Ohio Cooperative Living - June 2024 - Firelands

Truth and consequences

The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants will, if implemented, have severe negative consequences not only for Ohio but for our entire nation.

The rule (see our story on page 4) requires existing coal-fired power plants to nearly eliminate the carbon dioxide they emit by first capturing the carbon that’s produced when coal burns and then pumping it deep underground. The rule requires compliance by Jan. 1, 2032

What the rule requires, however, has never been done; it relies on technology that does not exist and is unlikely to exist, at least anytime soon. No process has come close to capturing carbon at the level the rule requires, nor is there any available method to geologically store the volume of carbon in question.

Industry leaders (including myself) testified before Congress, and we told the EPA directly, in no uncertain terms, that the proposed rule would force the closure of nearly all coal-fired power plants operating in the United States, which currently supply approximately 20% of U.S. electricity. What’s worse, it allows no good option to replace that always-available power.

The effect of the rule will be a sharp increase in cost to consumers and a severe reduction in reliability, all at a time when electrification of our economy is accelerating, industrial production is on the rise, and AI is gobbling up more and more electricity with every passing day.

Nearly every knowledgeable industry participant with an interest in maintaining a reliable electric system, along with members of Congress from both political parties, raised concerns with the EPA, pointing out the obvious problems with this rule. The EPA chose to ignore those concerns.

The last ill-conceived, unrealistic, and unachievable attempt the EPA made at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, the so-called Clean Power Plan, took nearly eight years before it was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. Now Buckeye Power, along with many other electric suppliers and utilities, will once again be forced to spend precious time and resources in court to stop the EPA from overstepping its authority and causing those severe negative consequences for what would be a relatively negligible reduction in overall global CO2 emissions.

In the meantime, we will, of course, continue to do everything in our power to meet your need for reliable and affordable electricity.

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

The effect of the rule will be a sharp increase in cost to consumers and a severe reduction in reliability, all when the electrification of our economy is accelerating.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

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

Patrick O’Loughlin President & CEO

Caryn Whitney Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Senior Managing Editor

Amy Howat Assistant managing Editor

Neal Kindig Graphic Designer

Contributors: Tim Baldwin, Jodi Borger, Colleen Romick Clark, Eric Dentler, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Jill Moorhead, Catherine Murray, Wendy Pramik, and Margie Wuebker

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Subscription cost for members ranges from $5.52 to $6.96 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101. Periodicals postage paid at Berne, IN 46711, and at additional mailing offices. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. All rights reserved. The fact that a product is advertised in Ohio Cooperative Living should not be taken as an endorsement. If you find an advertisement misleading or a product unsatisfactory, please notify us or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Section, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215. Periodicals postage paid at Columbus, OH, and at additional mailing offices.

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DEPARTMENTS

POWER LINES

Reliability risk: The U.S. EPA’s new power plant rule threatens co-ops’ ability to keep the lights on. Here’s what you should know.

8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Leaves of three, let it be: ...or you’re gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion.

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CO-OP PEOPLE

Yard to table: Member’s labor of love gives facility’s residents a bounty of fresh, hyper-local fare. 13

GOOD EATS

Reader recipe contest: Co-op member’s savory appetizer is this year’s big cheese. 17

LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

37 CALENDAR

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

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Cooperative members: Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staff cannot process address changes. 4 Alliance for Audited Media Member

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Inland shores: Members share their affinity for hanging out down by their nearby lakes — such as in the photo at right, sent in by Consolidated Cooperative member Rachel Blevins of her son exploring the shores of Kokosing Lake in Knox County.

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Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com!

Read past issues and watch videos about our articles or our recipes. Our site features an expanded Member Interactive area, where you can share your stories, recipes, and photos and find content submitted by other co-op members across the state.

Reliability

U.S. EPA’s new power plant rule threatens co-ops’ ability to keep the lights on. Here’s what you should know.

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER

Electric-industry leaders nationwide are pushing back against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently announced regulations that those leaders say are a threat to the reliability and affordability of electricity in the U.S.

The new EPA rules are meant to drastically reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the baseload generation sources that provide economical 24/ 7 power across the country — including the Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, the Ohio electric cooperative memberowned facility that supplies electricity to more than 1 million people in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties and employs more than 300 people.

One of the new rules would require Cardinal and other coal-fired plants to be 90% carbon-emission free by 2032 and points to carbon capture and sequestration — technology that does not and is not likely to exist at a scale that would be necessary — as a means to achieve it. Generating facilities unable to meet the demands would be forced to close.

“The rule mandates the use of unproven technologies and sets unattainable compliance limits on power

plants,” says Pat O’Loughlin, president and CEO of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives, which owns and operates the Cardinal Plant. “The regulations are unrealistic and unachievable.”

Raising the alarm

Co-ops, as well as attorneys general from 27 states (including Ohio), also contend that the rule is unlawful, and have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block it. They contend the EPA is using its rules to transform the economy, which not only violates the Clean Air Act, but also ignores the U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a similar EPA overreach in 2022

O’Loughlin and electric utility leaders from around the nation have been raising the alarm since the rule was first proposed. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the PJM Interconnection (PJM), the Mid-Continent Independent System Operator (MISO), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the National

Reliability at risk

Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) — all of which have an interest in or responsibility for maintaining a reliable electric grid — provided input to the EPA during the public comment phase, all pointing out problems with the rule.

Even investor-owned utilities, which stayed mostly silent in previous EPA attempts to hamstring coal-fired power, have pushed back on the rule. Duke Energy, which serves about 8 .4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky, issued a statement saying the new rule presents “significant challenges to customer reliability and affordability — as well as limits the potential of our ability to be a global leader in chips, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.”

Supplying the demand

The Energy Information Administration projects that power demand will reach record highs in 2024 and 2025, increasing by 2 5% and 3 2% respectively. Grid planners forecast electricity demand, thanks in large part to new

AI data centers, increasing use of electric vehicles, and new manufacturing facilities, to grow by 38 gigawatts through 2028 — the equivalent of adding another California to the grid.

“This trend is a welcome indicator of innovation and a growing economy that will strengthen America’s position in the world,” says Michelle Bloodworth, president of America’s Power, a partnership of industries involved in producing electricity from coal. “At the same time, it means that we need more sources of dependable and affordable electricity, not fewer.” Bloodworth says utilities have already announced plans to shut down more than 60,000 megawatts of coal-fired generation over the next five years — enough to power 600 data centers or more than 60 million homes.

“The rule undermines electric reliability and poses grave consequences for an already-stressed electric grid,” says Jim Matheson, CEO of the NRECA. “The American economy can’t succeed without reliable electricity. Smart energy policy recognizes that fundamental truth and works to help keep the lights on. I don’t think anyone at the EPA thought about reliability.”

Continued on page 6

Continued from page 5

A better way

Matheson stresses that the industry in general, and electric co-ops in particular, are not against progress, including environmental progress. Ohio’s electric cooperatives, for example, spent more than $1 billion on emission controls at Cardinal Plant since 2012, and as a result, the plant has been recognized as one of the cleanest-operating coal plants in the world.

Co-ops are also sponsoring partners of the National Carbon Capture Center and the Wyoming Integrated Test Center, and members have been actively engaged in the research and deployment of CCS in no less than five of the largest such projects anywhere.

Matheson also pointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new $9.7 billion Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program, designed specifically to help co-ops build and invest in clean energy resources. The voluntary program drew more than double the expected participants and $26 billion in project applications that would launch $93 billion in investments across rural America.

“Electric co-ops are answering the call for innovation,” Matheson says. “We are going to continue to be the voice advocating for rational policy in terms of making sure when our members at the end of the line flip the switch, the light comes on, and when the bill comes at the end of the month, they can afford to pay it.”

What you can do

As a member of an electric cooperative, you can stand up for energy reliability.

Join other cooperative members from around the country to advocate for responsible energy policy through Voices for Cooperative Power.

Visit https://voicesforcooperativepower. com to learn more about this grassroots effort. If you’d like to amplify your voice through political support for reliable energy advocates, join America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC, which financially backs candidates who support the interests of electric cooperative members.

Call your cooperative to join.

Leaves of three, let it be!

… or you’re gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion.

STORY

If you consider yourself an outdoors person, you do know what poison ivy looks like, right?

Are you sure?

This ubiquitous, highly toxic plant grows throughout Ohio, and I’m convinced it’s determined to take over the Buckeye State — starting with my backyard. As I write this, I’m scratching a red, blistered patch of skin on my right ankle that’s been itching for weeks.

Poison ivy wears many disguises. It can appear as a single plant, a group of plants, a shrub, a ground vine, or even a climbing vine. And its infamous “leaves of three” can be as small as a 50-cent piece or as large as your hand. In addition, different-shaped leaves (actually leaflets) — their margins smooth, lobed, or toothed — can appear on the same plant.

Fail to make the proper identification, and you’ll soon be “scratchin’ like a hound, the minute you start to mess around” as The Coasters put it in their 1959 song “Poison Ivy” — which became so popular that it rose to No. 7 on the Billboard Top 100 chart that year, and No. 1 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart. Oh, how times have changed; when artists today sing about a plant, it usually has to do with something you smoke.

What makes poison ivy so toxic is urushiol, a clear liquid compound found in the plant’s leaves. Simply brushing against a leaf or two transfers the urushiol to your skin, and within a few days (or possibly even a few hours), an itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful rash occurs. Continued exposures over a lifetime can cause those reactions to become even more severe in some people, and I’m one of them.

In addition to direct contact with a plant, urushiol can also be transferred to us by our pets. If dogs, cats, horses, etc., walk through a poison ivy patch and then brush up

AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

against us or we stroke their contaminated fur — bingo, we’ll be itching before long. If you think you’ve been exposed, the best first aid is to wash any exposed skin areas vigorously with soap and water as soon as possible.

Likely the most dangerous health threat from poison ivy — potentially life-threatening — is when someone unwittingly inhales urushiol droplets suspended in woodsmoke. In Ohio, this usually happens when people clear brush from fencerows, where poison ivy loves to grow, and then burn the brush and poison ivy vines in a fire. In the worst cases, this can cause anaphylaxis, a rapid onset of allergic symptoms that can cause the throat and lungs to swell, obstructing or completely blocking breathing.

Most cases of poison ivy aren’t nearly so severe, with the unsuspecting newbie hiker or camper being the most frequent victim. Bestselling author Stephen King, the socalled King of Horror, recounted the following incident, which induced a little horror of his own.

As a kid, King was on a hike with his older brother, Dave, when nature called.

“Take me home,” King demanded, “I need to go to the bathroom.”

“Do it in the woods,” Dave said.

“I can’t! I won’t be able to wipe!”

“Sure you will,” Dave said. “Wipe yourself with some leaves. That’s how the cowboys and Indians did it.”

Two days later, King was bright red from the backs of his knees to his shoulder blades. Worst of all, the hand he had wiped with had swollen to nearly double in size and was covered with giant blisters.

“For six weeks I sat in lukewarm starch baths,” King remembers, “feeling miserable, humiliated, and stupid, while hearing through the open door of the bathroom my brother and mother laughing and listening to the radio while playing a card game called Crazy Eights.”

Despite all that, poison ivy has a positive role to play in nature. The leaves and berries are commonly eaten by many species of wildlife with no apparent harmful effects to the critters ingesting them. Poison ivy can even produce beautiful autumn leaves of red and gold.

Just not in my backyard.

CALL FOR ENTRIES 2025 cooperative calendar

Ohio Cooperative Living magazine is seeking photography submissions from our electric cooperative members. Send us beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and floral photos from your cooperative hometown. Winning submissions will receive a cash prize and be published in the 2025 edition of the cooperative calendar.

Requirements

• One photo entry per household.

• High-resolution, color, digital images only.

• Only JPEG or TIF file formats will be accepted.

• Please send submissions by email attachment only to photo@ohioec.org.

• Photo format must be horizontal and capable of filling an 8x11-inch image area.

• Provide an explanation of the photo-the where, what, when-as well as who took the photo.

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

For more information, visit OhioCoopLiving.com/calendar

Family Time

From exploring history to the science of tomorrow, your family can discover the world right here in the Greater Parkersburg area.

At Discovery World on Market, learning is anything but a spectator sport. Get hands-on with three floors of fun, kid-friendly activities and experiments that spark the senses and ignite the imagination.

Kids and adults will love a visit to Blennerhassett Island State Park . The whole family will enjoy the scenic sternwheel riverboat trip, the horse-drawn covered-wagon ride, and a tour of the beautifully reconstructed mansion.

An afternoon bike ride on the North Bend Rail Trail is a great way to get some exercise and take in the scenic beauty of the area.

Yard to

Member’s labor of love gives facility’s residents a bounty of fresh hyper-local fare.

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

Jerry Banks has a green thumb — something to which his family could always attest. Now, so can the residents and staff at Woodland Country Manor in Somerville.

Gardening has been a part of Banks’ life as far back as he can remember, but ever since he retired from AK Steel in Middletown, he’s had lots more time to spend on the enjoyable activity. The result has been a cornucopia of vegetables and fruit for the dinner table, and Woodland’s residents have been the beneficiaries.

Banks and his wife, Kathy, residents of Somerville and members of Oxford-based Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, always had a home garden but expanded their gardening activities when her parents (Homer and Phoebe Polser) moved to the retirement community not far from the “homeplace.”

“They used to tend a 1½- to 2-acre garden,” Banks says. “He was not one to sit around without getting some dirt on his hands, so Kathy and I thought a garden would help with the transition.”

Banks eyed the inner courtyard at Woodland as an ideal garden site for residents, and the management agreed.

He initially procured fill dirt from an area pig farm, ensuring a fertile place for plants and seeds to take root. At first, residents watched from their windows as he carefully worked the soil and then started planting. They soon came outside for a closer look. Many shared their

table

memories of days gone by when they had their own backyard gardens.

The circular garden is bordered by wide concrete sidewalks and umbrella tables with comfortable lawn chairs. Vegetables like peas, lettuce, kale, and radishes go in early in the season since they tolerate cool temperatures, and other fare, such as green beans, cucumbers, spinach, squash, pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes, fill out the space as temperatures get progressively warmer through the spring and summer. Brightly colored zinnias and statuesque sunflowers border the neat rows.

“People often ask me about secret ingredients to promote healthy growth,” he says, with a mischievous air. “There is nothing like cow manure to enrich the soil. Also, I am a real fanatic about weeds — get them out before they have a chance to take over. Hot, dry summer days bring a need for frequent watering and periodic doses of Miracle-Gro.”

Banks does not keep track of the time he donates for Woodland’s garden, because he considers the response of residents more than enough compensation. Although he purchases all the seeds, plants, and other supplies, the bountiful harvest stays on-site with head cook Karen White planning menus around whatever happens to

“The garden gives our residents so much joy. They enjoy watching everything grow — especially the tomatoes, because they will tell you there is nothing like a homegrown tomato.”

be in season. Impromptu “snapping parties” take place when the garden yields buckets of green beans. Residents enjoy the activity, knowing their handiwork will make a tasty addition to their dinner plates.

“The garden gives our residents so much joy,” Woodland owner/administrator Lori Auer says. “They enjoy watching everything grow — especially the tomatoes, because they will tell you there is nothing like a homegrown tomato.”

Banks chuckles when he recalls how residents come out with wheelchairs, canes, and walkers to supervise his work and offer words of advice. Gatherings quickly turn into parties with cold lemonade and snacks. One resident even brings his harmonica to provide music.

“I have been blessed in my life,” Banks says. “This is something I can do to give back and so I’ll continue doing it as long as I’m able.”

2024 Reader Recipe

Member’s savory dish is this year’s big cheese.

Aimee Walton of the Fairfield County village of Carroll didn’t know quite what to do with the lovely cake stand she got as a gift a few years ago. It was tall, maybe 16 inches, but had only a small platform with a lip to hold the cake.

“It wasn’t big enough to be functional as a typical cake stand, but it was so pretty, I had to come up with a dish to showcase it,” says Walton, a member of Lancaster-based South Central Power Company. “At the same time, I had a lot of tomatoes from the garden, which I had roasted, and I was trying to figure out what to do with them.”

That’s when the idea of savory cheesecakes came to her, and after testing out a few different iterations on her husband, David, and their seven children, she came up with Tuscany Cheesecake — winner of Ohio Cooperative Living’s 2024 “Alluring Appetizers” Reader Recipe Contest. Walton earned a new Ohio-made KitchenAid stand mixer, while Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member Beth Polk and Midwest Electric member Cora McCalla each earned $50 gift cards as runners-up.

Walton taught herself to cook when her kids were young, and eventually even taught cooking classes — first at the old Lazarus in Columbus and later at Easton. She has since moved on to create for the BeFeathered catering company, where she says her friend and company owner Feather Johnson encourages her to stretch her talents even further. “My husband will tell you that when we were first married, he would never have thought I would ever be paid to cook,” Walton says with a laugh. “But after all this time and practice, I guess I’m pretty good at it.”

Polk took inspiration for her Fish and Bubbles appetizer from Chex Mix, by way of her sister-in-law, Becky Steele. “I had been making this recipe for years, a spin-off of ‘Nuts and Bolts’ Chex Mix that Becky had adapted ages ago using pretzel sticks,” Polk says. “I wanted to change it up some for one of my son’s birthday parties.” So she used Goldfish pretzels and added some Cheerios cereal, and voila! “It’s a perfect party appetizer,” Polk says, “and it also makes a great snack for movie night.”

McCalla says she’s been making her Frisky Whiskey Dogs for so long, she can only guess where the original recipe came from. “It might have been in one of the magazines I would read at the barber shop while my boys got their hair cut.” The recipe, her take on classic cocktail wieners, starts off a bit boozy — but don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off during the long simmer.

GOOD EATS

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

TUSCANY CHEESECAKE

Prep: 10 minutes | Bake: 40 minutes | Cool: 4+ hours | Servings: 8

12 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded Italianblend cheese

1 cup sour cream, divided 2 tablespoons basil pesto

2 eggs

1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained

Note: This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9-inch springform pan to serve a larger crowd.

sprig of fresh oregano

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and shredded cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in ½ cup of sour cream and the pesto, then beat in eggs, one at a time. Pour into lightly greased 5- or 6-inch springform pan. Place on baking sheet and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is set. Spoon remaining sour cream over top of cake. Return to oven and bake for 5 minutes more. Cool on wire rack for about an hour, then refrigerate in pan at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours. To serve, run a knife around the edge and remove side of pan. Place cake on round platter. Garnish with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and oregano. Serve with crostini.

FISH AND BUBBLES

Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 45 minutes | Servings: 14

1 cup salted peanuts

2 cups Wheat Chex

2 cups Corn Chex

1 cup Cheerios

1 cup Pretzel Goldfish

¼ cup canola oil

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

Preheat oven to 225 F. Mix all ingredients together in a new/clean (unscented) tall kitchen trash bag. Shake the bag to get everything coated. Pour mixture onto a large cookie sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring several times. Let cool before eating and then store in an airtight container.

FRISKY WHISKEY DOGS

Prep: 5 minutes | Cook: 1 hour | Servings: 16

2 packages small cocktail hot dogs

¾ cup bourbon

½ cup ketchup

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon finely chopped onion

Put hot dogs in frying pan with all other ingredients. Simmer 1 hour, adding more bourbon if needed. Serve hot with toothpicks.

When you compare our geothermal system to a traditional gas or electric HVAC unit, the winner is clear.

We’ve got the competition beat on every level. A WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump offers unmatched efficiencies, so your energy costs are much lower than with a conventional furnace or a/c. It doesn’t rely on fossil fuels, so it’s much better on the environment. And the consistent temperatures and low humidity allow you to dial in your ideal comfort. Try it out and you’ll see—WaterFurnace wins.

Geothermal is the only renewable that provides reliable operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

FIRELANDS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES

REPORT

STANDING UP FOR RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE ENERGY

I know our members look to Firelands Electric Cooperative to provide electricity that is both reliable and affordable. For decades, we’ve been doing just that.

For about a year, though, electricity industry leaders have been talking about threats posed by proposed new regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In April, those rules were released, and the theoretical danger to energy availability in this country became all too real.

These regulations demand that coal-fired power plants essentially eliminate carbon dioxide emissions by 2032 or be shut down. New baseload natural gas plants would also be required to capture or avoid 90% of their carbon emissions.

The problem is that the required reductions aren’t actually feasible because the technology needed for carbon capture and storage is still in the developmental stage and not yet commercially available. In addition, the pipeline network necessary to transport captured carbon to yetto-be determined storage areas does not exist.

What this means to our co-op

In the short term, Firelands will continue providing you the affordable, reliable electricity you expect from us. But I think all members should understand these new regulations threaten our ability to provide the same level of this vital service in the future.

Nearly 70% of generation capacity for Ohio’s electric cooperatives comes from the Cardinal Power Plant, which delivers continuous baseload power to more than a million people in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Memberowned Buckeye Power has spent more than $1 billion on emissions controls at Cardinal, which has been recognized as one of the cleanest-operating coal-fired plants in the world.

Dan McNaull GENERAL MANAGER

Electricity from Cardinal Plant has helped Ohio’s cooperatives avoid much of the recent volatility in energy prices and keep rate increases as low as possible. The Cardinal Plant is also playing an important role in combating an ever-growing likelihood of insufficient power availability on the grid and the increasing risk of rolling blackouts in Ohio.

What your co-op is doing

Please understand that we support environmentally responsible energy goals, including a well-planned, practical, and strategically executed transition to carbon-free electricity sources. Our all-of-the-above approach includes growth in renewable energy resources and ongoing reductions in fossil-fuel dependence. Realistically, this transition requires much more time than the EPA rules allow.

Continued on page 20

Continued from page 19

With that in mind, leaders from Ohio cooperatives joined others from around the country in Washington, D.C., in April both to educate legislators about reliability threats that will result from the new rules and to encourage congressional action to stop their implementation.

I, along with other co-op leaders, will continue to advocate for commonsense policies and realistic timelines for reducing carbon emissions while reinforcing the importance of reliable and affordable electricity. We expect the NRECA, our national trade group, and other reliable energy proponents to challenge the new regulations in court on behalf of all our members.

What you can do

As a member, you can stand up for energy reliability in several ways. First, you can educate yourself on the issues. Read details of the EPA rules and their implications starting on page 4 of this magazine. Follow Firelands and Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives online and on Facebook to stay on top of new developments. Research the energy policies supported by candidates for elected office, and support candidates who value reliable electricity.

Additionally, you can join other cooperative members from around the country to advocate for responsible energy policy through Voices for Cooperative Power. Visit voicesforcooperativepower.com to learn more about this grassroots effort. If you’d like to amplify your voice through political support for reliable energy advocates, join America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC, which financially backs candidates who support the interests of electric cooperative members. Call the cooperative at 1-800-533-8658 to join.

Your cooperative, along with our statewide and national organizations, will always advocate for reliable, affordable energy for our members. I hope you will join us in these efforts.

Matt Whiteside

ROOKIE YEAR: 2019

STARTING POSITION: APPRENTICE LINEMAN

PREVIOUS TEAMS: ALL-PHASE POWER AND LIGHTING AND SEIDEL’S FARM

BIGGEST FANS: A BLACK LAB MIX WHO GOES BY THE NAME DELIRIOUS

LIFETIME RECORDS: OWNER OF 34 VEHICLES (SO FAR)

FAVORITES: KITKATS, NOS ENERGY

DRINKS, CARS AND TRUCKS, TICK PERFORMANCE, AND THE MOVIE DAZED AND CONFUSED

accountabilityintegrityinnovationcommunity commitment

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

YOUTH PROGRAMS

How you can win

2020

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Winners of April drawing receive Amazon gift cards

Brooklyn Smith

Crestview Middle School

Daughter of Christopher and Kelly Smith

Send us your grade card and win! The next drawing will be held on July 10.

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

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

Payton Lydy South Central Middle School Daughter of Jared and Cara Lydy

Ian Amburgy

New London Middle School

Son of Eric and Linda Amburgy

ANNUAL MEETING

POWERING People

Co-op holds 86th annual meeting of members

More than 400 co-op members and guests attended Firelands Electric Cooperative’s annual meeting at the Ashland University Myers Convocation Center on Saturday, April 6

Dan Schloemer, president of the co-op’s board of trustees, provided an update on the cooperative’s 10year plan to maintain and improve system reliability, which is a top priority for both Firelands Electric and its members. Certain areas of the co-op’s distribution system have seen increased demand in recent years, creating strain on substation capacity. “Last year we spent $3 5 million on replacements and upgrades,” Schloemer stated. “The cooperative is investing more money than ever into the system.”

Firelands Electric has allocated nearly $10 million for the current 4-year work plan, which is scheduled to be completed next year. The co-op is also committed to

replacing two substations over the next five years. Despite major inflation in the industry, Schloemer explained, the cooperative is striving to remain on track with its plans for essential upgrades.

Another key investment for improved reliability in 2023 was the $678,000 spent on trimming trees along 279 miles of the co-op’s 996 miles of lines. Firelands’ four-year tree-trimming cycle is considered as one of the best in the utility industry. The tree-trimming budget for 2024 has been increased to $900,000 for 385 miles of lines, including three townships and 58 miles that will be trimmed on a new three-year cycle.

In his address, Schloemer also advised that the cost of transformers, trucks, and wire has increased more than 70% over the past two years. The rising cost of materials for necessary upgrades is the principal reason the cooperative’s board voted to increase rates in late 2022 and again in January 2024. “The cooperative’s board thinks long and hard before increasing rates, but considering all that’s going on in our world, our members will likely see increases every one to two years,” Schloemer explained.

General Manager Dan McNaull spoke to those in attendance about balance, which, he explained, comes in many forms. For the cooperative’s board of trustees and general manager, it’s finding balance between having reasonable rates, operating a reliable distribution system, and maintaining consistent and orderly refunds of capital credits. McNaull stated it’s a priority of

Firelands Electric’s members recently elected Joe Williams of Greenwich (center), Greg Hess of Ashland (left), and Brian Cucco of New London (right) to represent districts 2, 7, and 9 on the cooperative’s board of trustees.

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the co-op to make sure capital credits are returned to members in a timely manner.

In 2023, Firelands Electric returned $1.2 million in capital credits to members of the cooperative. “This is the second year in a row that record high capital credit refunds of over $1 million were made, and these refunds are an example of how being a cooperative member really pays off,” McNaull said.

The results of the 2024 elections were also announced during the event. Joe Williams, Greg Hess, and Brian Cucco were elected by the membership to represent districts 2, 7, and 9 on the cooperative’s board of trustees. The membership also voted to approve the proposed changes to the co-op’s Code of Regulations. A copy of the updated code is available at www.firelandsec.com/ your-cooperative.

Trustees Gene Lamoreaux, John Martin, and Rob Turk, who are stepping down from the board after six years of service, were also recognized. “We will certainly miss their experience in budgeting, goal setting, and ability to think strategically,” Schloemer said.

“Because they chose to serve, Firelands is a better cooperative.”

Cooperative members who joined Firelands Electric at the annual meeting were entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of seven bill credits. Winners included Larry O’Neil of Mansfield, Mike McNaull of Ashland, Hiller’s County Market of Ashland, and Angela Lowther of Ashland, who each received a $25 bill credit. Terry Jordan and Michael Strine, both of Ashland, were each awarded a $50 bill credit, while Tim Davidson of Ashland won a $100 bill credit.

Additional photos from Firelands Electric ’s 2024 annual meeting event can be viewed on the cooperative’s Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/firelandsec/albums.

During his address, Schloemer also announced the upcoming retirement of General Manager Dan McNaull, who has served the cooperative for more than 30 years. McNaull was elected to the board of trustees in 1991, appointed as board president in 1999, and hired as general manager in January 2018

“We have all benefited from Dan’s leadership and his experience running a small business. He is not a person to back down from a di cult situation. Dan’s increased focus on investing in areas with frequent outages continues to benefit the co-op, while his insight has provided valuable assistance with strategically drafting the co-op’s financial forecast and long-term plans,” Schloemer said.

Winners in Firelands Electric’s 2024 annual meeting prize drawing for bill credits included (l-r): Michael Strine, Terry Jordan, Dan Hiller of Hiller’s County Market, Mike McNaull, Angela Lowther, and Tim Davidson. Not pictured is Larry O’Neil.

FIRELANDS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES

CO-OP NEWS

New phone payment procedures e ective July 1

Earlier this year, the global financial regulation group Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) made changes to the requirements for processing payments made over the phone. These new guidelines require businesses worldwide to use an automated interactive voice response system (IVR) when a member or customer provides their bank or debit/credit card details over the phone. These changes were put in place to provide additional protection to prevent a consumer’s sensitive financial information falling into the wrong hands.

To adhere to these new guidelines, Firelands Electric will be transitioning to an automated IVR system next month.

Members will still speak with a co-op employee when they call during regular business hours.

Those WITH a payment method saved in Firelands Electric’s system will not experience any changes. Billing representatives will still verify the last four digits of your payment method and then process your payment for you. With the updated system, those WITHOUT a bank account or debit/credit card saved to their Firelands Electric account and who wish to pay their bill over the phone will be forwarded to a secure automated payment system to complete their transaction.

Please note that as of July 1, the cooperative’s billing representatives will not be able to personally process a payment over the phone for members without a saved payment method on file.

To meet the financial industry’s new guidelines, the member must be transferred to the secure automated payment system. All other interactions with the co-op will remain the same.

Members will have the option to save their payment method to their Firelands account at the end of the automated process. Saving the payment method WILL NOT sign a member up for auto pay, but simply

allows future over-the-phone payments to be handled by the co-op’s billing staff, rather than through the automated system. Those who would like to opt for the convenient, secure auto pay option may sign up through their SmartHub accounts.

Plus, if you enroll in auto pay between now and the end of June, you will receive a one-time $5 bill credit. Both new and existing auto pay members will also automatically be entered in a drawing for a chance to win an additional $25 bill credit. Check out the next page for details.

Our billing department is working to make the transition to this new procedure as smooth as possible for our members, and we thank you for your patience and understanding. For additional payment options, visit www.firelandsec.com/payment-options. For any questions regarding payment methods, please contact our billing department at 1-800-533-8658 or billing@firelandsec.com.

Firelands Electric Cooperative’s District 8 Trustee Elaine Oswald (right) recently received her Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) certification through NRECA.

The five-course program focuses on sharpening trustees’ governance and financial skills, which are essential for serving on the co-op’s board.

Board President Dan Schloemer (left) presented Elaine with her CCD certificate during the April 23 board meeting.

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WE GET IT –LIFE IS BUSY!

Avoid the aggravation with auto pay.

• Never worry again about missing the payment due date.

• Avoid late fees.

• Slow mail delivery is no longer a concern.

• You don’t have to call the co-op’s answering service after normal business hours.

• No decoding phone prompts.

There are numerous benefits to having your monthly electric bill paid automatically from your bank account or debit/credit card:

www.firelandsec.com/ payment-options

Best of all, every member who enrolls in auto pay through June 30 will receive a one-time $5 credit on their electric bill. Plus, existing auto pay members and new signups will automatically be entered in a drawing to win one of two $25 bill credits at the end of the month. The only thing you need to do is enroll in auto pay via SmartHub or by contacting Firelands Electric’s billing department at 1-800-533-8658. We’ll take care of the rest!

Sign up for auto pay and get a $5 bill credit!

WAYS TO PAY YOUR BILL

Online

Firelands’ SmartHub can be accessed 24 hours a day from the link on our website (www. firelandsec.com) or by downloading the mobile app. SmartHub also gives members the option to schedule future payments.

Auto pay

Your monthly payment can be automatically drafted from your bank account or debit/credit card. To enroll in this service, log in to your SmartHub account or contact the office at 1-800-533-8658 for assistance.

O ce lobby or drive-through window

Members may pay in person at our office walk-up window or drive-through. We accept cash, checks, money orders, and debit/ credit cards. This option is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Drop box

After hours, payments may be placed in our secure, 24-hour drop box, located just before the drive-through window. Members should not put cash in the drop box.

Pay by phone

Payments may be made 24/7 with a bank account or debit/ credit card by calling 1-800-5338658. Please keep in mind that starting July 1, members will be transferred to the new automated system when paying by phone if they do not have a payment method stored on their Firelands account.

Payments by mail

Members may mail payment, along with the bottom portion of their bill, in the return envelope provided. Please allow ample time for delivery, as payments must be received by the 14th of each month to avoid late fees.

FIRELANDS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE LOCAL PAGES

LOAD MANAGEMENT beating the peak THE IMPORTANCE OF

Reducing the demand for electricity benefits us all

What is peak demand?

Peak demand is when electric use is higher than normal. Increased demand for electricity from individual electric co-ops and investor-owned utilities, the state of Ohio as a whole, or even the 13-state PJM Interconnection (the electric transmission territory that serves Ohio), can create peak demand.

Why is peak demand important?

During peak demand, Firelands Electric Cooperative’s power supplier, Buckeye Power, Inc., runs its large baseload power plants at full capacity. If the need arises, Buckeye Power can also fire up its supplemental gas-fired peaking plants or purchase power from additional sources, which all affect the wholesale power adjustment (WPA) portion of members’ electric rates.

In addition, environmental regulations have resulted in the retirement of numerous coal- and natural gas-fired power plants over the past decade. While renewables have replaced some of these plants, the generation capacity of these facilities is much lower than those that have been shut down. During extreme weather conditions, this can create an alarming burden on the electric grid — so much so that rolling blackouts could become necessary.

How does this impact load management participants?

Members who participate in Firelands Electric’s voluntary load management program help the cooperative lower the demand for electricity and reduce the risk of higher WPA costs and rolling blackouts. Rebates and incentives are also available to members who choose to participate in these programs.

Buckeye Power may issue a peak alert during these periods of high demand. These alerts are often implemented when extreme weather conditions and temperatures occur — the hottest days during the summer and the coldest days in the winter. During a peak alert, load management devices installed on electric water heaters and HVAC systems in participating members’

homes may be activated, temporarily disconnecting the appliance from the power supply.

Summer load management efforts typically take place on very hot and humid days between 2 and 6 p.m. Winter load management may occur on bitter cold days between 6 and 10 a.m. and/or from 5 to 9 p.m. Depending upon weather conditions and power loads, the time and duration of load management efforts may be adjusted.

For details on how each type of load management device operates, check out the next page. If you have questions regarding your load management device, or wish to become enrolled in one of Firelands’ programs, please visit www.firelandsec.com/load-management or contact the member services department at 1-800-533-8658.

Additional information on how you can help reduce electric load during a peak alert can also be found on this webpage.

Load management participants may also sign up for peak alert email and/or text notifications by enrolling in SmartHub. Visit www.firelandsec.com/smarthub-101 for details on how to register for SmartHub so you always know when a peak alert and load management are taking place.

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How does load management work?

General load management information:

•A load management device, like the gray box shown on page 20F, is typically installed near the water heater or HVAC system, at the outside HVAC disconnect, or next to the service panel or breaker box.

•A green light on the device is normal and indicates that electricity is flowing to the water heater or HVAC system.

•A red or amber light indicates that load management is taking place and that the water heater or HVAC system is not receiving any power.

•The device receives a satellite signal about every 10 minutes, so if the circuit breaker is flipped off and on, or the entire home loses power, you will need to wait up to 15 minutes for the device to reset and the green light to reappear.

Water heater

• During load management, the device shuts off power to a member’s water heater for the duration of the peak alert period, which may last several hours. To conserve hot water during this time, avoid laundry, dishwashing, and bathing until the peak alert has ended.

Heating system

•Load management may be installed on electric furnaces, heat pumps, geothermal systems, electric baseboard, and Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) units.

•It’s important to note that load management devices are no longer being installed on heating systems. Only homes with existing operational devices installed qualify for any incentives.

•During load management, the device shuts off power to a member’s heating system for the duration of the load management. However, there is a temperature override in place to prevent your home from getting too cold. This sensor, which is a small white box, will stop load management and return your heating system

At left: This gray box is a load management device. Firelands Electric members who are voluntarily enrolled in the cooperative’s Cool Returns or PeakBusters programs have one of these devices installed near their service panel, HVAC system, central air-conditioner, and/or water heater. The box has a green light displayed during normal operation, indicating that electricity is flowing to your system. If a red or amber light is displayed (as shown in the enlarged circle), a peak alert has been issued. This indicates that load management is taking place and that your system is temporarily not receiving any electric power.

to normal operation if the temperature of the home gets below 60 degrees.

•If a green light, or combination of red and green appears on the white box, the temperature sensor is working correctly.

•Members receive a $5.00 bill credit each month from November to June (for service in October through May) for having this device installed.

Central air-conditioning

• This style of load management device is installed on central air-conditioning systems, geothermal units, and heat pumps.

• Devices on air-conditioning systems are only controlled for 8 to 10 minutes during each 30-minute period of a peak alert. As a result, your system will cycle off and on during summer load management, helping maintain the comfort level of your home.

•Air-conditioning controls are only connected to the system’s compressor and will not affect the blower or fan on the air handler. Essentially, your air conditioner turns off and on like normal, but it is just timed to prevent too many systems on the co-op’s lines from running at the same time.

•Members receive a $10.00 bill credit each month from July to October (for service in June through September) for having this device installed.

INDUSTRY NEWS

UNDERSTANDING WHOLESALE POWER ADJUSTMENT

Firelands Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric provider that is committed to delivering reliable, costeffective power to our members. Our electricity comes from Buckeye Power, which is owned by Firelands Electric and the other 24 cooperatives serving more than 1 million Ohioans. Firelands purchases electricity at wholesale cost from Buckeye Power every month to meet the energy needs of our members.

What is the WPA?

You may have noticed the Wholesale Power Adjustment (WPA) listed on your monthly bill. The WPA provides a monthly adjustment that reflects any difference between the base cost of wholesale power and what the market rate was during the month being billed. If the kilowatthour (kWh) cost to Firelands Electric is higher than the base cost of power, the WPA is applied to your bill as a charge. For example, if the difference between base cost and market rate is $0 007 per kWh, a home that uses 1,200 kWh during the month will be billed $8.40. If the difference between the WPA and current rate is smaller, then the member pays a smaller amount.

Using a WPA covers monthly power cost fluctuations without having to continually restructure electricity rates.

What a ects the WPA?

is much higher. Changes in the cost of materials and equipment, and upgrades to meet environmental regulations also influence the WPA.

What does the co-op do to combat these costs?

Firelands Electric is doing everything possible to keep costs down — but, unfortunately, we can only do so much to control the rising costs of fuel and other materials. However, you can rest assured that Firelands Electric does have measures in place to help limit these increases.

For starters, Buckeye Power uses a mix of fuel sources to produce power for Ohio’s cooperative members. Electricity is generated by coal, natural gas, solar, hydro, and methane. This diverse group of resources allows Ohio to help reduce the dramatic fluctuations in generation costs that can occur if limited to a single fuel source.

The cooperative also participates in Ohio’s load management program. The 4,182 Firelands members who voluntarily take part in this program reduce the demand for electricity during extreme weather conditions, thus helping to prevent cost increases.

The WPA fluctuates for a variety of reasons. Increased costs for fuels like coal and natural gas play a large part in the price of wholesale power. Electricity is also more expensive to generate during extreme weather conditions, when the demand for electricity

Firelands Electric also offers a variety of programs and services to help members lower their electric use and save on their energy bills, including rebates for purchasing energy-e cient appliances, water heaters, and HVAC systems, as well as upgrading their home’s insulation. In addition, the cooperative’s energy advisors are available for free consultations to help members find ways to reduce their electricity usage.

For more information about conserving energy and reducing costs, visit www.firelandsec.com/ energy-e ciency.

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Your thoughts and opinions on Firelands Electric help us better serve you.

In June, Firelands Electric Cooperative will be working with NRECA Market Research Services to complete member satisfaction surveys. The random surveys will be conducted by phone and email, and not everyone will be contacted. If you are contacted, we would greatly appreciate a few minutes of your time to share your opinions about the cooperative. All information is confi dential.

We strive to provide all member-owners with safe, a ordable, reliable, and clean electric service. By participating in the survey, you will help us make decisions that benefi t you, your family, and your neighbors.

We Want To Hear From You!

BOARD MEETING highlights

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

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

• General Manager Dan McNaull reviewed the appointments for the election and credentials committees for the 2024 trustee elections, as well as the agenda for the annual meeting on April 6

• The board reviewed reports from safety and training meetings held on March 5 and March 13.

• McNaull reported on the current number of members who had RSVP’d for the annual meeting and returned ballots.

• BHM CPA Group reported that the cooperative received a clean audit for 2023

• Updates were provided on bids for the Coulter substation rebuild, property for the proposed Hillsdale substation, and damages to the Fitchville substation as a result of the March 14 storm.

• McNaull reviewed the status of the 2024 tree-trimming plan and the outage report for the past month.

• Director of Finance and Accounting Tabi Shepherd reviewed the February financial reports and provided an update on recent accounting and billing department activities.

• McNaull reported on progress for the new billing format, updates on the 69kV line project, and the most recent Buckeye Board report.

• Director of Operations Don Englet reported on activities in the operations department, including employees who recently participated in linework and meter training.

• The board reviewed information regarding several recent meetings at OEC, including a cybersecurity class attended by trustees Elaine Oswald and Tom Lucha.

• Director of Communications and Technology Andrea Gravenhorst reported on recent activities involving the member services and IT departments.

The cooperative’s next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25. If you would like to attend the next scheduled meeting, please contact the Firelands Electric o ce at 1-800-533-8658

Two of Ohio’s top recreational lakes come back from the brink.

BY JODI BORGER

Nestled in the heart of Ohio, Buckeye Lake and Grand Lake St. Marys each faced near-devastating challenges over the last decade or two that brought their once-thriving “lake life” — and all the recreational and economic benefits that come with it — to a standstill.

The pictures, and the outlook, were bleak. But now, thanks to the dedication and collaborative efforts of their local communities, both are witnessing a resurgence, bustling with new growth and opportunity for Ohioans and out-ofstaters alike.

Engineering disaster

Buckeye Lake, a 3,100-acre lake located 30 miles east of Columbus, was formed from swampland left by a retreating glacier more than 11,000 years ago — though its current form is human-made: A dike constructed to block the Licking River in the 1820s filled the reservoir, which served as a feeder for the Ohio and Erie Canal.

Throughout the first half of the 1900s, Buckeye Lake reigned as the premier destination for leisurely outdoor activities in central Ohio. Its amusement park, complete with Ferris wheel and roller coasters, enticed younger visitors, while others boated, sunbathed, or just lounged around the lake. By the 1940s, as many as 50,000 people per day came calling, and show business superstars like Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra played shows in its huge dance halls. Buckeye Lake became the first of Ohio’s canal lakes to be named a state park in 1949.

“Buckeye Lake has always been Ohio’s playground,” says Jonett Haberfield, executive director of Visit Fairfield County. “It’s centrally located, a really good place to escape from the city.”

The amusement park closed in 1970, but the lake region remained a popular destination for those in search of that lake life. In 2015, however, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a report that warned of an “imminent catastrophic failure” of the 1820s earthen dam that held back its waters.

“They drained the lake while they repaired that dam, and that was a dark time when people were worried about their property value and selling their homes. Businesses closed. No one really knew what the future would bring,” says Haberfield.

Why visit?

Visitors to Buckeye Lake can enjoy all kinds of water-based activities: fishing, kayaking, swimming, boating, and the like. Additionally, Buckeye Lake offers plenty of activities beyond the water. Weldon’s Ice Cream Factory is a local tradition, drawing visitors for its delicious homemade treats.

Buckeye Lake Winery, established over a decade ago, is a popular venue for weddings and events. New restaurants have recently opened that have added to the already diverse culinary scene, attracting patrons seeking an upscale atmosphere. Residents from neighboring communities now frequent the area during the week because of the unique dining experiences. Live music can be heard at numerous venues nearly every night throughout the summer, and an increasing number of businesses now remain open during once-dormant winter months. Winterfest, held at the end of January and organized by the Buckeye Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, has become a highlight of the winter season.

The project to rebuild the dam was supposed to last until 2020 and cost $150 million, but finished nearly two years early and $43 million under budget. Now, after several ensuing years of economic development, Buckeye Lake has regained its life as an enjoyable escape, drawing visitors from across the region, and it is thriving.

Central to the revitalization efforts is the collaboration among Fairfield, Perry, and Licking counties, which surround the lake. Much of the land area nearby is served by electric cooperatives — Lancaster-based South Central Power Company to the west and south, The Energy Cooperative of Newark to the east and northeast, and Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative a little farther to the east.

The Buckeye Lake Regional Corporation has facilitated discussions and initiatives aimed at promoting the area as a premier destination. That concerted effort has fostered a sense of community pride and unity among those who live there.

“It’s been an amazing change,” Haberfield says. “There are a lot of new property owners, new business owners, and new enthusiasm about the lake as a tourist destination. You don’t even have to be on the water to enjoy the experience of Buckeye Lake. I enjoy sitting along the shoreline at the winery and watching people enjoying all the activities the lake has to offer. Everyone is in vacation mode.”

Environmental nightmare

Grand Lake St. Marys, located in Mercer and Auglaize counties, was constructed in the mid-1800s as a feeder lake for the Miami-Erie Canal. Even at more than 13,000 acres, Ohio’s largest inland lake wasn’t designed with any recreation in mind. In fact, the only commercial activities on the reservoir for its first several decades included ice harvesting (a necessity in an era before electricity and refrigeration) and commercial fishing. For a brief period, the lake even hosted oil derricks, marking a pioneering moment as Grand Lake St. Marys became the site of the world’s first offshore oil drilling rigs. With the addition of railroads in the early 1900s, the necessity for canals diminished, prompting a shift in how Grand Lake St. Marys was utilized. A sizable amusement park sprouted up on the lake’s eastern shore. A vibrant concert and dance hall appeared at the northwest corner. Cabin resorts and campsites surrounded the lake’s expansive 52-mile shoreline. Grand Lake St. Marys was officially designated as an Ohio State Park in 1949.

However, Grand Lake has had its ups and downs throughout the years, and as early as the 1960s, reports showed that the lake was eutrophic, meaning excessive nutrients — mostly fertilizer runoff from nearby farmland — could lead to algal growth. By the 1990s, the Ohio EPA declared the lake’s watershed as Ohio’s most degraded.

A watershed project for Grand Lake St. Marys formed in the late 1990s to start local planning for improvements, and the efforts, though voluntary, made a significant impact on the well-being of the lake.

Continued on page 26

Continued from page 25

However, in 2010, Grand Lake St. Marys suffered a large bloom of blue-green algae — which is actually a type of bacteria that produces toxins dangerous to people, animals, and fish. People were advised not to swim or even wade in the water, not to take boats out onto the lake, and not to allow pets near the shore.

“This spurred a lot of interest from state officials and local groups and got national attention,” says Theresa Dirksen, Mercer County agriculture and natural resources director. The lake’s reputation as a carefree summer playground was nearly destroyed.

The algal bloom of 2010 also spawned numerous groups tasked with improving the quality of the lake’s water.

• The Lake Restoration Commission (LRC) consists of representatives from Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Mercer Soil and Water Conservation District, Wright State University, and surrounding communities including the cities of Celina and St. Marys and Mercer and Auglaize counties, among others. It works on plans to improve the lake directly with things like increased dredging, treatment trains, and new technologies.

• Ag Solutions group, a grassroots effort by local farmers, focuses specifically on technologies and methods to improve manure management.

• The Lake Facilities Authority (LFA) is a public entity consisting of the Mercer and Auglaize county commissioners that can accept grants, bid projects, own land, etc. The LFA has taken the lead on land acquisition to install treatment wetlands and natural spaces in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed.

In late 2011, the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed was officially declared “distressed” by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which set into motion a set of rules for certain livestock producers to follow, which are still in place.

“The methods that we have employed here to improve water quality are being looked at by so many others,” Dirksen says. “From my perspective, Grand Lake St. Marys has become a model watershed for all of Ohio, possibly even the U.S., to follow.”

And of course, with the improved quality has come a rebuilt reputation — and a revitalized economy. “Lake home prices are up and so is the number of visitors,” says Donna Grube, executive director of the Grand Lake Region Visitors Center. “The state park campgrounds reported a record number of guest nights in 2023, and we have set a new record for lodging tax collection. There is still work to be done, but the positivity of the situation, compared to a decade ago, is almost unbelievable.”

Why visit?

13,500-acre Grand Lake St. Marys and its numerous boat launches offer an expansive surface for activities like waterskiing, kayaking, tubing, and year-round fishing for bass, crappie, perch, bluegill, catfish, and walleye. But Grand Lake St. Marys also is surrounded by nearly 600 acres of lakeside parkland, where visitors can enjoy 10 miles of hiking, biking, and snowmobile trails, as well as swimming beaches and picnic areas. Birdwatching enthusiasts will find a diverse range of waterfowl and migratory birds. Lakeside festivals, concerts, races, and other events provide entertainment for visitors of all ages throughout the year. Local restaurants offer enticing cuisine and lakeside dining experiences, adding to the overall charm of the area. Lodging opportunities cater to all preferences and budgets, from rustic camping to luxury hotels with expansive lake views. Boardwalk Village opened in 2022, offering the feel of resort lodging.

Pilgrimage for recovery

From around the world, those overcoming addiction flock to Akron for a sense of ‘home.’

BY JILL MOORHEAD; PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC DENTLER

[Editor’s note: Ohio Cooperative Living honors the tradition in Alcoholics Anonymous in which members are granted a level of anonymity in the press.]

When Pat B and her husband, both from Columbus, visited an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) event during a vacation in Auckland, New Zealand, the couple found themselves engulfed by attendees from South Asia and Oceania, all interested in their Ohio heritage. The intrigue was not connected to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame or Cedar Point, but because it’s home to Akron, the birthplace of AA, an organization that author Kurt Vonnegut once called “America’s most nurturing contribution to the culture of this planet.”

The Akron home of proctologist and AA co-founder Robert Smith, known as Dr. Bob’s Home, is a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s the epicenter of the global AA movement, which spans 180 countries with more than 2 million members.

A visit to Dr. Bob’s Home is a pilgrimage for those in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse.

Launched in Akron in 1935, AA is a fellowship dedicated to overcoming alcohol addiction, extensively

documented in its publications such as Alcoholics Anonymous (known as “The Big Book”), Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, and AA Grapevine.

The publications document the encounter between Smith and New York stockbroker Bill Wilson in Akron in 1935. Recently sober, Wilson was on a business trip to Akron, where he stayed at the Mayflower Hotel (now Mayflower Manor Apartments). Seeking another alcoholic to talk to, Wilson made a random call to a church from a phone booth, which led him to meet Smith. They talked for five hours that night, igniting the inception of AA.

Wilson subsequently lived with Smith for months, and over the next 15 years, that small Arts and Crafts home at 855 Ardmore Ave. became a gathering place for individuals struggling with alcoholism. Smith and his wife, Anne, welcomed visitors, initially attempting to sober them up with a mixture of sauerkraut, tomatoes, and Karo syrup, while also hosting meetings with abundant coffee. The discussions that took place there between Smith and Wilson laid the foundation for the organization and its renowned 12 -step program, now applied to various forms of addiction, from food addiction to workaholism.

Aptly, there are 12 steps leading from the sidewalk to “Dr. Bob’s House” (opposite page) on Ardmore Avenue in Akron. This page, from top: The seating area in Dr. Bob’s House where Bob Smith and Bill Wilson had their first conversation that led to the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous, complete with several books that inspired Smith. The original concoction created to sober up houseguests — sauerkraut, tomatoes, and Karo syrup — is displayed in one of the bedrooms. After becoming sober, Smith kept a bottle of liquor in his kitchen to remind him that alcohol can’t be avoided in society, but he could choose not to partake.

“It was much more than just a surgeon’s home where they met and wrote books and talked,” says Eric Dentler, a marketer for Golden Gate Recovery in the San Francisco Bay Area, who has twice visited the site. “Dr. Bob’s Home was the first detox center and the first soberliving home.”

Operated by volunteers, Dr. Bob’s Home evokes a typical day in 1935 and poignantly has 12 steps leading to the entrance. Open 354 days annually, the home attracts around 6,000 to 7,000 visitors each year, including those in recovery, their families, and medical professionals from institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, according to Paul G, PR chairperson for Dr. Bob’s Home.

“[Dr. Bob’s Home] is home to all who are members of AA. It’s where the rest of our lives began.”

Those visitors hail from all 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico, European nations, and even distant locations such as Mongolia and Indonesia. Visits surge to 4,000 during Founder’s Day weekend, an annual celebration at the University of Akron marking the anniversary of Smith’s last drink.

A living museum, the home features original artifacts such as books and furniture, photos of the Smith family, voice recordings, and the places that Smith hid alcohol from his wife. Of special interest are copies of the New Yorker and Saturday Evening Post whose articles about AA made the organization thrive in its infancy. A gift shop and Dr. Bob’s library are located in the house next door.

The organization also provides online tours for its global audience. A recent one led by Paul and archivist Gail L included 129 rapt participants from the United Kingdom, many leaning in, some recording, and more than a few sharing the emotional impact of and gratitude for the tour. “This brought me to tears,” said one participant. “I’ve been living this for 34 years, and this hit me in the heart.”

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Paul G remembers a February blizzard when Dr. Bob’s Home had no visitors. Amidst the peaceful atmosphere, he heard the sound of air brakes and saw a Greyhound bus carrying 75 women heading to a conference in Toledo. Their arrival instantly transformed the atmosphere with laughter and warmth, reflecting the welcoming nature of the home.

“That is exactly what we want to happen,” says Paul, “[Dr. Bob’s Home] is home. It’s home to all that are members of AA. It’s where the rest of our lives began. It’s because of the things that happened in that living room that many of us are alive today.”

The idea of “home” is central to a visit to Dr. Bob’s. When someone walks in the front door, they are greeted by a volunteer with a “Welcome home” greeting, which frequently incites a strong emotional response for visitors, says Paul, who once witnessed a Romanian priest fall to his knees in deference to the sacred space.

Dentler says that greeting evoked his own tears on his first visit in 2019, which he describes as a spiritual journey to celebrate 10 years of sobriety. “I will never forget the feeling when a young docent shouted out, ‘Welcome home,’” says Dentler. Although the room was full, his tears went unnoticed.

“What happened in Akron, that story is in every Big Book in every country,” says Gail, referring to the chapter entitled, “A Vision for You.” “You say you’re from Akron, Ohio, and someone’s connected to this program, you become like a rock star.”

It was that chapter that hit a nerve for Bill S from Melbourne, Australia, who plans to visit Dr. Bob’s Home as part of his fourth trip to the United States this summer.

“When I read ‘A Vision for You,’ it really struck home. Could I really live a sober life without a dependence on alcohol and be happy? I was desperate for some home and direction in my life, and there was something about the way the chapter was written. It’s in a language that is so old-fashioned, but so relevant to my life.”

Eric Dentler poses at a table with the typewriter used to write “The Big Book.” In the background, an original copy is encased in glass. Below, the gift shop next door to Dr. Bob’s House contains a collection of AA coins left by visitors to Dr. Bob’s grave during Founder’s Day.

PHOTO ESSAY BY WENDY PRAMIK

Cedar Bog Nature Preserve in Urbana presents an altogether different aspect of Ohio’s natural heritage. A National Natural Landmark managed by the Ohio Historical Society, the preserve features a 1.5-mile boardwalk that arcs through a fen — a wetland that drains water left behind by retreating glaciers. My husband, Mike, and I took a springtime walk here, surrounded by the sounds of life as hidden birds sang from bushes and frogs peeped from a pond.

Visiting Cedar Bog not only offers a glimpse into glacial history but also provides an intimate look at some of Ohio’s most rare and beautiful plant and animal species. Carnivorous plants and rarities such as the showy lady’s slipper thrive at Cedar Bog alongside towering red maples and black ash trees. The fen’s varied landscape transitions from swamp to prairie, each area blossoming with an explosion of wildflowers.

Spring at Cedar Bog Nature Preserve

Fall at Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve

Farther northeast near Greenwich, Fowler Woods State Nature Preserve offers a distinctly different seasonal spectacle. An autumn visit with my sister, Amy, and niece, Jenna, was punctuated by a palette of changing leaves, from vivid yellow to deep brown, which created a crunchy carpet underfoot. The preserve’s 1.24-mile wheelchair-accessible trail circles through mature beech and maple forests and across buttonbush swamps. The secluded boardwalk is a sanctuary for both flora and fauna. Tall trees and vibrant undergrowth provide food and shelter to a variety of birds. The trilling calls of the veery echo through the trees, adding an auditory layer to the visual splendor of the preserve.

U.S. zip codes turn up silver for residents

Sealed Vault Bags full of State Silver Bars are actually being handed over to the first U.S. residents who find their zip code listed in today’s publication and call before the 21 day order deadline ends to claim the bags full of pure silver

NATIONWIDE - Operators at the National Silver Hotline are struggling to keep up with all the calls.

That’s because Silver Vault Bags loaded with pure .999 State Silver Bars are now being handed over to everyone who beats the order deadline.

“That’s why U.S. residents will be hoarding all the silver bars they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. This comes as no surprise after the standard State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury was dropped for everyone who gets the Silver Vault Bags making them a real steal,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America.

“As executive advisor to the private Lincoln Treasury, I get paid to deliver breaking news. And here’s the best part. This is great news for U.S. residents because the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury is a real steal,” said Withrow.

The only thing residents need to do is find the first 2 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication. If their zip code is on the list, they just need to call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends.

And here’s the good news. Residents who do are getting the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury of just $390 for each State Silver Vault Bag which is just $39 for each pristine Silver half ounce bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline at 1-888-706-6536 before the deadline ends.

Phone lines open at precisely 8:30 A.M. this morning and are expected to be flooded by U.S. residents looking to cash in on the reduced State Minimum set by (Continued on next page)

■ U.S. RESIDENTS CASH IN: Calls are pouring in from state residents who are trying to get their hands on the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags pictured above before the deadline ends. That’s because residents who find the first two digits of their zip code printed in today’s publication are cashing in on the reduced State Minimum price set for the next 21 days by the Lincoln Treasury.

Who gets the Silver Vault Bags: Listed below are the zip codes that get to claim the Silver Vault Bags. If you find the first two digits of your zip code below immediately call: 1-888-706-6536 DEPT. SMB193

A labama 35, 36

Alaska 99

Arizona 85, 86

Arkansas 71, 72

California 91

Colorado 80, 81

Connecticut 06

Delaware 19

Florida 32, 33, 34

Georgia 30, 31, 39

Hawaii 96

Idaho 83

Illinois 60, 61 62

Indiana 46, 47

Iowa 50, 51, 52

Kansas 66, 67

Kentucky 40, 41, 42

Louisiana 70, 71

Maine 03, 04

Maryland 20, 21

Massachusetts 01, 02, 05

Michigan 48, 49

Minnesota 55, 56

Mississippi 38, 39

Missouri 63, 64, 65

Montana 59

Nebraska 68, 69

Nevada 88, 89

New Hampshire 03

New Jersey 07, 08

New Mexico 87, 88

New York 00, 10, 11, 12 13, 14

North Carolina 27, 28

North Dakota 58

Ohio 41, 43 44, 45

Oklahoma 73, 74

Oregon 97

Pennsylvania 15, 16, 17 18, 19

Rhode Island 02

South Carolina 29

South Dakota 57

Tennessee 37, 38

Texas 75, 76, 77

78, 79, 88

Utah 84

Vermont 05

Virginia 20, 22, 23, 24

Washington 98, 99

West Virginia 24, 25, 26

Wyoming 82, 83

the Lincoln Treasury to date. That’s why U.S. residents who find their zip code on the distribution list today are being urged to call.

Since this special advertising announcement can’t stop anyone from buying up all the new 2024 Edition U.S. State Silver Bars they can get their hands on, the Lincoln Treasury has not set a limit of how many Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags residents can get – these are the bags pictured that contain 10 individual Silver Vault Bags each. Everyone who gets these will be glad they did

“Residents who want to cash in on the reduced State Minimum set by the private Lincoln Treasury better hurry. That’s because after the deadline ends, the State Minimum for these pristine half ounce U.S. State Silver Bars set by the Lincoln Treasury will go up to $68 per bar no matter how many bars people get,” Withrow said.

“We’re bracing for all the calls and doing the best we can, but with just hours left before the deadline ends, residents who find the first 2 digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication need to call the National Silver Hotline,” Withrow said.

■ SILVER HITS ROCK BOTTOM: It’s good news for state residents who get the Silver Vault Bags each loaded with 10 solid .999 pure State Silver Bars. That’s because residents are getting the reduced State Minimum set by the private Lincoln Treasury as long as they call before the deadline ends.

publication read below then immediately call: 1-888-706-6536

I keep calling and can’t get through: Keep trying. Right now everyone’s looking to cash in on the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury. In fact, we won’t be surprised if thousands of residents order up as many Silver Vault Bags as they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury has been reduced to just $39 for each silver half ounce bar for everyone who gets the vault bags. And since each Silver Vault Bag contains 10 pristine State Silver Bars for just $390 we’re guessing state residents will be claiming two or more bags while they’re up for grabs. But all those who really want to cash in are taking the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags containing 100 State Silver Bars before the deadline ends and the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury goes up to $680 per Vault Bag. In fact the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury is reduced even further for those getting the Jumbo Bags so just be sure to ask the National Silver Hotline operator for your discount. So if lines are busy keep trying.

How much are the Silver Vault Bags worth: It’s hard to tell how much these Silver Vault Bags could be worth since they are in pristine condition, but those who get in on this now will be glad they did. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury goes up to $680 per bag after the deadline ends. So you better believe that at just $390 the Silver Vault bags are a real steal for everyone who beats the deadline.

Can I buy one State Silver Bar: Yes. But, the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury of just $39 per bar applies only to residents who purchase a Silver Vault Bag(s). That means only those residents who order a Silver Vault Bag(s) or a Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bag get the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury. All single bar purchases, orders placed after the deadline and all non-state residents must pay the normal state minimum of $68 per silver half ounce bar.

Why is the State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury so low now: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to get the silver at the reduced State Minimum set by the private Lincoln Treasury. Now all residents who find their zip code on the Distribution List to the left are getting the Silver Vault Bags for themselves and all the solid .999 pure State Silver Bars found inside. The price for each Silver Vault Bag after the deadline ends is set to the normal state minimum of $680 which is $68 per bar. But residents who beat the 21-day deadline only cover the reduced State Minimum set by the Lincoln Treasury of just $390 for each State Silver Bar Bag which is just $39 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends at: 1-888-706-6536 DEPT. SMB193. Hotlines open at 8:30 A.M.

*** All 49 States listed are available - States not listed are already sold out ***

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES FULL-HALF TROY OUNCE SOLID .999 FINE SILVER

DATE NUMBERED IN WHICH THE STATE RATIFIED THE CONSTITUTION AND WAS ADMITTED INTO UNION CERTIFIED SOLID SILVER PRECIOUS METAL BACK FRONT

ALL 49 STATES LISTED ARE AVAILABLE. 1 STATE ALREADY SOLD OUT.

PHOTO ENLARGEMENT SHOWS ENGRAVING DETAI L OF SOLID HALF OUNCE STATE SILVER BARS

2024 JUNE/JULY CALENDAR

JUN. 27 – Fourth Thursdays Cookie Walk, Lakeview. Stroll the downtown streets collecting stamps on your shopping passport from each participating business. Be sure to make enough stops to collect the Baker’s Dozen! While there, grab a cookie and enjoy dessert first, then have dinner at a new food truck while enjoying live music in town. www.facebook.com/downtownlakeviewohio.

JUN. 29 – Art on the Beach, Old Field Beach State Park, St. Rte. 235, Lakeview, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free. Art show and sale in a beach setting at Indian Lake. Includes many fine arts and crafts. Food available. Art vendors can apply through Jun. 15. earicka@gmail.com (Andrea Earick) or www.logancountyartleague.org.

Home. Civil War reenactors will fire cannons in sync with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” 419-332-2081 or www. rbhayes.org.

JUL. 4–6 – Old Fashioned Farmers Day, Van Wert Co. Fgds., 1055 S. Washington St., Van Wert. NTPA tractor pulls, car show, kiddie and adult pedal pulls, machinery demos, live music, food, and more. www. oldfashionedfarmersdays.com or find us on Facebook.

JUL. 5–7 – First Fridays Sidewalk Sales, downtown Bellefontaine. Many stores will have massive sales. Pick up a passport at any participating location and collect stamps to win an amazing prize basket! www. firstfridaysbellefontaine.com.

THROUGH SEP. 15 – NWORRP Museum Summer Hours, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. $3; 12 and under, $2 (includes 1 train ride ticket per admission). Museum tours, quarter-scale train rides, model train displays, games, play area, and more. 419-423-2995, www. nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp.

JUN. 5, JUL. 3 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities are geared for preschoolage children and focus on farming and nature in a picturesque outdoor setting. Families welcome! 419447-7073, www.conservesenecacounty.com, or follow Seneca Conservation District on Facebook.

JUN. 22–23 – Family Fun Weekend: Summer Kick Off, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 1–4 p.m. $5. Games, quarter-scale train rides, bounce house, and other family-friendly activities and events. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www. facebook.com/nworrp.

JUN. 22–23 – Findlay Flea Market, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. Variety of merchandise: new, used, vintage items, crafts, and more. Vendors welcome! Contact Christine at 419-619-0041 or findlayfleamarket@gmail.com for more information.

WEST VIRGINIA

JUN. 29 – Lake Seneca Annual Yard Sales and Chicken Bar-B-Que Dinners, Arrowhead Lodge, 233 Seneca Dr., Montpelier. $12 per half with two sides. Available from 10 a.m. until sold out. Carryout available. Pavilion, park, and beach nearby overlooking beautiful Lake Seneca. Homemade baked goods for free-will donation. 419-485-0810

JUN. 29 – West Liberty Summer Street Market and Car Show, 129 N. Detroit St., West Liberty. Enjoy live music, street vendors, classic cars, and plenty of shopping, then cap off the day with the grand finale, the spectacular firework show. www.mywestliberty.com.

JUN. 30 – 19th-Century-Style Independence Day Celebration, Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek, 10051 Township Rd. 47, West Liberty, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Bring a picnic, buy a slice of Independence Day cake, learn how to play cricket and roll hoops, enjoy historical tunes and storytelling about July 4 customs, make “safe” firecrackers and watch them fly, listen to the Declaration of Independence, watch musket firing, and help make the cannon boom. www.piattcastle.org.

JUL. 4 – Independence Day Concert, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 2–3:30 p.m. Free. Bring your own chair or blanket for this patriotic concert performed by the Toledo Concert Band on the verandah of the historic Hayes

JUN. 22–23 – Weekend of Workshops, Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, Salem. See live demonstrations as well as numerous artisans in various cabins. Some classes require preregistration. For more information: 304-695-2220, director@fortnewsalemfoundation.org, or www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org.

JUL. 7 – Motorama, Auglaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Open to self-propelled, motorized, or powered “anything”: antique cars, custom rods, fire trucks, and cycles. No registration or fee. Flea market vendors welcome. 419-990-0107, villageauglaize@gmail.com, or www.auglaizevillage.com.

JUL. 12–14 – Huron River Fest, Huron Boat Basin, 330 N. Main St., Huron. Free. Competitions, parade, live entertainment, midway, games and rides, 5K and Fun Run, and more. Fireworks Friday at 10:15 p.m. over the river. www.huronriverfest.com.

JUL. 13 – Malinta Days Festival, Monroe Twp. Fire House, 8931 Co. Rd. K-2, Malinta, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission/parking. Flea market, music, chicken BBQ and other food; bounce houses, wagon rides, tour of historical caboose and train station, car show, Bingo, auction. All kids’ activities free. 419-966-9909 or www. facebook.com/Malintafest.

JUL. 6 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Ottawa Metro Park Amphitheater, 2632 Ada Rd., Lima, 7 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music with lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. Stadium-style seating in the amphitheater or bring a lawn chair. 419-221-1232, 419-223-1025, or www.jampd.com/parks-facilities/ ottawa-metro-park.

JUL. 13, 27 – Myths of the Mountains, Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, Salem. Lamplight guided tour (approx. 1 hour) led by period-dressed guides, with each cabin housing a storyteller who spins tales of Appalachia. Gates open at 8 p.m.; groups begin tours every 10 minutes. 304-695-2220, director@fortnewsalemfoundation.org, or www. fortnewsalemfoundation.org.

2024 CALENDAR JUNE/JULY

CENTRAL

THROUGH SEP. 28 – Sunbury Farmers Market, 36 Cherry St., on the Square of Sunbury, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Offering local products — handmade, homemade, or homegrown. Vendors welcome. 740-513-9192 or sunburyohiofarmersmarket@gmail.com.

THROUGH OCT. 26 – Coshocton Farmers Market, 22442 Co. Rd. 1A, Coshocton, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon. Fresh, locally grown, in-season produce; baked goods; and handmade artisan crafts. For the most up-to-date information about vendors who will be attending the market, visit www.facebook.com/ coshoctonfarmersmarket or email market.manager@ coshfarmmarket.org.

THROUGH OCT. 27 – Rock Mill Days, Stebelton Park at Rock Mill, 1429 Rockmill Place NW, Lancaster, Wed./ Sat. 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Sun. 1–4 p.m. Tour the restored 1824 gristmill, walk the Rock Mill Covered Bridge, and view the waterfall near the headwaters of the Hocking River. On the last Sunday of each month, see how corn was ground 200 years ago. 614 321-4833 ext. 103 or www. fairfieldcountyparks.org/events.

JUN. 7, JUL. 5 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday

SOUTHWEST

THROUGH JUL. 31 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com.

JUN. 20–23 – Friends of Serpent Mound’s Summer Solstice Celebration and Festival, Soaring Eagle Retreat, 375 Horner Chapel Rd., Peebles, next door to the Great Serpent Mound Park, Thur. 3–7 p.m., Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Free. Presenters, workshops, vendors, music, Serpent Mound memorabilia display, artifact collections, hikes, kayaking, atlatl throwing, raptor show, and more! www.serpentmound.org/sscfestival.

of each month, when all our participating galleries, studios, and small businesses are open at the same time! Visit the Artist Colony of Zanesville’s website for a map of current participants: https://artcoz.org/arts-district-map.

JUN. 13, JUL. 11 – Inventors Network Meetings, Rusty Bucket, 3901 Britton Parkway, Hilliard, 43026 (614-7775868, MyRustyBucket.com), 7 p.m. Informal meetings for networking and invention-related discussion. 614-4700144 or www.inventorscolumbus.com.

JUN. 14–16 – Zane’s Trace Commemoration, 375 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville. Free. Live bands, parade, 5K/10K races, arts and crafts, History Tent, History Village with demonstrators, “Anything That Floats but a Boat” races, kids’ fishing tournament, kids’ games and projects, dunk tank, food, and much more. 740-487-6776 or https://zanestracecommemoration.com.

JUN. 22 – Boogie on the Blacktop: Featuring Gypsy Kyngs Concert, Circleville Eagles, 135 E. Main St., Circleville, 7–11 p.m. $5. Outdoor concert with food vendors and drinks. www.pickaway.com.

JUN. 28–29 – Cottage and Garden Tour, Historic Lancaster Camp Ground, Lancaster, Fri. 5–8:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Beautiful gardens on display, plant sales, presentations from Master Gardeners on plant care and cultivation, bees, butterflies, birds, and more. Enjoy food, live music, and networking with fellow garden enthusiasts. www.lancastercampground.org.

JUN. 29 – Ohio Authors Book Fair, Destination Outlets, Jeffersonville, 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Come visit with local Ohio authors and get your next best read. Collect stickers from authors for prizes from shops at the mall. Children can participate in a stamp scavenger hunt to earn treats! https://writenowcolumbus.com/event/ohio-author-bookfair or www.facebook.com/events/s/ohio-authors-bookfair/1458060298396224.

JUN. 21, JUL. 19 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, a wide variety of craft beers at the Beer Garden, and food truck eats. 513-832-1422 or http://fibbrew.com.

JUN. 22 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Inwood Park, 104 Wellington Place, Cincinnati, 10 a.m.–noon. Free bluegrass concert. Bring a lunch and enjoy the on-site picnic area. Take your leashed dog on a walk around the lake. Or enjoy the ADA-designated Grow Up Great Playground. www.cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/ visit-a-park/find-a-parkfacility/inwood-park.

JUN. 29 – Biergarten Band Nights, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 5–10 p.m. Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans, 6–10 p.m. 513-571-6198, www.libertyhome.net, or follow Liberty Home Association on Facebook.

JUN. 29 – Bluegrass Concert: Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 7–9 p.m. Free, but registration required. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

JUN. 29 – Oxford in Bloom Garden Tour, various locations, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., rain or shine. $15 advance, $20 day of tour. Visit several lovely outdoor garden spaces around charming Oxford. Tickets can be purchased on our website, at Kroger, or at Shademakers. www.

JUL. 1–6 – Marion County Fair, 220 E. Fairground St., Marion. Livestock shows, tractor and truck pulls, rodeos, rides, live music, and much more. Enjoy spectacular fireworks at 10 p.m. on the 4th. 740-382-2558 or www. marioncountyfairgrounds.com.

JUL. 3 – Red, White & BOOM!, downtown riverfront and the Arena District, Columbus, noon–midnight. Kids’ activities, live music, parade, and much more, ending with Ohio’s largest fireworks display. www. redwhiteandboom.org.

JUL. 7, 21 – Sunday Sampling at Darby Creek Fields and Flowers, 11500 Darby Creek Rd., Orient. $10; 10 and under free. Families welcome. Stroll through 14 fields of flowers while enjoying some of our favorite locally made foods and beverages. Weather permitting. 614-809-8538 or www.darbyflowerfields.com.

JUL. 11–13 – Picktown Palooza, 89 N. Center St., Pickerington. Fun and family-oriented event featuring live entertainment; food vendors; car, truck, and bike show; and more. www.picktownpalooza.org.

JUL. 12–13 – Columbus Food Truck Festival, Bicentennial Park /Scioto Mile, Columbus, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Free admission. Features 50 of the best food trucks in Ohio, along with live music on two stages, handcrafted items from local artisans/crafters, and shopping at the Columbus Vintage Exchange. www. columbusfoodtruckfest.com.

JUL. 14 – Buckeye Comic Con, Courtyard by Marriott Columbus West, 2350 Westbelt Dr., Columbus, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 6 and under free. Free parking. Comic and toy vendors, guest comic creators, hourly prizes. 330-4623985, jeff@harpercomics.com, or www.harpercomics.com.

desfleurs.org or follow Des Fleurs Garden Club on Facebook.

JUL. 5 – Hueston Woods State Park Firework Extravaganza, Hueston Woods State Park, 6301 Park Office Rd., College Corner, 5–9 p.m. Free. Join us at the beach to experience fireworks on the lake. Food trucks and vendors will be available. Festivities and viewing are also available at the lodge. 513-523-6347 or www. ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/ hueston-woods-state-park.

JUL. 6–7 – Ohio Valley Karting Association Memorial Championship Race, G&J Kartway, 1619 Barnetts Mill Rd., Camden. $10 entry fee. Annual Pro-Am go-kart race with over 120 entries from across the region, ages 5 to 75, competing in 2-stroke and 4-stroke divisions. Saturday qualifying; heat and feature races on Sunday. www.ovka.com.

JUL. 12 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Hamilton’s Urban Backyard, 501 Main St., Hamilton, 7–10 p.m. Free bluegrass concert. Craft brews and food truck choices available on-site. Consider bringing a lawn chair. 513-893-9482, info@hubhamilton.com, or www. hubhamilton.com.

JUL. 13 – Biergarten Band Nights, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 5–10 p.m. Band TBA. 513-571-6198, www.libertyhome. net, or follow Liberty Home Association on Facebook.

NORTHEAST

THROUGH AUG. 1 – Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series, Fort Steuben Park, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Thur. 7–9 p.m. Free. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy a free concert at this site overlooking the Ohio River. 740-283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.

THROUGH AUG. 3 – Woodcarver’s Exhibit, McCook House Museum, 15 S. Lisbon St., Carrollton, Fri./Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Exhibit included in museum admission: $3; ages 5–12, $2. Co-organizers of the event are master carvers Ken Grigsby and Keith Shumaker. For further information, call 330-437-9715 or 330-627-3345

JUN. 15 – Historic Poker Run, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. $20 per bike, $5 per rider. Motorcycling fundraiser for Fort Laurens Museum that takes riders to several historic sites around the area. Fees include admission for the run, Rockin’ the Revolution concert, and the museum. 330-874-2059 or www.fortlaurensmuseum.org.

JUN. 15 – Opera under the Stars: Cleveland Opera Theater, Uptown Park, 79–89 Public Square, Medina, 7 p.m. Free. Enjoy some of your favorite opera tunes and beloved melodies from operettas and musicals, as well as lesser-known works. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St. For more information, call 419-853-6016

JUN. 15 – Rockin’ the Revolution, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, 1–7 p.m. $7. Rock concert-based event featuring food, beer, and live music. Between bands, guests can enjoy a variety of family activities, attractions,

SOUTHEAST

THROUGH NOV. 2 – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Wed. 9 a.m.–noon. Open year-round Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Voted Ohio’s #1 favorite farmers market! 740-593-6763 or www. athensfarmersmarket.org.

JUN. 13–SEP. 1 – Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, 8 p.m. $30–$50. Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader as he defends his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700s. www.tecumsehdrama.com.

JUN. 14–15 – Art Festival, Historic Village Square, 419 West St., Caldwell. Free. Arts and crafts for sale Fri.

and tours of the Fort Laurens Museum. 330-874-2059 or www.fortlaurensmuseum.org.

JUN. 21 – Erin Nicole Neal and The Chill Factors, Secrest Arboretum Amphitheater, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 6:30 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. This eclectic band performs blues, rock, pop, soul, jazz, and funk. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave. For more information, call 419-853-6016

JUN. 21–22 – Ohio Scottish Games, Cuyahoga Co. Fgds., 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Berea. $10–$22; 12 and under free. Competitions, Highland athletics, animal shows, and much more. www.ohioscottishgames.com.

JUN. 23 – Akron-Summit Comic Con, Summit Co. Fgds., Indoor A/C Building, 229 E. Howe Rd., Tallmadge, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 6 and under free. Free parking. Comic and toy vendors, guest comic creators, hourly prizes. 330-462-3985, jeff@harpercomics.com, or www. harpercomics.com.

JUN. 28–30 – Cy Young Days Festival, Newcomerstown. Food, entertainment, contests and competitions, car show, old-fashioned baseball games, and parade featuring a former Cy Young Award winner. This year’s honoree is Len Barker. www. cyyoungdaysfestival.com.

JUN. 29 – Steve Free Band: An Evening of Appalachian Folk Music, Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Rd., Seville, 7 p.m. Free draws his music from his Native American (Shawnee/Cherokee) and Appalachian roots. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to enjoy this free concert. For more information, call 419-853-6016

JUL. 1–SEP. 1 – Steubenville Catfish Crawl, downtown Steubenville. Ten 5-foot-long, intricately painted fiberglass catfish will be on display around downtown. Grab a map and find them all! Maps available at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse, 159 N. 4th St. www. steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com/catfish.html.

JUL. 5 – First Fridays on Fourth, 155 N. 4th St., Steubenville, 6–10 p.m. Free. Patriotic themed celebration featuring art, crafts, games, food trucks, live entertainment, and activities to stimulate the imagination. www.theharmoniumproject.org/first-Fridays.

JUL. 6 – Free Speaker Series: “Wilderness War in the Ohio Country,” 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Author Alan Fitzpatrick will discuss the untold story of the battle between the British and the Indians for control of the Ohio country during the American Revolution. 330-874-2059 or www. fortlaurensmuseum.org.

JUL. 6 – Jazz under the Stars: Carol Leslie, Uptown Park, 79–89 Public Square, Medina, 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to enjoy this free concert by northeast Ohio’s own Scottish jazz vocalist. In case of rain, the concert will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St. For more information, call 419-853-6016

JUL. 6–7 – Ashland County Yesteryear Machinery Club’s Annual Show, Ashland Co. Fgds., 2042 Claremont Ave., Ashland. Featuring Silver King and all Ohio Built tractors, engines, and other equipment; all other makes and military equipment welcome. Food vendors, flea market, Buckeye Museum, and the Buckeye Engine. Farm toy show, train show, and kids’ rides both days; car and truck show, kids’ pedal pull, and antique tractor pull on Sunday. 330-465-3387 (Kevin Willard), 419651-4109 (Tom Adams), or www.yesteryearmachinery.org.

JUL. 7 – Tina Bergmann and Bryan Thomas: “American Old Time, Celtic, and South American Music,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. The husband-and-wife duo will present an afternoon of music on hammered dulcimer and bass. Register at www.ormaco.org or by calling 419-853-6016 Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

JUL. 9–14 – Trumbull County Fair, 899 Everett Hull Rd., Cortland. Grandstand entertainment, daily shows, local bands, exhibits, and rides. 330-637-6010 or www. trumbullcountyfair.com.

JUL. 13–14 – Revolution on the Tuscarawas, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $10; 12 and under free. Watch a mock skirmish for American Independence performed by volunteer reenactors from the Brigade of the American Revolution. Learn about 18th-century life from a variety of demonstrations, such as artillery, weapons, cooking, medicine, and music. Children’s games include musket drills and cartridge rolling. 330-874-2059 or www.fortlaurensmuseum.org.

6–8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Cruise-in and Marquis 66 band (60s music) Fri. 6–8 p.m., Laura Cramblett (dulcimer) on Saturday. 740-732-5288 or director@ visitnoblecountyohio.com.

JUN. 15 – Kenworth Truck Parade, Water and Second Streets, Chillicothe, 8:30 p.m. Free. The third annual parade celebrates 50 years of building the World’s Best Trucks right here. Features over 50 new, classic, and customized Kenworth semi-trucks, most originally built at the Chillicothe plant. www.visitchillicotheohio.com.

JUN. 22 – The Flower Market at Bellavenue Manor, 207 S. 10th St., McConnelsville, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Join your favorite flower farmers and local vendors for a fun day of shopping. There will also be live music in the courtyard with Will Gorrell (acoustic). 614-445-8449, bellavenuemanor@outlook.com, or on Facebook: https:// fb.me/e/6oOBLunsu.

JUN. 28–29 – National Cambridge Glass Collectors Show and Sale, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge, Fri. 1–5 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $5 admission good for both days. 740-432-4245 or www. cambridgeglass.org.

JUN. 29 – Glass Dash, St. Benedict’s Gymnasium, 701 Steubenville Ave., Cambridge, 7–8:30 a.m. early bird admission, $10; 8:30–11 a.m., $5. www.cambridgeglass.org.

JUL. 5–6 – Ohio Jeep Fest, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. Whether you’re a seasoned Jeep enthusiast or just curious about the Jeep culture, this event is perfect for you! www.ohiojeepfest.com.

JUL. 7 – 19th-Century Independence Day Celebration, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 2 p.m. Free. Celebrate Independence Day as they did in the 1800s. Witness a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a reading of patriotic poems, a presentation of the flag, and a toast to George Washington. www.adenamansion.com.

JUL. 10–13 – Ohio Hills Folk Festival, Fair and South Streets, Quaker City. Parades, car show, country store, entertainment, rides, and activities for kids. 740-630-6587 or www.facebook.com/p/Ohio-Hills-FolkFestival-100057149452651

JUL. 13 – Annual Car, Truck, and Bike Show, Fair Street, Quaker City, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. No entry fee. Door prizes, 50/50 raffle, dash plaques to top 40 entries. 740-6793137 (Brent).

JUL. 14 – Ladies of the House: Mary Anne Brown, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 2 p.m. Free. Join local Worthington family historian Mary Anne Brown for a discussion about the ladies of Adena. www.adenamansion.com.

nland shores I

1: Our grandsons, Greyson and Nash Haynes, on the northern shore of Lake Michigan during their annual “guys’ trip” with their dad and grandpas ~ Traci Zeimer, South Central Power Company member. 2: Sunset on Lake Erie ~ Sandra Troester, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative member. 3: My son, Riggs Klaus, enjoying the view of Lake Ontario in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada ~ Katherine Klaus, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member. 4: Lake Logan is one of my daughter Katy’s favorite places to spend the day ~ Tiffany Heidell, South Central Power Company member. 5: Autumn at Kiser Lake State Park in Champaign County ~ Brent Grieves, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member 6: My great-grandson, Mason, fishing at the Micheals’ pond near Lewisburg ~ Joan Rench, Darke Rural Electric Cooperative member.

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For September, send “Four (or five) generations” by June 15; for October, send “Oh my gourd!” by July 15. 1 4 2 6 5 3

SAVE A LIFE

Downed Power Lines & Distracted Drivers

1. Stay in car if no fire

2. Call 911 and wait for emergency crews

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

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

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