air raises the temperature of the evaporator, slowing condensation and Dave Waltermire BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT recirculating much of that COORDINATOR moisture back into your home.

In the Auto setting, the fan turns on and off with the compressor, circulating only dry, cool air.

Energy savings In addition to increasing humidity levels, the continuous operation of the fan in the on setting uses more energy, costing you an extra $15 to $20 a month. Also, the increased humidity forces your air conditioning system to work harder to get rid of that moisture, using more energy and further increasing your summer utility bills.

While the debate continues, the answer is clear: The auto setting is the best way to minimize cooling costs while ensuring the comfort of your family.

Midwest Electric offers rebates on new, ENERGY STAR-rated air conditioning units, and several other energy efficient projects and upgrades for your home or business. Our energy advisor will be more than happy to help you figure out the most cost-effective, energy efficient solutions for your home! Give the co-op a call at 800-962-3830 for more information.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 23

$2 Million

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

$

2 Million

Rural Economic Development Loans

annual taxes

$50,000

Annual Community Donations

Paid

Community Connection Fund seeks trustees

Death in the family?

The CCF is looking for a trustee from Allen-Putnam, Auglaize-Shelby, and Van Wert counties to serve on the board. You’ll be reimbursed for related expenses; no background is necessary. Current trustees say serving gives them “a tremendous satisfaction” and teaches them about local needs. If interested, please contact dwaltermire@midwestrec.com or call.

If an account holder passes away, please contact us at your earliest convenience so the patronage account can be paid out or transferred.

Energy tip: Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees Experiencing high summer bills? Contact our office for advice.

DISCONNECT NOTICES: how they work and what to do Midwest Electric bills are due by the 10th of each month. If your bill is still unpaid by the time of the next monthly billing, then that month’s printed bill will include text saying **Disconnect Notice.** Payments to avoid a disconnection of service must be received in our office or via our website by the date listed on the notice.

members who are behind on their bills. We place automated calls, send emails, and make personal phone calls.

We are flexible about making payment arrangements with members who respond to us. However, once an employee visits your home to collect, no arrangements will be made. The full amount due must be paid.

In addition to the printed disconnect notice on your bill, we make many attempts to contact

If an employee is sent to your home to collect a delinquent bill/disconnect service for

nonpayment, a collection fee will be added.

All outstanding charges on disconnected accounts must be paid — including past electric use, collection/reconnection fees, and security deposit — before we’ll reconnect the electric service.

Accounts that have been disconnected for nonpayment will be sent to a collections agency. Legal or other fees may also be added to these accounts. Please read all notifications carefully and call us with questions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICE

06029 County Road 33A St. Marys, OH 45885 CONTACT

800-962-3830

ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE

www.midwestrec.com Report an outage and pay your bill through our free mobile SmartHub app.

Larry Vandemark, president James Wiechart, vice pres.

Randy Heinl, secy./treas.

Steve Bauer Bob Barnt Kathy Brake Gary R. Knapke Roger W. Rank Courtney Burton Attorney

OFFICE HOURS

Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

24 OHIO 2020 22 OHIOCOOPERATIVE COOPERATIVELIVING • AUGUST LIVING • MARCH 2018

A copy of Midwest Electric, Inc.’s Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations is available from the co-op office and online at midwestrec.com.

Call us to receive your copy.

CEO

Matt Berry mberry@midwestrec.com

@midwestrec

facebook.com/ midwestelectric

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WALK ON THE FIRST CONCRETE STREET IN AMERICA Bellefontaine is home to a lot of history and fun photo opportunities.

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SHOP OHIO’S BEST BOUTIQUES With five downtown shopping boutiques, you will be sure to find your favorite style and clothing options. Peach Tree Boutique was voted and recognized as Ohio’s Best Boutique in 2018.

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FIND TREASURES AT LOCAL ANTIQUE STORES Downtown Bellefontaine is a destination for vintage and antique shopping. With three antique malls Nest 1896, Olde Mint, The Silver Elephant and several vintage, handmade, and local shops, there’s plenty of places to shop, trade and explore.

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EAT AMAZING AWARD-WINNING FOOD Experience some of Ohio’s Best Pizza at 600 Downtown, or a huge fried bologona sandwich from Brewfontaine! You can find amazing BBQ at 2G’s and the biggest burgers in town at Don’s Diner.

If you are looking for dessert you can find frozen custard that is made fresh daily at Whit’s Frozen Custard and homemade pastries and donuts at City Sweets and Creamery.

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ENJOY LOCAL BREWS WITH GREAT VIEWS Downtown Bellefontaine is home to the #1 Beer Bar in Ohio, Brewfontaine. Grab a pint and listen for the whistle as the train goes by at Roundhouse Depot Brewing.

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BRING THE KIDS AND PLAY A LITTLE If you are planning a trip with your kids we have plenty for them to do! While you are shopping downtown you can stop at The Fun Company, the amazing local toy store. Then you can head over to Putt and Play for some indoor putt putt, laser tag and virtual golf!

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TAKE IN A SHOW OR LEARN SOME HISTORY Bellefontaine is home to the historic Holland Theatre, built in 1931.

The theatre completed a total renovation in 2019. You can also learn more about early transportation at the Logan County Transportation Museum and History Center. Head over to The Syndicate, downtown’s newest intimate event venue and outdoor entertainment destination!

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Downtown Bellefontaine

Cheers!

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Renewal restoration How vision, optimism, and true grit have sparked a small town’s turnaround.

BY VICTORIA ELLWOOD; PHOTOS COURTESY OF SMALL NATION

J

ason Duff stood in the middle of the crumbling, mostly abandoned downtown area of his hometown, Bellefontaine, and saw what everyone else saw.

“Our town was struggling. Like many small towns across America, our downtown was decaying, and our community was hurting,” says Duff, who at the time had just graduated from nearby Ohio Northern University.

Unlike many others, though, he was able to look past the despair and see potential. Instead of heading to the brighter lights of bigger, more prosperous Midwestern cities, Duff decided to make a difference. He enlisted friends who shared his vision and his can-do attitude — along with plenty of talents and skills — and built a team to rebuild and revive their hometown.

The company that sprang up, Small Nation, soon bought its first vacant building on Main Street for $1. “We rolled up our shirtsleeves and got to work,” says Duff, whose family’s business, Duff Quarry, is a member of Logan County Electric Cooperative, based in Bellefontaine.

That was a decade ago, when more than 80% of the ground-floor commercial spaces downtown were empty, businesses were closing, and historic buildings were literally crumbling before their eyes. Armed, however, with a sense of determination and grit, the team began to transform downtown Bellefontaine.

By the time the coronavirus hit, Small Nation had painstakingly renovated more than 30 of those historic buildings, attracting more than $19 million in new private

28 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

Rather than go off in search of success in a big city, Jason Duff (above) put his efforts into revitalizing his hometown, Bellefontaine.

Opposite page, from top: Sisters Hayley Palmer and Alysia Kuba of Peachtree Boutique; Brittany Saxton of 600 Downtown; and Angie Hall of City Sweets and Creamery are among the entrepreneurs who have opened successful businesses with help from Small Nation.

investment. The work created nearly 130 downtown jobs in the 17 new specialty retail shops and seven new eateries that dish up everything from gourmet pizza, baked-daily breads, and comfort food to award-winning craft beer. Of the new business entrepreneurs, 70% are under age 40, and 75% are women.

The town was gaining more and more momentum until the pandemic struck, which of course has caused hardships for businesses everywhere. “COVID-19 has challenged our community in ways we could have never imagined or planned for,” Duff says. “There’s no question, terms like ‘essential business’ and even ‘open’ mean so much more to us than ever before. Small businesses are essential to our towns. We are the fabric, the heart, and the reason that so much good happens.”

“We had this vision for a captivating restaurant that would be a destination,” Duff says. “Once it was here, people started imagining what else was possible, and other new businesses followed. We could feel the energy, the excitement, the momentum.”

Soon there were eclectic clothing boutiques and fanciful gift shops, yoga studios and chic coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream parlors, a 24-hour fitness center, and more. The efforts have even been lauded nationally in publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. magazines.

Small Nation, the business, is, at its heart, about connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities. That was what jump-started the community’s pre-pandemic turnaround. “We knew we could make an impact by renovating buildings, attracting investors and businesses, and injecting new energy into the community.”

The first business to open was a new upscale pizza restaurant, 600 Downtown — owned by young entrepreneur Brittany Saxton — which bakes award-winning gourmet pies in its brick oven; the restaurant and Saxton have even been featured on TV’s Food Network.

The key to Small Nation’s success, though, is pretty simple: “Lots of hard work,” says Adam Rammel, vice president of marketing, who also co-owns Brewfontaine, a downtown restaurant and tap room that’s been voted Ohio’s best craft beer bar four years in a row. “There’s no ‘smoke and mirrors’ here. We’re right in the trenches, helping new business owners every step of the way.”

That includes everything from strategic planning, navigating zoning rules, and signage to marketing, branding, and website development — even choosing the right paint colors.

All of those efforts have caught the attention not only of travelers from around the state, but even of elected officials. Ohio Rep. Jon Cross (R-Kenton) says, “Bellefontaine is a model for taking a historic courthouse community and making it hip and cool. You have the hometown atmosphere paired with a new, urban energy.”

Duff says the last few months, despite their hardships, have inspired businesses to come up with creative strategies to stay connected to their customers. As communities slowly emerge from coronavirus restrictions, those businesses and their owners are excited and proud to be a part of the renewal.

The town’s success is no surprise to longtime resident Sandy Musser. “When the community thrives, so does the quality of life,” she says. “Bellefontaine is a survivor.”

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 29

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Purple reign Fields brimming with lavender bring joy to folks around the state.

BY VICTORIA ELLWOOD

L

avender has been treasured for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, it was used in mummification; in medieval France, to perfume the air and ward off infection; and in 16th-century England, it was cherished by monarchs and mentioned by Shakespeare.

Today, lavender is as popular as ever: It’s prized for its brilliant blooms, essential oil, and dried flowers and used in scores of health and beauty products — even in food.

We talked to several growers across Ohio who cultivate the sometimes-persnickety plants for U-pick stops and summer festivals, wedding bouquets, and beauty products, or simply as captivating spaces to spend a peaceful moment or two.

Lavender Trails The idea for a lavender farm had been rattling around in the minds of Jim and Amy Duxbury — both Orrville high school teachers, of science and English, respectively — for years. In 2018, they leased a 4-acre “brownfield” (a former industrial site) that had been a concrete dumping ground, surrounded by facilities that produced pet food, packaging, and metal fabrication.

“We took a brownfield and turned it green, creating a little island in the middle of an industrial park,” Jim says. The couple has planted 1,500 lavender plants in diamond-shaped gardens, boasting eight varieties of lavender with white, dark purple, and light purple flowers.

Though this year’s event was canceled because of the coronavirus, the couple aims to host a lavender festival each summer, inviting folks to discover the surprising sanctuary and delightful joys of Wayne County’s first lavender farm. Instead of the festival this year, they began booking daily group appointments to wander the fields for an hour at a time.

Armed with a decades-long commitment to education, Jim’s background as an environmental geologist, and a desire to “give back,” the Duxburys embrace a three-stemmed approach to their business.

Their goals include making a positive impact on the environment by creating green space, educating others about nature by attracting bees and other pollinators, and community

32 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

action by helping to raise money for local schools. Their endeavor is part of “agritourism” — agriculturally related educational efforts that invite the public to join in.

“You can’t walk through a lavender field without seeing everybody smiling,” Jim says. “Lavender just makes people happy.”

Lavender Trails, 356 Collins Blvd., Orrville, OH 44667.

330-855-1209, www.lavendertrails.com.

Onederings Lavender Farm

“We had visited gorgeous lavender farms in Oregon and found the relaxing qualities of lavender soothing. So, we decided to plant it as a way to deal with our grief and honor our mom,” Benz explains.

But lavender, originally cultivated in Mediterranean climates, can be a bit finicky in Ohio, preferring welldrained, even rocky soil. It dislikes “wet feet.”

“We had to figure out if we could grow lavender here; we didn’t want to fight nature,” Benz says.

More than 4,000 lavender plants — mostly English and French varieties — burst into bloom each summer on a 3-acre tract of the tree farm owned by Kim Benz and Amy Farr in southwestern Ohio. The sisters, both retired chemical engineers, established the sweetly scented space as a refuge for all.

“We created the lavender field so people could enjoy coming out and visiting. It has a boardwalk, chairs, benches to rest upon, and a fully accessible shop,” says Benz. “We invite people to wander the fields, enjoy the peacefulness, bring a picnic, and perhaps sample some lavender lemonade.”

The two are among seven siblings who were “planting things from the time we were about 6 years old,” she says.

Three of the sisters purchased the farm back in the 1980s, building their homes as a bucolic place to raise their families. The idea for the lavender farm came after the death of their mom in 2008.

Top: Jim and Amy Duxbury converted a former industrial site into a 4-acre field of relaxation (photo by Parker Duxbury). Above: Onederings Lavender Farm in full bloom (photo by Kim Benz).

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 33

Onederings Lavender Farm opened for the season in early June, hoping to provide a stress break during stressful times. To ensure safety, a limited number of vistors will be admitted, so reservations are required (photo by Kim Benz).

Try Onederings’ Lavender Lemonade Today, Onederings entices visitors to its fields (by reservation only during social distancing) and offers a range of products online, on-site, and at farmers markets.

Onederings Lavender Farm, 2195 S. Clarksville Road,

Place 4 teaspoons dried and ground culinary lavender in a tea bag. Pour 8 ounces of boiling water over it. Allow it to steep 20 to 30 minutes.

Let cool, and add to 2 quarts of your favorite lemonade. (Note: Be sure to use lavender labeled for culinary use.)

Clarksville, OH 45113. 937-725-0830, www.onederings.com.

Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm Jennifer and Jeff Clarke settled on a pastoral, 7-acre farm in southwest Ohio as a peaceful place to raise their family. They added a flock of chickens, some Nigerian pygmy goats … and a 2-acre field of lush lavender.

It seemed the perfect place for a U-pick lavender destination, so they turned to social media to spread the word about their inaugural event. “The notice went viral,” says Jeff. “All of a sudden, 72,000 people had clicked that they were ‘interested.’ We lost sleep for a couple of nights, worrying about what might happen, especially since our farm is at the end of a one-lane road.”

They’re even partnering with local Two Bucks Coffee Company to add a unique floral note to that morning cup of joe with lavender-roasted ground coffee. “It’s the perfect way to greet the day,” she says.

Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm, 2471 Moore Saur Road, Morrow, OH 45152. 513-472-0070. www.sunshineacresfarm.com.

That was in 2017, and the pick-your-own lavender sold out in two short, frenzied hours. “It was a crazy success,” says Jennifer. But the couple learned and evolved, switching to a staggered plan that works. Now, the farm is only open for special events with per-car ticketed time slots that carve out plenty of time for wandering the rows of flowers.

The Clarkes’ lavender field is also the picture-perfect setting for an annual, private event — with music from a string quartet, a glass of lavender champagne, and pickyour-own bouquets — to benefit CancerFree Kids.

Focusing on a particularly hardy variety of lavender called Phenomenal — first cultivated in 2014 by Peace Tree Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania — the couple is branching out with a product line of lotions, goat’s milk soap, and some unique goodies. “We make a lavender honey butter, lavender blueberry simple syrup, and lavender-infused honey,” says Jennifer.

34 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

Jeff (left) and Jennifer (right) Clarke were taken by surprise the first time they opened their Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm for a U-pick event (photo by Steph Keller Photography).

John Wayne: American Icon

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Little island,

BIG RACE Put-in-Bay keeps its road race tradition alive, albeit a bit more laid-back than in days of old.

BY JAMES PROFFITT

36 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

Y

ears ago, Lake Erie’s South Bass Island was abuzz with fast, exotic imports once a year for a decade. While more than a thousand spectators stood along a perilous 3.1-mile public road course, racers sped past at up to 140 mph in cars made by Morris Minor, Lotus, Bandini, Porsche, Izetta, Cooper Climax, and Frazer Nash, taming its curves and making its straightaways even straighter.

This year, they plan to be there again.

If coronavirus doesn’t kill the racing bug (it was still scheduled as of early July), the island will host racers and connoisseurs of cool, vintage small-bore European cars Sept. 22 through 25 for the 12th annual Put-in-Bay Vintage Sports Car Races, known informally as the Road Race Reunion.

“I certainly hope it goes forward, because we’re planning for it,” says organizer Manley Ford (who drives a 1952 MG TD). “There’s always a lot of excitement, and we’ve already got quite a few registered.”

Since 2009, Ford and others have worked to re-create the historical street races that ran on the island from 1952 to 1959, then once again in 1963. A 1953 Road & Track article dubbed Put-in-Bay “A Little Watkins Glen.” However, try as they may, the days of street racing at Put-in-Bay are over. Most drivers can only hope for a “hot” lap around the old race route and a little exhibition time on the pavement.

That doesn’t mean there’s no real, honest-to-goodness, wheel-to-wheel racing — it’s now confined to the island’s airport.

The current iteration of the event started as just a reunion in 2009. The next year it was racing again. After receiving permission from regional FAA officials, drivers competed on the runways. Later, racers learned they actually needed FAA permission from Washington, D.C. But that’s all been ironed out. Each autumn, more than 100 vintage race cars land at the airport and have free run of the place.

With caveats, of course. Like when the mail comes.

“Traditionally, the mail plane arrives at 9 a.m. on a weekday, so we have to let the airplane come and go,” says Ford. That includes removing hay bales and other racing paraphernalia from the runway. “Neither rain nor snow nor heat nor vintage racing stops the U.S. Mail.”

The airport is now home to the races, and although these aren’t airplanes, they still fly (photo by James Proffitt).

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 37

Peter Huston, Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce director, describes the event as a well-choreographed celebration of all things vintage cars.

“When you have a common interest, any social standing seems to dissipate in the air. You love seeing them, talking about them, learning about them.”

“There are people here who come with a 1963 Corvair or a 1971 MG and they’re hanging out with people who come with multimillion-dollar collectors’ cars,” he says.

Carol Clemens loves them, too. She used to race. In fact, she’s the only woman ever to compete at Put-in-Bay, having raced the very last year. “When the starter dropped the flag, everyone left but one car, so it was a chain reaction,” she recalls. “I ended up running into the car in front of me, made two passes,

38 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

Opposite page, top: Exhibition parades, shows, and other events are still scheduled to take place in September (photo by James Proffitt). Bottom: Carol Clemens signs a gentleman’s car in 2012, the year she was the Grand Marshal (photo courtesy of Robin Banks). Right: One of the minor mishaps on the original road course (photo courtesy of Put-in-Bay Road Races Reunion Heritage Society).

then pulled into the pit where my father ripped off the headlights, which were broken, and I went back out. I didn’t want spectators hurt if the lights fell off, so it felt like the right thing to do.”

For an average driver, that could have meant finishing near last. But Clemens, who was a qualified Sports Car Club of America driver, placed third. Afterward she reinstalled her windshield and passenger seat and drove back to Michigan, since it was her only car — the one she in fact drove to work every day.

“It was a 1961 MGA I bought off the showroom floor for $3,200, white with red interior,” she gushes, with a lilting fondness in her voice, before going on to lament racing politics of the day. “At one point, the SCCA wouldn’t sanction the race because of the dangerous course. They forbade their drivers to race it, threatened to take the season’s points they’d earned.”

So, she says, drivers entered under fictitious names.

“It was a big joke. We had three Juan Faggios and a Marcus Gofast, and it was just fun,” she laughs.

But it was no laughing matter in 1963, when a crash ended the races for good.

“The guy was driving an Alva Mark 4. He lost control and ended up crashing into a tree and I don’t know, maybe the steps of the church. The car appeared to be destroyed,” Ford says, referencing historical accounts.

Clemens was there.

“We got a red flag, which means stop now and pull over immediately,” she says. “On the last race, the one I was in, that was the serious crash.”

Not much is known about the legendary (and some say “imaginary”) dog in the roadway, which the driver said he swerved to avoid.

“All I know is apparently when the safety crew got there, he was sitting under a tree smoking a cigarette,” Clemens frowns. “He wasn’t hurt and neither was anyone else, but that nixed it. Straw that broke the camel’s back. No more races at Put-in-Bay.” Though no longer the bucolic farming community it once was, when drivers hit 140 mph on the fan-lined mile-long straightaway, the island’s still perfect for old, loud cars and their admirers.

At the sprawling car show at Heineman’s Winery, I wryly inform a 20-something police officer that I’d just witnessed an elderly man lay a mighty patch of rubber on a street nearby. He smiled, dutifully looking left and right across a sea of old, shiny cars, then briefly scanning Catawba Avenue.

“I’ll keep my eyes peeled for him, sir.” www.pibroadrace.com

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 39

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COOPERATIVE CALENDAR

PHOTO CONTEST

Ohio Cooperative Living magazine is looking for photos from Ohio and West Virginia electric cooperative members to use in its 2021 cooperative calendar. We’re interested in seasonal scenes from each month of the year — images that really “pop” and convey a sense of time and place.

Photo subjects must be interesting and the shot well planned and framed.

If their images are chosen for publication, amateur co-op photographers could earn $100 or more.

Rules • One photo entry per member.

• High-resolution, color, digital images only.

• No prints, slides, or proof sheets — no snail mail! Send submissions by email attachment only to photo@ohioec.org.

• Photo format must be horizontal and capable of filling an 8 x 11-inch image area.

• Include an explanation of the photo — the where, what, when — as well as who took the shot.

• Include your name, address, phone number, and the name of your co-op.

Deadline for submission: Aug. 17 • photo@ohioec.org

40 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

• Shots featuring people who can be identified within the photo must be accompanied by a signed publication release.

2020 CALENDAR

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK

on the west end of Market Street. 740-455-8282 or www. facebook.com/LorenaSternwheeler.

AUG. 14–16 – Coshocton Sunflower Festival, Coshocton KOA, 24688 Co. Rd. 10, Coshocton, Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. noon–7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online; discounts available. Explore over 40 varieties of sunflowers in the 4-acre field. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, arts and crafts vendors, a wine and beer garden, and other activities. 740-502-9245 or www. coshoctonsunflowerfestival.com.

AUG. 16–22 – Muskingum County Fair, Muskingum Co. Fgds., 1300 Pershing Rd., Zanesville. Join us Aug. 21 for Riley Green and special guest Jon Langston. Full schedule and updated information available at www. muskingumcofair.com.

AUG. 22 – Night of Thunder, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Rd. SW, Hebron, 2–11 p.m. 740-928-5706, https://nationaltrailraceway.com/event-schedule, or find us on Facebook.

AUG. 29 – End of Summer Craft/Vendor Fair, Lancaster Campground Activity Bldg., 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Vendors and crafters, food and beverages, auction, bake sale. Proceeds benefit the Fairfield County Genealogical Research Library. 740-653-2573.

SEP. 8 – Inventors Network Meeting, Rev1 Ventures for Columbus, 1275 Kinnear Rd., Columbus, 7 p.m.

The focus this month is “Designing Around Patents

CENTRAL

THROUGH OCT. 24 – Delaware Farmers Market, Delaware Co. Fgds., 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. The market will continue, but it has been temporarily relocated from downtown to the fairgrounds. 740-362-6050 or www.mainstreetdelaware. com/event/farmers-market.

THROUGH OCT. 31 – Zanesville Farmers Market, Muskingum Co. Fgds., 1300 Pershing Rd., Zanesville, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. June through August, the market is also open Wed. 4–7 p.m. at North 4th Street. www. zanesvillefarmersmarket.org.

AUG. 7 – Lorena Sternwheeler Public Twilight Cruise, Zanesville, 8:30–9:30 p.m. $10, Srs. $9, C. (2–12) $6.

Advance sales only. Enjoy a relaxing cruise down the Muskingum River. Board at Zane’s Landing Park located

SOUTHWEST

AUG. 16, 22, SEP. 13 – Music at the Mound with Steve Free, Serpent Mound, 3850 OH-73, Peebles, 1 p.m. Free. $8 parking fee. Join the acclaimed singer/songwriter for an open air concert. http://arcofappalachia.org/steve-free.

AUG. 21–29 – The Great Darke County Fair, Darke Co. Fgds., 800 Sweltzer St., Greenville. $7, under 12 free. $20 for 9-day pass. 937-548-5044 or www. darkecountyfair.com.

AUG. 22 – Archaeology Day, Serpent Mound, 3850 OH73, Peebles, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission; $8 parking fee. Collections on display, archaeological lectures, and demonstrations of American Indian skills such as flint

WEST VIRGINIA

PLEASE NOTE: Because of the developing coronavirus situation, many of these planned events may have been postponed or canceled. Please seek updated information before traveling.

to Avoid Infringement.” 614-470-0144 or www. inventorscolumbus.com.

SEP. 11–12 – Lithopolis Honeyfest, Columbus Street, Lithopolis, Fri. 3–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Honey tasting, honey bake-off, queen and princess contest, demos and bee education, mead and wine tasting, beekeepers, music, and much more. 614-829-7355 or www.lithopolishoneyfest.com.

SEP. 12 – Duck Derby Fundraiser and Horse Show, 2795 N. Moose Eye Rd., Norwich. Two races with prizes for adults and youth. Benefits Breaking Free Therapeutic Riding Center. 740-607-8425 or www. breakingfreeriding.org.

SEP. 12 – Sewing Smorgasbord, Sheridan Middle School, 8660 Sheridan Rd., Thornville, 9:15 a.m.–3:05 p.m., doors open at 8:30 a.m. $10. For 4-H Youth and sewing and quilting enthusiasts. Over 30 classes and 15 exhibitors; no pre-registration required. Youth Track (beginning projects for youth only), fat quarter raffle, sewing machine raffle, Fabric Fair, and People’s Choice Contest. 740-405-7891, crshuster1@gmail.com (Cindy Shuster), or https://perry.osu.edu.

SEP. 12 – Uncaged 3.0, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Rd. SW, Hebron, noon–3 p.m. 740-928-5706, https://nationaltrailraceway.com/event-schedule, or find us on Facebook.

knapping and atlatl throwing. http://arcofappalachia.org/ archaeology-day.

AUG. 22 – Rock the Hill in West Milton, West Milton Municipal Park, 249 E. Tipp Pike, West Milton, 5–9 p.m.

Free concert event. Featured music TBD. Beer and wine garden, food, 50/50 drawing, Kids’ Zone. www. homegrowngreat.com/event.

AUG. 22 – Tipp City Trans Am Cruise-In, 6 S. 3rd St., Tipp City, 5–9 p.m. Free. Registration 5–7 p.m. ($10); awards and door prizes at 8:30 p.m. Dash plaques to first 250 entries. Open only to Firebirds, Formulas, Firehawks, Trans Ams, and GTAs. Trophies awarded. 50/50 drawing, door prizes, food, entertainment, walking tour, live DJ. www.homegrowngreat.com/event.

AUG. 29 – The Tour De Donut, downtown Troy. A fun, unique bicycle event, where your ability to eat donuts is just as important as your ability to ride your bicycle fast.

Prizes in several classes. www.thetourdedonut.com.

SEP. 4–6 – Springfield Swap Meet and Car Show, Clark Co. Fgds., 4401 S. Charleston Pike, Springfield, Fri./Sat. 7 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Find the parts you need to finish your spring and summer projects before the end-of-the year cruise-ins! Show & Shine car show held

THROUGH NOV. 1 – Blennerhassett Voyage Package, North Bend State Park, 202 North Bend Park Rd., Cairo. $130 package includes one night of lodging for two at North Bend, two tickets for sternwheeler ride to and from Blennerhassett Island, wagon ride tour of the island, tour of the mansion, and passes for the museum.

304-643-2931, www.northbendsp.com, or www. blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.

SEP. 10–13 – Charleston Ribfest and Regatta, Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, Thur.

3–10 p.m., Fri./Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. noon–9 p.m.

Free. Enjoy world-class award-winning BBQ ribs and

Saturday and Sunday. 937-376-0111, 937-372-1171 (fax), info@ohioswapmeet.com, or www.ohioswapmeet.com.

SEP. 5–6 – Tippapalooza, Tipp City Eagles Park, 3853 Hyattsville Rd., Tipp City, gates open at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. $5. Family-friendly music festival celebrating local music and benefiting charities in and around Tipp City. Food and drink available, but picnicking is encouraged! Pets welcome but must be leashed and used to loud music. www.homegrowngreat.com/event.

SEP. 11–13 – Clinton County Corn Festival, Clinton Co. Fgds., 958 W. Main St., Wilmington. $4, under 12 free; weekend pass $7. Featuring Allis Chalmers and related companies. Corn Olympics, antique tractor pulls, horse pulls, antique cars and trucks, hit and miss engines, steam engines, demos, food, crafts, and more. 937-383-5676 (Dale Mayer) or www.cornfestivalonline.com.

SEP. 12 – Troy Porchfest, Troy-Hayner Cultural Ctr., 301 W. Main St., Troy, noon–5 p.m. More than 20 bands will be playing throughout the Southwest Historic District on porches, side yards, lots, and patios. Pick up an event map and choose your favorite bands. There will be food trucks and artisan tents as well. Bring cash for donations. www.homegrowngreat.com/event.

chicken and all the fixins, carnival rides, local and national favorite food vendors, artisans, family-friendly activities, and much more! 304-951-3011 or https://wvribfest.com.

Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event to Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 or events@ohioec.org. Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.

AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 41

2020 CALENDAR

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

NORTHEAST

AUG. 8–9, 15–16, 22–23 – Shaker Woods Festival, 44337 County Line Rd., Columbiana. $8, under 13 free.

No pets. More than 200 of the best juried crafters and artisans in the country. Each craftsperson will be dressed in Shaker period clothing while demonstrating and selling their remarkable handmade wares, including Shaker brooms, hand-thrown pottery, blown glass, handmade furniture, and much more! www.shakerwoods.com.

AUG. 16 – Northern Ohio Doll and Bear Show and Sale, Holiday Inn, 15471 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., early bird 9 a.m. $5, free for children; early bird $15. Antique, vintage, and modern dolls, old toys, bears, clothing, parts/supplies, and accessories.

Door prizes. ID/valuation, restringing, minor repair.

440-283-5839 (Eileen Green), phdofdolls@yahoo.com, or www.dollshowUSA.com.

AUG. 22 – Buckin’ Ohio, 8154 Garman Rd., Burbank, gates open at 4 p.m. $20–$45, C. (6–12) $10, under 6 free. Professional bull riding, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, ranch bronc riding, and more. www.buckinohio.com.

AUG. 23–30 – Lorain County Fair, 23000 Fairgrounds Rd., Wellington. Ohio’s second-largest county fair. 440647-2781 or www.loraincountyfair.com.

AUG. 29–30, SEP. 5–7 – Great Trail Arts and Crafts Festival, Great Trail Festival Grounds, St. Rte. 43 between

SOUTHEAST

THROUGH SEP. 25 – Rise and Shine Farmers Market, 2135 Southgate Pkwy. (near Tractor Supply Co.), Cambridge, Fri, 8 a.m.–noon. 740-680-1866 or find us on Facebook.

THROUGH OCT. 31 – Chillicothe Farmers Market, 475 Western Ave., Suite F, Chillicothe, Sat. 8 a.m.–noon. The first hour of the market is reserved for high-risk shoppers. http://visitchillicotheohio.com.

AUG. 16 – Barton Polkafest, Firemen’s Field, 52176 Center St., Barton, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Free. Featuring Ted Lange with Mollie B & Squeezebox, along with John Gora & Gorale. Polish foods, cash bar, raffles, tips, wine slushies. 740-695-3029.

AUG. 16 – Cambridge Classic Cruise-In, downtown Cambridge. Named by Cruisin’ Times magazine as one

Malvern and Carrollton (GPS users: 6331 Canton Rd., Malvern), 10 a.m.–5 p.m., flag raising 11 p.m. A celebration of American folk art, with distinctive arts and crafts, living history, and period music. 330-794-9100 or www. greattrailfestival.com.

AUG. 30 – Railroad Memorabilia Show, Painesville Railroad Museum, Painesville Depot, 475 Railroad St., Painesville, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5, C. (3–12) $3, Family (max.

2 adults, 3 children) $12. Railroad-related items from private collections; some items available for purchase.

See Collinwood Engine #999. Food and drinks available.

216-470-5780 (Tom Pescha), prrm@att.net, or www. painesvillerailroadmuseum.org.

AUG. 31–SEP. 2 – Made in Ohio Arts and Crafts Festival, Hale Farm and Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, Fri. noon–5 p.m., Sat./Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $5–$7; 3-day pass, $10. Over 160 Ohio artisans, local food, Ohio wine and beer, music, and entertainment. www.wrhs.org/ events/made-in-ohio-arts-crafts-festival-2-copy.

SEP. 4–6 – Perch and Pilsner Festival, Conneaut Township Park, 480 Lake Rd., Conneaut. Perch fishing tournament, craft and domestic beers, food vendors, local wines, crafts, water ski shows, live musical entertainment, fireworks, and more. www.perchandpilsner.com.

SEP. 4–7 – Cleveland Oktoberfest, Cuyahoga Co. Fgds., 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, Fri. 4 p.m.– midnight, Sat./Sun. noon–midnight, Mon. noon–8 p.m.

Food, beer, music, races and contests, and much more. www.clevelandoktoberfest.com.

SEP. 7–19 – “Celebrate the Constitution” Exhibit, Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Mon.– Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free displays and activities commemorating our nation’s founding document. Includes a display on the first 10 amendments, “The Bill of Rights and You!” 740-283-1787 or www. oldfortsteuben.com.

SEP. 12 – Willard Train Fest, downtown Willard, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Model trains, planes, and cars; many layouts and vendors. 419-935-0495, j.heffley1940@hotmail.com, or www.willardtrainfest.com.

SEP. 12–13 – Antiques in the Woods, Shaker Woods Grounds, 217 St. Rte. 7 (GPS: 44337 County Line Rd.), Columbiana, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $6, under 13 free. No pets. Top-quality antiques and collectibles, classic car show (Sun. only), tractor pulls, Civil War encampment, and entertainment. 330-550-4190 or www.antiquesinthewoods.com.

SEP. 12–13 – Appalachian Ohio Antique Power Club Gathering, Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park, Ohio 519 between U.S. 22 and New Athens (GPS: 43672 Stumptown Rd., Cadiz), Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $3. Antique tractors, hit and miss engines, oil field engines, cars, trucks (semi and pickup), and garden tractors are all welcome. 330-401-5129, ohioantiquepowerclub@yahoo.com, or www.facebook. com/appalachianohioantiquepowershow.

SEP. 12–13 – Old Construction and Mining Equipment Show, Harrison Coal and Reclamation Historical Park, Ohio 519 between U.S. 22 and New Athens (GPS: 43672 Stumptown Rd., Cadiz), Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $3. Operating and static displays of antique construction, mining crawler equipment, trucks, and more.

740-312-5385 or 330-618-8032, oldironshow@yahoo. com, or www.facebook.com/ocmes.

SEP. 13 – Molto Bella Auto Show, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Rain date: Sep. 20. $5–$14, under 6 free. See an amazing array of Ferraris, Bugattis, Roadsters, and other high-value cars on the Great Meadow. Also features good food, beverages, and a day enjoying the historic estate. 330-836-5533 or www.stanhywet.org/ events/molto-bella-auto-show.

of the best car shows in its category, drawing thousands of car enthusiasts every year. From hot rods to Harleys, there is something for everyone! 740-439-2238 or www. downtowncambridge.com.

AUG. 22 – Lewis Family Gorge Guided Hike, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge, 10 a.m. sharp through midafternoon (arrive by 9:45 a.m.). Join naturalist John Jaeger on a guided exploration of this spectacular gorge that flows into a scenic tributary of Paint Creek known as Cliff Run. Space is limited and registration is required. https://arcofappalachia.org/lewisgorge-hike.

SEP. 3–7 – Easyriders Rodeo Tour, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe, Thur. noon–1 a.m., Fri.– Sun. 9 a.m.–1 a.m., Mon. 9 a.m.–noon. $25–$30 daily; weekend passes available. Not your typical rodeo! Races, biker games, stunt shows, rodeo events, contests, music, and more. http://easyridersevents.com/rodeo-2020chillicothe.php.

acclaimed and award-winning storytellers. sostoryfest@ gmail.com or www.sostoryfest.com.

SEP. 11–13 – Forest Therapy Weekend, Highlands Nature Sanctuary, 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge. Back by popular demand! This program is more than a walk in the woods. Meeting the forest in a state of mindfulness and awareness has proven to boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve mood, accelerate recovery from surgery or illness, increase energy level, and improve sleep. $299 fee includes six meals and all curriculum. Space is limited and registration is required. https://arcofappalachia.org/forest-therapy.

SEP. 11–13 – Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, Front and Greene Sts., Marietta. Sternwheeler races, car show, pageant, 5K run, entertainment, and fireworks.

800-288-2577 or https://ohio-river-sternwheel-festival. myshopify.com.

SEP. 12 – Family Fishing Day, Ross County Sportsmen and Wildlife Club, Chillicothe, 9 a.m.–noon. All fishing done at Ross Lake. Event is open to all kids ages 15 and under (must be accompanied by an adult) and to all women. Concessions will be available.

740-649-9614, kim.danny@roadrunner.com, or http:// visitchillicotheohio.com.

SEP. 14–20 – Guernsey County Fair, Guernsey Co. Fgds., 335 Old National Rd., Lore City. 740-489-5888 or www.guernseycountyfairgrounds.org.

SEP. 8–13 – Belmont County Fair, Belmont Co. Fgds., 45420 Roscoe Rd., St. Clairsville. A family tradition since 1849. www.belmontcountyfair.org.

SEP. 10–12 – Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival, Majestic Theatre Courtyard, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe. $5–$20, under 6 free. Thursday evening performances free. The festival focuses on the timeless art of spinning tales, featuring concert performances by several highly

42 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

|Sunrise®

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.

THROUGH OCT. 10 – The Great Sidney Farmer’s Market, Courthouse Square, 109 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney, every Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–noon. Free. Fresh produce, crafters, baked goods, jams, jellies. 937-658-6945 or www.sidneyalive.org.

AUG. 13–15 – Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival, downtown Bucyrus. Grilled brats and many other festival foods, plus parades, fun contests, and free entertainment. 419562-2728 or www.bucyrusbratwurstfestival.com.

AUG. 14–16 – Bremenfest, Crown Pavilion, 2 W. Plum St., New Bremen. Food, rides, entertainment, and smalltown hospitality. Check website for updated schedule. http://bremenfest.com.

AUG. 14–16 – Fort Fest: Salute to Our Military, 364 St. Rte. 190, Fort Jennings. Reenactments, artillery and cannon displays, military vehicles, kids’ camp, gun raffle, and more. See updated schedule on website.

419-286-3030 or www.fjfortfest.com.

AUG. 15–16 – Revolution on the Ohio Frontier, Fort Meigs, 29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. $5–$10, under 6 free. See battle reenactments and weapon demos, visit army encampments, and learn what life was like in Ohio during the Revolutionary War. 419-874-4121 or www.fortmeigs.org.

AUG. 20–22 – National Tractor Pulling Championships, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green.

Advance tickets $20–$40; additional for reserve seating. Kids 10 and under free. The world’s largest truck and tractor pull. 419-354-1434 or www.pulltown. com.

AUG. 22 – Camp Potluck, The Great Hall, Walnut Grove Campground, 7325 S. Twp. Rd. 131, Tiffin, 6 p.m. Park visitor fee if not camping: $2.50 per person, 4 yrs. and under free. 419-448-0914 or www. walnutgrovecampground.co.

AUG. 27–30 – German-American Festival, Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon, Fri. 4 p.m.–1 a.m., Sat. noon–1 a.m., Sun. noon–11 p.m. Authentic German food, beer, music, folk dancing, and entertainment. www.germanamericanfestival.net.

AUG. 29 – River Rat Party, Walnut Grove Campground, 7325 S. Twp. Rd. 131, Tiffin. Donation. Park visitor fee if not camping: $2.50 per person, 4 yrs. and under free. Karaoke, 2–5 p.m. Chili cook-off, 5 p.m.; bring a dish to share. Bands: Acree, 5–7 p.m.; Cherry Bombs, 7:30–11:30 p.m. 419-448-0914 or www. walnutgrovecampground.co.

SEP. 3 – Women in Business Luncheon, City Club, 144 S. Main St., Lima, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. $25 for Chamber members, $40 for nonmembers. 419-222-6045.

SEP. 4–6 – Max’s Trader Days and Water Dog Races, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, 7 a.m.–

midnight. $10 per day, $20 for three-day pass; age 12 and under free. In addition to the races, events include karaoke at the grandstands, golf cart parade, flea market, and food vendors. Schedule of events can be found at http://maxstraderdays.com.

SEP. 4–7 – S.C.R.A.P. Antique Tractor Show, White Star Park, St. Rte. 300, enter on Twp. Rd. 60, 1 mile south of Gibsonburg. Featuring John Deere tractors and engines. Antique cars and trucks, tractor pulls, flea market, primitive demonstrations, entertainment, food, flea market, consignment auction, and more! 419-3074265 or www.s-c-r-a-p-inc.org.

SEP. 4–10 – Fulton County Fair, Fulton Co. Fgds., 8514 St. Rte. 108, Wauseon. www.fultoncountyfair.com.

SEP. 5–7 – Labor Day Weekend, Walnut Grove Campground, 7325 S. Twp. Rd. 131, Tiffin. Park visitor fee if not camping: $2.50 per person, 4 yrs. and under free. Saturday, corn hole tournament, time TBA, $5; camp garage sales, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, poker run/ scramble, 1–3 p.m.; Mac Experience DJ, 8 p.m.–12 a.m.

419-448-0914 or www.walnutgrovecampground.co.

SEP. 5–7 – Western Ohio Cluster St. Bernard Specialty Dog Show, Lima Kennel Club, 1050 Thayer Rd., Lima, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. $5 parking. Complete show schedule can be found at www.infodog.com.

SEP. 6 – Van Wert County Fair Car Show, Van Wert Co. Fgds., Van Wert, 2–6 p.m. Dash plaques, goody bags, door prizes, ’50s and ’60s music. Entry gives access to all activities at the fair, food, flea market, and more. wrkchevy@hotmail.com.

SEP. 7 – Labor Day Parade, downtown Lima, 10 a.m.

Lineup begins at Northland at 9 a.m. Parade proceeds down Main Street to the Town Square. Music, clowns, candy, bands, and floats! 419-222-6075 or www. visitgreaterlima.com.

SEP. 11–12 – Scout Family/Grandparents Weekend, Walnut Grove Campground, 7325 S. Twp. Rd. 131, Tiffin. Donation. Park visitor fee if not camping: $2.50 per person, 4 yrs. and under free. Fri. 8 p.m., indoor movie night. Sat. 11 a.m., crafts; Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, time TBA; 5:30 p.m., chicken dinner. 419448-0914 or www.walnutgrovecampground.co.

SEP. 12 – Ottawa River Cleanup, Lima, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

The route starts at the American Red Cross building, 610 S. Collett St. Volunteers are assigned a small section and receive a free lunch, T-shirt, and certificate of appreciation. Families and students welcome; minors must have a waiver form signed by parent/guardian.

Wear old clothes and shoes that can get wet. Gloves are mandatory and will be provided if needed. Call 419-221-5177 or 419-228-1836 to volunteer or for more information.

SEP. 12 – Sidney Music and Arts Festival, downtown Sidney. Schedule to be announced; check website for updates. Great music on two stages, talented artists and makers, food vendors, and more. https://sidneyalive. org/musicandartsfest.

SEP. 12 – WAR Wrestling: “September to Remember,” Bradfield Community Ctr., 550 S. Collett St., Lima, 7 p.m. Reserved VIP tickets $16, doors open at 5:30 p.m.

General admission tickets $10 or 4 for $30, doors open at 6:30 p.m. www.warwrestling.com.

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AUGUST 2020 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 43

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

1

2

Cuddly kitties 3

1. Milo and me, cuddling before bedtime.

Alissa Painter Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Member 2. Remi Dentinger, 3, cuddles with her kitty.

Audra Dentinger North Central Electric Cooperative member 3. O ur son, Jedidiah, loves to cuddle with our kittens.

Robert and Renee Workman Consolidated Cooperative members 4. These cuties are Ragamese (Siamese/Ragdoll) kittens. They are known for their blue eyes.

Kathy DeHass Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member

4

5

5. S imba enjoying a nice, relaxing nap while Casper bathes him.

Robert Berus Union Rural Electric Cooperative member 6. Our granddaughter, Lilly, loving on our barn cat, Midnight.

Valeria Manemann Pioneer Electric Cooperative member

6

7

8

7. Our animal-loving granddaughter, Tori, with her cuddly kitties.

Patty and Larry Quaglia South Central Power Company members 8. Our children, Hank, Mason, Emily, and Abilene, with their cuddly kitties.

Ed and Teresa Pietrzyk Midwest Electric members (Bottom in ad) Buddy enjoying a nap in a sunbeam.

Linda Tipton South Central Power Company member

Send us your picture! For November, send “Young chefs” by August 15; for December send “Naughty or nice” by September 15.

Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive.

Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website.

Find more photos on the Member Interactive page at

www.ohiocoopliving.com

44 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • AUGUST 2020

I AM THE CO-OP And that’s why the co-op is here for you.

Your local, not-for-profit electric co-op will always have the information you can trust to make the best decisions for your family on safety, efficiency, and new technology.

Visit ohioec.org/purpose to discover the power of your co-op.

YOUR SOURCE OF POWER AND INFORMATION.

ohioec.org/purpose