Ohio Cooperative Living - December 2019 - Midwest

OHIO

DECEMBER 2019

COOPERATIVE Midwest Electric, Inc.

Giving back another million See inside for details

ALSO INSIDE Youth Tour all-star Cardinals on the rise Fun holiday events

Winter energy efficiency tips ❆ Seal air leaks and insulate well to prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering your home. ❆ Open blinds and curtains during the day to allow sunlight in to warm your home.

❆ Lower your water heater temperature.

The Department of Energy recommends using the warm setting (120 degrees) during fall and winter months.

❆ Close blinds and curtains at night to keep cold, drafty air out. ❆ Set your thermostat at a maximum of 68 degrees during cold weather.

ohioec.org/energy

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

INSIDE FEATURES 14 O TANNENBAUM Is this the year to go with a live tree that you can plant after the holidays?

25 HOLIDAY TRAVEL Eight close-to-home holiday destinations that evoke the story of the first Christmas, foster good cheer, and brighten spirits.

34 SNOWSHOEING Check out a fun, healthy, and relatively inexpensive way to keep exercising — outdoors — during those snowy winter months.

Cover image on most issues: ’Tis the season of hopes and dreams, silence and celebration, wonder and delight.

Make sure to check out our guide to holiday-themed events around the state, beginning on page 25, and a full listing in our calendar section.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 1

UP FRONT

ANOTHER YEAR BETTER

Y

our electric cooperative has no higher purpose than to provide its consumermembers with reliable and affordable electricity and to do so in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. Looking back on 2019, a lot has happened that affects those goals.

Improving reliability: Significant investments in the high-voltage grid — lines that move electricity across the state from our generation sources to each co-op — improve reliability in many parts of rural Ohio, but much-needed upgrades are expensive and inevitably lead to escalating costs for the delivery of power to your co-op.

Holding down costs: We’ve been able to keep Buckeye Power’s cost to produce and deliver wholesale power to your co-op steady for the past seven years, despite the rising costs of a more reliable grid. We expect we will able to do so again next year; 2019 was our first full year handling operational responsibility at our Cardinal Plant, which generates the lion’s share of the electricity used by our members. In that time, we’ve been able to find efficiencies and operational savings that have enabled us to hold down costs.

More common-sense environmental regulations: When U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler needed a host to roll out the EPA’s new Affordable Clean Energy rule in July, he chose the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives statewide office — a nod to how hard co-op leaders around the state have worked to achieve common-sense environmental improvements at the plant, which should keep it viable well into the future.

Member satisfaction: Collectively, consumer-members of Ohio electric cooperatives gave their co-ops an unprecedented high score on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index — citing service reliability, friendly and helpful employees, good communications, and having the members’ best interests at heart. Our scores compare favorably to some of the nation’s most popular brands, such as Chick-fil-A, Costco, and Amazon.

A few other significant notes from 2019: • The staff at Ohio Cooperative Living magazine won the George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award, presented annually to the nation’s top electric cooperative statewide consumer publication.

• The Central Ohio Lineworker Training (COLT) center set another record for the number of employees participating in job training and safety programs — preparing our people to meet your needs now and into the future.

• The employees at our statewide office and our families took part in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night walk in Columbus. We were among the top teams for fundraising and participation in the fight against cancer.

I’m looking forward to another great year in 2020. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season!

2 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

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

Collectively, consumer-members of Ohio electric cooperatives gave their co-ops an unprecedented high score on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index.

DECEMBER 2019 • Volume 62, No. 3

MORE INSIDE DEPARTMENTS

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd.

Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 memberinteract@ohioec.org www.ohioec.org Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Patrick Higgins Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Managing Editor

Rebecca Seum Associate Editor

Anita Cook Graphic Designer

Dava Hennosy Editorial Intern Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Craig Springer, Damaine Vonada, Margie Wuebker, and Patty Yoder.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Elec­tric Co­op­eratives, Inc. It is the official com­mun­ ication link be­tween the elec­­­­tric co­operatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their mem­bers. Subscription cost for members ranges from $5.52 to $6.96 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved.

4 POWER LINES

Are we there yet? From Youth Tour to Youth Leadership Council to Harvard, Olivia Velasquez doesn’t shy away from the unfamiliar.

6 CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

Washington Electric Cooperative: The co-op’s rugged service territory includes mountain views, rolling hills, and the Ohio and Muskingum rivers.

8 OHIO ICON

Hanby House: Benjamin Hanby made his name by penning “Up on the House Top,” and for his family’s efforts to aid freedom seekers through the Underground Railroad.

Cheryl Solomon American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an en­dorse­ment. If you find an advertisement mis­leading or a product unsatisfactory, please not­ify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Of­fi ce, Consumer Protection Sec­tion, 30 E. Broad St., Col­um­bus, OH 43215.

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

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101

8

10 CO-OP PEOPLE

Bright Christmas: Thousands of visitors flock each year to this winter wonderland home in Darke County.

12

12 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE For all advertising inquiries, contact

4

Cardinals: Ohio’s state bird — the highly recognizable “Big Red” — enjoys a population boom in the Buckeye State.

16 GOOD EATS

Going nuts: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Winter’s a great time to enjoy a bountiful supply of numerous nutty favorites.

16

19 LOCAL PAGES

News and information from your electric cooperative.

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.

37 CALENDAR

What’s happening: December/ January events and other things to do around the state.

40

40 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Silent night: Members pause for a moment to embrace the holiday cheer.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 3

POWER LINES

ARE WE THERE YET? From Youth Tour to Youth Leadership Council to Harvard, Olivia Velasquez doesn’t shy away from the unfamiliar.

BY REBECCA SEUM

O

livia Velasquez grew up in Gilboa, a tiny, two-road village in northwest Ohio, and though her path has taken her far away, her home remains the center of her compass.

In 2013, as a sophomore at Pandora-Gilboa High School, Olivia was chosen

by Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative as a delegate to the Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour, an annual leadership program for high school students from families served by electric cooperatives. Since then, she’s made the most of each experience that has come her way.

Much more than a sightseeing trip, Youth Tour was established to inspire our next generation of leaders. The Ohio contingent joins cooperative youth from all over the country for a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. Students visit important sites, meet members of their congressional delegation, and learn about both public service and the cooperative business model.

Olivia has taken the cooperative values to heart, incorporating Commitment to Community in her personal and professional life. “The Youth Tour trip enlightened me,” she says, “showing me that not only do cooperatives light up homes, but lives as well, by representing us, caring about us, and striving to make progress.”

Step by step Youth Tour participants return home with a deeper understanding of what it takes to be a leader and the skills to put that into action. During the trip, each state selects a delegate to serve on Youth Leadership Council, which meets in D.C. about a month after Youth Tour concludes. Olivia was chosen by her peers to represent Ohio on YLC. Olivia’s parents, Rick and Amy Velasquez, recognized her leadership characteristics from the outset. “Ever since she was small, she’s always been outspoken and independent,” Amy says. Olivia was a voracious reader, first listening to her mother read aloud to her and her sisters, then taking the books in her own hands. “I believe her love of learning came from all that reading,” Amy says.

YLC delegates play an important role during the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s annual meeting the following spring — they’re not only recognized on stage, but they have a hands-on experience with virtually every facet of the meeting. Olivia took her experience even another step; from the pool of YLC delegates nationwide, she was selected to be that year’s Youth Leadership Council national spokesperson — the first delegate from Ohio to win that honor.

Olivia’s speech at the NRECA annual meeting centered on the enduring lessons she gained from Youth Tour. “Although Youth Tour ended a mere week after we boarded that bus, the lessons I and my new friends learned 4 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

“People in little towns like mine are heard, and this is how it’s done.” will last a lifetime,” she said. “I finally figured out my own answer to that question: Are we there yet? Youth Tour taught me that we will never be there. Instead, we must continually ask ourselves these questions — make changes in the directions to make progress. In the end, that progress is our destination.”

After YLC Not long after her YLC experience, Olivia was awarded the Ronald McDonald House Charities HACER National Scholarship, which was created in 1985 to help Hispanic high school students finance their college education. Given to only four students nationwide, the dollar amount is substantial — $100,000 — and with it, Olivia was able to take advantage of her acceptance to Harvard University.

Her participation with Youth Tour and YLC allowed her to meet people from all over the country whom she would never have had the chance to otherwise, and at Harvard, she expanded her scope even further — she tried Latin dancing, became a peer counselor, did laboratory research, studied abroad in Argentina, and made friendships with Alzheimer’s patients. “I felt like my mind was being opened day to day,” she says.

This spring, she graduated from Harvard with a degree in integrative biology and a secondary in mind, brain, and behavior. Now, she’s working at McLean Hospital, the Harvard-affiliated psychiatric facility, co-leading group therapy sessions and orienting new patients, with an eye toward medical school.

Olivia Velasquez (above) delivers her powerful speech to the delegates of the NRECA annual meeting — an experience that helped propel her to attend Harvard University (below).

New experiences, new challenges Olivia says her Youth Tour and YLC experience allowed her to meet people with big goals. She felt inspired by those around her, who were ambitious, yet grounded in their communities and their families.

“You know you can do anything you want to do,” she says, “but you don’t really believe it until you see it in the people around you.”

There are some subtler learning opportunities inherent to Youth Tour that go beyond the history and the monuments. “Going to a brand-new place with people you don’t know is daunting, but it really is a great opportunity to learn how to get to know people,” Olivia says. Additionally, the trip opened her eyes to her own community.

“I gained a lot of pride in my state and my town, juxtaposing it with D.C.,” she says. “People in little towns like mine are heard, and this is how it’s done.”

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 5

CO-OP SPOTLIGHT

WASHINGTON ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

W

ashington Electric Cooperative lies in the hilly Appalachian region of southeastern Ohio. Though there is farmland in the western part of the service territory, the best way to describe the surrounding landscape would be “rugged.” The terrain includes mountain views, rolling hills, and the Ohio and Muskingum rivers.

About 75% of Washington Electric’s 10,500 members are residential, but the co-op also serves some prominent commercial businesses, including several in the oil and gas industry.

Wayne National Forest and Seneca Lake A good bit of Washington Electric’s territory is located within the eastern portion of Wayne National Forest. In the Appalachian foothills, visitors can appreciate the natural beauty of the park, including rock formations and wildlife. Wayne National Forest is renowned for its biking, camping, and fishing opportunities. The forest has more than 300 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV riding.

Seneca Lake Park is open year-round, with special events and activities during the summer. The lake, Ohio’s third-largest inland waterway, serves as a border with neighboring Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, and is known for its boating, fishing, and other opportunities for family fun. Summer activities include a moonlit kayak tour, a magic show, and a movie at the lake. There is also a swimming beach with inflatable water toys for the kids.

Nearby festivals Nearby Marietta hosts a variety of festivals and events that draw tens of thousands to the area. The Marietta Riverfront Roar showcases professional powerboat racing on the Ohio River. Racers and their crews come from around the country for the event.

Spectators get free admission, a close-up view of the boats, and the opportunity to meet the drivers and crews. Marietta also hosts the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, where 30 to 35 authentic old sternwheelers line the riverbank. The festival brings an estimated 100,000 visitors to the area over the weekend and preserves the town’s riverboat heritage. Beyond the sternwheelers, the festival offers family entertainment such as a car show, a photo contest, live music, and fireworks. After the events, visitors can explore downtown Marietta’s dining and unique shopping.

6 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

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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OHIO ICON

HANBY HOUSE

Westerville

BY DAMAINE VONADA

Location: In the Columbus suburb of Westerville near the western edge of Otterbein University’s campus.

Provenance: Built in 1846, Hanby House was the home of Rev. William Hanby and his family from 1854 to 1870. Hanby was a bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, a co-founder of Otterbein University, an active temperance advocate, and an ardent abolitionist who used the house as a station on the Underground Railroad. Inspired by the story of a broken-hearted slave separated from his sweetheart, Hanby’s son Benjamin wrote a song — “Darling Nelly Gray” — that he debuted in 1856 at a musical gathering in the home’s parlor.

Benjamin Hanby’s ballad became enormously popular and helped crystallize anti-slavery sentiment prior to the Civil War. Hanby started a singing school in New Paris, where in 1864, he composed the jolly tune “Up on the House Top” for a children’s Christmas program. Hanby wrote more than 80 songs before dying of tuberculosis at age 33 in 1867.

In the 1920s, Otterbein graduates John and Dacia Shoemaker rescued the dilapidated house from the wrecking ball and organized a renovation that turned it into a museum. Hanby House opened to the public in 1937.

8 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

Significance: Operated by the Westerville Historical Society, Hanby House is part of the Ohio History Connection’s statewide system of historic sites and museums and is an identified destination on the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Currently: Hanby House honors Benjamin Hanby’s musical legacy as well as his family’s efforts to aid freedom seekers. The exterior of Hanby House recently was painted, changed from white to its original butternut color. According to the site’s manager, Pam Allen, “A paint specialist determined that color by using an electron microscope to analyze all the layers of paint on the house.”

It’s a little-known fact that: Christmas open houses at Hanby House feature tours led by guides in period costumes, traditional refreshments such as mulled cider and ginger snaps, and live performances of “Up on the House Top” and other holiday songs.

Hanby House, 160 W. Main St., Westerville, OH 43081.

Christmas open houses Dec. 3 and Dec. 7, 2019.

For information, call 800-600-6843 or visit www. hanbyhouse.org.

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CO-OP PEOPLE

DREAMING OF A

BRIGHT CHRISTMAS

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

D

ick and Dianne Brown of Greenville welcome visitors by the thousands to their winter wonderland every year, treating guests to holiday trees, whimsical characters, sweet treats, and no fewer than 100,000 brightly colored lights.

2019 marks the 26th year for the Darke County display, and never has a design been repeated from the past — each new season brings a new twist, which draws people from near and far.

Dick Brown, a former business owner and real estate appraiser, remembers when holiday preparations involved putting up just two strings of lights — one on each side of the front door.

A move to a different house sparked his interest in more lights, and the addition of two daughters only intensified that interest. Soon, Brown had pushed his display to upward of 10,000 bulbs. “There were some problems with not enough outlets,” he recalls with a smile.

The Browns even accounted for their display in the plans for their current home on Requarth Road, which includes underground electrical service along the paved driveway and a 300foot swath that serves as a runway for Santa’s reindeerdrawn sleigh. Electricians added 200-amp service in the

10 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

drawn sleigh. Electricians added 200-amp service in the garage to handle the anticipated load.

Brown says it takes a month to complete the decorating once he starts in mid-October. He starts with the tree ornaments, because arranging the group displays and laying cords for the lights must wait until lawn mowing is done for the season.

“I prefer to work at my own pace,” he says. “Sometimes I work a while in the morning and then come back outside in the afternoon or the evening.”

A 40- by 100-foot barn, which his granddaughter calls “Paw-Paw’s Christmas House,” houses all the decorations. Carefully labeled plastic totes contain lights and smaller items, and paths wind in and around the statues and larger decorations that are arranged on the concrete floor. A 50-foot counter provides space to perform any needed repairs.

The display is open for public viewing from 6 to 11 p.m. from Thanksgiving through Christmas. People can stay in their vehicles for a slow drive through the

wonderland. Others accept invitations to come inside for a quick peek at Dianne’s interior decorations, which include a quaint snow village and a majestic purple tree.

“We give everybody who comes a full-size candy cane,” Dick says. “That amounted to 10,000. I gave out the traditional peppermint ones, but Dianne had more than 90 flavors to choose from.”

Some visitors come bearing homemade treats or small gifts to show their appreciation, and the Browns sometimes find ornaments or other decorations on their doorstep.

“People also want to give us money to help with the cost,” Brown says. “We don’t want anything, because this is our gift to the community.”

The Browns reside at 5480 Requarth Road (at the intersection with Jaysville-St. John Road) near Greenville.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 11

WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Big Red Cardinals enjoy a population boom in the Buckeye State.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

P

ublished in 2016, The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in Ohio is not a casual read. A true tome totaling nearly 600 pages, the book is an inch and a half thick and weighs 6.5 pounds (don’t drop it on your toes).

It’s the go-to source for professional ornithologists and serious amateur birders in the Buckeye State for all things bird-related concerning the more than 200 species nesting here. It has some encouraging things to say about the northern cardinal, Ohio’s state bird (and that of six other states, too).

For instance, the atlas estimates the number of singing male cardinals in the state at a whopping 2.1 million, with the cardinal population as a whole having increased 1.1% per year since 1966. Yet as common as cardinals are, whether viewed on Christmas cards this time of year or on birdfeeders year-round, they have not always been numerous in Ohio.

12 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

When our state was first being settled and the virgin forests cleared, cardinals were found primarily in the southern half of Ohio, expanding their population north during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the familiar red birds are found statewide, but are most numerous in southwest counties where National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Counts can exceed 2,000 individuals.

Unlike many other songbirds, cardinals are the paragon of fidelity. Not only are they monogamous for life, or at least until their partner dies, they even stay together throughout the year, not just during breeding season.

In preparation for breeding, both sexes begin singing as early as mid-to-late winter. The singing is sometimes solo, but more often counter-singing — one mate begins a song that the other finishes. You could say they complete each other’s sentences, the ultimate sign of both devoted avian and human couples.

Cardinals (male, left; female, right) mate for life and remain together even when it’s not breeding season.

Once spring arrives, the male begins courtship feeding the female by bringing her tidbits of food, their beaks touching briefly — a kiss? — as she accepts the morsel.

Due to her muted protective coloration, the female has exclusive control of nesting. She selects the site, usually in dense shrubbery or a brushy field border, constructs the nest, then performs the nearly two weeks of incubation required to hatch her two to five eggs.

During that time, the male isn’t just free to go hang out with the boys. He remains somewhere close with an ear cocked, awaiting his mate’s call for food when she grows hungry.

Once the eggs hatch, both male and female bring the nestlings food, which is almost exclusively insects, due to their high protein content. After about 11 days, the fledglings leave the nest, and the male is in charge of feeding them on the ground. The female then

immediately begins a second nesting, producing as many as three or four broods of young cardinals per season in Ohio — hence the high population.

The next Ohio breeding bird atlas is scheduled to be published in another 20 years; what might it have to say about cardinals? Jim McCormac, one of five editors of the current edition, speculates.

“It is safe to say that our ‘redbird’ will be holding strong when the next atlas appears. Adaptability, tolerance of a variety of habitats, and a knack for cohabiting with people should ensure that the cardinal remains abundant into the future.”

In other words, Big Red will continue to boom in the Buckeye State.

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

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 13

IS THIS THE YEAR TO GET

A LIVE CHRISTMAS TREE?

BY PATTY YODER

A

fter a few years of getting their tree from a corner lot or cutting their own, Hilliard resident Linda Lutz decided she should find out what type of Christmas tree was best for her young family, so she read everything she could find on the subject.

“I researched which option was best for the environment — artificial, live, or cut — then I did a cost analysis to compare prices over time,” she says. “The live tree won, so we tried it.”

For several years after, Linda and her husband, Jim, would dig a hole for their Christmas tree before the ground froze and plant it after the holidays.

Then, they waited. “Because it was winter, the tree would go dormant, so it would be spring before we knew whether it would survive,” Jim says.

Some trees did not last the harshness of winter, but others did.

Years later, evergreens of various sizes dotted their yard, marking Christmas memories with their twin sons, Johnny and Justin.

“We looked at the trees in our yard as a passage of time, the way some families mark their children’s height on a door frame each year,” Jim says.

The couple agreed there are upsides and downsides to having live Christmas trees, so they didn’t get one every year. Live trees weigh around 150 pounds, so they take considerably more effort to move.

With a large root ball at the bottom, the tree itself must be smaller, so there are fewer branches for ornaments and, importantly, less room for presents underneath.

On the positive side, their boys liked celebrating Christmas with a live tree, and everyone enjoyed the evergreen scent that filled their home.

Jim Lutz poses with his twin sons, Justin (left) and Johnny, in front of the family Christmas tree, circa 1990. Linda Lutz says the family enjoyed planting their live trees after the holidays, but they had to get smaller trees to accommodate the root ball in the living room.

14 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

“Even our cat loved the live tree,” Linda says. “She would cuddle up next to it, thinking we went to all that trouble just for her.”

Live tree tips from an Ohio expert Matt Mongin is president of the Ohio Christmas Tree Association and owner of Spring Valley Tree Farm. With more than 30 years in the business, he offers these helpful tips for live tree care: • Select the right species for your property. Popular Canaan firs grow to be 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide, while some spruces can reach beyond 100 feet. Talk to the tree farmer about the right tree for your yard.

• Factor in the root ball. A 5-foot live tree comes with an 18-inch root ball, so choose a smaller live tree than you would a cut tree.

• Recruit a few friends. Live trees are heavy. Mongin recommends having several people to carry the tree up any steps, then setting it on a rug or plastic sheet to slide it to its final display spot. Some of his customers use skateboards to get the tree where it needs to go. Another option: Have your tree delivered.

• Store your tree until spring. After Christmas, keep the tree in a garage or other cool shelter until spring. “Add a cupful of water to the root ball every week, and it will be fine,” he says. “We have a 95% success rate with this method.”

Keep your cut tree beautiful all season Choosing a cut tree this year? Mongin offers this advice:

• Set yourself up for success. For the ultimate stability, use drywall screws to attach a traditional reservoir stand to a 3-foot by 3-foot piece of plywood. “The tree will be immovable,” Mongin says. Put a biodegradable tree bag around the stand for easy post-Christmas cleanup.

• Stop the sap. Sap on the tree base prevents water from moving up the tree. Remove the sap by cutting one-half inch off the base. If you don’t have a saw, ask the tree seller to cut it for you.

Once the tree is in the reservoir, add a gallon of very hot water to dissolve any remaining sap.

• Keep it cool. The display room should have moderate or no heat and twilight lighting.

• Check the water level daily. After the first watering, the water can be any temperature, but make sure the tree base always touches water. Additives are optional, but they can add a few more days to your tree.

• Got pets? Consider a Colorado spruce, which has prickly needles and a scent that cats don’t like. Add a hook to the ceiling to anchor the tree for more stability.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 15

GOOD EATS

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Winter’s a great time to enjoy a bountiful supply of numerous nutty favorites.

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CATHERINE MURRAY

16 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

BOURBON PECAN PIE Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 35 to 40 minutes | Servings: 8 1 9-inch unbaked pie crust 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup light corn syrup 11/2 teaspoons vanilla 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 13/4 cups chopped pecans melted (roasted, unsalted) 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup whole pecans (roasted, firmly packed unsalted) 4 tablespoons bourbon Preheat oven to 400 F. Place rolled-out pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp edges. Chill pie crust in refrigerator while you work on the next step. In a large bowl, use a fork to mix together eggs, corn syrup, butter, brown sugar, bourbon, flour, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Mix in chopped pecans. Remove pie crust from refrigerator and place on top of a cookie sheet.

Pour pecan mixture into pie pan. Decorate top of pie with whole pecans. Bake pie on bottom rack at 400 F for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 F and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. To prevent crust from burning, cover crust edges with aluminum foil. Bake until just set and bubbling at the edges; the inside will still wobble. Let pie cool for an hour before serving.

For an added kick, top with bourbon whipped cream.

Per serving: 584 calories, 37 grams fat (15 grams saturated fat), 56 grams total carbs, 1 gram fiber, 6.5 grams protein.

CASHEW CHICKEN Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1 pound chicken breast, cut 3 cloves garlic, minced into chunks 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons water 1 bell pepper, sliced 3/4 cup chicken broth 1 medium onion, sliced 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 Thai (bird’s eye) red chili 2 teaspoons oyster sauce peppers, optional 1 teaspoon sesame oil 2 cups snow peas 2 cups cooked rice 3/4 cup unsalted roasted cashews In a skillet or wok over medium-high heat, add chicken and olive oil. Brown until almost cooked through. Add bell pepper, onion, and Thai chili peppers. Cook until vegetables are tender and chicken is no longer pink. Add snow peas, cashews, and garlic; cook another minute or two. In a medium bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until a smooth paste is formed. Mix in chicken broth, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Pour sauce into pan and stir until incorporated. Let simmer 2 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Remove Thai chili peppers, unless you like things SPICY! Serve over rice.

Per serving: 623 calories, 11.5 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated fat), 90 grams total carbs, 5 grams fiber, 37 grams protein.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 17

ZUCCHINI ITALIANO Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 8 minutes | Servings: 2 2 cups zucchini, roughly julienned 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil dash red pepper flakes 1/4 cup roasted unsalted almonds, 4 large slivers of Parmesan cheese roughly chopped Toss together zucchini and garlic. Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add a single layer of the zucchini/ garlic mixture and cook with skillet uncovered until zucchini starts to sear (brown), stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. Add another layer of zucchini, repeating steps until all zucchini is lightly seared. Bring all zucchini back to the pan.

Add almonds, salt, white pepper, and pepper flakes. Stir until heated through. Transfer to serving dish and immediately top with slivers of Parmesan. This dish can be served as an appetizer or side dish for two.

Per serving: 214 calories, 15.5 grams fat (5 grams saturated fat), 10 grams total carbs, 3 grams fiber, 12.5 grams protein.

BUCKEYES Prep: 45 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Chill: 1 hour | Servings: 50 2 cups creamy peanut butter (not 1/2 teaspoon vanilla all-natural) 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar, sifted 1/2 teaspoon salt 12 ounces dark chocolate (chips 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened or melting wafers) Beat peanut butter, salt, butter, and vanilla in large mixer bowl until incorporated. Mix in powdered sugar a half-cup at a time until mixture starts to become firm and pliable. Shape into 1-inch balls. If mixture is crumbly, add more peanut butter. If mixture is sticky, add powdered sugar. Dust hands with powdered sugar when rolling. Set balls on baking sheets, silicone sheets, or wax paper. Place in freezer for 1 hour to firm up before dipping.

Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler and fill the bottom level with water. Bring water to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Continually stir chocolate until smooth and melted. If chocolate is too thick, add a teaspoon of coconut oil, shortening, or butter. Remove chocolate from stove. Take peanut butter balls out of freezer in small batches so they stay cool. Use a toothpick or candy dipping tool to dip 3/4 of each ball into chocolate, leaving some of the peanut butter on top showing, like a buckeye nut. Tap each buckeye to remove excess chocolate, then place on a baking sheet to harden. Store in an airtight container. Buckeyes can be frozen, stored in refrigerator, or at room temperature if eaten within a day or two.

Per serving: 163 calories, 9 grams fat (3.5 grams saturated fat), 18 grams total carbs, 1 gram fiber, 3 grams protein.

18 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

ANOTHER MILLION RETURNED Patronage capital refunds this month demonstrate the VALUE of the cooperative difference

M

idwest Electric will pay $1,035,712 in patronage cash back to 7,427 current and former members this December. It’s noteworthy that once again, we’re able to give this cash back without raising electric rates. We haven’t had a rate increase since 2010, and over those nine years, we’ve returned $13.6 million in patronage cash back (including this month’s payment) and invested more than $18 million in electric system reliability upgrades.

Patronage capital is the cooperative’s margins, or money left after all bills have been paid. Midwest Electric uses these margins for capital investments, such as building or replacing power lines and transformers and other electric system improvements. After being used as financing, the remaining money is returned to you as cash back. It represents each co-op member’s ownership — or equity — in their cooperative.

Patronage capital is allocated to members in proportion to the dollar amount of electricity used. This month’s payment will go to those of you who used Midwest Electric’s service in 2003. A typical residential member from those years will receive a bill credit of about $102.

Please note that we also returned $1 million in patronage cash back in March of this year, so that’s $2.035 million total paid back to you in 2019 — the largest return in our co-op’s history.

This patronage cash back proves that you’re a memberowner of your electric cooperative. You have equity ownership in our physical assets and receive a financial

OFFICE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS

return on those assets.

This is not the case for other utility customers.

Since 1955, Midwest Electric has returned nearly $35 million in patronage cash back to its members.

For this month’s payment, eligible members will receive the refund either as a credit on their electric bill, mailed around Nov. 21, or as a separate check this month.

Consider reinvesting a portion back into your co-op’s political efforts Another way we prove the value of the cooperative difference is when we work with legislative leaders on your behalf. State and federal laws and regulations can have a significant impact on the cost and reliability of electric power. As such, we stay in regular contact with our political leaders to ensure they understand how proposed laws impact cooperative members.

For as little as $25 per year ($2.08 per month added to your electric bill as a separate line item), you can join Co-op Owners for Political Action and team up with 700 Midwest Electric members. Nationally, more than 33,000 cooperative members, employees, and trustees belong to our political action committee, which supports legislators who are dedicated to keeping your electric bills affordable.

Call 800-962-3830 for more information or a registration form. Feel free to email me at mberry@midwestrec.com.

Midwest Electric will be closed for Christmas on Dec. 24 and 25. We will also close at noon on New Year’s Eve and will be closed for New Year’s Day on Jan. 1. Best wishes for a wonderful, safe time with your family!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 19

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES

cash

As a member-owner of your electric cooperative, you receive patronage cash back.

Since 1955, Midwest Electric has paid a whopping

CAPITAL CREDITS

I GET

$35 MILLION

FROM MY ELECTRIC COMPANY?!

What is patronage cash back?

Patronage payments from member-owned, not-for-profit companies like Midwest Electric are somewhat similar to the dividends paid to shareholders of investor-owned utilities. The difference is that a co-op’s “shareholders” are also the members that it serves, and the “dividends” are capital credits paid to the cooperative’s members.

What’s the difference between allocated and retired patronage credits?

Allocated patronage appears as an entry on the permanent financial records and reflect your ownership in Midwest Electric. Every spring, we notify our members of the amount added to your patronage capital account through a printed notice on your electric bill. When patronage capital credits are retired, a check or bill credit is issued to you.

How is patronage cash back calculated?

Each year, net margins of the cooperative are divided among the members based on each member’s electric use for the year. Members who use more electric service receive a larger amount of patronage cash back allocated to their account.

Will I receive a check every year?

Not necessarily. The board of directors must authorize a retirement before you receive a check. When considering a retirement, the cooperative’s board must consider the financial condition of the cooperative, the need for cash, and the availability of funds.

20 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

in excess revenues back to our members like you!

What happens to my patronage capital when I leave the co-op’s service area?

Your patronage cash back account balance remains on the books in your name and member number until credits are retired. Because payments are made to current and former members alike, you should ensure that Midwest Electric always has your current mailing address on file.

I have been a co-op member for several years. When will I receive a patronage cash back payment?

Midwest Electric operates on a 16-year rotation. Those funds (called patronage) are used to help finance reliability improvements, line rebuilds, and other electric system upgrades. Most of that equipment has a life of 20 to 50 years. Financing is a balance between loans and member equity (patronage). Too much in loans, and interest expense gets too high. Too much in member equity, and members’ costs are financing more of the system.

Of the 900 electric co-ops in the U.S., the common industry standard is a 20-year capital patronage return cycle. The unretired patronage capital, or “equity” of the cooperative, serves a vital function — allowing the cooperative to operate economically and effectively, while investing in the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of our members.

What if the account holder dies?

We need to be notified by a relative or other legal representative when a member passes away so that the patronage account can be closed, paid out, or transferred to another person’s name.

2020 GRADS

FOR RULES AND APPLICATIONS:

We’re giving away a total of $9,000 in our Children of Members Scholarship program!

Visit www.midwestrec.com.

Call the co-op at 800-962-3830.

Stop by the co-op office: 06029 County Road 33A, St. Marys, OH 45885.

Pick them up from your guidance counselor.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 15.

Graduating seniors: Have you overcome significant personal challenges on your way to academic excellence?

FOR RULES AND APPLICATIONS: Visit www.midwestrec.com.

Call the co-op at 800-962-3830.

Stop by the co-op office at 06029 County Road 33A, St. Marys, OH 45885.

Pick them up from your guidance counselor.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 15.

You could win $2,000 in scholarships in the

Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship Program!

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20A

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MERCER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECEIVE $164,010 LOAN FROM MIDWEST ELECTRIC Midwest Electric recently provided a $164,010 loan to the Mercer County commissioners, which will help finance sewer and water infrastructure expansion on State Route 118 on the north end of St. Henry.

Midwest Electric CEO Matt Berry (right) presents a $164,010 zero-interest loan to Mercer County Economic and Community Development Director Jared Ebbing for Mercer County Commissioners for water and sewage infrastructure.

This zero-interest loan was initially granted to Midwest Electric from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). As Mercer County repays Midwest Electric, those payments go in the co-op’s Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, serving as a pool of money for future loans to small area businesses and government entities.

through this program, while supporting regional groups’ economic development efforts, boosting local jobs and quality of life, and lending a helping hand within the co-op’s communities.

To learn more about Midwest Electric’s Revolving Loan Fund, visit www. midwestrec.com/economic-development or call the office at 800-962-3830.

Minimum loans are $5,000; other qualifications apply.

Midwest Electric has made more than $2 million in low-interest loans

Midwest Electric sponsors SAFE Hearts bundle for St. Marys School Midwest Electric recently sponsored a SAFE Hearts Family Education bundle for St. Marys Intermediate School, which includes 10 books, a board game, and a parents’ guide — all with the purpose of empowering families to have difficult conversations in a safe and fun way.

The bundle was purchased through Damsel in Defense, an organization aimed at equipping, empowering, and educating women to protect themselves and their families. SAFE Hearts provides

educational materials to familiarize and inspire children and teens to identify threats through awareness and encourage courageous decision-making.

Midwest Electric is considering sponsorship of this program for additional schools in the future. If your organization or school is interested, please reach out to Gwen Horn at steveandgwen@frontier.com.

To learn more about the SAFE Hearts program, visit www.safehearts. damselindefense.net.

20B OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

Midwest Electric’s Business Development Coordinator Dave Waltermire presented the bundle to St. Marys West Intermediate School Principal Lisa Elson (center), alongside Senior Mentor and Damsel in Defense Representative Gwen Horn.

Horn is also the wife of Midwest Electric Equipment Operator Steve Horn.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Midwest Electric members donate $14,000 to 13 local organizations Members of Midwest Electric recently donated $14,000 to 13 west-central Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund (CCF). Since the program started in 1998, the Midwest Electric CCF has provided $1,110,284 to more than 929 area projects.

Making a difference

locally

A board of trustees, composed of cooperative members and separate from the Midwest Electric Board of Trustees, oversees the application and allocation process. Individuals or organizations can obtain an application by contacting Midwest Electric at 419-394-4110 or 800-962-3830.

Trustee update: Welcome, new CCF trustees: Charles Gamble (New Bremen), Michelle Clune (Coldwater), and Robert Gaberdiel (Spencerville).

Thank you, departing trustees: Sharon Keeran (Spencerville), Margaret Tobe (Celina), and Ron Meyer (Spencerville).

• Choosing Life Pregnancy Center of Celina, Mercer County; $3,000 for training ultrasound equipment

• St. Anthony Dinner Theater, Mercer County; $1,000 to fund events • Village of Wren, Van Wert County; $750 to replace LED sign used for community messages

• New Knoxville Fire Department, Auglaize County; $2,000 to replace airbags used to lift heavy objects, trucks, and equipment

• Auglaize County Historical Society; $750 to fund roof repair • Mercer County ESC; $500 to purchase task box and vocational supplies

• Foundations of Behavioral Health, Mercer County; $1,500 to fund the Y2Y Retreat for students

• Cancer Association of Mercer County; $500 to install a registration counter in reception area

• Crime Victim Services of Allen County; $1,000 for training, transportation, and food

• Delphos Community Christmas, Allen County; $500 to purchase toys, clothing, coats, and beds

• Miracle Meal of Auglaize County; $1,000 for building rent, miscellaneous supplies, and food

• The Gospel Singing Tent, Allen County; $500 for performers at the Allen County Fair

• Our Home Family Resource Center, Celina; $1,000 to replace two computers

Other current trustees are: Michael Corbett (Wapakoneta), Phillip Baxter (Willshire), Lori Ringwald (Spencerville), Rita Baumer (Wapakoneta), John Morreale (Willshire), and Raquel Schaadt (Mendon).

Know a group in need of financial assistance? Have them apply for a CCF grant!

Visit our website or stop by our office for an application. Feel free to call us at 800-962-3830.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 20C

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Do you have a heat pump?

If so, be mindful when increasing your home’s temperature more than 3 degrees at a time, as it could cause your backup (or supplemental) heat to kick into gear, which is much more expensive.

Large temperature fluctuations (for example, turning your thermostat down before bed and up again in the morning) force your heat pump to work hard. Because heat pumps can’t heat or cool a home as quickly as electric or gas heating, temperatures must be changed over the course of a few hours so heat pumps can independently keep up without backup heat automatically turning on to help reach your desired home temperature more quickly.

If you recently installed a geothermal or air-source heat pump, make sure you buy an intelligent recovery thermostat, which communicates with your supplemental heating (in many cases, electric resistance heating) to prevent it from coming on. If it does, you’ll pay for two sources of heat.

Most thermostats have a red light or indicator to show when supplemental heat is on. Watch your thermostat to make sure you aren’t using backup heat unnecessarily.

Look for thermostats that say “intelligent recovery” or “ramping recovery” to ensure they communicate with your supplemental heating. Have questions? Give our energy advisor a call at 800-962-3830.

HOW YOUR THERMOST A T

A FFECTS YOUR ELECTRIC BILL

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling is the largest energy expense in the average U.S. home.

Whenever possible, try to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summertime and 68 degrees in the winter to maximize electric savings. (Yes, sweaters are our best friends!)

If you’re still struggling with high bills, a home energy audit may be the next step. We also offer various rebates. Just visit www. midwestrec.com > My Home > Energy Audits and Tips.

We actually help you use less of our product!

20D OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

DID YOU KNOW?

HOW MUCH IS THAT SPACE HEATER COSTING YOU? If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

That rings especially true when it comes to claims about energy-saving space heaters, particularly those that indicate they can dramatically cut your heating costs. Despite advertising claims, all electric space heaters with the same wattage use the same amount of energy. While it’s possible to cut your heating bill using space heaters, it is impractical for most people.

To see how much your space heater(s) are costing you, try out our space heater calculator online at www.midwestrec.com/energy-calculators. We also offer calculators for home energy, appliances, heating, lighting, and more.

Average Cost of Operating an Electric Space Heater

DAVE WALTERMIRE Business Development Coordinator

We want to help members like you take control of your energy expenses!

For customized energy advice or a home audit, visit midwestrec.com or call 800-962-3830.

HEAT SETTING (watts)

DAILY HOURS OF OPERATION 1

4

8

12

24

Cost per month (24 hours/day)

600

$0.08

$0.31

$0.62

$0.94

$1.87

$56.16

750

$0.09

$0.39

$0.78

$1.17

$2.34

$70.20

900

$0.18

$0.47

$0.94

$1.40

$2.81

$84.24

1350

$0.18

$0.70

$1.40

$2.11

$4.21

$126.36

$0.19

$0.78

$1.56

$2.34

$4.68

$140.40

1500

Note: If the heater also has a fan, the actual cost may increase.

The chart is based on an average cost of $0.13 per kWh.

Earn bragging rights in our

GRISWOLD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CONTEST Send your best photo to skuhn@ppec.coop by Dec. 6 for your chance to win a $50 bill credit.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 21

MIDWEST ELECTRIC LOCAL PAGES CO-OP NEWS

HEADS UP: Ballot coming via mail Special vote in January to amend the Code of Regulations The Midwest Electric Board of Directors asks for your “YES” vote to support the proposed amendment to the cooperative’s Code of Regulations. The proposed amendment is to remove the “at-large” position from the board of directors and reduce the size of the board by one director.

Why should I vote yes?

Reducing the size of the board will contain costs from training, travel, and per diems. Midwest Electric has been aggressively managing costs and improving operational efficiency. Other efficiencies include sharing employees with a neighboring co-op and implementing new technology.

Midwest Electric currently has nine directors. Reducing the size of the board would put Midwest Electric in line with other electric cooperatives across the U.S. There are 900 electric co-ops in the U.S., and Midwest Electric is smaller than the average co-op. Nationally, 38% of electric cooperatives have less than nine directors, 46% have nine directors, and 16% have more than nine directors. The overall national average is 8.5 directors.

Members’ voting opportunities would not be limited by this amendment. All members will still be represented by two directors from their district. As a co-op, Midwest Electric has always been governed by a board of directors elected from the membership (the consumers), by the membership.

The at-large position was elected to represent the entire membership, but it’s not necessary because Larry Vandemark members already vote for directors Board President in every district (county). In our annual elections, members already have the ability to vote in an “at-large sense,” meaning members can vote for each district (county) regardless of where the member lives. Members are not restricted to voting only for their district, so this does not limit a member’s voting opportunity or their representation.

No duly-elected director will lose their seat during this transition or as a result of this code amendment. It would be effective after the current at-large term ends (June 2020).

How will this be implemented?

This amendment to the co-op’s Code of Regulations must first be approved by members. This will require a special vote prior to the annual meeting voting process.

Ballots will be mailed late December/early January, with voting ending on Jan. 21, 2020. Online voting will also be available. Results will be announced to members in the March 2020 Ohio Cooperative Living magazine and through other communications. To learn more, visit www. midwestrec.com.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICE

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

1-800-962-3830

ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT ONLINE

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

OFFICE HOURS

Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

22 OHIO 2019 22 OHIOCOOPERATIVE COOPERATIVELIVING • DECEMBER LIVING • MARCH 2018

Larry Vandemark, president James Wiechart, vice pres.

Randy Heinl, secy./treas.

Steve Bauer Bob Barnt Kathy Brake Gary R. Knapke Gary Profit Roger W. Rank

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.

Courtney Burton Attorney

CEO

Matt Berry mberry@midwestrec.com

@midwestrec

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24 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

Holiday Travel ’TIS THE SEASON FOR

Think mistletoe. Think holly. Think of Ohio as one big stocking, stuffed with cool Yule celebrations. We’ve selected eight close-to-home holiday destinations that evoke the story of the first Christmas, foster good cheer, and brighten spirits — all of them ideal spots for making merry with family and friends.

BY DAMAINE VONADA

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 25

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON

At the Manger University of Dayton, Dec. 2–Jan. 12 Artistry, imagination, and the reason for the Christmas season draw visitors to the University of Dayton’s Marian Library for At the Manger, an annual display of Nativity scenes from the library’s collection of 3,500 crèches representing more than 100 countries. The event shows how different people and cultures interpret the birth of Christ, and this year, the exhibit’s volunteers selected which Nativity scenes to display. Tour guide Ann Persensky picked “Black and Beautiful,” a contemporary crèche by a Dutch-born artist. “One of its Magi is a woman,” says Perensky, “and a curled-up sheep is cuddling beside Baby Jesus.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS

937-229-4214; www.udayton.edu/marianlibrary/art-exhibits/at-the-manger.php.

26 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

Deck the Hall 2019: A Classic Comic Hero Christmas Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron Select evenings, Nov. 29–Dec. 30 Held at the splendid estate created by Goodyear cofounder F.A. Seiberling and his wife, Gertrude, Deck the Hall offers an array of experiences — a million dazzling lights, wondrous holiday music, a gorgeous Christmas tree, hot cocoa, gingerbread, and boutique shopping in the carriage house — for the entire family. Since its

2019 theme is superheroes, the Manor House’s marvelous décor features Wonder Woman, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, and other comic book favorites.

330-836-5533; www.stanhywet.org/events/ deck-hall-2019-classic-comic-hero-christmas.

Dickens Victorian Village Cambridge, Nov. 1–Jan. 1

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMBRIDGE/GUERNSEY COUNTY VCB

With Cambridge’s Victorian-looking downtown as a backdrop, visitors stroll among more than 90 individual scenes with nearly 200 mannequins inspired by A Christmas Carol and Dickens-era England.

Continued on page 28

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 27

Delightfully lifelike figures such as Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, carolers, lamplighters, and Father Christmas populate Wheeling Avenue, and at the courthouse, nighttime light and music extravaganzas are a joy to behold. “People tell me they’ve never seen better light shows anywhere,” says group tour coordinator Bev Keller. Also available are Victorian teas, carriage rides, and performances of an original Sherlock Holmes play, “The Case of the Christmas Carbuncle.”

PHOTOS COURTESY HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY & MUSEUMS

740-421-4956; www.dickensvictorianvillage.com.

Hayes Home Holidays tours Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Fremont Tours, Dec. 20–22 Rare evening tours of the mansion where President Hayes and his wife, Lucy, lived after leaving the White House present a perfectly lovely opportunity to make holiday memories. “Seeing the home at night is a special experience,” says Kristina Smith, the museums’ communications 28 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

manager. “Because almost all the home’s furnishings were their belongings, it feels like Rutherford and Lucy are still here to welcome you.” Other activities include the Hayes Train Special, a model railroad with traditional holiday scenery, and horse-drawn trolley or sleigh rides (depending on the weather) through the grounds surrounding the Hayes Home.

ISAAC MILLER/COURTESY HOCKING VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD

419-332-2081; www.rbhayes.org/events.

Hocking Valley Scenic Railway holiday trains Nelsonville Depot; Select dates, Nov. 30–Dec. 31 Oh, what fun it is to ride on the HVSR’s trio of festive excursions. The Railway’s Santa Train features the Jolly Old Elf plus a grumpy Grinch, Continued on page 30

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 29

while the New Year’s Eve Train stops for midnight fireworks and offers both a familyfriendly pizza and soda car and an adultoriented wine and cheese car. New for 2019 is the Holiday Express to Robbins Crossing, a re-created log village where passengers can see how the pioneers celebrated Christmas.

According to Isaac Miller, the conductor, it’s pulled by Ohio’s only operating standardgauge steam locomotive.

PHOTOS COURTESY PYRAMID HILL SCULPTURE PARK

855-323-3768; www.hvsry.org.

30 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

Holiday Lights on the Hill Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum Hamilton, Nov. 22–Jan. 5 Drive through tunnels of twinkling lights and alleys of gleaming candy canes at Pyramid Hill, one of the nation’s few outdoor sculpture museums and a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative consumer-member. Covering rolling terrain graced by woodlands and lakes, the self-guided tour showcases the park’s internationally acclaimed collection of monumental sculptures.

Executive director Sean FitzGibbons says the event is quite popular because it accomplishes Pyramid Hill’s mission of bringing people to art in nature.

513-868-1234; www.pyramidhill.org/holiday-lights-on-the-hill.

Nutcracker Village and Advent Market Steubenville, Nov. 26–Jan. 4

PHOTOS COURTESY HISTORIC FORT STEUBEN

This truly hometown and homegrown event in Steubenville features the world’s largest collection of life-sized nutcrackers — more than 150 of them.

They’re all made in Steubenville and depict characters and individuals ranging from Santa Claus, Jack Frost, and Charlie Brown to Mother Teresa, John Glenn, and Steubenville native Dean Martin. “People like coming during the day to see the wonderful details on the nutcrackers, but at night with the colorful lights and holiday music, they’re just magical,” says Judy Bratton of the Steubenville Visitor Center.

Adding to the enchantment is a weekend Advent Market with European-style chalets where local vendors and artisans sell holiday foods, gifts, toys, and, of course, nutcrackers.

740-283-1787; www. steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 31

Yuletides of Yesteryear Sauder Village, Archbold Dec. 6–7 “Our traditional Holiday Lantern Tours offer guests an interactive look at the American Christmas traditions from 1850 through the 1920s,” says Kim Krieger of Sauder Village media relations. Sauder Village is Ohio’s largest living-history museum, and the evening tours include visits to historic houses, an original Mennonite church, a oneroom schoolhouse, and a vintage train depot where people of all ages get to enjoy old-fashioned fun such as singing carols, frosting cookies, and a reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

PHOTOS COURTESY SAUDER VILLAGE

800-590-9755; www.saudervillage.org.

32 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

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Winter’s WALK Snowshoeing is fun, easy to learn — and good for you.

BY CRAIG SPRINGER

I

f you think of snowshoes as those tennis-racketlooking things strapped to your feet, like in those 1960s adventure movies, you might want to give them a closer look — especially if you’re looking for a fun, healthy, and relatively inexpensive way to keep exercising outdoors during those snowy winter months.

“If you can walk, you can snowshoe,” says Anthony Zembrodt, Midwest Regional Manager of L.L. Bean’s outdoors programs.

Snowshoes have been around for a long time, born of necessity for traversing the white stuff. Indigenous people of the north have used them for centuries, and European settlers in North America quickly adopted the concept when they arrived and began exploring in the 1600s.

Why use showshoes? When the snow gets deep, the walking gets tough. You have to pull your legs out of a hole with each and every step. It’s like slogging through a slug of mud, and it will tire you right quick. It doesn’t take much imagining for you to feel your hip flexors tiring and aching. Snowshoes, however, spread your weight over a larger area of snow, thus allowing you to travel near the surface, aloft on the snow. The less you sink, the easier the walking.

Modern snowshoes have certainly evolved from those early versions. Though the concept of the snowshoe seems nearly as involved as that of the wheel, the types of modern snowshoes range in nature depending on how they’re to be used. They’re typically made of aluminum frames with a sheath or decking of strong plastic around the part that binds to your boot.

According to Zembrodt, it’s essential that you pick a snowshoe according to your weight, not your height.

“The bigger the snowshoe, the more weight it can support,” he says. “It’s also important to consider the types of terrain you will be trekking — some shoes offer better traction than others.”

Bear in mind snowshoeing is not skiing. Shoeing is relatively inexpensive; you can buy a pair of recreational

34 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

snowshoes for an adult for less than $100, less than $60 for youngsters. If you venture into more specialized territory, say, long-distance trekking, the shoes become significantly more expensive.

Snowshoeing is an opportune sport; you don’t have to go anywhere special to do it — you can snowshoe out your back door. Neither do you have to get on groomed, designated trails, as you do with most skiing. The equipment is low- to no-maintenance, and there’s little chance your shoes will break under normal wear. It’s easy to learn, too, and unlike skiing, there’s almost zero chance you’ll run into trees or careen off a cliff. Even if you do fall, you’re not going far. You can snowshoe as slow or as fast as you desire.

If you are a walker or a hiker, snowshoeing is a great way to keep up your routine over the winter — and that speaks to perhaps one of the best reasons to snowshoe: for the exercise.

Snowshoeing at a moderate pace burns hundreds of calories in an hour’s time, outpacing running, cycling, or walking in terms of caloric output. “Snowshoeing is a great aerobic activity,” Zembrodt says. “A lot of folks struggle to get outside in the winter months, even if they are frequent hikers during summer. It’s a great way to get outside and have fun in winter.”

With shoeing, the learning curve is flat and the investment minimal. With half a foot of snow on the ground, the bike path, nature center, golf course, or walking trail becomes a whole new adventure and the cold, dark winter a little more pleasant.

Let’s face it, though: Strapping on an extension to your foot to walk on snow is not normal. Of course, it will be a bit clumsy at first. Outdoors-oriented stores such as L.L. Bean, Cabela’s, Dick’s, and Field & Stream, among others, have the shoes you need, and many have clinics to get you breaking trail with that first big snowfall.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 35

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DEC. 12–15, 19–22 – Winter Wonderland Light Display, Sandusky Co. Fgds., 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont. Drivethrough Thur./Sun. 6–8 p.m.; walk-through Fri./ Sat. 6–9 p.m. $1, under 12 free. Craft show, games, horse rides, train rides, music, popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate, and Santa! Donations of food items accepted for food pantry.

419-332-5604 or www.sanduskycountyfair.com.

DEC. 14 – Train Town Show and Swap Meet, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Operating model railroads; more than 200 tables with model railroad, railfan, and general railroad items for sale.

All scales. Food service will be available. 419-228-7141.

DEC. 20 – WinterFest and Santa’s House, Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 120 W. Sandusky St., Findlay, 6–8 p.m. Free. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride around downtown, meet with Santa, and enjoy hot chocolate and sweet treats. www.visitfindlay.com.

DEC. 20, 22 – Silver Screen Classics: It’s a Wonderful Life, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St., Toledo, Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $5. See Frank Capra’s classic Christmas tale come to life on the big screen. 419-2422787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

DEC. 21 – Toledo Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St., Toledo, 8 p.m. $28–$38 plus fees. 419-242-2787 or www. valentinetheatre.com.

DEC. 26–31 – Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides at Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont, 1–4 p.m. $5.50, under 3 free. Ride through the grounds in a horse-drawn sleigh, as President Hayes did. Rides are by South Creek Clydesdales. Horse-drawn trolley ride may be used in addition to or in place of the sleigh depending on demand and staffing. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

JAN. 4 – Model Train Clinic, Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont, 1–4 p.m. $10, C. (6–12) $5, under 6 free; ticket includes access to museum. Veteran model train hobbyists assist you with advice related to model train maintenance and repair, as well as estimating the value of older model trains. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

JAN. 4–5 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima (2 miles east of Lima on St. Rte. 309), Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. $6, free for members, under 18 free. Over 400 tables of modern and antique guns, edged weapons, and sportsmen equipment. 419-647-0067 or www.tristategunshow.org.

JAN. 10 – Silver Screen Classics Double Feature: Dracula and Frankenstein, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior St., Toledo, 7:30 p.m. $5. Two groundbreaking horror films from 1931, in all their black-and-white cinematic glory. 419-242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

DEC. 5–8, 12–23, 26–30 – Deck the Hall, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 5–8 p.m. $7–$22, under 5 free. The decorating theme this year is “A Classic Comic Hero Christmas,” featuring the stories of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, and others. New this season: Step inside a giant interactive snow globe for your family photos! Santa lights the tree in the courtyard each day at 5:30 p.m. 330-315-3287 or www.stanhywet.org.

DEC. 14–15 – Winter Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Federated Church–Family Life Center, 16349 Chillicothe Rd., Chagrin Falls, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

THROUGH DEC. 31 – Holidays at the Mansion: “Old $3, under 12 free. Artists and crafters selling their original Fashioned Christmas,” The Victorian House Museum, 484 handmade items. Full concession stand on site. www.

Wooster Rd., Millersburg, Sun.–Thur. 1–4 p.m., Fri./Sat. 1–8 avantgardeshows.com. p.m. $10; seniors and veterans/active military, $9; under 12 free. Tour the 28-room mansion, transformed into a holiday DEC. 15 – Flea Market of Collectables, Medina County Fgds. Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, 9 wonderland. Open house is Nov. 16, 4–8 p.m.; $5. “Santa a.m.–3 p.m. $2. Early bird special admission: 6–9 a.m., and Friend — Celebrate the Season!” is Dec. 7. 330-674$3. A treasure trove of vintage items and collectables.

0022 or www.victorianhousemuseum.org.

330-948-4300 or www.conraddowdell.com.

THROUGH JAN. 4 – Steubenville Nutcracker Village DEC. 21 – Winter Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, and Advent Market, Fort Steuben Park and 4th and Markets Sts., Steubenville. Free. Over 150 unique, life-size Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Artists and crafters selling nutcrackers in an outdoor display with lights and music. their original handmade items. Full concession stand on Market open Fri.–Sun., 3–9 p.m. 740-283-1787 or www. site. www.avantgardeshows.com. steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com.

JAN. 4 – Antique and Collectible Toy Show, Lakeland THROUGH JAN. 4 – Christmas Wonderland and Gift Community College, AFC Auxiliary Gym, 7700 Clocktower Shop, Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Dr., Kirtland, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $6, C. (6–12) $2, under 6 free.

Mon.–Thur. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. Christmas gifts, nutcrackers, Nutcracker New and antique toys and dolls to buy, sell, or trade.

Diecast cars, trucks, and planes; pressed steel and tin Village memorabilia, and Christmas décor. 740-283-1787 toys and models; farm toys, mechanical toys, and more. or www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com.

216-470-5780 (ask for Tom), cleveshows@att.net, or www. neocollectibletoys.com.

JAN. 4 – Snow Dogs Train Show, presented by Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association, UAW Hall, 5615 Chevrolet Blvd., Parma, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $6, under 12 free. Free parking. All-gauge show with over 150 tables of trains and toys, operating layouts, and good food at reasonable prices. 440-833-4366, jvendlinger@gmail. com, or www.cvsga.com. Mailing address: Ken Vendlinger, 28920 W. Willowick Dr., Willowick, OH 44095.

JAN. 8–12 – Ohio RV Supershow, I-X Center, One I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, Wed.–Fri. 12–9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $14, under 13 free. $10 parking. Over 600 of the newest RVs including tent campers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motor homes.

330-678-4489 or www.ohiorvshow.com.

JAN. 11 – Mohican Winter Fest, 131 W. Main St., Loudonville, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Aaron Costic and his crew from Elegant Ice Creations will offer six ice carving demonstrations hourly beginning at 11 a.m. Sponsored sculptures will be placed along Main Street on Friday evening or Saturday morning, weather permitting. 419994-2519 or www.discovermohican.com.

JAN. 11–12 – Medina Gun Show, Medina County Fgds.

Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $7. 450 tables of displays.

330-948-4400 or www.conraddowdell.com.

JAN. 12 – Winter Hike, Mohican State Park, 3116 St. Rte. 3, Loudonville, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. Take a 5K or 10K hike along Clear Fork Gorge. Enjoy hot soup, cookies, and drinks by the fire after the hike. 419-994-5125 or www. discovermohican.com.

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THROUGH DEC. 26 – Lake of Lights, Saulisbery Park, 13344 St. Rte. 67 W., Kenton, 6–9 p.m. $5 per car. Special events on Sat. and Sun. evenings. 419-675-2547 or www. facebook.com/LakeOfLights.

THROUGH DEC. 31 – Lights Before Christmas, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, Sun.–Thur. 3–8 p.m., Fri./Sat. 3–9 p.m. $16–$19, under 2 free. Over 1 million lights, the award-winning Big Tree, and more than 200 illuminated animal images. 419-385-5721 or www.toledozoo.org.

THROUGH JAN. 5 – North Pole Express, 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Fri. and Sat. 5:30–9:30 p.m., Sun. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Adults $4, children $3. Hop on board our quarterscale locomotive for a trip through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights and festive decorations. See operating model trains and hundreds of decorated trees, plus a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus (on select days). 419-423-2995 or www.nworrp.org.

NORTHEAST

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 37

2019–2020 CALENDAR

DECEMBER/JANUARY

Continued from page 37

CENTRAL

performance by Columbus Children’s Choir. Hours and schedule of events at www.stateauto.com/Christmas.

DEC. 21–22 – Scott Antique Market, Ohio Expo Center, Bricker and Celeste Bldgs., 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission; $5 parking.

America’s favorite treasure hunt! 800 exhibit booths. info@scottantiquemarket.com or www. scottantiquemarkets.com.

JAN. 3 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Stroll the downtown streets while touring over 35 participating galleries, studios, and local businesses, many of which offer demonstrations, make-and-take THROUGH JAN. 1 – Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, activities, and complimentary refreshments. Free shuttle Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds, 3311 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, Sun.–Thur. 5:30–9:30 p.m., Fri./Sat. 5:30– service available on the Fun Bus. Tour maps available at participating galleries and businesses. www.artcoz.org.

10:30 p.m. $20–$30 per car. Drive-through light show.

614-412-3499 or https://butchbandosfantasyoflights.com. JAN. 3–5 – Columbus Build, Remodel, and Landscape Expo, Ohio Expo Center, Kasich Hall, Columbus, Fri. THROUGH JAN. 1 – “A Storybook Christmas,” 12–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $6, Zanesville and Muskingum Co. locations. Over 100 under 18 free. From top-quality exhibits, to informative participating businesses. Drive or walk by to view the decorations or to visit. Nightly light and music show at the seminars, to insightful demonstrations and more, courthouse, Sun.–Thur. 6–9 p.m., Fri./Sat. 6–10 p.m. 740- you’ll discover thousands of smart, stylish, and costeffective ways to design or renovate your home. www.

455-8282, 800-743-2303, or www.visitzanesville.com. homeshowcenter.com.

THROUGH JAN. 2 – State Auto’s Christmas Corner, 518 JAN. 5 – Columbus Paper, Postcard, and Book E. Broad St., Columbus. Free. Historic life-sized Nativity Show, Ohio Expo Center, Rhodes Center, 717 E. 17th St., display. Official lighting is Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m., with

Columbus, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $6. Vintage paper collectibles including postcards, books, paper advertisements, stereo view cards, trade cards, old photographs, magazines, documents, non-sports cards, military paper items, paper sports collectibles, and protective storage options.

614-206-9103 or www.facebook.com/Columbus-PaperShow-134469001768.

JAN. 10 – Improv in the May, Marion Palace Theatre May Pavilion, 276 W. Center St., Marion, 7:30 p.m. $6.

An evening of improvisation comedy featuring audience interaction and suggestions for skits and games. 740-3832101 or www.marionpalace.org.

JAN. 10–19 – Ohio RV and Boat Show, Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th St., Columbus, Wed.–Fri. 12–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $14, C. (6–13) $3, under 6 free. Hundreds of campers and boats from over 21 dealers, plus camping gear, equipment, and related products. www.ohiorvandboatshow.com.

JAN. 11–12 – Columbus Weddings Show, Ohio Expo Center, Kasich Hall, 717 E. 17th St., Columbus, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sample wedding cakes and reception food, see the latest in wedding styles, and meet hundreds of wedding specialists. Daily runway shows. $12 at door; online discount and packages available. http:// cbusweddings,com.

SOUTHEAST

Muskingum Valley bluff between 4 and 4:30 p.m. in near perfect alignment with Sacra Via. Maps and a brief commentary will be provided by Castle archaeologist Wes Clarke. 740-373-1480 or www.mariettacastle.org.

DEC. 28 – Visit with the Pioneers, Campus Martius Museum, 601 Second St., Marietta. Visit the home of General Rufus Putnam to meet with some of Marietta’s citizens from the early 19th century. 740-373-3750 or www.campusmartiusmuseum.org.

DEC. 31 – New Year’s Eve Dance, 26100 Legion Rd., Langsville, 8–12 p.m. $10 cover charge. The Cadillacs out of Racine, Ohio, will be performing live. 740-669-1020 or josephfreeman476@gmail.com.

DEC. 31 – New Year’s Eve Gospel Sing, Harvest Christian Fellowship. Free. 740-704-1487.

DEC. 31 – New Year’s Eve Train and Fireworks, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. $22–$35. 740-2491452 or www.hvsry.org/trainlist.

JAN. 12 – Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville, 3 p.m. $29–$39. A special matinee performance from “The New Queen of Bluegrass” and her award-winning band. 740-753-1924 or www.stuartsoperahouse.org.

performed each evening. 800-933-5480 or www. dickensvictorianvillage.com.

THROUGH JAN. 5 – “Space: A Journey to Our Future,” Bossard Library, 7 Spruce St., Gallipolis. Free. Interactive exhibition presented in cooperation with NASA and as seen at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. www.bossardlibrary.org.

DEC. 15 – It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 3 p.m. Presented by the Chillicothe Civic Theatre. Based on the beloved 1946 film, the musical faithfully follows George Bailey’s life THROUGH DEC. 22 – Santa Train, Hocking Valley Scenic from his childhood dreams to his midlife disappointments and beyond, as we all take a journey to discover whether Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville, every Sat. and Sun., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and every Fri. at 6 his life has mattered at all. 740-772-2041 or www. majesticchillicothe.net. p.m. beginning on Nov. 30. $16–$21, under 3 free. www. hvsry.org/trainlist/#santa.

DEC. 18 – Phil Dirt and the Dozers, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 8 p.m. $20–$22. Fans THROUGH JAN. 1 – Dickens Victorian Village, of all ages can enjoy this family-friendly stroll through downtown Cambridge. Stroll the streets to view scenes the band’s oldies-but-goodies along with some of depicting life in 1850s England, featuring life-sized, their favorite Christmas songs. 740-772-2041 or www. handmade mannequins wearing real vintage clothing. majesticchillicothe.net.

800-933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com.

DEC. 21 – Solstice Watch, Sacra Via Park (between Third THROUGH JAN. 1 – Guernsey County Courthouse and Second Sts.), Marietta, 4–5:30 p.m. If the weather Holiday Light Show, Cambridge, 5:30–9 p.m. cooperates, we will view the sun setting on the western nightly. Four different light and music shows

WEST VIRGINIA

THROUGH JAN. 1 – Winter Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling. Featuring 300 acres of twinkling lights over a 6-mile drive. 3D holographic eyewear transforms every point of light into a magical display. Per-car donation requested; valid for the entire festival season. 877-4361797 or https://oglebay.com/events/festival-of-lights.

NOV. 22–DEC. 28 – Celebration of Lights, Morris Park, Fairmont, Fri.–Sun., 6–10 p.m. Suggested donation of $10 per car. See over 475 holiday light displays in this drive-through tour. 304-366-4550 or www. celebrationoflightswv.com.

38 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

PLEASE NOTE: Ohio Cooperative Living strives for accuracy, but urges readers to confirm dates and times before traveling long distances to events. Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event to Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229 or send an email to events@ohioec.org. Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.

SOUTHWEST

chocolate and cookies and entertainment by Santa’s elves. Reservations recommended. 513-933-8022 or www.lebanonrr.com/northpole.

THROUGH DEC. 31 – Light Up Middletown, Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, 6–10 p.m. daily. Admission by cash donation — you set the price! A drive-through fantasy light display, open in all weather. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus every Fri. and Sat., 7–9 p.m., through Dec. 21. www.lightupmiddletown.org.

THROUGH JAN. 1 – Christmas at the EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester. See the magic of Christmas at the home of the world’s largest indoor THROUGH DEC. 24 – Christmas in the Greenhouse, train display. Take the family on a “Journey to the North Milford Garden Center (in the Milford Shopping Center), Pole” where you’ll meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. 513-8981025 Lila Ave., Milford. Free. The greenhouse turns into a 8000 or www.entertrainmentjunction.com.

Christmas store, with cut and live trees for sale, crafts and goods made by local vendors, a large train display layout, THROUGH JAN. 5 – Holiday Lights on the Hill, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves and trains for purchase. Wreath-making classes weekly, Rd., Hamilton. Mon.–Thur. 6–9 p.m., $20 per car; Fri.– and Santa visits on Saturdays! Check website or call for updated hours. 513-248-4531 or www.grantsgreenhouses. Sun. 6–10 p.m., $25 per car; museum members $15. A 2-mile drive-through light display. 513-868-1234 or http:// com. pyramidhill.org/holiday-lights.

THROUGH DEC. 28 – North Pole Express, LM&M DEC. 13–14 – “Songs of the Season”: Oxford Musicians Railroad, 16 E. South St., Lebanon. $22–$35; children Holiday Concert, Oxford Community Arts Center, Oxford, under 2, $5. See website for days and times. Take a 7:30 p.m. $10. Each group does two or three numbers. ride on a vintage train to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass plays on Sat., Dec. Children will receive a small gift from Santa. Enjoy hot

14; exact time to be announced later. 513-524-8506, info@ oxarts.org, or www.oxarts.org.

DEC. 15 – Winter Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Oasis Golf Club and Conference Ctr., 902 Loveland-Miamiville Rd., Loveland, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $3, under 12 free. Artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Full concession stand on site. www.avantgardeshows.com.

DEC. 21 – Winter Solstice Sunset Observance, Serpent Mound, 3850 St. Rte. 73, Peebles, 4–5:30 p.m. 937-2050094 or www.serpentmound.org.

JAN. 1 – World Race for Hope 5K, Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. Join runners and walkers on New Year’s Day to kick off National Slavery Prevention and Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Donations support the nonprofit Free To Run Foundation’s awareness/education programs and charity partners.

Register by Dec. 31 at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/ Troy/WorldRaceforHopeTroy.

JAN. 4–5 – Wedding Expo and Show, Wright State University Nutter Center, McLin Gym, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $5 in advance, $8 at door.

Fashion shows at 1 and 3 p.m. Giveaways, door prizes, demonstrations, and seminars. www.weddingapolis.com.

DECEMBER 2019 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 39

MEMBER INTERACTIVE 1

2

night

SILENT 1. A tranquil early winter night in our neighborhood.

Lorie Wilber

3

Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative member

4

2. The Kirk triplets awaiting Santa’s arrival! My children Steel, Volt, and Sterling.

Justin Kirk Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member

3. Curiosity is the cat! Our cat, Chloe, was fascinated by the lights on our Christmas tree.

Toni Kellar

5

Washington Electric Cooperative member

4. Chloe, our English springer spaniel, quietly waits for her Christmas treats from Santa.

Ingrid Benn Weaver Consolidated Cooperative member

5. A winter walk at home.

Richard Breitenbach 6

South Central Power Company member

6. Our 3-year-old granddaughter, Millie Nicholson, up bright and early checking out the Christmas tree.

Perry and Dawn Hamman

7

Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative member

7. A view of our barn nestled among the trees during a silent winter night.

Julie Wilhelm Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative member

Send us your picture!

For March, send “Tip of the Hat” by Dec. 15; for April, send “Easter Egg Hunt” by Jan. 15. Upload your photos at www.ohioec.org/ memberinteractive — and remember to include your co-op name and to identify everyone in the photos.

40 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2019

HOW DO CAPITAL CREDITS

WORK?

Co-ops are not-for-profit, so when there’s money left after bills are paid, it’s returned to members as “capital credits,” or “patronage capital.”

Ohio electric co-ops returned $34 MILLION to members in 2018.

Nationally, electric co-ops returned $1.1 BILLION to members in 2017, and $16 BILLION since 1988.

Members paying their bills generates operating revenue for the co-op.

When all the bills are paid, the extra money at the end of each year, called “margins,” is allocated back to each member based on how much electricity they purchased that year.

ohioec.org/purpose

The co-op’s board approves a return of that money to members, often called “capital credits” or “patronage capital.”