If you hear thunder, you are close enough to get struck by lightning.
Seek shelter indoors:
• Refrain from using corded electrical devices
• Avoid running water, including baths and showers, and stay away from windows
• Stay in shelter until 30 minutes after the last thunder
If you can’t get to shelter:
• Avoid open fields and hilltops
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees and objects
• Spread out from others if you’re in a group
ohioec.org/purpose
Every year as winter fades, spring brings the promise of a refresh to our landscape. This year, spring also has brought several deadly tornadoes and strong storms, and Ohio’s electric cooperatives continue to assist in the rebuilding of devastated communities and pray for those who have suffered great loss.
Of course, no one can know when or where such natural disasters may happen, so your co-op constantly prepares for severe events like we’ve experienced this year. While we can’t prevent the havoc that powerful spring and summer storms can cause, there are things we can control, and we have our people trained and ready to step in whenever we’re needed to restore essential electric service to your homes and businesses.
It’s a year-round process to be as ready as possible for the severe weather that we know is likely to come our way.
It starts with engineering and planning to be sure our facilities — poles, wires, structures, substations — are up to date and in good working order. It requires consistent, well-planned clearance of rights-of-way and easements to keep trees and brush clear of those facilities (see our story on page 4).
And when bad weather strikes, it takes dedicated and well-trained employees willing to respond as quickly and safely as possible. Right away, we’ll work to determine the scope of the problem and mobilize people and equipment needed to make the area safe for the public and other first responders (even calling on neighboring co-ops when necessary). Only then can we begin the hard work of rebuilding whatever nature has broken or destroyed. It takes special training and discipline to neutralize the threat that electric facilities can pose when they’re knocked out of their normal operation. That’s why we always ask you to stay clear until we can be on the scene to assess, make safe, and repair.
Rest assured, thanks to our planning and preparation, we’re ready to take on whatever Mother Nature sends us. Please be sure your family has plans in place to stay as safe as possible when severe storms strike, so we can all enjoy the lovely spring and summer days ahead.
Pat O’Loughlin PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
It’s a year-round process to be as ready as possible for the severe weather that we know is likely to come our way.
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: Colleen Romick Clark, David Clark, Randy Edwards, Vivian Elke, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Chase Smoak, Catherine Murray, James Proffitt, and Michael Wilson.
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
4 POWER LINES
Tree-liable power: Vegetation management plays an important but often-overlooked role in keeping the lights on.
8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE
Snakes on a plain: W.H. “Chip” Gross takes a look at Ohio’s three venomous snake species.
10 CO-OP PEOPLE
Pole position: Co-op member turns a one-man barn-building business into a thriving five-state operation.
13 GOOD EATS
Easy cheats: Pressed for time, or just feeling a little lazy? These dishes are ready in a fraction of the time and effort it takes to make their traditional counterparts.
17 LOCAL PAGES
News and other important information from your electric cooperative.
33 CALENDAR
What’s happening: May/June events and other things to do around Ohio.
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13
36 MEMBER INTERACTIVE
Mom at her best: Members share photos for a Mother’s Day tribute. At right, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member Wayne Klass shared this photo of his mom, Evelyn Lafever, enjoying her new mower.
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.
Vegetation management plays an important but often-overlooked role in keeping the lights on.BY JEFF MCCALLISTER; PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL WILSON
In early March, a spring storm ravaged much of the region served by Logan County Electric Cooperative in Bellefontaine. It was the same storm that spurred the deadly tornado that destroyed a significant part of the community of Indian Lake, and even outside the tornado’s path, high winds snapped trees and brought down limbs and branches all around the area.
As might be expected, power outages were widespread. But upon examination in the following weeks, it seemed as if power had been out less for LCEC members — both fewer and shorter instances — than might have been expected.
“System reliability and safety are extremely important,” says Scott Roach, director of engineering services at LCEC. “With every new project, every work plan, it’s always with that in mind.”
One of the most significant factors affecting that reliability is the presence of trees. Of course, properly placed trees not only are beautiful to look at, but they also provide tangible benefits: increasing property values, reducing the cost to heat and cool a home, providing privacy, and even cutting stormwater runoff.
So homeowners are understandably attached to the trees that grow on their property, and Roach,
who directs LCEC’s two-man full-time vegetation management crew that’s charged with keeping trees and other flora away from power lines, knows that co-op members can be quite protective of their foliage.
“We completely understand that trees hold a lot of sentimental value for our members,” Roach says. “At the same time, they need to understand the public safety issue and what impact a tree can have on their ability — and sometimes the ability of all of their neighbors — to turn their lights on.”
Trees can be a contributing factor, if not a direct cause, of as much as 50% of power outages. Problems can develop suddenly, such as when branches break and fall across power lines during wind or ice storms, or over time through natural growth patterns, where tree branches may begin to crowd and rub against those lines.
Logan County Electric has one of the best records of reliable power delivery in the country, but it wasn’t always that way. In 2005, a powerful winter storm came through Ohio, bringing with it layers of heavy ice that snapped off limbs and branches and brought down trees across the state.
Many of those branches and trees fell across electric power lines, and as many as 500,000 Ohioans
were without power at one point — including a significant number of LCEC members. Some of those outages lasted 10 days or more.
“That storm taught us an important lesson, and we invested a lot of time and effort in our vegetation management right after that,” says Roach, who was hired in 2006. “We were not maintaining our right-ofway the way it should have been, but we made some changes in our procedures, and it has made a big difference in our outage numbers.”
Part of the co-op’s investment was to hire full-time vegetation management staff to implement a five-year trimming cycle, rather than bringing in contractors as needed.
“Tree trimming is a very difficult, laborintensive job that’s also dangerous because obviously you’re working very close to energized lines,” Roach says, “But at the same time, there’s also an aspect of member service to it. If it’s rainy out and they have to put away the chain saws and chippers, they’re out talking to our members — informing them of what’s in the works and educating them about the public safety dangers of trees and power lines.”
In Ohio, along with LCEC, Adams Rural Electric Cooperative in West Union, The Energy Cooperative in Newark, and Frontier Power Company in Coshocton have full-time vegetation managers on staff. The other Ohio co-ops, for the most part, have long-standing relationships with professional tree contractors who perform the trimming around their lines.
Continued on page 6
Dan Craig, a certified line clearance arborist, is one of two full-time staff members at Logan County Electric Cooperative who are charged with the task of trimming trees and other vegetation away from the co-op’s power lines.
Continued from page 5
All take great care to perform work that conforms to standards and practices of the National Arborist Association, the American Association of Nurserymen, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The last thing anyone at the co-op wants is to fight with a member about a tree.
“Most people understand the reasons we need to trim their trees and don’t object to us doing what we need to do,” says Dan Craig, a certified line-clearance arborist, who has worked at Logan County Electric since 2015. “But it doesn’t always sit well with everyone, and we give members options and work with them to try to come up with a solution that works for both their needs and our needs.”
Of course, when a powerful storm comes through like the one in March, members are bluntly reminded the effect trees can have on utility lines. Says Roach, “After a storm that causes power outages, members see first-hand both the safety concerns and the importance of clearing vegetation away from power lines. No one likes to be without power.”
• The National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requires electric utilities to maintain trees around power lines, pruning or removing vegetation that may damage supply conductors.
• The Occupational Safety and Hazards Act (OSHA), Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) mandate utility companies must keep their power lines safe and reliable.
• Trees account for more than half of all power interruptions.
• Tree damage to power lines can create severe public safety hazards such as fires or electrocution.
• Consider all electrical lines and electrical utility equipment dangerous. Keep away from them and keep all objects (ladders, antennas, kites, etc.) away from them.
• Keeping clear access to utility equipment gives line crews the room to perform inspections and repairs — and keeps everyone safe.
From exploring scenic trails to camping under the stars, discover the outdoor world right here in the Greater Parkersburg area.
For two-wheel excitement, head to Mountwood Park for 35 miles of flowing trails surrounding a lake or explore 80 miles of rugged and scenic trails in Wayne National Forest. For a little easier pace, the North Bend Rail Trail takes riders on a journey across 36 bridges and through 10 tunnels.
Grab your paddle and hit the water for scenic kayaking in Parkersburg that the whole family can enjoy. On the Ohio River Water Trail, kayakers can paddle 39 miles of the Ohio River and 18 miles of the Little Kanawha River.
Hikers can traverse a number of well-maintained trails at North Bend State Park and the McDonough Wildlife Refuge, and the Broughton Nature and Wildlife Education Area
Ohio is home to three venomous serpent species.
Iam not what anyone might call a “snake guy.”
But the reptiles do hold a certain fascination for me, especially the three venomous species inhabiting the Buckeye State: timber rattlesnake, copperhead, and eastern massasauga.
The largest and rarest of the trio is the timber rattlesnake. A state endangered species, the timber rattler historically lived in every Ohio county, including on the Lake Erie islands. Only four small, remnant populations remain today, located in the southeastern portion of the state. Timber rattlers can grow to a whopping 6 feet in length, though they’re usually closer to 3 feet.
Copperheads, which grow up to 3 feet in length, are the most common venomous snake in Ohio, with populations widely scattered throughout the unglaciated section of the state. Copperheads have the dubious distinction of having bitten more people in the U.S. than any other venomous snake. That’s not because copperheads are unusually aggressive, but simply because they’re among the most common venomous snake species. Fortunately, few deaths have occurred as a result. That said, the last human snakebite fatality encountered in the wild in Ohio happened in 1947. A young woman near Tar Hollow State Park was bitten on the hand by a copperhead and died a few days later.
Another state (and federally) endangered species is the smallest of Ohio’s three venomous snakes, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, a name derived from the Chippewa Indian language. It’s also known as the swamp rattler or black snapper — the latter moniker giving some idea of the snake’s dark coloration as well as its aggressive striking behavior upon becoming agitated. Massasaugas measure up to 30 inches in length.
Historically recorded in more than 30 counties, the secretive massasauga inhabited the scattered prairies of glaciated Ohio. One of those prairie-remnant habitats today can be found at the extensive Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot County. The Ohio Division of Wildlife conducts annual snake surveys there each May, and I had the good fortune of tagging along last year. (Most people probably wouldn’t consider searching for venomous snakes in waist-high grass “good fortune,” but I’ve never been considered real smart.)
Twenty-seven massasaugas were located by the researchers during the day, a dozen of which were recaptures from earlier in the day or from previous years’ surveys. In addition, we found 36 Kirtland’s snakes, 26 eastern plains garter snakes, and 15 smooth green snakes — all three species are both state endangered and nonvenomous.
Timber rattlesnakes like this one are the rarest of Ohio’s three venomous snake varieties; copperheads, like the one below, are the most common.
“It is difficult to assess the exact population trends of massasaugas at Killdeer Plains, because the population is presumed to be fairly large and recapture rates are so low,” says Eileen Wyza, Ph.D., a biologist with the Division of Wildlife. “However, the Killdeer Plains population appears to at least be stable. Statewide, the trend is much more dire. The remaining populations of massasaugas seem to be in decline or have disappeared entirely during recent years.”
Wyza believes that the threats to massasaugas are primarily habitat-related. Changes in succession — particularly increasing woody growth — constitute one of the largest contributors to the population decline, followed by changes in hydrology. For example, in Ohio, massasaugas rely heavily on terrestrial crayfish burrows
for places to both hide and hibernate, and hydrology shifts that affect those crayfish also heavily impact the snakes.
When hiking or climbing in venomous snake country, it’s a good idea to never place your hands or feet anywhere you can’t see them — for instance, over a downed log or up onto a rock ledge. But if you do happen to be bitten by a snake that you believe might be venomous (chances of that are extremely unlikely in the Buckeye State), the best first aid is your vehicle. You should get to a hospital for an antivenin treatment ASAP!
Co-op member turns his one-man barn-building business into five-state operation.
TBY RANDY EDWARDS; PHOTOS COURTESY OF CALEB MILLERhe pole barn — as familiar a fixture on modern farms as a pickup truck — is an architectural innovation born in the 1930s, the result of a marriage of necessity and opportunity. Cash-strapped farmers of the Depression needed an inexpensive way to keep tractors and motorized equipment under cover, while the electrification of rural America led to the easy availability of utility poles. The earliest pole barns were rudimentary structures with dirt floors and poles planted directly into the soil around the perimeter, topped with trusses and a sheet metal roof. These post-frame structures could be built quickly and at far less expense than timber-framed barns, and while the continued mechanization of agriculture drove demand for more covered area on the farm, space for a tractor didn’t need to be as fancy and complicated as you’d need for, say, a team of horses.
For decades, the pole barn has reigned supreme on American farms. But the pole-frame structures of today have come a long way from the simple pole barns of the Depression, says Caleb Miller, owner and president of MQS Structures in Lancaster. Pole framing remains a popular design for farm outbuildings, but these days, Miller’s company, a member of Lancaster-based South Central Power Company, may just as likely be using pole-frame construction to build the shell for a far more complex structure.
“When Dad started, a pole-frame building was an agricultural building,” says Miller, who began his training at age 12 by helping his father, John, build barns. “It has evolved into a lot more than that. These days, we’re building event centers, a lot of residential garages. We build ‘shouses’ (a combination of workshop and house) and that’s evolved into the ‘barndominium.’”
In that first year he hired a second salesperson, put together a crew, and built 51 structures. In 2023, with 10 office employees and seven construction crews, the company built 330 buildings over a five-state area. “We have been blessed,” he says. “I never dreamed we could be so blessed.”
Miller credits his company’s success to honesty and hard work, values instilled in him by his Amish-Mennonite father, who moved his family from Geauga County to Perry County in 1966 and raised 11 children, including eight sons. John Miller worked well into his 70s and died five years ago at 83. “We had to work hard, but it didn’t hurt us,” says Caleb, the youngest of the eight sons. “My dad taught me honesty and to take care of the customers, and the good Lord will take care of the rest.”
“I was the owner, the CEO, and the salesman. That’s how I started.”
Barndominiums, or “barndos,” are built on precast concrete columns to support upright poles, creating a solid but inexpensive shell that can cover almost any kind of interior finish. The term was popularized by the HGTV show Fixer Upper in 2016. That was the same year that Miller, who had been building barns most of his life with his father and brothers, found some investors and struck out on his own with MQS Structures.
“In 2016 I was the owner, the CEO, and the salesman. It was me by myself in a pickup truck. That’s how I started,” says Miller, now 47, who lives in Perry County with his wife, Dorcas, and their three sons.
Caleb married Dorcas, the daughter of Mennonite dairy farmers from Tennessee, 15 years ago. The couple lives in a house built by his father on Amish Ridge Road (renamed after his family after they moved there). They farm 180 acres, mostly for beef cattle. Miller jokes that he has two vices: “farming and golf, but farming is what gets me up in the morning.” The couple’s sons — 11-year-old twins Carter and Colton, and Cayson, 7 — all help out, Miller says, caring for the chickens and keeping up on yard work.
Miller also credits MQS’s employees, nearly all of whom are Amish or Mennonite, for the company’s success. “Our employees make MQS stand out,” he says. “Without them, we could never achieve what we have achieved.”
Pressed for time, or just feeling a little lazy? These dishes are ready in a fraction of the time and effort it takes to make their traditional counterparts.
Traditional cheesecakes take 90 minutes to make and 6 hours to cool. Satisfy the cheesecake craving much faster with this version.
Prep: 10 minutes | Chill: 2 to 3 hours | Servings: 6
8-ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
4 ounces whipped topping (thawed in fridge)
9-inch prepared graham cracker crust
21-ounce can cherry pie filling
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Fold in whipped topping with a rubber spatula. Spread mixture into graham cracker crust, smoothing out the top. Loosely cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, cut into slices, plate, and liberally top with cherry pie filling.
Cover and refrigerate leftovers.
Per serving: 474 calories, 26 grams fat (12.5 grams saturated fat), 56 grams total carbohydrates, 57 milligrams cholesterol, 274 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber, 5 grams protein.
Ready in a fraction of the time it takes to make enchiladas, yet just as satisfying.
Cook: 15 minutes | Servings: 4
10-ounce can red enchilada sauce
15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained*
6 6-inch corn tortillas, cut in half, then sliced into strips
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, diced (greens only)
In a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, mix together black beans (or meat) and enchilada sauce. Stir and heat until sauce is bubbling. Mix in tortilla strips, stir well, and top with cheese. Reduce heat to low and cover with lid. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove lid, sprinkle diced green onion on top, and serve.
*Cooked ground beef or shredded chicken can be substituted for the black beans.
Per serving: 304 calories, 12 grams fat (5.5 grams saturated fat), 34 grams total carbohydrates, 28 milligrams cholesterol, 827 milligrams sodium, 6 grams fiber, 14 grams protein.
The easiest muffins you'll ever make!
Prep: 10 minutes | Bake: 25 minutes | Servings: 12
15.25-ounce box spice cake mix
15-ounce can pumpkin purée (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
2 tablespoons water
2/3+ cup pecans or chocolate chips (optional)
In a bowl, combine cake mix, pumpkin purée, and water with a spatula until well combined (it'll take a few minutes). Pecans or chocolate chips can all be mixed in now, with some reserved to sprinkle on top.
Preheat oven to 350 F and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Spoon batter into liners, topping with more nuts or chips (if desired). Bake about 25 minutes. Cool at least 10 minutes before removing from pan. Optional icing: Whisk ½ cup powdered sugar with ½ tablespoon milk and drizzle over cooled muffins. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Per serving: 137 calories, 0.5 grams fat (0 grams saturated fat), 33 grams total carbohydrates, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 286 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber, 1 gram protein.
No preplanning required to fulfill your pizza craving in a flash. It's also a great way to use up leftover herbs or yogurt before they turn! Choose precooked toppings, as they'll be in the oven a very short time.
Prep: 5 minutes | Bake: 15 minutes |
Servings: 2 to 4
1 cup flour, plus extra for dusting
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
½ cup (approximately) Greek yogurt or sour cream
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, and parsley. The moisture content of the Greek yogurt/sour cream will dictate how much is needed — low-fat versions have more moisture. Add ¼ cup yogurt at a time, mixing until dough forms into a ball. Knead 1 minute.
Preheat oven to 450 F. Transfer dough to a floured surface (this can be done on a flat metal baking sheet without edges to skip a step). Roll out to approximately the size of your baking sheet. Lift and flip to ensure it doesn't stick. Bake 7 minutes on middle rack
SAUCES: pesto, white pizza sauce, or olive oil with garlic and crushed red pepper
VEGGIES: sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, olives, mushrooms, roasted onion
MEATS: cooked/cured meats — bacon, sausage, pepperoni
CHEESES: shredded or fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, feta
(Shown: pesto with sun-dried tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, and fresh mozzarella)
of oven, then remove to add toppings. Spread sauce to the edges and evenly place chosen toppings. Bake another 7 minutes, keeping a close eye for when the cheese is melted. Serves four as an appetizer or two for dinner.
Per serving (dinner serving, without toppings): 280 calories, 3 grams fat (1 gram saturated fat), 51 grams total carbohydrates, 6 milligrams cholesterol, 677 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber, 11 grams protein.
Although tremendous strides have been
This month, I’d like to delve into the factors contributing to rising energy prices. With inflation having impacted everything from gasoline to eggs, the cost of fuels needed to generate electricity is no exception.
Key elements influence energy prices and rates. Some of these factors URE can manage, some you can influence, and others are outside our control. Your monthly electric bill is made up of three main components:
These charges cover the cost of generating or purchasing the energy you use. The Fuel Cost Adjustment in this section has been increasing due to higher fuel prices. It reflects that the power URE purchases from Buckeye Power, our wholesale provider, is becoming more expensive because the fuel to generate power costs more. The Fuel Cost Adjustment enables us to manage fuel cost fluctuations without having to constantly restructure electricity rates.
When you purchase natural gas from URE, the CCF commodity is the first section of your gas bill. It’s a direct reflection of the cost to purchase the gas you used, including transmission and storage costs. Natural gas prices can be quite volatile, leading to monthly changes in this rate.
URE relies on investor-owned transmission companies to build, operate, and maintain the high-voltage transmission grid, connecting generation stations to URE’s substations. These companies have significantly increased costs as they continue to upgrade and build new transmission lines to cater to the rising demand from intermittent generation sources. These costs are passed directly onto our customers each month, without markup.
Natural Gas Transmission Charges are bundled into the CCF commodity section of your natural gas bill.
The fixed monthly base charge, along with a rate per kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity or CCF (volume of
100 cubic feet)
Anthony Smith CEO/PRESIDENT
natural gas, covers costs related to delivering energy to your home. This includes equipment, materials, labor, and operating costs necessary to serve each member in URE’s service territory. Like most businesses, we’ve grappled with supply chain disruptions and steep cost increases for essential equipment. Beyond energy costs, costs for materials, tools, and labor have all increased as well.
Changes in weather have a significant impact on your energy usage, as cooling and heating equipment tends to run longer when temperatures are extreme. However, you can influence this factor. A simple measure such as adding a programmable thermostat can help you reduce energy consumption. In the summer, consider letting the temperature in your home rise slightly, particularly when you’re not there. During winter, let your home cool down a bit more while you’re away, and set your thermostat to warm up to your preferred temperature an hour before you arrive home.
I hope this information clarifies what determines your energy bills. While we can’t control the weather or the rising costs of fuels, please know that URE is doing everything possible to manage internal costs, and to help you save money on energy.
Remember, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about your energy bill or need advice on how to save energy at home. Also, if it’s been a while, you should check out the refreshed look of URE’s SmartHub application, which allows you to actively monitor your energy usage (down to the day for gas and hourly for electricity) pay your bill online, and even report or keep up on the status of power outages in your area.
We’re here to help you control your energy costs, it’s all part of being YOUR electric cooperative!
Matt Zarnosky, URE’s vice president of engineering and operations, made a return to high school, and it wasn’t to relive the glory days of academics or sports. No, Matt, with his electric enthusiasm, teamed up with Jon Wing, the innovative environmental science and e3 teacher at Marysville Early College High School, to give students a jolt of knowledge about electricity.
In a shocking turn of events (pun intended), an Electricity 101 overview was presented to Mr. Wing’s science class. The topics covered were enough to make even Benjamin Franklin raise an electrified eyebrow: generation, transmission, distribution, grid management/oversight, job opportunities, and safety. It was a crash course in currents and kilowatts that left Mr. Wing’s students buzzing with excitement.
But it wasn’t all talk and no spark. Matt Zarnosky brought the classroom to life with a desktop electricity flow demonstration, leaving students wideeyed at the magic of electrons dancing through wires. Then came the pièce de résistance – the Energy Bike. Pedals met power as students conducted experiments, feeling the burn as they discovered the energy differences between incandescent and LED bulbs. It turns out, a good workout and a lesson in energy efficiency go hand in hand!
The real shining star of the day, however, was the Energy Efficiency Program through the Ohio Energy Project (OEP). With lab materials in hand, students dove headfirst into the world of energy concepts, gaining a powerful appreciation for the invisible force that keeps our gadgets running.
But wait, there’s more! Enter the Green Energy Machine (GEM). On a sunny day, students harnessed the power of the sun, experimenting with solar power. The GEM showed that solar energy isn’t just for calculators; it can inflate a snowman and keep an air pump running. Talk about a bright idea!
Please review the list. If you know individuals or business owners whose names appear on this list, ask them to please notify the cooperative at 937.642.1826 so that we can confirm their identity and inform them of their capital credits account status.
URE is attempting to locate former members who have unclaimed funds remaining from the 2019 general retirement refund, which included member credits, also referred to as capital credits, from service years 2018 and 2000, and a 1992 excise tax.
Member credits differentiate electric cooperatives from investor-owned utilities. They represent each member’s economic share of the co-op and are a direct benefit of membership in URE.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, URE annually allocates to members any revenue that remains after expenses are paid. The allocation is based on the amount of electricity purchased during a particular year and is applied to each member’s credit account.
Allocated member credits are retired, or refunded, to members after a period of time, provided the co-op’s financial position is not jeopardized. During that
period, the cooperative uses the member credits funds as operating capital. URE’s board of trustees must approve all member credits refunds.
The cooperative’s Code of Regulations also provides for the reallocation of member credits. Members are granted a period of four years, plus a 60-day public notice period, to claim the member credits refunded to them under the general retirement program. At the end of that time, unclaimed member credits are reallocated to the membership.
URE has prepared a list of names of former members with unclaimed funds. The list is available on our website, www.ure.com. Printed copies are available at the URE office. If you recognize anyone on the list, please ask that person to contact URE to claim member credits funds due to them. If the listed member is deceased, the individual’s heirs or representative should contact the co-op.
All URE members residing in districts 1, 4, and 5 will receive a member interest postcard. If you are interested in learning more about running for the URE board of trustees, we encourage you to complete the card and return it to our office.
Interested candidates will also be able to submit their interest using an e-form on our website.
Remember, only members residing in districts 1, 4, and 5 are able to run for these positions. See the election timeline for when your district is up for election.
1.
2 Not
employed by or financially interested in a competing enterprise or a business selling electric power and/or energy, electrical supplies, or appliances to the cooperative or its members
3 Not be employed by the co-op, its subsidiaries, or any other electric cooperative within five years of the date of election.
4. Not be related to an employee or trustee by blood or marriage.
5. Be available to attend numerous day meetings.
Jan. 2: Mail member interest cards to the districts
Jan. 3: 150 days from annual meeting; earliest the board can appoint the nominating committee
Feb. 7: Member candidate application due by 4 p.m.
Feb. 8: Notice/packet mailed to nominating committee
March 22: Last day nominations by committee or petition can be filed with the secretary (70 days prior to annual meeting)
March 28: Regular March board meeting
Apr. 30: Regular April board meeting
Official meeting notice in May OCL magazine
May 10: Latest ballots can be mailed to members (20 days prior to annual meeting)
Jan. 19: Member interest cards due; validated for membership; mail member application packet
Jan. 30: Regular January board meeting; appoint nominating committee
Feb. 15: Nominating committee meeting (third Thrusday in Feb.)
Feb. 27: Regular February board meeting
Feb. 29 Second nominating committee meeting notice (if necessary)
May 21: Regular May board meeting
May 30: Ballots due
Final meeting notice in June OCL magazine
June 1: Annual meeting, 9 a.m. at URE office
June 25: Reorganization June meeting to elect board officers
Election 2024 | Districts 1, 4, & 5
Election 2025 | Districts 2 & 7
Election 2026 | Districts 3 & 6
Seniors from URE electric member households are eligible to compete for these scholarships:
college scholarship competition
1st place $1,500 | 2nd place $1,000 | 3rd place $500
As area schools have increased programming and curriculum focused on career readiness and highdemand employment fields, URE is committed to keeping pace with the pathways today’s students are exploring. URE will award three scholarships based on a personal essay/career plans, contributions made to the community, a panel interview, and school and leadership activities.
scholarship competition
1st place $2,500 | 2nd place $1,500 | 3rd place $1,000
URE will award three scholarships based on academic achievement, contributions made to the community, a panel interview, and school and leadership activities. The first place student will be URE’s representative to the OEC (Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives) statewide scholarship competition. This competition recognizes students for their classroom achievements along with their contributions to the community and their ability to speak in front of a panel of judges.
Interested in a life-changing leadership experience in Washington, D.C.?
The Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour is an annual leadership program sponsored by URE. It’s a weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., that gives high school students the opportunity to learn about our nation’s rich history, make new friends from across the state and country, and visit Capitol Hill to meet with legislators.
• Must be a high school sophomore or junior.
• Must be a son, daughter, or legal ward of a URE electric member living on the cooperative’s lines and receiving electric service from the cooperative at the time of selection.
• Must submit an application along with grade transcripts indicating cumulative credit hours and grade-point average.
• Must submit a letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor, principal, teacher, or community or organization advisor.
SAVE THESE DATES:
June 15 - 21, 2024
DEADLINE for both programs: Monday, Feb. 13, 2024.
For more info and to apply, visit ure.com/community/youth-programs.
URE is pleased to introduce our newest team member, Kim Vargo, who joined the team in November. Kim brings with her a wealth of cooperative experience, as she previously worked at North Central Electric Cooperative as their communications specialist. We are excited to welcome Kim to our team.
Kim grew up in Shelby, Ohio, and currently resides in Marion, with her husband, Brad, and one-year-old daughter, Bristol.
Kim holds a bachelor of science degree in agricultural communications from The Ohio State University. Kim’s most recent professional experience was at Kalmbach Feeds, Inc., where she worked with the swine
After 18 years of service to URE, Sue Gibson will retire this month. She joined URE in 2005 as the communications coordinator. In 2013 she earned her Certified Cooperative Communicator creditials, and has been the director of communications since 2014.
Anthony Smith, CEO/President, remarked, “Sue has been instrumental in URE’s excellent relationship with our employees, members, and our community. She has always enjoyed learning new skills, which has made her contributions to our team invaluable. We wish her well in her upcoming wellearned retirement, and we will certainly miss her.”
When asked to reflect on her career, Sue commented, “I am grateful for my tenure with URE. Through the years, I’ve appreciated the many changes in technology, in both the utility and communications industries. I’m most proud of the recent ure.com website redesign and watching the continued success of our youth programs. I’m excited for this next chapter of life.”
management team as a customer service representative. Her expertise and experience will undoubtedly be an asset to our team.
In her free time, Kim is an avid camper and a passionate traveler, often sharing these adventures with her family.
With Kim’s strong academic background, professional experience, and her commitment to family and community, we believe that she will be a valuable addition to the cooperative. We look forward to the insights and enthusiasm she will bring to our projects and collaborative efforts.
Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Kim Vargo.
In her retirement, Sue looks forward to spending more time with her husband, Bart, and traveling together in their RV. They are both looking forward to attending more events with their three sons: Nick, Phillip, and Ross, and visiting with family and friends from across the United States.
Manage your account like never before with the new, improved SmartHub web application. A simplified yet enhanced design is coming your way soon. This new version of SmartHub puts your usage and payment details front and center for fast, easy access and the simplified menu structure makes navigating the site a breeze.
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Bikers from all over are attracted to southeast Ohio for its challenging but enjoyable terrain and well-maintained roadways.
Clevelander and motorcycle aficionado Dan Davis and his biker buddies tackled a 7,000-mile roundtrip ride to the West Coast and back in 2022. But last year, they opted for an epic road trip closer to home ... and headed to southeast Ohio’s legendary Windy 9.
“The Windy 9 routes are like roller coasters for motorcycles with twists and hills galore,” Davis says. “Many of the roads require your full attention because they’re full of blind hills and tight turns. Having grown up in northwest Ohio, where the roads are flat and straight, riding the Windy 9 feels like being in another state.”
Ohio’s Windy 9, promoted by the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a motorcycling destination that encompasses nine routes — nearly 800 miles of winding roads that twist through southeastern Ohio’s hilly Appalachian region. The abundance of curves and the elevation change along the roads make it a hugely popular draw for motorcyclists.
“All of the routes start and end in Athens,” says Amy Spoutz, the bureau's marketing manager. “Riders can start off here, ride, and explore Appalachian Ohio, and end up back in Athens.” Navigating eight counties, riders can choose from routes like the Rim of the World, the Southern Dip, the Black Diamond Run, and the Zaleski Zipper (see next page). The exceedingly popular Triple
Nickel is admiringly compared to North Carolina’s legendary Tail of the Dragon.
Seven years ago, the visitors bureau partnered with Roadrunner magazine to develop the Windy 9 route map (www.windy9.com/routes). The website also includes turn-by-turn directions for the routes as well as roadside attractions, suggested eateries, fuel stations, and places to stay overnight.
“Every time we advertise the map in Roadrunner, we immediately get about 400 requests for information,” says Spoutz, adding that it’s been a strong lure to the Athens area and a boon to local hotels and restaurants, with thousands of riders tackling the routes each year.
The pure fun of riding the routes, plus low traffic and good upkeep of the roads, is what attracts visitors to the Windy 9. “We are packed with riders in the summer,” Spoutz says. “People come from all over. I remember two gentlemen last summer from Nebraska, and one of them said he wished he had put a video camera on his bike when they were riding the Triple Nickel. He said he was like a kid on a roller coaster — he’d holler, then laugh, then holler again.”
Davis, who bought his first motorcycle two decades ago, says, “I’ve owned about a dozen bikes and currently have five. How many motorcycles does one need?
Infinity plus one!”
Nine routes loop throughout the hills of southeast Ohio, and all start and end in the hip college town of Athens. Routes vary in length; some are more challenging than others. A few of note:
• The 87-mile Rim of the World loop. The popular, winding route cruises along State Route 78 through Wayne National Forest to McConnelsville, past the Stockport Mill and the Chesterhill Produce Auction.
• The 101-mile Lazy Rivers route. This one snakes along the Ohio River, where riders pass river locks and dams and hit the biker-friendly town of Pomeroy, which boasts excellent river views.
• The Hocking Hills Nipper, about 92 miles. The Nipper showcases the Hocking Hills region, taking riders past Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave.
• The Triple Nickel (not recommended for beginners). The most technically challenging of the routes, its 92 miles (184 round trip) are twisty, hilly, and scenic, thrilling riders along OH-555.
Quaint towns, unusual attractions, and delectable diners await riders on the Windy 9. A sampling:
• The Blue Bell Diner in McConnelsville offers breakfasts and a top-notch coffee bar.
• The Triple Nickel Diner in Chesterhill is a great place to stop when riding the Triple Nickel, Davis says. “Did you know it’s okay to have pie for breakfast? No, really!”
• More favorite lunch stops listed by the tourism group: Boathouse BBQ in Marietta, the Restaurant at the Mill in Stockport, Court Grill in Pomeroy, and the Lake Hope Lodge in McArthur.
• A few oddities also dot the routes. The Big Muskie Bucket at Miner’s Memorial Park in McConnelsville is the enormous bucket from the largest dragline excavator ever built; navigate the gravel portion of the Zaleski Zipper, and you’ll come to the Moonville Tunnel, said to be haunted by ghosts of railway workers who wave their lanterns at night; and just across the Ohio River from Gallipolis is the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, W.Va., devoted to the legendary 7-foot, red-eyed cryptid.
The annual Athena Ride for Women is a four-day event based in Athens that offers not only a variety of guided and selfguided routes each day, but also workshops, evening activities, games, and educational sessions on everything from confidence building to riding skills and maintenance.
“It’s a lot of fun, and we get women riders of all ages. Last year, we had 130 women taking part, ranging from age 18 to an 83-year-old who rode a trike (motorcycle) with her husband co-piloting on the back. They even camped overnight,” says Amy Spoutz of the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This year’s Athena Ride for Women is scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 3. The event builds a community of women riders and supports My Sister’s Place, a local domestic violence shelter for women.
The Athena Ride for Women draws participants from all over to Athens for a weekend full of motorcycle-related activities.
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Ferries get everyone and everything on and off the Lake Erie islands.
Nearly a million people visit the tiny cluster of islands at the western end of Lake Erie each year, and most of them arrive by boat — specifically, on one of three ferry services that tote folks across the water from Port Clinton, Catawba, Sandusky, and Marblehead.
All three — Kelleys Island Ferry, Miller Boat Line, and Jet Express — welcome pets and bicycles. Two, Kelleys and Miller, also take freight: cars, motorcycles, large trucks, construction equipment, and tractor trailers. Once, Kelleys transported an entire circus, including tigers and elephants, across the lake on its boats.
The rates are reasonable — though that cost is definitely a consideration for anyone, say, building a house on the island, according to Eddie Ehrbar, a captain for Kelleys Island Ferry. The cost to transport all the workers, equipment, and materials alone could add as much as $20,000 to the price tag of a new house, compared to what it might cost to build on the mainland.
Ehrbar is one of a half-dozen full-time Kelleys captains, who, along with nine part-timers, keep the service’s five boats running from Marblehead to Kelleys Island nearly year-round. “In season, we’re running a boat every 30 minutes — we just raise the ramp and go,” Ehrbar says. “But in the off-season, we’ll give a couple minutes leeway here or there.”
Of course, the trips are at the captain’s discretion when things get rough. “Most of the guys will run in 6- to 8-foot seas,” he says, noting that most passengers stay dry by entering the cabin or staying inside vehicles when it’s that rough, though some prefer to get wet standing on the deck.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAMES PROFFITT
The Jet Express is a different animal than the other two. It’s only for people, pets, bicycles — and speed. The Express operates four boats with capacities between 149 and 385 passengers, and each is propelled by diesel water jets situated in catamaran hulls. One of the company’s boats, the Jet Express IV, was formerly owned by a New York City operation (it was named M/V Monmouth at that time) and was involved in the emergency sea lift of thousands after the 9/ 11 terrorist attack.
“[The Jet Express boats] can do what no other boat line in this region can do, and that is to cover a vast distance in a very short amount of time with a large number of people on board,” says Chase Eagleson, marketing manager for the Jet during the 2023 season. “The fastest boat can top out over 40 mph.”
Jet Express services carry a higher price tag, but folks say it’s worth it, especially for a day trip or a quick dinner on the island.
For all three ferry services, business is full throttle from May until autumn — though at times, people there joke that the islands may sink if any more people arrive.
“There comes a point where businesses and infrastructure simply cannot support any more traffic, and we’ve had moments where they said, ‘Hey, you’ve got to stop bringing people over,’” he says. “It’s kind of hard to plan for until you’re there; you just have to play your cards.”
Most of the time, the ferry business is a ho-hum affair. Every now and then, however, something extraordinary happens. In August 2010, for example, when a Cessna airplane carrying a pilot and three passengers hit the water just short of the South Bass Island runway, Miller Boat Line Captain Steve Rose sprang into action, and the resulting rescue video hit newscasts and spread across the internet like wildfire.
“I just thought, ‘We need to get over there and get the people out of the water,’” Rose told reporters after a ceremony honoring Miller employees. “I just want to thank my crew. They really hopped into action. All the training we do really pays off in the end.”
The captains have great views of the lake from the bridges of their ferries. Passengers on the upper deck of this Miller’s Boat Line ferry are all smiles as they leave Put-in-Bay. Most passengers tend to stay in the ships’ cabins when the waters get rough (right inset). With boats running past 9:30 on summer evenings, there are plenty of opportunities for some spectacular sunset views on the lake (left inset).Up for grabs for the next 21 days: Casino Rolls loaded with rarely seen American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins just like the old Casino Slots paid out, all coins are decades old and never to be minted again by the U. S . Gov’t
NATIONWIDE - “It’s like hitting the jackpot on an old Vegas Slot Machine decades ago” said Mary Ellen Withrow.
That’s because for the next 21 days everyone can get these rarely seen ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls, and only those who beat the 21-day order deadline are getting a free U.S. Gov’t issued Lady Liberty Presidential Dollar Coin.
These full 15 count ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls are filled with historic American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins like the ones from 1976 and earlier that were used decades ago in slot machines in the world famous Casinos.
It’s amazing that these ‘Old
Vegas’ Casino Rolls are up for grabs. Just holding one in your hand reminds you of walking down the Vegas Strip in the glory days of Elvis, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop. It just makes you feel good.
“I’ll tell you this, it’s the best gift you could ever give someone. It’s actually the perfect gift for any occasion. Everyone you give one of these ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls to will never forget your generosity and they’ll be the envy of all who see them,” Withrow said.
“We’re bracing for thousands of state residents who will be calling to get these ‘Old
Vegas’ Casino Rolls over the next 21 days. That’s because these rolls are not torn, faded, ripped or beat up. They are in brand-new pristine collector condition. And here’s the best part. These are full 15 count ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls loaded with the same American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins like the coins used to fill the world famous casino slot machines decades ago, and there can never be any more so there’s no telling what they could one day be worth ,” Withrow explained.
Today’s callers need to remember this. These are not ordinary rolls of coins you get at a bank or credit union. These ‘Old Vegas’
Casino Rolls contain old American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins commemorating the Rat Pack days of the early 1970’s when Las Vegas Casinos were all the rage. These rolls are now being released from the private vaults at the Lincoln Treasury, each with 15 U.S. Gov’t issued American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins dating back to 1976 and earlier. We won’t be surprised if thousands of people claim the six roll limit before they’re gone. That’s because after the rolls were sealed with these U.S. Gov’t minted American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade quality of very
HOW ARE THE ‘OLD VEGAS’ CASINO ROLLS WORTH: There’s no way to tell, but at less than $7 per coin you better believe they’re a real steal. That’s because the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins are sealed away inside the 15 count ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls. Coin values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees, but each ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Roll contains American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins that are decades old. Any scarce coins, regardless of their value that you may find inside the sealed ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls are yours to keep. One thing that is known is these are the only ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls known to exist and you can only get them by calling 1-888-841-8539 before the deadline ends and using the Promo Code IKE143.good or above, the dates and mint marks are unsearched to determine collector values and the rolls are now securely sealed. That means there’s no telling what’s in each roll.
“My advice, get as many as you can, stash them away in a safe place to pass down from generation to generation,” Withrow said.
“Just imagine how much these remaining ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls could be worth someday. The American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins alone are decades old and are never to be struck again by the U.S. Gov’t,” Withrow confirmed.
Withrow knows a thing or two about money, she is retired 40th Treasurer of the United States of America and now is the Executive Advisor to the Lincoln Treasury.
All readers of today’s newspaper publication trying to be the first to get the Free Presidential Dollar Coin with every ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Roll just need to call the Hotline at 1-888-841-8539 and give the Promo Code IKE143 beginning at 8:30 am this morning.
The Toll-Free Hotlines are expected to be overwhelmed. That’s why everyone hoping to get their hands on these ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls are being urged to call right away. If lines are busy keep calling. All calls will be answered over the next 21 days.
LIMITED ROLLS AVAILABLE
No more will ever be minted
Get your share of Vegas history now by calling the toll free hotline at: 1-888-842-8539, IKE143
Or …
Claim your rolls by Mail by enclosing $98 for each roll in check or money order made payable to: Lincoln Treasury. Choose from: “Slot Machines”, “Show Girls”, or “Vegas Sign” and mail it to: Lincoln Treasury, Dept IKE143 PO Box 9971 Canton, OH 44711
Or …
For fastest service, go online to: LincolnTreasury.com/Ohio Enter code IKE143 at checkout.
The Call-In Hotlines open at 8:30am (EST) this morning. Callers who beat the deadline are guaranteed to get them for less than $7 per coin that’s only $98 for the full 15 count ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls loaded with decades old American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins. That’s the lowest price ever offered and a real steal for these one of a kind ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls and the best part is everyone who beats the deadline gets a free U.S. Government issued Lady Liberty Presidential Dollar Coin never to be minted again with each Casino Roll they claim. Important: if any remain after the deadline the price skyrockets to $255 per roll.
LAST CHANCE: You’ve heard the old saying, “When they’re gone, they’re gone”. That’s why today’s Public Release may be the best chance the public gets to own one of these ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls. And here’s the best part. The price is right, in fact it’s a steal for callers lucky enough to beat the deadline and get the ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls for less than $7 per coin.
JACKPOT: It’s like hitting 777 on an old Vegas “one armed bandit”. That’s because the dates and mint marks of the 15 American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins from decades ago are now
■ VEGAS SLOTS: Shown left is a post card from the famous Dunes Casino. The hotel opened on the strip in 1955. Over the years, millions have flocked to the world famous Las Vegas Casinos like the Dunes hoping to hit the jackpot. Of course many hit big time, and now for the next 21 days everyone who calls will feel like a winner too. That’s because the last ‘Old Vegas’ Casino Rolls filled with American Eagle Ike Large Dollar Coins like those that filled the “loose” Casino Slots decades ago are now actually being handed over to today’s callers who beat the deadline.
BY CHASE SMOAK; ILLUSTRATIONS BY DAVID CLARK
Tired of losing tomatoes to unwanted garden pests? Worried you’ll need to sacrifice excellent taste for improved yield? Take a deep breath and relax: This year, you can have your tomato and eat it, too. With the help of a few new varieties and field-proven tactics, you’ll be on your way to growing the best tomato crop yet.
If you want to grow delicious, homegrown tomatoes this year, simply focus your attention on these three stages of gardening: planning, preparing, and protecting.
Planning for a successful tomato harvest starts with choosing the right varieties to grow in your garden.
Many gardeners claim that if you want great flavor, you’ll need to plant heirloom varieties. People selected these landrace tomato plants long ago for traits such as shape, size, and taste, so the claim has a basis. In pursuit of a better-tasting tomato, however, significant factors like resistance to insects and disease resistance were overlooked.
If you’ve grown heirlooms, you know how challenging the process can be. This bittersweet truth has left many gardeners wondering if old-timey taste is a thing of the past. Well, there’s good news. Consumer demand for resilient, flavorful tomatoes has not fallen on deaf ears. Plant breeders have come up with several improved tomato varieties — but with so many options available, how do you make the best choice?
A nonprofit organization called All-America Selections (AAS) may have the answer. The group tests new varieties before they hit the market, and their trial notes will tell you everything you need to know.
How does it work? Professional horticulturists across the country volunteer to grow test plots of new tomato varieties and compare notes on disease resistance, yields, and taste alongside established varieties.
“Our judges rate taste and texture first, then everything else second,” says Diane Blazek, executive director of AllAmerica Selections and the National Garden Bureau. “You can have the most prolific, cute, unique new tomato, but if it doesn’t taste good, nobody wants it.”
Proper site selection and planting techniques are vital to tomato gardening success.
Your tomato garden needs access to full sun (6 to 8 hours a day) and should have good drainage. Tomato plants hate wet feet and often succumb to root rot when left in waterlogged soils. They do, however, need regular watering throughout the growing season, so select a spot with easy access to water. Irrigating deeply but infrequently strengthens plants and encourages deep, healthy root systems for hot summer days.
Avoid using a place where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and other solanaceous crops have been grown within the past three years. Many pests overwinter in the soil adjacent to plants and will terrorize unsuspecting gardeners.
Once you’ve selected the right spot, make sure to test your soil and amend the ground as indicated. Your local extension agent can help you arrange a test and interpret
the results. Tomatoes are nutrient hogs that require a good supply of nutrients from start to finish, so you’ll likely need to fertilize before and during the growing cycle. Adequate moisture is necessary for nutrient uptake. Drip irrigation works well and doesn’t soak leaves, which often leads to disease issues.
And don’t forget to deal with weeds. They are an oftenoverlooked source of tomato pests. After clearing the site of any weeds, spread mulch 3 to 4 inches deep and keep it a palm-width away from the bases of tomato stems.
Tomatoes should be planted after the last frost, according to The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. In central Ohio, the ideal planting time is around May 20. In the southern part of the state, it’s one to two weeks earlier, and to the north, it’s a week later.
Like the rising of the sun, pests — insects and diseases — are to be expected in every garden. The good news: They can be controlled or even avoided using integrated pest management (IPM), a commonsense approach to gardening that treads lightly on the environment and minimizes use of garden chemicals.
Here are a few AAS winning tomato varieties to consider growing this season. To find seed suppliers and garden centers that carry these and other AASrecommended varieties, visit www.allamericaselections.org/buy-winners.
Purple Zebra. If you want a tomato that looks just as good as it tastes, search no more. According to AAS, Purple Zebra is a national winner with fruit that is “firm in texture, complex in flavor and has a taste more sweet than acidic.” This variety has high resistance to tomato mosaic virus, verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and late blight. Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks
Monitor and identify. Get to know your garden and what lives in it. Talk to your local extension agent for a precise understanding of the insects and diseases to watch out for. Remember that beneficial insects like praying mantis and lady beetles naturally keep damaging insects in check. Don’t resort to pesticides at the first sign of something that flies or crawls.
Make an evaluation. If you do spot harmful pests or damage on tomatoes, evaluate whether real damage is being done to the landscape. They may be annoying, but small pest populations can often be tolerated. Set thresholds to guide your treatment decisions. For example, you may decide there’s little benefit to treating a pest problem if there is less than 10% damage to the plant.
Choose a wise treatment. If treatment is necessary, use the least toxic measure first. Cultural methods such as proper watering, plant spacing, and fertilization can help prevent or reduce the number of pests. Mechanical means are another option that requires the physical removal of pests and can be useful for small populations. For example, hornworms are easily removable by hand-picking, and aphids are often washed away by a good squirt from a water hose.
If these approaches fail, reach out to your local extension agent for advice on pesticides and follow all label directions. Pesticide labels are the law, and many chemicals may be unethical or even illegal to use on fruitbearing plants. Err on the side of caution.
before the last frost for best results. In the garden, space transplants no less than 2 feet apart or, if using containers, select 5-gallon pots with drainage. This variety produces 150 to 200 green-striped, purple tomatoes and requires staking. Most gardeners can begin harvesting tomatoes 80 to 85 days after transplant.
As for disease resistance, this variety has superior tolerance to late blight. Transplants should be spaced at least 2 feet apart in the garden and will benefit from staking.
Celano. Another national winner, Celano, is an early-producing, high-yielding grape-type tomato for your patio or garden. According to AAS trial notes, Celano developed fruit much earlier and produced much longer than comparable varieties. Deepred, oblong tomatoes typically weigh a little over half an ounce and taste sweet.
Early Resilience. Another national winner, Early Resilience, is a fantastic selection for canning enthusiasts. Each plant will produce roughly 25 tomatoes with good-quality flesh and excellent flavor. This variety displays high resistance to blossom-end rot and numerous diseases. From transplant, gardeners can expect to harvest tomatoes after 70 to 115 days. For best results, space each plant at least 2 feet apart. Staking may help but is not required.
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MAY 1, JUN. 5 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities are geared for preschool-age children and focus on farming and nature in a picturesque outdoor setting. Families welcome! 419-447-7073, www.conservesenecacounty.com, or follow Seneca Conservation District on Facebook.
MAY 4–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.
MAY 16–19 – The Findlay Show: Armed Forces Day Celebration, Hancock Co. Fgds., 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay. $10; ages 6–17, $5; under 6 free. Reenactments, living history displays, American Huey 369 and UH-1B Gunship 049, military vehicles, and more. www. findlaymilitaryshow.org.
MAY 17–19 – Settlers’ Encampment, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. Step back in time to 1750–1815 and see how settlers survived. Demonstrations and instructions on topics ranging from plant dyeing and
food preparation to the fur trade and weapons of that era. Friday is School Day. 419-990-0107; villageauglaize@ gmail.com or ravensroost@metalink.net (Cheryl Daniel); or www.auglaizevillage.com.
MAY 18–19 – Family Fun Weekend: “End of the School Year,” 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.
MAY 18 – West Liberty Fire Sales, downtown West Liberty. Relive history and find unique treasures at West Liberty’s village-wide garage sale! Commemorate the “Day of the Fire,” May 13, 1880, and explore the charming shops from a bygone era. www.mywestliberty.com.
MAY 19 – Shelby County Coin Club Coin Show, American Legion Post 217, 1265 Fourth Ave., Sidney, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. For more information, call 937-339-5437
MAY 23 – Fourth Thursdays Salute to Service, downtown Lakeview. Welcome in the summer season and pay homage to the USA, the “Home of the Free Because of the Brave”! Enjoy food trucks and live music while you stroll the downtown streets collecting stamps on your shopping passport. www.facebook.com/ downtownlakeviewohio.
MAY 25–26 – 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.
MAY 27 – Memorial Day Service, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, 93 Delaware Ave., Put-inBay, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. 419-285-2184 or www.nps.gov/ pevi/index.htm.
JUN. 1 – Findlay Craft Beer Fest and Wine Tasting, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co.
MAY 18 – John Randolph Spring Arts Kick Off, Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, Salem, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Features live demonstrations by various artisans. 304-695-2220, director@fortnewsalemfoundation.org, or www.fortnewsalemfoundation.org.
MAY 18 – Taste of Parkersburg, corner of 3rd and Market Sts., Parkersburg, 6–11 p.m. Food, wine, beer, and live music. 304-865-0522 or www.downtownpkb.com.
Rd. 99, Findlay, 5–8 p.m. (VIP early admission at 4 p.m.). Must be 21+. Sample offerings from several local craft breweries and a local winery; enjoy refreshments and entertainment. In case of rain, the event will be held in the train barn. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp.
JUN. 6 – Defiance Community Band: Park Concert, Kingsbury Park, 102 Auglaize St., Defiance, 7:30 p.m. Free. Bring lawn chair. Contact Erin Redick at defiancecommunityband@gmail.com.
JUN. 7 – First Fridays Pineapple Palooza, downtown Bellefontaine. Zipline down Main Street, bounce in our inflatables, shop the vendor fair, and fill your belly at the dozen-plus food trucks. Don’t forget a selfie with the giant pineapple! www.firstfridaysbellefontaine.com.
JUN. 8 – Fleurette Garden Club Flower Show and Plant Sale, 600 N. Main St., Bellefontaine. Plant sale 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Silent auction of selected container plants. Flower show 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; judging begins at 12 p.m. To receive a show schedule and entry information, send request to fleurettesgc@gmail.com. Entries to show must be completed by Jun. 1
JUN. 8–9 – Antique Tractor Show/Pulls, Flea Market, and Fiber Show, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. 419-990-0107 or www.auglaizevillage.com. Antique tractor pulls Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; small hitch fee. Trophies and prize money awarded. Participants and vendors contact us through Facebook Messenger or email at villageauglaize@gmail.com or rgoyings@live.com (Randy Goyings). Fiber Show: We will be demonstrating period spinning, weaving, sewing, and quilting on various types of fiber equipment from various eras. Participants and vendors contact us at villageauglaize.com or loriekonopka@yahoo.com (Lorie Konopka).
JUN. 15 – Summer Garden Tour, West Liberty. Come explore the town’s gorgeous and secret gardens. Bask in the beauty of nature, breathe in the fresh air, and escape from reality! www.mywestliberty.com.
JUN. 7–9 – Fostoria Glass Society of America Glass Show and Sale, Moundsville Ctr. Bldg., 901 8th St., Moundsville, Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. $8. Held in the historic West Virginia State Penitentiary. Auction Sat. 5 p.m., flea market Sun. 7 a.m.–noon. 304-845-9188 or www.fostoriaglass.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 like it was done 200 years ago. 614-321-4833 ext. 103 or www.fairfieldcountyparks.org/events.
MAY 3, JUN. 7 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday 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.
MAY 4–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 JUN. 26 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com.
MAY 11 – Strong Beer Fest, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 2–10 p.m. Gerhard Albinus, 2–6 p.m.; Polka Cola, 6–10 p.m. https:// libertyhome.net or follow Liberty Home Association on Facebook.
MAY 17, JUN. 21 – 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.
MAY 9, JUN. 13 – 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. 614-470-0144 or www.inventorscolumbus.com.
MAY 11 – Sunbury Farmers Market Vendors and Food Truck Meet-N-Greet, Sunbury Community Library, 44 Burrer Dr., Sunbury, 10 a.m.–noon. Sign-up day. Refreshments served. 740-513-9192 or sunburyohiofarmersmarket@gmail.com.
MAY 17 – AHA Waffles Saturday Breakfast, Union County Airport (KMRT), 760 Clymer Rd., Marysville, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Free admission. Fly or drive on over for a breakfast featuring AHA Waffles specials: waffles, home fries, breakfast sandwiches, and more! The airport has a covered outdoor eating area and capacity for up to 50 planes at a time to park on the ramp. Local aviation groups will also be supporting the event. www.unioncountyohio.gov/departments/AirportAuthority/airport_meeting_schedule.
MAY 18 – Art on the Canal Art Stroll, Historic Downtown Canal Winchester, noon–6 p.m. The downtown will come alive with music, dancing, exhibits, and performances, along with a variety of exquisite works of art and fine crafts from central Ohio artists. As you stroll the sidewalks of our quaint city, stop and enjoy some local food, drinks, and shopping, as well as Robert Warren’s Art Studio. 614-270-5053 or www.destinationcw.org.
MAY 19 – Martinsburg Activity Center Motorcycle, Truck, and Car Show, 422 W. Liberty St., Martinsburg. Registration 8 a.m.–12 p.m. ($10 fee); awards 2 p.m. 50/50, door prizes, raffle prizes, 50 trophy giveaways, 100 dash plaques, DJ Eddie Powell. Breakfast sandwiches and lunch available for purchase. 740-398-0907
MAY 25–26 – Asian Festival, Franklin Park, 1755 E. Broad St., Columbus. Free. A celebration of Asian culture, including dance, music, martial arts, food, and much more. http://asian-festival.org.
MAY 25–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.
MAY 27 – Memorial Day Celebration, Veterans Memorial Park, 95 Landis St., Lockbourne. Parade starts at noon, followed by a service featuring the Rickenbacker 121st Air Refueling Wing. For more information, call the Municipal Offices at 614-491-3161 or visit www.lockbourneohio.us
JUN. 2 – Summer Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Makoy Event Ctr., 5462 Center St., Hilliard, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 12 free. www.avantgardeshows.com.
JUN. 6–8 – Hot Air Balloon Festival, Coshocton Co. Fgds., 707 Kenilworth Ave., Coshocton. Balloon launches at dawn and dusk, night glow, food vendors, kiddie rides, craft booths, fireworks, and more. www. coshoctonhotairballoonfestival.com.
JUN. 13–15 – Eastern National Expo XII, Fairfield Co. Fgds., 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Featuring John Deere tractors and equipment. www. ohiotwocylinderclub.org.
MAY 24–26 – Coshocton Flint Festival/Flint Ridge Knap-In, Coshocton Co. Fgds., 724 S. 7th St., Coshocton, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The ancient art of chipping arrowheads; other native crafts; gems; handmade items; family fun and entertainment! Contact: 330-473-7041 or 419-632-1274
MAY 25–26 – Celtic Heritage Festival, Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, 9845 N. Hardin Rd., Piqua. 937-7732522 or www.johnstonfarmohio.com.
MAY 26 – White Water Shaker Village Tour, 11813 Oxford Rd., Harrison, 2–5 p.m. Free. Established in 1823, White Water is one of the 24 Shaker communal villages founded in the United States. Learn about the daily life of a Shaker; discover the styles of businesses they conducted; and check out our collections of Shaker goods. Explore the property to see the stable, barns, and historic outbuildings of this 200-year-old village. www.whitewatervillage.org.
MAY 30–JUN. 1 – Milford Frontier Days, Riverside Park, 425 Victor Stier Dr., Milford. Kickoff parade, live music, food, kids’ activities, Youth Makers Market, and family fun. 513-831-2411 or www.frontierdaysmilford.com.
MAY 31 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, May Fest, Alms Park Pavilion, 710 Tusculum Ave., Cincinnati, 6–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music with lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. Spectacular view of the Ohio River, children’s playground nearby, food trucks, and more! Bring a lawn chair. www.fotmc.com.
JUN. 1 – Biergarten Band Night, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 5–10 p.m. M*A*M*B (Middle Aged Man Band), 6–10 p.m. https:// libertyhome.net or follow Liberty Home Association on Facebook.
JUN. 13–15 – Washboard Music Festival, downtown Logan. Free. Ohio’s most unique music and arts festival, celebrating the old-fashioned washboard as a musical instrument. 740-277-1806, washboardfestival@gmail. com, or www.washboardmusicfestival.com.
JUN. 1–2 – Troy Strawberry Festival, downtown Troy, Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. This premier festival features strawberry cuisine along with a wide variety of foods offered by area nonprofits, arts and crafts, games, competitions, and much more. 937-3397714 or www.gostrawberries.com.
JUN. 8 – Canal Music Fest, Tipp City Park, 35 Park Ave., Tipp City, gates open at 5 p.m. Free family-friendly concert featuring Draw the Line, an Aerosmith tribute band, and Michael Williams, a Middletown musician and contestant on The Voice and American Idol. Bring your chairs or blankets. No coolers! 937-543-5115 or www.canalmusicfest.com.
JUN. 8 – “Fascinating Fossils,” Wagers’ Memorial Park (Devil’s Backbone), 1301 OH-725 W., Camden, 11 a.m. Free adult program presented by naturalists Doug and Ann Horvath. Registration required. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www. preblecountyparks.org.
JUN. 8–9 – “Whaur Aur Ye Frae,” Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, 9845 N. Hardin Rd., Piqua. Immerse yourself in John Johnston’s Ulter Scots heritage through tales and music. 937-773-2522 or www. johnstonfarmohio.com.
JUN. 14 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Butler County Bluegrass Association, Collinsville Community Center, 5113 Huston Rd., Collinsville, 7–9 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music. Good, reasonably priced home-style food available on-site. 937-417-8488
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.
MAY 4–19 – Heirloom Plant Sale, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, Wed.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. The annual sale focuses on plant varieties raised and passed on before the advent of industrial farming, with many going back at least as far as Thomas Worthington’s time. www.adenamansion.com.
MAY 11–12 – Gus Macker Returns, downtown Chillicothe. Gus Macker 3on3 Basketball celebrates its 50th year and returns to the downtown streets. All ages and skill levels can participate. Cost: $180. www.macker. com/local/chillicothe-oh.
MAY 17 – The Best of Bon Jovi and Journey, featuring Don Jovi’s Journey, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $39–$69. Covering the hits of two of the most popular American rock bands in history, the
MAY 18 – World Bee Day Fun Day, Cuyahoga Co. Fgds., Bee Barn, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. World Bee Day celebration raises awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and of the many challenges they face today. https:// loraincountybeekeepers.org or follow us on Facebook.
MAY 24–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
MAY 25–26 – Great Lakes Fiber Show, Wayne Co. Fgds., 199 Vancouver St., Wooster. Free. Competitions, fleece show and sale, children’s activities, workshops ($45–$80), fibers, supplies, handcrafted goods, and more. Food available for purchase. www.greatlakesfibershow.com.
MAY 30–AUG. 1 – Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series, Fort Steuben Park, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Thur. 7–9 p.m. Bring a blanket and picnic basket and enjoy a free concert at this site overlooking the Ohio River. 740-2831787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.
group has established itself as one of the premier party bands. www.majesticchillicothe.net.
MAY 24–26 – Bash for Cash, Ross Co. Fgds., 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe. Smash It Demolition Derby raises the bar in the demolition derby industry and presents a huge weekend of entertainment. www.smashitderby.com/bash-for-cash.
MAY 24–26 – Feast of the Flowering Moon, Yoctangee Park, Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Free. Family-friendly entertainment featuring Native American music, dancing, a wide assortment of vendors, a Mountain Men Encampment, and much more! www.feastofthefloweringmoon.org.
MAY 25–26 – Pre-1840 Rendezvous, Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp, 1362 Caves Rd., Jackson, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–noon. Free and open to the public. Participants in period dress will be portraying life in the periods of 1700–1840. Camping fee for participants: $15 members, $20 non-members. For additional information, call 740-773-3891
MAY 31–JUN. 2 – ELEVATE: A Wellness Event, McConnelsville. Healing arts, wellness education, holistic nutrition, health, fitness, and more. Healers, practitioners, and experts will be offering private and group sessions as well as free presentations. Bring a friend, participate in the wellness offerings, and enjoy the local community arts, entertainment, food, and drink. www.facebook.com/ events/1327419717942503
MAY 31–JUN. 2 – Southern Ohio Farm Power of the Past Antique Tractor and Machinery Show, Pike Co. Fgds., Piketon. Hosting IH Chapter 6 state show. Featuring Farmall tractors and equipment. Vintage tractors and farm equipment demos, hit and miss engines, working sawmill, truck and tractor pulls Sat. 7 p.m., car show Sunday, flea market/craft items, food,
MAY 31 – Alla Boara: “Italian Folk Songs,” John Streeter Garden Amphitheater, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 6:30 p.m. Free, but registration recommended. The Clevelandbased ensemble reimagines Italian folk songs by adding elements of modern jazz and world music. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave. Register at www.ormaco.org or by calling 419-853-6016
MAY 29 – Bike Week Dice Run, Kelleys Island. Participants will experience an exciting tour of the island while completing a scavenger hunt and collecting dice rolls at a variety of local businesses. 419-746-2360 or www.kelleysislandchamber.com.
JUN. 1 – Jazz Under the Stars: The Dan Zola Orchestra, Uptown Park, 79–89 Public Square, Medina, 7–9 p.m. Free. Musical director Eric Dregne will lead this highenergy group in an evening of big band favorites. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St. 419-853-6016
JUN. 1 – LCBA Annual Beekeeping Field Day, Queen Right Colonies, 43655 St. Rte. 162, Spencer, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Beekeeping industry leaders Randy Oliver and Ray Olivarez will be the featured speakers. Peer beekeeping sessions, food, fun, raffles, door prizes. https:// loraincountybeekeepers.org or follow us on Facebook.
JUN. 1–2 – Ohio Valley Frontier Days, Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville. $6; ages 6–12, $3; under 6 free. Annual festival featuring soldier, settler, surveyor, and artisan reenactors, re-creating life on the Ohio frontier; crafts, games, food, and entertainment. 740-283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.
JUN. 2 – Cleveland Comic Book and Nostalgia Festival, Doubletree by Hilton Cleveland/Westlake, 1100 Crocker Rd., Westlake, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 6 and under free. Comic and toy vendors, guest comic creators, hourly prizes. 330-462-3985, jeff@harpercomics.com, or www. harpercomics.com.
kids’ activities. Contact Steve Dean, pres., at 740-289-4124
JUN. 1 – “Base Ball”: Adena Worthingtons vs. The Ohio Village Muffins, Adena Mansion & Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 2 p.m. Free. Doubleheader exhibition of vintage baseball played by 19th-century rules. www.adenamansion.com.
JUN. 1 – Chillicothe BrewFest, North Paint Street, Chillicothe, 1:30–7 p.m. $20–$50. Sample beer from area breweries and listen to live local music. This year the event will partner with Fifty West Brewing Company and Race Penguin for the Chillicothe Half Marathon and 5K. www.downtownchillicothe.com.
JUN. 1 – Metahqua 24 Trail Races, Metahqua Nature Preserve, 3663 Walnut Creek Rd., Chillicothe, 9 a.m. $35–$320. Beautiful 2-mile trail with race options: 2-mile, 24-hour solo race, and 24-hour 4-person relay race. https://visitchillicotheohio.com/event/metahqua-24
JUN. 6–8 – Southern Ohio Forest Rally, Yoctangee Park and other locations. Free. www. southernohioforestrally.com.
JUN. 8 – Chillicothe Jazz, Funk, and Blues Concert, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 6 p.m. $40. Five bands performing include Yoctangee Fire, YOLO Band, Thump Daddy Funk Band, Urban Jazz Coalition, and Hitman Blues Band. Proceeds benefit two local nonprofits. www.majesticchillicothe.net.
JUN. 14–15 – Art Festival, Historic Village Square, 419 West St., Caldwell. Free. Arts and crafts for sale Fri. 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. 7 – First Fridays on Fourth, 155 N. 4th St., Steubenville, 6–10 p.m. Free. Monthly themed celebration featuring art, crafts, games, food trucks, live entertainment, and activities to stimulate the imagination. www. theharmoniumproject.org/first-Fridays.
JUN. 8 – Secrest Garden Fair, Secrest Arboretum, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Over 50 arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, crafts for kids, gardenthemed workshops, and tours of the arboretum. www.friendsofsecrest.com.
JUN. 8 – Burton Antiques Festival, Geauga Co. Fgds., 14373 Cheshire St., Burton, early buyers 8–10 a.m., $25; general admission 10 a.m.–1 p.m., $10; 1–4 p.m., $5. Antique, vintage, and midcentury furniture will be offered along with vintage jewelry, primitives, stoneware, postcards, and much more. You buy it, we load it for you! Contact Kay Puchstein at 740-998-5300 or puchs2@yahoo.com for more info or visit www. burtonantiquesmarket.com.
JUN. 9 – Hichem Ferrah, Guitar: “Algerian-Inspired Music,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad Street, Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. Register at www.ormaco.org or by calling 419-853-6016. Seating is on a first-come, firstserved basis.
JUN. 12–14 – Holy Trinity Greek Food Festival, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 300 S. 4th St., Steubenville, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Music, tours of the church, outdoor dining, and takeout. 740-282-7770 or https://holytrinitygreekfest.com.
JUN. 14–15 – Simply Slavic Festival, Federal Plaza East, downtown Youngstown, Fri. 5–11 p.m., Sat. noon to midnight. $5; 12 and under free. Live music, folk dance performances, homemade food, children’s learning areas, educational exhibits, and ethnic vendors. www. simplyslavic.org.
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1 Such delight on the face of my mom, Alice, when celebrating 87 years of life!
Sandra Troester, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative member
2 Joan Rench, my mom — a rose amongst the tulips.
Beverly Rench, Darke Rural Electric Cooperative member
3 Shafer and Theo Fronckowiak listen to their bedtime story read by Grammie Bobby Bender.
Bobby Bender, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member
4 My mother, Gladys Kill, watering her flowers beside the pear tree. Karen Pugh, Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative member
5 Blessed to celebrate my mom’s 88th birthday in September and looking forward to Mother’s Day.
Tonya Bess, South Central Power Company member
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6 My mom, Deanna Phillips, doing what she’s always done best: rocking babies. She is a mom of eight, grandma to 27, and great-grandma to 41. Here she’s rocking her 37th greatgrandchild (and my fourth grandchild), Maeve Elizabeth Brown. Elizabeth McDougle, North Central Electric Cooperative member
For August, send “Diving board” by May 15. For September, send “Four (or more) generations” by June 15.
Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/ memberinteractive. Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website.
to locate underground electric or other utility lines. This is a free service and it’s the law!
Before you buy a tree, look up and around. See any power lines? That’s your cue to plant far away — use the chart below as a guide.
Avoid planting shrubs and flowers around green transformer boxes and electric meters. Your co-op needs access for meters, and it’s safer to keep the space clear.
Small-tree zone: Less than 25 feet in height and spread; at least 25 feet from lines.
Medium-tree zone: 25-40 feet in height and spread; at least 40 feet from lines.
Large-tree zone: Larger than 40 feet in height and spread; at least 60 feet from lines.
