Ohio Cooperative Living – April 2025 - Mid-Ohio

Electric lineworkers put their lives on the line to power Ohio. Honor fallen lineworkers and support their families when you renew your Ohio license plates.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • APRIL 2025

Thank you, lineworkers

Ithink we all can relate to the amazing feeling of those sunny, 70-degree days that start coming regularly in April, giving us hope that winter is finally over. We also know that crushing feeling of 30 degrees and snow the next day — bringing us back to the reality that winter isn’t quite finished with us yet.

It’s a time of year I mentally prepare myself for a new golf season, and many of our farmers start to deploy the planting strategies they put together during the winter. It’s also a time to honor those who work tirelessly — in all weather — to ensure our safety and comfort.

April is Lineworker Appreciation Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the individuals who diligently work to keep our lights on. It’s a chance for us to express our gratitude for their dedication and the sacrifices they make to keep our communities powered and safe.

It’s easy to take for granted the comforts and conveniences that electricity provides — from the lights that illuminate our homes to the devices that keep us connected. Our lives are dependent on lineworkers, whose work is not only physically demanding but also requires a high level of skill and expertise to handle the complex and potentially dangerous tasks involved in maintaining our power infrastructure. Their dedication and commitment to their jobs ensure that we can continue to enjoy the amenities that make our lives easier and more comfortable.

Whether facing freezing cold, scorching heat, or unpredictable storms that can strike at any time, lineworkers are always on the front lines, making sure electricity keeps flowing to our homes and businesses.

There are lots of ways we can acknowledge the vital role that lineworkers play in our lives. They always appreciate a simple wave, a note of thanks, or members participating in events that honor their work.

So, to our co-op lineworkers around Ohio, let me be the first to extend my thanks and appreciation for your hard work and dedication. Your contributions are truly invaluable, and we are grateful for all you do.

Craig Grooms PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

Their dedication and commitment to their jobs ensure that we can continue to enjoy the amenities that make our lives easier and more comfortable.

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives

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

Craig Grooms President & CEO

Caryn Whitney Director of Communications

Jeff McCallister Senior Managing Editor

Amy Howat Assistant Managing Editor

Neal Kindig Graphic Designer

Contributors: Jodi Borger, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Theresa Ravencraft, Craig Springer, 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 $6.48 to $7.92 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.

DEPARTMENTS

4 POWER LINES

Light and joy: A group of Ohio co-op lineworkers spent much of their January bringing electricity, and a better life, to a remote village in Central America.

After the storms: Lineworkers brought both power and hope in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

10 CO-OP PEOPLE

No boundaries: Co-op member combines business and creativity in lineworker-inspired art.

12 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Telling their story: Ohio’s newest state park adds another way to keep Shawnee history alive.

15 GOOD EATS

Greasy spoon: Got a taste for nostalgia? Turn back the clock with these diner-inspired dishes.

19 LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon

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

Alliance for Audited Media Member

37 CALENDAR

What’s happening: April/May events and other things to do around Ohio.

40 MEMBER

15 12 10 4 40 37

INTERACTIVE

Spring break: Members show how they recharge after winter’s long and frigid grip.

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

Empowering

Ohio lineworkers bring electricity, and a better life, to a Central American village.

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER

It takes a certain mindset to be a lineworker. Those in the profession must be fearless yet completely committed to safety; procedure-followers who are also able to adapt and problem-solve; individuals with a work ethic that makes it unthinkable to leave a job undone.

So when a crew of 15 Ohio electric cooperative linemen boarded a plane to come home from Guatemala after a 17-day mission to electrify the remote village of Barejones in January, there certainly were some heavy hearts. They had performed an extraordinary amount of work in that short amount of time — they ran five miles of primary and secondary line; extended service wire and added meters to all of the village’s 93 homes, two churches, and two elementary schools; wired the 60 remaining unwired homes (crews from Oklahoma had completed the first stage of the project in October), including needed boxes, receptacles, lights, and switches in each home; and for good measure, installed 15 streetlights around the village.

“You couldn’t ask for a better team to do this work,” says Kyle Hoffman, chief operations officer at Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative and North Central Electric Cooperative, who led the team on-site. “Everyone had a

The 15 lineworkers from 10 electric cooperatives who powered Project Ohio 2025: Taylor Harris, Bradley Plummer, Jake McIntosh, Curtis Schmidt, Wesley Yors, Nick Buxbaum, Cody Leitner, David Overman, Max Noll, Joel Miller, Mike Isaacs, Clint Patterson, Rob Weber, Robert Shepherd, and Kyle Hoffman.

job to do. They just put their heads down and got at it, and they accomplished an incredible amount of work.”

There was just one problem. Because of political red tape, the crew had to leave before they were able to “flip the switch” and energize the lines.

Ohio’s cooperatives have sent line crews to Guatemala four times since 2016, each on a mission to bring electricity to places where previously there was none. The celebrations in La Soledad in 2016 and Las Tortugas in 2018 when lights came on for the first time are scenes none who were there will ever forget.

But in 2020, one day before the Ohio group was ready to energize their work in Tiera Blanca Sebol, they had to drop everything and scramble to make it out of the country as Guatemala shut its borders because of COVID-19. Then the trip that had been planned for 2022 had to be canceled because of the remaining uncertainty about the pandemic.

So this group left Ohio with an extra bit of resolve. “I wanted to be able to take the skills that I’ve learned in my job, which gives us something that we take for granted here in the United States,” says David Overman, who works for Pioneer Electric Cooperative in Piqua, “and share it with people to make an everlasting impact on their lives and their kids’ lives.”

They all were more than a little disappointed when they realized the village still would not have electricity when they left.

The thing was, it wasn’t JUST about electricity. People in Barejones live in extreme poverty conditions without running water,

Continued on page 6

The lineworkers, who volunteered their time to work for three weeks in Guatemala, say they are genuinely touched by the interactions they had with the villagers — especially the children. (Cristel’s note, right, thanks the team “for coming to shed light on our little village.”)

The lineworkers ran wire to 93 homes, two churches and two schools in Barejones, and also wired those buildings including installation of boxes, switches, and receptacles. They also saw to it that the school’s septic system was updated. When they were finished, they handed out clothes, personal hygiene items, and water filtration systems to the village’s residents, who, they said, treated them like family. The project was funded by NRECA International and donations from Ohio co-op members and staff.

Continued from page 5

plumbing, or food refrigeration. Many of the homes are rustic four-walled huts with dirt floors. The villagers depend on farming for their livelihood, and even the children there do grueling work picking coffee beans for about $10 per day during the threemonth harvest season.

“We actually had two goals, and obviously, power was No. 1,” Hoffman says. “No. 2 was to do everything we could to change their everyday lives for the better, give them an easier life once we leave.”

So at the same time they were doing the sometimes backbreaking, sometimes menial and mundane work required to build an entirely new electrical system to power the village, they were doing other work as well.

At the school, the crews built a fence at the edge of the playground to keep children from falling over the nearby cliff. They put in a security gate to keep people from breaking in and stealing the new televisions and computers they had purchased. In addition, they negotiated to have the school’s old, inadequate septic system replaced, then kept tabs on the contractors hired to build it.

And on the last day, when they had hoped to turn on the lights, they gave away clothes and shoes of all sizes, handed out countless toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items, and distributed a water filtration system to every home in the village — all funded by donations from co-op members, employees, and trustees back home.

“It was bothering a lot of us not being able to turn the lights on,” says Wesley Yors, a lineworker at South Central Power Company in Lancaster. “But on that last day, when we were giving out the water filters and the shoes and toothbrushes and clothes and just watching the kids playing and seeing everyone so happy, it really made us realize that not everything that we stress about is that big of a deal to them.”

“We were told that these people had been waiting to get power for 25 years, and they’ve been told over and over it’s on its way only to have it delayed again and again,” Hoffman says. “Now, they can actually see the lines. The meters are at their poles. The wiring is in their houses, and they’ve got bulbs. It was literally light at the end of the tunnel and they were beyond happy.”

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After hurricanes,

Ohio lineworkers brought both power and hope

BY JEFF MCCALLISTER

Alittle more than six months after Hurricane Helene rampaged through the southeastern United States, it’s become apparent that some hard-hit areas will take months or years to recover — if they ever do.

For the lineworkers from Ohio electric cooperatives who answered the call to help restore power in the immediate aftermath of the storms, the scenes of devastation they encountered are memories they will never forget.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” says Ben Jones of South Central Power Company in Lancaster. “There were roads that just got picked up and swung around, then put back down a half a mile downriver. Roads were just gone, bridges gone. Entire houses had been carried away. The flooding that happened there was just unbelievable.”

Helene was the costliest — and one of the deadliest — storms ever to hit the United States. It came ashore in Florida in the overnight hours of Sept. 25, 2024, and dissipated only three days later near the TennesseeKentucky border. But in that short span, it had damaged hundreds of water and sewer systems, destroyed long stretches of entire roads, washed out countless bridges, and mangled or swept away hundreds of thousands of homes.

More than 4 million people across the South lost power, and even before the storm had blown its final gust, the first wave of Ohio co-op crews was already helping to rebuild electric infrastructure at co-ops in North Carolina and South Carolina.

In all, 139 lineworkers from 19 co-ops (39% of Ohio’s total workforce) assisted at nine sister co-ops in four states. The crews worked 16-hour days, and at night, at least for a while, most stayed in hotels with no electricity and no hot water. The last of the crews returned home on Oct. 25 — four weeks after Helene first made landfall.

“Sometimes you’d just go say a prayer with them and remind them they’re fortunate just to be alive.”

Ken Hunter, a line superintendent for Coshocton-based Frontier Power Company, led a group of 12 linemen from three Ohio co-ops who headed south for Broad River Electric Cooperative in Cowpens, South Carolina, at 6 a.m. on Sept. 28. “Well, I was just going to start crying when we got down there, things looked so bad,” he says. “But they were ready for us to work, so we got right to work.” By the time they got to their hotel that evening, they had set a 50-foot pole, rebuilt its eight crossarms, and had begun to winch lines across it. By the following day, they had restored electric service to 700 members.

“It was one job after another, but that was good because I was there to work,” says John Wilson, a crew leader at the Energy Cooperative in Newark. “We were all thinking, ‘Hey, we’re here for a limited time, we need to get as much done, safely, as we possibly can.’ We wanted to do our best job for that co-op, because if we’re ever in that position, they would do the best job for us.”

And though that was important, Jones says, their presence was more than just getting people’s power turned back on.

“For a lot of the people we saw, there was nothing left of their homes. I mean, they didn’t even know where their homes were,” he says. “So sometimes you’d just go say a prayer with them and remind them they’re fortunate just to be alive. When we say we went down there to help people, it’s not just their electricity, but to make them feel like they still have a life ahead of them.”

boundaries No

Co-op member combines business and creativity in lineworker-inspired art.

BY JODI BORGER

At the end of a dead-end road in rural Hancock County, creativity unfolds in an unexpected yet aptly named setting — an open art studio called MONGallery, run by artist and entrepreneur Jennifer Sowders.

MON, short for “middle of nowhere,” not only reflects the gallery’s remote location but also embodies Sowders’ unique approach to art and business.

Sowders, a 1994 graduate of the Columbus College of Art and Design, first recognized her ability to draw live models when she was in middle school.

“Drawing was one thing, but adding a medium and learning to master that is a whole other world,” she says. “Art school definitely helped with that aspect, and today I call myself a painter.”

In 2017, she rekindled her passion through a plein air painting group with the Hancock Park District. She immersed herself in painting landscapes, experimenting with acrylics, palette knives, and vibrant watercolor on Yupo paper.

While her art studio provided a creative outlet, her entrepreneurial spirit led her in  to launch Prime Fleet Dielectric Services, a niche company that inspects and tests equipment used by electrical lineworkers. While the venture gave her the financial means to pursue her artistic ambitions, it also gave her an unexpected — and rewarding — new artistic muse.

She was working as a vendor at a trade show for electric lineworkers, and she found herself looking for a way to pass the time. “When the lineworkers are in class, it gets a little boring,” she says. “I wanted to do something valuable at the event.”

She struck upon the idea of live painting at the event. Leveraging her connections with Hancock-Wood

Electric Cooperative, where she’s a member, she asked for a volunteer model. Ryan Stallings, one of HWEC’s linemen at the time, stepped up, and she created three paintings of Stallings in action.

“His crew teased him a little at first, but once they saw what I was able to produce, they thought it was really cool,” Sowders says.

Beyond trade shows, Sowders’ artwork has reached prestigious juried exhibitions and even outer space. Her award-winning acrylic landscape, Brecksville Ridge, was included in the Lunar Codex Polaris Collection, a time capsule sent to the moon as part of a NASA-related mission.

“It’s surreal to think my art is on the moon,” she says. “It feels good to not be a ‘one-hit wonder.’”

Her accolades include the grand prize in International Artist magazine’s landscape challenge and second place in Artists magazine’s 40th annual landscape division. Additionally, two of her portraits were acquired by the Ohio Arts Council for their collection.

Sowders’ landscapes, influenced by her connection to nature, invite viewers to step into the scene.

“What you surround yourself with becomes evident,” she says. “Every day my eyes are processing nature, and it makes me a better painter.”

For Sowders, art is more than a pastime — it’s a way of documenting life, fostering connections, and rejuvenating the spirit.

Her live-painting sessions quickly became a hit at trade shows, often drawing attendees back to her booth to watch her progress. Those sessions not only showcased her talent but also forged deeper connections between her business and the lineworker community.

Sowders’ favorite lineman painting is part of the Ohio Watercolor Society’s travel exhibition for the month of April — the last location of which is the Piqua Public Library.

“Going hiking at a park blesses us with a feeling of being recharged,” she says. “I hope my acrylic landscapes can offer that same sense of escape, even if just for a little while.”

As she looks to the future, Sowders remains dedicated to both her portrait and landscape series.

“I never get bored or fall into a rut,” she says. “I’m just happy to let my art speak for itself.”

With her work displayed in galleries, competitions, and even on the moon, Sowders proves that creativity knows no boundaries — even in the middle of nowhere.

Telling their story

Ohio’s newest state park adds another way to keep Shawnee history alive.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

Of Ohio’s 88 counties, eight are named for Indian tribes: Delaware, Erie, Huron, Miami, Ottawa, Seneca, Tuscarawas, and Wyandot. It’s a tribute to the Buckeye State’s rich and lengthy Native American history and heritage, and it’s that spirit that gave name to Great Council State Park.

Tribes of the Eastern Woodlands region, which included Ohio, established “Great Councils” where their leaders came together to discuss important matters, resolve disputes, and make collective decisions through deliberation and consensus-building.

In development since 2019, Ohio’s newest state park is located along U.S. Route 68 just north of Xenia, where “Old Chillicothe” — a historic Shawnee village — once stood. As Gov. Mike DeWine said at its June 2024 grand opening, “The land had a story that needed to be told.”

To tell that story as accurately as possible, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources consulted with the three federally recognized Shawnee tribes (now located in Oklahoma), as well as the Ohio History Connection, Greene County Historical Society, and other historians. The highlight of the park is the 12,000-squarefoot interpretive center, designed and built to resemble a Shawnee longhouse where important business like that of a great council would take place.

The main floor of the interpretive center features a theater and a 1,000-gallon living stream filled with fish native to Ohio. The second floor has a historical timeline of the Shawnee from pre-European settlement to the present. An outdoor balcony offers an elevated view of where Old Chillicothe stood during the late 1700s, including the presumed location of the original Council House. The park covers a total of 14 acres, making it one of Ohio’s smaller state parks. It includes a tallgrass prairie and half-mile hiking trail.

Another of the park’s features is a life-sized bronze statue of Tecumseh, and if you make a visit to Great Council State Park, you might want to add a side trip to Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater near Chillicothe. There, the Scioto Society has been retelling the story of the Shawnee people and their incomparable leader in the outdoor drama Tecumseh! during summer evenings since 1973. I’ve attended half a dozen performances through the years, and each

time, I’ve been moved by the story’s timeless poignancy (I even had an opportunity to participate onstage as an “extra” member of the cast one night).

Tecumseh was the greatest leader the Shawnees ever produced. When Tecumseh was born in Ohio circa 1768, his father, Pucksinwah, suspected his son was destined for greatness. Legend has it that on the night of Tecumseh’s birth, Pucksinwah looked into the cloudless sky and saw a huge, greenish-white meteor streaking across the heavens from north to south. Awed by the natural wonder, Pucksinwah named his son Tecumseh, meaning “the panther passing across.”

Tecumseh lived during a time of great chaos on the frontier, when natives were being pushed farther and farther west by European colonization and American expansion.

To try to stem that tide, Tecumseh spent the early 1800s building a confederacy of tribes stretching from the Great Lakes to the Deep South. Tecumseh told hesitant chiefs that one day he would “stomp his foot on the ground,” giving them an unmistakable sign for their warriors to come help drive the Europeans back east over the Appalachian Mountains into the sea. In December of 1811, as if he had predicted it, a massive earthquake occurred near what is today the state of Missouri and inspired Tecumseh’s confederacy as they joined with the British in the War of 1812

Tecumseh’s story is both epic and tragic, and I highly recommend seeing the performance of the outdoor drama. If you do, here’s a tip: Schedule to attend during the night of a full moon, as the moon will rise over the stage during the performance, adding an extra bit of ambiance to the powerful show.

Greasy

GOOD EATS

AND

BY CATHERINE MURRAY

Got a taste for nostalgia?

Turn back the clock with these diner-inspired dishes.

CREAMED CHIPPED BEEF ON TOAST

The preferred ratio of cream-to-beef-to-bread varies by individual. Generously ladle over bread like biscuits and gravy or spread lightly like cream cheese on a bagel. Use this recipe as a starting point and make it your own.

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Servings: 2 to 4

3.5-ounce jar dried beef, chopped 4 to 8 slices thick bread (Italian, sourdough, or Texas toast)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons flour

1½ cups warm whole milk pinch of black pepper pinch of garlic powder pinch of cayenne pepper

Place chopped beef in a medium bowl. Fill with water, stir for a few seconds, then drain. Taste a piece; if the salt is overwhelming, repeat and taste again — it may take two or three rinses. Stop when it’s slightly saltier than you’d prefer (the salt will incorporate into the cream). Set aside to drain. Toast bread and set aside.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour to form a paste. Continually whisk 2 to 3 minutes, until there’s a pleasing nutty aroma. Slowly pour in warm milk, whisking constantly. Cook until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Turn heat to low and mix in chopped beef, whisking/stirring to distribute the salt and heat up the beef. Season with black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne (if desired). To serve, spoon over slices of toast. Refrigerate leftover creamed beef in an airtight container (separate from bread) and reheat in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until hot.

Per serving: 280 calories, 13 grams total fat (7 grams saturated fat), 20 grams total carbohydrates, 60 milligrams cholesterol, 1,094 milligrams sodium, 0.5 gram fiber, 17 grams protein.

RECIPES

PHOTOGRAPHS

EGGS BENEDICT

Cut the fat and calories of this one by reserving some of the hollandaise for later (it pairs well with asparagus, greens, potatoes, salmon, or ham).

Total time: 30 minutes | Servings: 2

2 English muffins

spreadable butter

4 slices Canadian bacon

4 egg yolks

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 cup unsalted butter

paprika, salt, and pepper to taste

¼ cup white vinegar

4 large eggs

Slice English muffins in half, butter the insides, and place butterside up on a baking sheet. Lay Canadian bacon slices in a single layer next to them. Put baking sheet inside the cold oven/broiler for now.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk egg yolks, lemon juice, and cream. Melt butter in a small saucepan until bubbling. Drizzle a few drops of hot butter into the egg yolks, whisking until incorporated before adding more. Continue slowly adding butter and whisking until all butter has been incorporated. Pour sauce back into saucepan and season to taste with paprika, salt, and pepper (it shouldn’t take much), then cover and set aside. Bring a medium pot of water with white vinegar to a light simmer. Meanwhile, crack each whole egg into a separate small ramekin and turn oven to broil, keeping watch as the English muffins and bacon toast and crisp up. Move muffins onto serving plates and top each with bacon.

Once simmering, stir water with a slotted spoon in a circular motion until a visible swirl appears. Gently lower one ramekin into water, and release the egg. Cook 2½ to 3 minutes, stirring water if egg begins to sink. Remove egg with a slotted spoon, shake off excess water and place on top of one of the English muffins with bacon. Repeat with remaining eggs. While eggs are cooking, heat hollandaise sauce over medium, whisking sauce when not attending to the poaching eggs until desired thickness is reached. Remove from heat (if it becomes too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of warm water). Pour sauce over eggs and serve. Cool leftover sauce completely before putting it in the fridge. To reheat, whisk in a splash of hot water and microwave on low power for 10 to 15 seconds at a time, whisking at each interval, until just hot.

Per serving: 1,262 calories, 114 grams total fat (65 grams saturated fat), 30 grams total carbohydrates, 965 milligrams cholesterol, 1,092 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber, 32 grams protein.

THE PATTY MELT

Cook: 40 minutes | Servings: 2

2 tablespoons salted butter, softened

1 medium sweet yellow onion, cut in half then sliced thin

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

½ pound ground beef

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, divided

4 slices rye bread

2 slices Swiss cheese

2 slices American cheese

In a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add sliced onions; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes, until wilted and caramelized (turn heat down if they start to burn). Add vinegar and stir for a few more minutes. Remove onions from skillet and set aside.

While onions are finishing up, work a teaspoon of the Worcestershire sauce into the ground beef and form 2 thin patties to fit the size and shape of the bread slices. Cook patties in the now-empty skillet over medium-high, 3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Set patties aside with the onions. Butter the outsides of the bread and place butter-side down in skillet. Split cheese across the top of the bread slices, then top with caramelized onions and patties. Cover skillet with lid until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Per serving: 715 calories, 47 grams total fat (23 grams saturated fat), 38 grams total carbohydrates, 144 milligrams cholesterol, 932 milligrams sodium, 5 grams fiber, 33 grams protein.

CLASSIC STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE

Prep: 10 minutes | Wait: 30 minutes | Servings: 2

6 ounces fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1½ tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups vanilla ice cream

¾ cup milk

whipped cream for garnish

In a small bowl, toss strawberries with sugar. Let sit 30 minutes for the fruit to soften and sweeten. Scrape the strawberries and syrup into a blender or food processor along with vanilla, ice cream, and milk. Blend, adding more milk until desired thickness is reached. Pour into 2 to 4 glasses; top with whipped cream and garnish with whole strawberry (if desired). Makes 4 cups.

Per serving: 473 calories, 21 grams total fat (13 grams saturated fat), 63 grams total carbohydrates, 79 milligrams cholesterol, 164 milligrams sodium, 1.5 grams fiber, 9 grams protein.

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OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

2025 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Online meeting: Video stream will be available starting at 7:00 p.m.

View the meeting & materials anytime between 4/8 and 4/30 to get the $20 meeting attendance credit!

How to view:

Visit Mid-Ohio Energy’s website for all available documents and energy credit registration: www.MidOhioEnergy.com/AnnualMeeting

Business to be conducted at the meeting:

- Election results for proposed trustee districts 4, 5, and 6

- Report on 2024-25 activities

- Approval of minutes and new business items

Additional co-op updates:

Annual meeting webpage will also contain manager’s report, Community Fund update, annual report, and more.

Attendance credit and door prizes:

Upon viewing the meeting, members can submit a form to receive a $20 energy credit and will be entered into a drawing to win a bonus energy credit!

⚡ Five $100.00 energy credits will be selected

To register for attendance credit and door prizes, view the meeting page at MidOhioEnergy.com/AnnualMeeting.

Virtual Annual Meeting: $20 energy credit for viewing!

Each member who views the meeting online between April 8 and April 30 is eligible for a $20 energy credit. Energy credits will be applied on the bills generated and sent out in May (for April energy use). We feel this is a great investment for your time spent on a brief co-op update.

Why hold the meeting virtually? Last year, your co-op took the budget and resources for our traditional in-person annual meeting and formed a new plan for member events. The plan was successful in reaching more members, with the virtual annual meeting in April and in-person events held in August. Please plan to join us this summer (August 7 at Elgin High School & August 14 at our Kenton office) for our Family Fun Days, consisting of free food trucks, inflatables, and fun for all!

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

2025 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Children of members recognized for academic excellence, community involvement, and personal achievement

Mid-Ohio Energy is pleased to recognize eight local students as winners of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative’s annual scholarship program.

The annual scholarship program awarded a total of $11,000 to students whose parents and/or guardians are members of the co-op. Winners were selected based upon scholastic and community activities, academic achievements, course load, and in-person interviews.

Madeline McFarland of River Valley was announced as the overall winner of the “Children of Members” scholarship competition, earning a $2,000 scholarship.

As the top local winner, McFarland will compete for additional scholarship money in the statewide competition, which features students representing 24 electric cooperatives in Ohio.

Kenzley Davis of Pleasant High School was chosen as the winner of a special $1,000 Touchstone Energy Achievement scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to those who display the values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and community.

Mid-Ohio Energy expresses sincere gratitude to each student who applied for the scholarships. The cooperative received many qualified applicants, which speaks highly of our local students and schools.

We wish them all the best of luck, and can't wait to see the results of their academic pursuits as they graduate and go on to make up our future workforce.

We also thank scholarship judges Lyn Davis of Kenton and Demi Snider of Kenton for their time and dedication in judging the competition.

Touchstone Energy Scholarship Winner

LINEWORKER APPRECIATION

LINEWORKERS ARE WIRED FOR SERVICE

I

n the quiet hours as dawn breaks, lineworkers begin their day, often clad in flame-resistant clothing, rubber gloves, and thick, heavy boots.

They are the individuals who epitomize dedication to service in its purest form. As we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation in April, this is an important moment to reflect on the essential role they play in our daily lives.

Amid towering utility poles and power lines, lineworkers exhibit a strength that goes far beyond the physical. Whether battling inclement weather, troubleshooting technical problems, or navigating treacherous heights, lineworkers demonstrate resilience and a quiet determination to keep our lights on, our homes comfortable, and our communities connected.

Mid-Ohio Energy crews travel across our 10-county service territory, building, maintaining, and repairing parts of our local system. Their extraordinary skills ensure our homes remain connected to the grid, businesses stay operational, and emergency services remain accessible — a lifeline that connects us all.

In moments of crisis, when the lights go out and we find ourselves in the dark, lineworkers emerge as beacons of hope. Their swift response restores normalcy, offering reassurance in times of uncertainty. Whether repairing storm-ravaged power lines or ensuring continuity during emergencies, their unwavering commitment illuminates life when we need it most.

Mid-Ohio Energy's lineworkers also answer the call beyond the boundaries of home. Our crews travel to fellow co-ops, near or far, when widespread outages occur and additional support is needed. Cooperation Among Cooperatives is one of our seven guiding principles, and no one embodies this core commitment better than lineworkers.

This month, as we celebrate those who ensure reliable power, let’s recognize their unwavering dedication to the local communities they serve.

The next time you flip a switch, please take a moment to remember those who make it possible — lineworkers, wired for service and dedicated to illuminating life.

We

thank our linemen

for their commitment to powering our local communities.

We proudly salute the linemen of Mid-Ohio Energy:

Barry Boes, Jason Chavana, Luke Jackson, Dylan Jewell Sam Leach, Jonathan Lewis, Mitch Sawmiller, Derek Stoll

In April, Mid-Ohio Energy 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 confidential. We strive to provide all member-owners with safe, affordable, reliable, and clean electric service. By participating in the survey, you will help us make decisions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors.

Our offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 18. Drop boxes are available at our offices for payments. Emergency service is available anytime; call 1-888-363-6446.

Annual RepoRt 2024

VALUE PAST RELIABLE

PRESENT FUTURE

Report from Management

Your co-op is always looking ahead. We’re exploring ways to innovate, utilizing new technologies as a way to improve our services, and getting the most of available resources.

We provide competitive rates (at-cost plus operating margins), consistently receive industry-leading member satisfaction scores, and our members currently enjoy a reliability rate of 99 9%. So what motivates us to keep moving forward? The answer is simple our members!

As a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, we’re here to provide our members with the best possible service (and VALUE) for your energy dollars. We are governed by our members not by outside shareholders.

We emphasize value because we offer unique advantages to our members and communities. That includes putting people before profits, caring about the local community, and making safe, affordable, reliable power a top priority.

Part of our responsibility to you includes communicating and being transparent with our member-owners. In April, we provide the annual report to members, including a financial report, update on the past year’s activities, and insight into the year ahead.

Here’s a look at some of your co-op’s initiatives and accomplishments from the past year.

Accounting & Member Service

Your co-op’s finances have remained strong throughout the past year. In the pages ahead, you’ll find the full independent auditor’s report from BHM CPA Group, Inc.

In January of 2025, a flat $2.00 service charge adjustment went into effect for all residential and general services. This was the result of the cost of equipment necessary to deliver electricity (meters, poles, wire, etc.) increasing sharply in recent years.

Mid-Ohio Energy is consistently assessing our local rates and rate structures. The co-op’s staff, board, and rate committee work to establish rates and financial ratios that will set the co-op up for long term success, while holding costs down for members.

Similarly, the staff and board determine when working capital and margins can be retired, and paid out to members as capital patronage. In 2024, Mid-Ohio Energy paid out a total of $593,218 in capital credits to members. In the previous year, a total of $45,825 was also refunded as

John Metcalf President & CEO

Trevor Fremont Board Chairman

estate patronage. Combined, this equates to more than $1 million dollars in patronage paid out to our members.

On the member service front, your co-op continues to offer all available payment methods and notices, so you can manage your account as it’s most convenient for you!

When it comes to low-hassle and convenient options for managing your monthly bills, we offer e-bill statements and auto-bill pay options. If you haven’t taken advantage of these methods yet, contact us and ask how you can earn energy credits for signing up. A $5 energy credit is available for new enrollments in each program.

In 2024 and 2025, we’re also emphasizing the importance of having accurate and up-to-date member info on file. We want to be able to accurately reach all members with important updates regarding your account and service (including outage notifications). We’re currently working to contact all members to confirm or update this info. We appreciate your cooperation in these efforts to ensure we can provide you with fast and accurate service.

Line Operations & Engineering

Locally, our employees have done an incredible job maintaining and operating our local electric distribution system.

Our reliability rate is 99.9% for the year, meaning that with all outages factored, a typical service would only be without power for an average of 87 minutes for the entire year! The majority of outages on our system were caused by vehicle accidents, followed by wind/trees, substationrelated outages, power supply, and small animals. While most of these outages are beyond our control, the Operations team monitors outage causes and trends in great detail to determine projects to improve reliability in the years ahead.

Our vegetation and right-of-way management programs are also critical to clearing trees, brush, and other obstacles away from power lines. This helps us eliminate the potential for outages caused by storms and/or high winds.

Of course, reliability only matters when we can deliver electricity in a manner that is safe and sustainable. We place a high emphasis on a culture of safety, resulting in zero restricted or lost-time incidents in the past year. We train and develop employees to establish a safe and knowledgeable workforce that can quickly respond to make repairs.

Despite these measures, we still see cost pressures and delays on certain equipment that we rely on to provide power such as substation transformers, bucket/digger trucks, and other specialized electric utility equipment. In some cases, it now takes three to five years to receive specialized equipment, at a cost two to three times higher than the same equipment cost just a few years ago! Our staff has been able to manage the situation, but we remain focused on managing these costs and lead times to keep the power as affordable and reliable as possible.

Information Technology

Safeguarding your data and the systems we rely on to operate the electrical grid has never been more important. As scammers and cyber-threats target members and the nation’s grid, your co-op’s IT professionals stay informed and work to keep your information secure.

Cyber threats have the potential to disrupt power reliability. That’s why we work to stay one step ahead. We employ the latest technology and security protocols to provide layers of protection, and backup options in case of disaster recovery or other emergency scenarios.

We also realize that these cyber threats are always evolving. Your co-op’s staff has spearheaded initiatives and assessment programs to incorporate cyber resources available through the state-and-national network of electric cooperatives.

Locally, IT staff has conducted several cybersecurity tabletop exercises across all co-op departments in order to ensure that we are prepared to maintain or recover operations in any scenario. These proactive measures collectively provide a foundation for a robust and secure electric grid.

Communications & Marketing

In 2024, your co-op’s staff and board focused on increasing member engagement. In response to declining attendance

at annual meetings, we formed a member events plan consisting of a virtual annual meeting with two Family Fun Day events held at our offices in August. Based on increased engagement numbers and positive feedback from members, we are planning a similar format for member events in 2025. Members can receive a $20 energy credit for viewing the annual meeting, and attend our Family Fun events this summer for free food, kids’ activities, and more!

To keep members engaged and informed, we use all available methods to reach our members in their preferred format. This includes Ohio Cooperative Living magazine, our website, e-newsletter, and social media channels.

Community involvement is another area of impact. We provide local sponsorships and a community room for community gatherings, and administer the Mid-Ohio Energy Community Fund. In 2024, the Community Fund provided 24 grants, totaling $40,840 dollars to support community efforts and nonprofit organizations. Since the start of the program, the Community Fund has granted more than $800,000 locally.

We’re proud to partner with schools (scholarships, Youth Tour, career presentations), local economic development professionals (development grants, resource sharing, etc.), and our legislative representatives (grassroots political action and education) to provide support to those who are working to make a local impact!

Engage with us in 2025

At the time you read this report, your co-op’s 2025 plans are well underway. In addition to our ongoing efforts to improve your service, we’re looking forward to upcoming opportunities to engage with members.

We hope you’ll take a moment to view our annual meeting, stop by our offices during member appreciation events, and attend our Family Fun Day celebrations.

We look forward to seeing you and promise to continue working to provide the reliable, affordable electricity you expect and deserve — yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

STATEMENTS OF REVENUE AND PATRONAGE CAPITAL

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Adjustments to reconcile net margins to net  cash provided by operating activities: Change in provision for credit losses (5,626) (56,718) Depreciation and amortization 2,312,281 2,287,367

Other deductions 12,174 12,174

Non-cash capital credits allocation (517,450) (924,743)

Gain on disposition of property (424) (7,202)

Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable

(13,555)

Deferred charges, interest  receivable and prepayments 1,024,509 (1,969,417) Accounts payable 291,881 (81,729)

Accumulated provision for non-pension  postretirement benefits, patronage  capital payable, accrued taxes and  other current liabilities (54,395) 60,485

Total adjustments 3,366,520 792,980

Net cash provided by  operating activities 4,784,689 3,158,782

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Extension and replacement of electric plant,  net of salvage and cost of retirements (3,975,064) (4,589,736)

Proceeds from sale of scrap 7,512 24,765

Proceeds from sale of assets 550 13,500

Purchase of investments (990) -

Proceeds from redemption of  investments - patronage capital 654,649 658,967

Net cash used by investing activities (3,313,343) (3,892,504)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Net change in consumer memberships

and deposits 18,483 133,050

Proceeds from long-term debt 1,000,000 3,500,000

Payments on long-term debt (1,915,064) (1,659,353)

Payments on finance lease obligations (115,709) (177,835)

Patronage capital credits retired (1,096,686) (881,372)

Net cash used by  financing activities (2,108,976)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2024 and 2023

NATURE OF ORGANIZATION

Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. (the Cooperative) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, operates as a cooperative, and is exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Cooperative’s primary business is that of providing electric service to rural consumers in Hardin, Allen, Auglaize, Marion, Logan, Wyandot, Morrow, Union and Crawford counties in Ohio. Providing electric service includes construction of plant as well as purchasing electricity to sell to consumers.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Cooperative’s accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles, as applied to Rural Electric Cooperatives, substantially in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Following is a description of the more significant accounting policies used by the Cooperative in the preparation of its financial statements:

Electric plant and depreciation - The Cooperative records improvements and additions to the distribution plant at cost using continuing property records. Retirements are removed from the cost and accumulated depreciation accounts at standard costs which are updated periodically. The actual cost of removing retirements is charged to accumulated depreciation during the year the retirement is completed. General plant and equipment are recorded at cost based on the unit method. Any retirements or disposals of general plant and equipment are removed from the cost and accumulated depreciation accounts. Any salvage received is credited to accumulated depreciation.

Investments - Investments are primarily in the form of patronage and equity capital of other cooperatives. They are included on the balance sheets as long-term assets. These investments are considered equity investments without readily determinable fair values and are accounted for at cost, minus impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment. No impairment or observable price changes were recorded during 2024 and 2023.

Materials and supplies - Inventories of material and supplies not allocated to construction work in progress are valued at the lower of cost (determined using the average cost method) or net realizable value..

Accounts receivable - Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Management provides a valuation allowance for potential credit losses through a charge to earnings. In establishing the valuation allowance, using the current expected credit loss methodology, management considers their knowledge of customers, historical losses, and current economic conditions in their service area. Balances that are still outstanding after reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance. Changes in the valuation allowance historically have not been significant. The Cooperative performs ongoing credit evaluations of its consumers and requires a security deposit for consumers meeting specified criteria.

Cash and cash equivalents - The Cooperative considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand, demand deposits, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and investments in commercial paper having a maturity of ninety days or less. There were no investments in commercial paper at December 31, 2024 or 2023.

Financial instruments - The Cooperative believes that the carrying amount of its financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and other current assets and liabilities, approximates fair value based on their short-term duration. The Cooperative has determined that it is not practical to calculate the fair value of investments in other cooperatives and long-term debt due to the excessive cost involved.

Income taxes - The Cooperative has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization exempt from income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(12). Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes has been recorded.

The Cooperative complies with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. ASC 740-10 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Management is not aware of any tax positions taken by the Cooperative on its tax returns that they consider to be uncertain or that would jeopardize its tax-exempt status. Tax returns for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021 are still open and subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Retirement related benefits - Generally accepted accounting principles requires the recognition of the funded status of the non-pension postretirement benefit plan as an asset or a liability on the balance sheets. It also requires the recognition of the changes in that funded status in the year in which they occur through other comprehensive income and the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and transition assets or liabilities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. However, these amounts were not significant for the Cooperative, therefore other comprehensive income has not been recorded.

Compensated absences - The Cooperative accrues a liability for compensated absences for which the employee has earned a vested, non-forfeitable right. Non-vested benefits related to accumulated sick leave, which cannot be reasonably estimated, are expensed as incurred.

Patronage capital and margins - Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. operates under the Cooperative form of organization. As provided in the code of regulations, any excess of revenues over expenses from operations is treated as advances of capital by the patrons and credited to each of them on an individual basis. Generally, it is the Cooperative’s policy to retire capital contributed by patrons periodically as deemed appropriate by management and the Board of Trustees. Capital credits due to patrons who become deceased are paid to the estates of such patrons.

Concentration of credit risk - At various times throughout the year, the Cooperative may have deposits in financial institutions that exceed the federally insured limit. The Cooperative’s investments with Cooperative Response Center Inc. (CRC) and National Rural Utilities Finance Corporation (NRUCFC) are uninsured. Management does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk related to its cash deposits.

Credit risk for accounts receivable is concentrated because substantially all the balances are unsecured credit to consumers, primarily for the sale of electricity, located within the same geographic region. The Cooperative has five major consumers that represent approximately 12.3% and 14.5% of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Revenue recognition and cost of purchased power - Revenues represent amounts billed monthly to members using established rates applied to energy consumption. Revenues and the related cost of purchased power are recognized during the month in which energy is consumed. Revenues from all other sources, primarily services and late charges, are recognized as the service is provided or the consumer is charged. The Cooperative generally meets its performance obligations related to the service within a month of the order. Payments for the service are due upon delivery of the service. The sales price for the services are fixed at established rates or amounts in the contract or agreed to at the time of the sale of the power and services.

(The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.)

PATRONAGE CAPITAL

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – Continued

Some of the Cooperative’s operations provide for deposits or prepayments for power. The revenue and gross profit related to these transactions is not recognized until the power is consumed by the member. These consumer deposit contract liabilities are classified as current liabilities on the balance sheets.

The table below includes disaggregated information by the significant type of consumer and services for the years ended December 31:

Statement of cash flows - Net cash flows from operating activities include cash payments for interest of $1,214,032 and $1,026,631 for 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no payments for federal income taxes..

Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

LITIGATION

The Cooperative is from time to time subjected to litigation through the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2024, management is not aware of any litigation pending or pertaining to the Cooperative that is material to the financial statements. The Cooperative is fully insured against any pending litigation.

DEFERRED CHARGES

Starting in 2018, participating Cooperatives in the RS Plan may make an additional contribution prepayment(voluntary contribution acceleration program or ‘VCAP’ contribution) in order to reduce future required contributions. The reduction in future contributions (contribution discount) and the length of the period over which the contribution reduction extends (discount period) is selected by the Cooperative. The VCAP contribution amount is then determined such that it is expected to fund the contribution discount over the discount period. After making the VCAP contribution, the RS Plan billing rate is reduced to reflect the selected contribution discount, which becomes effective the subsequent January 1. The VCAP contribution is accounted for on a monthly basis by crediting it with the actual monthly RS Plan investment return and reducing it by the reduction in monthly contributions obtained through the contribution discount, until the account value reduces to zero. Changes in plan provisions, demographic changes, asset returns different from the long term expected return on plan assets, and other factors will have an impact on the length of the discount period.

On December 1, 2022, December 1, 2023, and November 1, 2024, the Cooperative made voluntary $250,000 prepayments to the NRECA RS Plan with a three-year discount period. The Cooperative recorded the prepayments in deferred charges on the balance sheets and is amortizing each over three years.

ELECTRIC PLANT

Listed below are the major classes of the electric plant as of December 31: 2024 2023

Intangible plant $ 339 $ 339

General plant depreciation rates have been applied on a composite and straight-line basis as follows:

Structures and improvements 10 to 50 years Office furniture and fixtures 5 to 24 years

Transportation equipment 5 to 15 years Laboratory equipment 5 to 10 years

Communications equipment 5 to 12 years

Provisions have been made for depreciation of transmission plant and distribution plant at a straight-line composite rate of 3.10 percent per annum. The depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 totaled $2,312,281 and $2,287,367, respectively, of which $189,070 and $221,022, respectively, have been capitalized to distribution plant and expensed to numerous accounts in accordance with RUS policies and procedures.

LEASES

During 2024 and 2023, the Cooperative held leased vehicles under finance lease agreements. For financial reporting purposes, the present value of the minimum lease payments has been capitalized. The equipment has a total cost of $628,723 and $971,006 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and accumulated amortization of $448,812 and $677,845 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Amortization of property leased under finance leases is included in depreciation expense and was $113,076 and $169,419 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interest expense related to these leases and charged to operations was $7,870 and $13,559 during 2024 and 2023, respectively. During 2023, the Cooperative executed the purchase option upon the expiration of a finance lease contract for $8,282 for a vehicle with no remaining net book value.

Future minimum lease payments required under finance lease agreements for the years subsequent to December 31, 2024 are as follows::

Patronage capital is the retained net margins arising from operations of the Cooperative which have been or are expected to be allocated to its members in the form of capital credits, determined by each member’s billings during the year the margins were generated. No portion of any current allocation is paid in cash. Patronage capital consisted of the following as of December 31: 2024 2023 Assignable $

Less: Retirements to date (22,588,492) (21,491,806) Total Patronage Capital $ 30,185,605 $ 29,864,122

Under the provisions of the mortgage agreement with RUS, until the equities and margins equal or exceed 30 percent of the total assets of the Cooperative, the return to patrons of capital contributed by them is limited generally to 25% of the patronage capital or margins received by the Cooperative in the prior calendar year.

The equities and margins of the Cooperative represent 47.5% in 2024 and 46.5% in 2023 of the total assets at the balance sheet dates. During 2024, the Board of Trustees approved a 2% general retirement of 2023 capital credits totaling $593,218.

INVESTMENTS

Investments consisted of the following as of December 31: 2024 2023

Capital:

The member capital securities held by NRUCFC earn interest at an annual rate of 5.0%, payable semiannually with a maturity date of July 2044. The NRUCFC has the option to redeem all or a portion of the principal in July 2025.

The capital term certificates held by NRUCFC earn interest at an annual rate of 3.0% or 5.0%, payable semi-annually with maturity dates ranging from 2025 to 2080. The $10,000 equity investment with CRC earns dividends annually at the discretion of its Board of Directors.

LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt is represented by mortgage notes payable to the Federal Financing Bank (FFB) of the United States of America acting by and through RUS, NRUCFC and CoBank. Following is a summary of outstanding long-term debt as of December 31. 2024 2023

Mortgage notes payable to FFB:

note due December 2042 $

LONG-TERM DEBT - Continued

January 2046. Management continued with the recurring extensions up to September 30, 2022 when the Cooperative refinanced this variable rate note, to a fixed rate note with interest of 3.912%, due April 2046. Substantially all assets of the Cooperative are pledged as security for the long-term debt to FFB, NRUCFC and CoBank. Loan agreements contain various financial covenants, which the Cooperative was in compliance for both periods presented.

As of December 31, 2024, there are unadvanced loan funds available to the Cooperative from NRUCFC and CoBank for lines of credit of $2,000,000 and $1,000,000, respectively, of which there was no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. Unadvanced loan funds available to the Cooperative through FFB were $11,000,000 and $12,000,000 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

During 2019 certain debt was refinanced resulting in a prepayment penalty of $182,608. The penalty is included in prepayments on the balance sheets and is being amortized over fifteen years. The amortization expense is included in other deductions on the statements of revenue and patronage capital. As of December 31, 2024, annual maturities of all long-term debt outstanding for the next five years are as follows:

2025 $1,842,610

2026 1,914,678

2027 1,809,971

2028 2.058,142

2029 2,324,265

Thereafter 19,246,435

PENSION

PLAN AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Cooperative sponsors three retirement related benefit plans, a defined benefit pension plan, a defined contribution retirement plan and a postretirement health care plan. Following is a brief description of each of the plans including financial data recognized in the accompanying financial statements related to each plan.

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan - The Cooperative maintains a 401(k)-profit sharing plan that covers substantially all employees. In accordance with this plan, the Cooperative contributes 0.5% of each participant’s base salary for each 1% of salary that the participant contributes to the plan. The maximum contribution by the Cooperative is 3% of salary. For the years 2024 and 2023, the Cooperative made contributions to the plan of $71,321 and $62,630, respectively.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan - Substantially all the employees of the Cooperative are covered by the NRECA RS Plan, which is a defined benefit pension plan qualified under Section 401 and tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is a multiemployer plan under the accounting standards. The plan Sponsor’s Employer Identification Number is 53-0116145 and the Plan Number is 333. A unique characteristic of a multiemployer plan compared to a single employer plan is that all plan assets are available to pay benefits of any plan participant. Separate asset accounts are not maintained for participating employers. This means that assets contributed by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.

The Cooperative’s contributions to the plan of $137,255 and $178,675 for 2024 and 2023, respectively, represented less than 5% of the total contributions made to the plan by all employers.

In the RS Plan, a “zone status” determination is not required, and therefore not determined, under the Pension Protection Act (PPA) of 2006. In addition, the accumulated benefit obligations and plan assets are not determined or allocated separately by individual employer. In total, the RS Plan was over 80% funded on January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2023 based on the PPA funding target and PPA actuarial value of assets on those dates. Because the provisions of the PPA do not apply to the RS Plan, funding improvement plans and surcharges are not applicable. Future contribution requirements are determined each year as part of the actuarial valuation of the RS Plan and may change as a result of plan experience.

Non-pension Postretirement Benefit Plan - The Cooperative sponsors a defined benefit postretirement health care plan covering substantially all employees. The plan is funded by the Cooperative on a “pay as you go” basis and provides a fixed annual benefit for retired employees with 20 years of service between the ages of 61 and 65. ASC 715 Compensation - Retirement Benefits, requires the recognition of the funded status of pension plans and non-pension postretirement benefit plans as an asset or liability on the balance sheets, the recognition of changes in that funded status in the year in which they occur through other comprehensive income and the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and transition assets and liabilities as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Since the Cooperative’s postretirement benefit plan covers a limited time period for the retiree (between ages 61 and 65) and the benefits paid cannot exceed a total of $21,600 per participant for the four-year period, management did not obtain an actuarial study and did not implement all of the provisions of this standard. Management estimated the maximum potential liability for the Cooperative and determined that the impact of not implementing the standard was not significant.

The following table sets forth the plan’s estimated funded status and presents the amounts shown in the Cooperative’s financial statements as of December 31:

There is also a prepaid balance with Buckeye Power, Inc. of $2,369,230 and $3,369,885 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, that earns interest at an annual weighted average rate of 6.49% and 6.63%, respectively. The prepaid balance is included in current portion of prepayments on the accompanying balance sheets.

The Cooperative borrows funds from CoBank, in which it is an owner and a member. The Cooperative has an investment in CoBank and may receive patronage from time to time.

The Cooperative is a member of the NRUCFC, which provides a portion of the Cooperative’s financing. Investments in NRUCFC include stock and patronage capital as well as interest bearing capital term certificates and capital security investments.

The Cooperative purchases most of its materials and supplies from UUS of which it is an owner and member. Investments in this organization include patronage capital.

The Cooperative purchases data processing services from Meridian Cooperative of which it is an owner and member. Investments in this organization include stock and patronage capital.

The Cooperative previously purchased data processing services from NISC of which it is still an owner and member. Investments in this organization include a membership fee and patronage capital.

The Cooperative is a member of NRTC. Membership in this association required an investment of $1,000.

The Cooperative is a member of CRC. Membership in this association required an investment of $2,500. Federated, a non-assessable reciprocal insurer, provides property and liability insurance to the Cooperative. The carrying value of this investment represents the Cooperative’s contributions and share of patronage capital.

The Cooperative purchases fuel and other miscellaneous materials from Central Ohio Farmers Coop of which it is a member. Investments in this organization includes a membership fee and patronage capital.

Additional information, including the investment balances in these related entities, is provided in the “INVESTMENTS” note.

Following is a summary of related party purchases for the years ended December 31: 2024 2023

Ohio Farmers Coop 53,296

Accounts payable due to related parties included the following as of December 31: 2024 2023

The above amounts are included in “accounts payable - other” on the accompanying balance sheets. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events were evaluated through February 7, 2025, which is the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

Quick Cooperative Facts:

13

8,186

1,336mi

As noted above, the total estimated accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is not recorded on the balance sheets but will eventually be recorded through annual charges of net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation ($99,803 as of December 31, 2024) includes estimates for experience gains and losses and unrecognized prior service costs. The discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is 6 percent. The estimated maximum potential for benefits to be paid over the next five years approximates $80,550. Management believes the estimated accrued benefit cost included on the balance sheets is very conservative since no allowance is included for employee turnover and no reduction in the obligation was made for employees that choose to not retire between ages 61 and 65.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Cooperative purchases all of its power from Buckeye Power, Inc. at rates determined in its wholesale power agreement. Buckeye Power, Inc. is a cooperative whose membership includes Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. The Cooperative has an investment in and receives patronage from Buckeye Power, Inc. Accounts payable to Buckeye Power, Inc. at December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $1,508,778 and $1,202,858, respectively.

As a Touchstone Energy cooperative, we are guided by the principles of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the Board of Trustees

Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. • Kenton, Ohio

Opinion

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related statements of revenue and patronage capital, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc., as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc. and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Responsibility of Management for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued.

Auditor’s Responsibility for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.

In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards, we:

• Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.

• Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.

We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit.

Other Information

Management is responsible for the other information included in the annual report. The other information comprises the introductory, statistical sections and include the basic financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinions on the basic financial statements do not cover the other information, and we do not express an opinion or any form of assurance thereon. In connection with our audit of the basic financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and consider whether a material inconsistency exists between the other information and the basic financial statements, or the other information otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work performed, we conclude that an uncorrected material misstatement of the other information exists, we are required to describe it in our report.

Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated February 7, 2025 on our consideration of the Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance.

Columbus, Ohio

February 7, 2025

Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative serves portions of 10 counties in northcentral Ohio. The current board is made up of one trustee from each of the cooperative’s nine districts. Each year, prior to the annual meeting of members, members vote (either by mail or by online ballot) to elect trustee representatives. Board members are responsible for cooperative policies, rates, and contracts. They are the ambassadors of the cooperative’s rural community, focusing on the needs of the membership.

Curtis Byers

Bill Waggoner

fresh! while it’s Get it

Strawberries are just a start! In fact, you might just be surprised at everything you can find at Ohio’s family-owned U-pick farms. Here’s a guide to a few of the best.

BY THERESA RAVENCRAFT

Mitchell’s Berries and Blooms

9331 Mitchell-Dewitt Road, Plain City, OH 43064. 937-243-0635, www.mitchellsberries.com

Do you love strawberries? Paul and Shelly Detwiler sure do! Better known as Farmer Paul and Berry Girl, the Detwilers, members of Marysville-based URE–Union Rural Electric Cooperative, have offered U-pick experiences at their 200-year-old family farm for 19 years. Each year they welcome visitors to pick daffodils and asparagus in April, peonies and juicy strawberries in May and June, red and black raspberries in July, and wildflowers and edamame in August. Their Facebook page has details on more unique events, such as a Bridgerton garden party and cooking classes.

The Blueberry Patch

1285 West Hanley Road, Mansfield, OH 44904. 419-884-1797, www.theblueberrypatch.org

Visitors can pick blueberries from late June to mid-August at the Blueberry Patch, owned and operated by Lisa and Steve Beilstein since 1981. The plantation offers 37 acres of beautiful blueberry bushes, a coffee and tea bar, a gift shop that features blueberry-themed items, and the 1285 Winery — a must-visit destination that celebrated its 10th anniversary at the end of last year. Blueberry doughnuts draw visitors from miles around, and blueberries are also available to be purchased by the pound. Tip: Late in the season, the sunflower field is a fantastic selfie spot.

Lynd Fruit Farm

9399 Morse Road SW, Pataskala, OH 43062. 740-927-1333, www.lyndfruitfarm.com

Lynd Fruit Farm has been a favorite U-pick destination since 1919. Andy Lynd and Debbie Patton’s family-owned farm and market is best known for its 27 varieties of apples among its three orchards, but visitors can also pick berries and peaches in the summer or pears and pumpkins in addition to apples in the fall. During the busy fall season, guests can also take a wagon ride, make their way through the corn maze, and shoot a bucket of apples with the apple cannon. Tip: Come early to get some freshbaked apple cider doughnuts; the line can get long.

Karnes Orchard

8200 Worley Mill Road, Hillsboro, OH 45133. 937-763-8250, www.karnesorchard.com

Steve and Zelda Karnes are the seventh generation of their family to own Karnes Orchard, established in 1876. The farm, which is a member of Lancaster-based South Central Power Company, offers tart cherries in June, peaches from late July to early September, and apples from August through the end of October. Families come from near and far to pick from 60 varieties of apples and grab some apple cider. The most popular varieties of apples are Honeycrisp, Gala, Red Delicious, Winesap, and Evercrisp, with the different varieties ripening at different times through the late summer and fall.

Continued from page 25

Legend Hills Orchard

11335 Reynolds Road, Utica, OH 43080. 740-892-2498, www.legendhillsorchard.com

The original 168 acres of Doug Hoar, Susan Hatch, and Debbie Seibel’s 340-acre farm have remained in their family for over 100 years — five generations. U-pick season begins in July with peaches and summer apples, then fall apple-picking starts in early September. The market, a member of The Energy Cooperative in Newark, is open year-round and features a variety of cheeses, jams, and gluten-free products — and sells fresh, non-pasteurized cider all year long. Beginning in late November, the farm becomes a popular destination for cut-your-own Christmas trees.

Weeknight

Looking for more?

We know this isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are a few more U-pick farms around the state in case you’re looking for one closer to you:

Entry deadline: April 18, 2025

Rules & regulations

♦ Entrants must be Ohio electric cooperative members or residents of an electric cooperative household.

♦ Submissions may be an original recipe or one adapted from an existing recipe published elsewhere, with at least three distinct changes from a published version.

♦ Recipes should include all ingredients and measurements, directions, and number of servings.

♦ Limit three recipes per entrant.

♦ A good backstory can never hurt! Is your recipe a family tradition, passed down through generations, or did you make it up one day out of thin air?

2025 Reader Recipe Contest

What’s the one recipe you can pull out in the middle of the week for a meal that you know will make everyone happy? Quick and easy yet delicious, nutritious, and SATISFYING!

Enter our 2025 Reader Recipe Contest and you could win an Ohio-made KitchenAid stand mixer or other valuable prizes!

Two ways to enter

Send an email to memberinteract@ohioec.org or send by U.S. Mail to Catherine Murray, c/o Ohio Cooperative Living, 6677 Busch Blvd., Columbus, OH 43229

Scan QR code to email your entry

Include your name and address, a phone number and email address where you can be contacted, and the name of your electric cooperative.

Rainbow Farms

2464 Townline Road, Madison, OH 44057 440-259-4924, www.rainbowfarmsonline.com

U-pick is available for strawberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and peppers. Visit the website for picking dates.

Rittman Orchards and Farm Market

13548 Mount Eaton Road, Doylestown, OH 44230 330-925-4152, www.rittmanorchards.com

The U-pick season begins with asparagus in May, but check out the “What’s Ripe?” section of the website to see what’s coming when.

Sunny Slope Market and Orchard

14960 Millersburg Road SW, Navarre, OH 44662 330-833-9415, www.sunnyslopeapples.com

Apple picking starts in August, but the market is open year-round, offering fresh baked goods.

Irons Fruit Farm

1640 Stubbs-Mill Road, Lebanon, OH 45036. 513-932-2853

This family farm is located halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati. Find them on Facebook to learn about U-pick opportunities.

Stacy Family Farms

27515 State Route 7, Marietta, OH 45750. 740-374-2371, www.stacyfarm.com

In operation since 1899, the farm offers U-pick strawberries, blueberries, sunflowers, and pumpkins.

Jutte’s Fruit Farm and Landscaping

3460 State Route 49, Fort Recovery, OH 45846 419-375-2304 or find them on Facebook

Lots of U-pick strawberries, plus loads of other seasonal fruits and veggies available at the roadside market.

Apple Hill Orchards

1175 Lexington Ontario Road, Mansfield, OH 44903 419-884-1500, www.applehillorchards.com

With two locations, this farm is always a family-friendly destination. Check the website for availability of peaches, pears, and apples.

Lohstroh

Family Farms

15632 State Route 56 SE, Mt. Sterling, OH 43143 740-869-4208, www.lohstrohfamilyfarms.com

This family farm has been growing pumpkins for more than 40 years, and is open for the season on Labor Day weekend.

Remembering

Rafinesque

The eccentric scientist, prolific writer — and sometimes fraudster — made his mark on Ohio’s natural history.

BY CRAIG SPRINGER

Constantine Rafinesque-Schmaltz is the scientist you did not know that you knew. His walkabouts through Ohio impressed upon him a desire to discover more about plants and fishes and a prehistoric culture that predated him by millennia.

This self-educated polyglot and polymath possessed a brilliant and inquisitive mind, an unceasing curiosity — and an eccentric and prickly personality that made him easy to dislike.

But let’s go back to the beginning. He was born in 1783 in Turkey and spent his youth in France. His father was French, and a successful international merchant. His mother was born in Germany, and her son carried her name until adulthood. His father died of yellow fever when Rafinesque was but 10 years old.

The family moved to Italy to escape the terrors of the French Revolution. It was there that a self-educated Constantine came of age and took an ardent interest in natural history and languages, which would come to have its consequences in the names of organisms — through the eastern U.S., in Ohio, and even into the American Southwest.

Rafinesque lived through a number of tragic incidents over many of his 56 years. While still a precocious young

man, he collected and described for science (that is, to give an organism its first formal scientific name) new plants and fishes from Sicily. Striking out on his own, the young scientist traveled to the United States anticipating museum work. Then, tragedy hit in 1815: He lost all of his belongings, papers, books, and his collected plant specimens along the Atlantic Coast in a shipwreck — and he nearly lost his life.

He landed on America’s shores in Connecticut with nothing but the drenched clothes that he was wearing. He eventually established himself as a serious botanist in New York.

The man collected and described plants with great frequency and intensity. He habitually wore a long coat with many pockets to stash plant specimens to preserve and describe.

He had interests beyond plants. In 1818, Rafinesque walked the length of the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to southern Illinois, collecting plants and fossils and catching and drawing fishes from the main river and the many tributaries that poured into the Ohio.

Another unfortunate event occurred along the way. Rafinesque spent a protracted time with the now-famous bird artist John James Audubon, who lived near the Ohio River in Kentucky. Rafinesque wore out his welcome, setting off events that damaged his standing as a scientist.

Bats flew into Rafinesque’s room one evening and the eccentric guest swatted the flying mammals with his host’s prized violin, ruining it. Audubon returned the favor by suggesting that Ohio River tributaries were populated with mysterious fish species. Rafinesque made the mistake of trusting Audubon, fell for the prank, and published descriptions of Audubon’s fake fishes — ten in all — without seeing them, in what is otherwise a seminal 300-page text, titled Ichthyologia Ohioensis

The fake fish tarnished the polymath’s reputation and did not serve Audubon well, either.

Passing through the Chillicothe area, Rafinesque was taken by the multitude of Indian mounds and the earthen ceremonial structures that surely stimulated his interest in archeology. Rafinesque excavated mounds and prodigiously published papers in what few scientific journals and popular magazines existed at the time. He also self-published his own tracts.

effect, impugning Rafinesque’s credibility, painting him as a crank and a sloppy scientist, a reputation that followed him to his grave in 1840

Rafinesque did not always help himself. He professed to have deciphered the Walam Olum, a purported creation and migration story of the Delaware Indians who once inhabited Ohio. For decades, the Delaware Tribe accepted it as genuine. Modern scholarship in the late 20th century, however, revealed that Rafinesque perpetrated a fraud, actually translating English words into the Delaware language to create a believable but ultimately false story. Scholars surmise he hoped to gain a prize from an organization in Europe.

Circleville’s postmaster, Caleb Atwater, who was also a lawyer, had his own ardent interest in the ancient Indian earthworks; he published his own papers and a book on the Adena and Hopewell cultures — but to the dissatisfaction of Rafinesque, who publicly criticized the man. Atwater, not taking kindly to the criticism, embarked on a letter-writing smear campaign, maybe with free postage, against his critic. It had the intended

This much is true: The frenzied genius published 900 scientific papers and several books on topics of medicine, banking, archeology, and the Hebrew language. He named 6,700 plants, several species of turtles and mammals, including deer and coyote, and 26 fishes native to Ohio. Many organisms have since been named in his honor, including one you might find underfoot in slabs of limestone so common in Ohio. Specimens of Rafinesque’s eponymous genus of extinct brachiopods are fossilized in stone, a testament to a brilliant mind.

Constantine Rafinesque died in 1840 of liver cancer, perhaps brought on by herbal treatments he created for himself.

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Regularly sold for $99, we’re offering this collection of survival essentials to you for A FIFTH OF THE NORMAL PRICE! Why? Because we’ve had an incredible year and we feel like giving back to our valued customers. As this kit has proven to be one of our all-time best sellers, we can only extend this offer while supplies last. Of our initial run of 1,737, more than half have already sold. Your move, Mother Nature.

Survival Box Specifications:

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Cruising for

landlubbers

Like cruises but hate the water? Head to Amish country for a dry-land alternative.

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

Vacation cruises are among Tom and Sally Davies’ favorite ways to relax. Three-day all-inclusive getaways with exceptional food, a variety of entertainment options, and lots of lounging by the pool while making friends with your fellow travelers — what’s not to love?

Their most recent cruise, however, was just a little different. Instead of flying to Florida, the Minerva couple, members of Carroll Electric Cooperative, headed to Amish country, where the Amish Country Theater and the Berlin Encore Hotel host “land cruises” 10 times a year.

“We are familiar with the Amish area,” Sally Davies says. “But we didn’t know there was an event [like this one]. There were even animals made out of towels on the bed just like on the cruise ships.”

The land cruises “embark” about once a month, drawing landlubbers from throughout Ohio and neighboring states. Festivities commence on a Tuesday afternoon and continue through checkout the following Thursday morning.

There is no gangplank to negotiate and no required program on the proper way to use life preservers. Just belly up to the reception desk for colorful leis and the lanyards that serve as tickets for the duration.

“Our goal is to make sure you have lots of fun and lots of food,” says John Bunn, who serves double duty as the “cruise director” and the headline entertainer. “This is just like being on a ship but without the deep blue ocean.”

The affable Bunn dons bib overalls and hillbilly teeth to become “Lynyrd,” the self-proclaimed master of laughter who headlines the Welcome Aboard Show, emcees game shows, and introduces musical performers throughout the cruise.

He lays out the rules during the welcome aboard session, reminding participants to wear the provided lanyards, which are essentially tickets to all the events. He encourages folks to make friends and to sample the swamp water, which is a combination of birch beer and orange soda. He also recommends signing up for game shows like “The Big Pyramid,” “The Happy Couple,” and “This and That.”

“Make sure you collect as many bacon bits as you can,” he adds with a chuckle. “You won’t be sorry.” Bacon bits are tickets, earned through game action, bingo, audience participation, and a few other ways that can be traded for entry into a prize drawing for gifts including a complimentary tour, lodging certificates, comedy theater tickets, and commemorative sweatshirts.

“We’ve been on 12 land cruises, and each is more enjoyable than the previous one,” says retired Akron teacher Brad Dezordo. “We have been here so often we know the staff and they know us.”

Land cruises debuted in 2020. They are the brainchild of Jeff Conn, one of the owners of the event center that includes the hotel and theater. He had just returned from a traditional ocean voyage and believed the experience could be re-created on land — and his family’s seven-story hotel, theater, and event space was just the place.

The initial cruise season was cut short by COVID, but they’ve grown steadily ever since. Bunn says the current 10-cruise schedule, with months off in October and December, seems to be the sweet spot.

“Ten is a good number for us,” he says. “We sell out some months, but the addition of our sister property (the Berlin Resort) will help with overflow. We want people to come and have a good time. We definitely feed off the enthusiasm of our audiences.”

Tom and Sally Davies and Dezordo say they certainly enjoyed the family-friendly shows, and they all raved about the food. Dinners featuring iconic Amish fare are served buffet-style and cruisers are encouraged to come back for seconds. Plentiful snacks and slushies are available, and a self-serve ice cream station is open around the clock.

“Just like the cruise ships, you come home weighing more than when you left,” Dezordo says. “They feed you really good, but there is always room for ice cream.”

MARKETPLACE

2025 APRIL/MAY

CALENDAR

NORTHWEST

APR. 2, MAY 7 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities geared for preschool-age children that focus on farming and nature. Families welcome! 419-447-7073, www.conservesenecacounty. com, or Seneca Conservation District on Facebook.

APR. 12 – Easter Eggstravaganza, downtown Bellefontaine. Enjoy an egg-citing day filled with fun, festivities, and Easter surprises for the whole family! www.firstfridaysbellefontaine.com.

APR 12–13 – 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. New, used, and vintage items, crafts, and more. Food trucks onsite. Vendors welcome! For more information, contact Christine at 419-619-0041 or futrellcg1@gmail.com.

APR. 12 – Kernel Creations Workshop, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn, 117 S. Main St., Bluffton, 2–4 p.m. Ages 10+. $65. Fun and exciting DIY experience. Includes a tour of the production facility, making your own flavor of popcorn, and more! www. shirleyspopcorn.com/collections/featured-flavor/ products/shirleys-kettle-creations-diy-experience?.

APR. 16 – The Addams Family Broadway Show, Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. The magnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters. www.limaciviccenter.com.

APR. 18 – Ottawa River Coalition Fish Fry, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, 11 a.m.–6:30

WEST VIRGINIA

p.m. $15. Join us on Good Friday for our annual fish fry community event. Enjoy an excellent meal and help support our watershed education efforts! Fun games and activities; silent auction. Contact: lydia@ allenswcd.com or 419-222-0846

APR. 19 – NWORRP Easter Egg Hunt, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. $3; 12 and under, $2 Continuous egg hunt with fun and treats for all ages, and a chance to win a “Golden Ticket” good for the 2025 season. Quarter-scale train rides until 4 p.m. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook. com/nworrp.

APR. 24 – Fourth Thursday Food Truck Rally and Garden Hop, downtown Lakeview, 4–7 p.m. Walk from each participating business, say hi, then grab your shopping passport and a surprise to enjoy! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy music from Rise FM, food trucks, games, and more. Event is sponsored by McDonalds of Indian Lake. www.facebook.com/ downtownlakeviewohio.

APR. 19 – “Historical Easter Customs,” Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek, 10051 Township Rd. 47, West Liberty, 4–6 p.m. Free. Enjoy an egg hunt, egg rolling, and other egg games popular in the past. Make an Easter card like one in the Piatt Castle collection and share some of your own family customs. 937-465-2821, 937-844-3480, or www.piattcastle.org.

APR. 26 – “Nature Nurture,” Piatt Castle Mac-ACheek, 10051 Township Rd. 47, West Liberty, 9–10:30 a.m. Free. Celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day by participating in an interactive program focusing on learning about and caring for nature. Plant a seed from a tree at the Castle to take home! 937-465-2821, 937-844-3480, or www.piattcastle.org.

MAY 3–4 – NWORRP Opening Weekend, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 1–4 p.m. Free. Join us for an afternoon party to celebrate our 2025 season. Quarter-scale train rides, carnival games, inflatables, mini-golf, and great food. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www. facebook.com/nworrp.

MAY 3–4 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun.

APR. 26 – Ramps and Rails Festival, Elkins Depot, 315 Railroad Ave., Elkins, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Learn about this unique indigenous Appalachian leek while enjoying local arts and crafts, live music, and delicious ramp-themed foods. Train rides available. 304-365-7803 or www.elkinsdepot.com/events/ ramps-and-rail-festival.

MAY 10–18 – West Virginia Strawberry Festival, downtown Buckhannon. Food vendors specializing in strawberry treats of all kinds, live entertainment, craft and vendor show, three parades, carnival, games, exhibits, and much more! 304-472-9036 or www. wvstrawberryfestival.com.

8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. (8 a.m. entry for members). $8; 18 and under free if accompanied by adult. Cash only. Over 400 tables of modern and antique guns, edged weapons, and sportsmen equipment. 419-647-0067 (Manetta Obringer) or www.allencofair.com/events.

MAY 9, 11, 16, 18 – Murder on the Orient Express, Encore Theatre, 991 N. Shore Dr., Lima, Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $8–$15. It’s winter 1934 and an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks. One murderer. A train full of suspects. An impossible case. Can the world’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot, solve the mystery before the train reaches its final destination? 419-223-8866 or www.amiltellers.org.

MAY 9–18 – Biggest Week in American Birding, Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Ctr., 1750 State Park Rd., Oregon. $10–$35; 8 and under free. Come to the “Warbler Capital of the World” for spectacular birding activities, including morning flight counts, keynote speakers, workshops, field trips, and more. Register at www.biggestweekinamericanbirding.com.

MAY 9–AUG. 1 – Limaland Motorsports Park Races, 1500 Dutch Hollow Rd., Lima, 7:30–10:30 p.m. Pit races include sprints, UMP Modifieds, Thunderstocks, and more! Pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., grandstand gates 5 p.m., warmup laps 6:30 p.m. Schedule subject to change. Check www.limaland.com for the most current information.

MAY 10 – Annual Lilac Festival and Street Fair, Clinton Street, Defiance, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Celebrate the official flower of Defiance with the community’s largest art and craft fair. Free lilacs to the first 750 attendees. Art and craft vendors, food vendors, children’s activities. 419-782-0739 or https:// visitdefianceohio.com.

MAY 10–SEP. 14 – 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. Quarter-scale train rides, model train displays, museum tours, games, play area, and more. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook. com/nworrp.

2025 CALENDAR APRIL/MAY

NORTHEAST

APR. 7–18 – Annual Spring Quilt Show, Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., or by appointment. Free. Over three dozen handcrafted quilts on display. 740-283-1787 or www.oldfortsteuben.com.

APR. 18 – Pretzel Day, Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Stop by on Good Friday for a fun and flavor-filled day of pretzels, pretzels, and more pretzels! Enjoy a pretzel fresh out of the Bakery oven or visit one of the grab-and-go stations. Please be patient, as Bakery wait times may be long. 330874-3011 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.

APR. 24–27 – Geauga County Maple Festival, Historic Chardon Square, Chardon. Join us for a celebration of all things maple! Arts and crafts, lumberjack competition, bathtub races, maple syrup contest, pageants, parades, and other fun activities. Enjoy all-you-can-eat Pancakes in the Park every day, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. ($10, under 6 free). 440-332-7055 or www.maplefestival.com.

SOUTHWEST

THROUGH MAY 28 – 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.

APR. 1 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Miami Down Home Downtown, 221 High St., Hamilton, 7–8:30 p.m. Free. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music with lightning-fast instrumentals, close harmonies, and entertaining novelty songs. For details, email vaughnjh@ gmail.com.

APR. 26 – Avon Spring Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show, Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Dr., Avon, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $3; under 12 free. Large show featuring artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. 440-227-8794 or www. avantgardeshows.com.

MAY 1 – National Day of Prayer Event, LaGrange Methodist Church, 105 W. Main St., LaGrange, noon. All are welcome. For more information, call 440-3554561

MAY 2 – First Friday on Fourth, 155 N. 4th St., Steubenville, 6–10 p.m. Free. Street music-themed celebration featuring art, crafts, games, food trucks, live entertainment, and activities to stimulate the imagination. www.theharmoniumproject.org/ first-Fridays.

MAY 2–3 – Dandelion May Fest, Breitenbach Vineyards, 5773 Old Rte. 39 NW, Dover, Fri. 12–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Dandelion food and wine, cellar tours, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. 330-343-3603 or www.breitenbachwine.com/ dandelion-festival.

MAY 3 – Magic of Moms Craft and Vendor Show, Emidio and Sons Banquet Center, 48 E. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. 100 local vendors and crafters. Grab lunch and enjoy shopping, raffles, 50/50, and so much more! www.facebook.com/ events/579066271465770

MAY 3–4 – Ohio Civil War Show, Richland Co. Fgds., 750 N Home Rd., Mansfield, Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $8; under 12 free. Artillery show and cannon firing demos, living history campfire, Civil War and WWII battleground encampments, Camp Chase

Fife and Drum Corp, WWII small arms demos, and much more. www.ohiocivilwarshow.com.

MAY 4 – Duo Colombiano: “Latin Influences,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free. Guitarist Kurt Reed and cellist David London bring the musical traditions and heritage of Colombia to their performances of music from the New York City jazz clubs of the ’40s all the way to contemporary pop. Seating is on a first-come, firstserved basis. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.

MAY 9–10 – Holmes County Training Center Benefit Auction and Spring Festival, 8001 Township Rd. 574, Holmesville. Benefits children and adults in Holmes County DD facilities and in the community. Furniture, quilt, silent, and special auctions; raffle prizes; children’s games. Volleyball, food stands, and musical entertainment on Friday night; breakfast, chicken BBQ, food court, and all auctions on Saturday. 330-674-8045 or www. holmesdd.org.

MAY 9–10 – Maifest, Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar, $5; 11 and under free. German food and drink, music, make-and-take art projects, and spring tours of the village. German Car Show featuring a variety of antique German-made vehicles. 330-8743011 or www.historiczoarvillage.com.

MAY 10 – Plant Discovery Day Sale, Secrest Welcome and Education Center, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Over 120 different trees and shrubs, perennials, and herbs for sale. Find rare and exotic plants, native plants, vegetables, and more. Check the website for the plant list. www. friendsofsecrest.com.

APR. 5 – Under the Stars with Jim Carr, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 8–10 p.m. Free. Join us for an exciting evening of stargazing. For all ages. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@ gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.

APR. 7–MAY 25 – Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Rib City BBQ & Bluegrass, 746 NW Washington Blvd., Hamilton, Mon. 7–9 p.m. Free. Call 513-829-7427 before traveling.

APR. 11–12 – Midwest Ceramic Association Show, Butler Co. Exhibition Bldg., Butler Co. Fgds., 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton, Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5. Ohio’s original ceramic show. www. midwestceramics.org.

APR. 18, MAY 16 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd., Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free admission. 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.

APR. 25–26 – Grassy Run Heritage Rendezvous, Cook Log Cabin Heritage Center, 6707 Goshen Rd., Goshen, Fri. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (School Day), Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (open to the public). $2–$10. Pre-1840 encampment that brings to life the pioneers who settled in the Ohio Valley and the crafts and skills they needed to survive. Craft demos, hands-

on activities, and much more. 513-520-2882, grassyrun@gmail.com, www.grassy-run.org.

APR. 25–27 – Sugar Maple Festival, Bellbrook. Maple sap boil demonstration, syrup for purchase, children’s activities, live bands, 5K race, dog show, beer garden, crafts, food, and much more. Pancake breakfast Sat. 8–10:30 a.m.; parade Sat. 10:30 a.m. See full schedule of events at www. sugarmaplefestival.com.

MAY 10 – Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N., Lewisburg, 2–4 p.m. $15/person. “Alice in Wonderland Tea Party” hosted by Preble Players. Join us for tea and crumpets with the cast of Alice in Wonderland. For details and tickets, call 937-962-5561 or visit www. prebleplayers.org.

MAY 10–11 – Appalachian Festival, New Richmond, Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $15 Enjoy a weekend of family-style fun: handmade crafts, downhome food, Living History Village, educational exhibits, old-time music, dance, and storytelling. Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass performs May 10 (time TBA). 513-251-3378 or www. appalachianfestival.org.

CENTRAL

APR. 4, MAY 2 – 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! https://artcoz.org/arts-district-map.

APR. 12 – “Roots for the Future,” Park District Headquarters, 16405 U.S. 23, South Bloomfield, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Free. To register, email mellis@ pickawaycountyohio.gov. Learn proper tree-planting techniques while improving local habitats for the future. All tools and materials provided. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. For more information, visit www.pickawaycountyparks.org.

APR. 17 – Thursday Trail Tour: Pickaway Trail, 23727 Canal Rd., Circleville, 9:30–11:30 a.m. To register, email mellis@pickawaycountyohio. gov. Please dress to be outside and for a walk along various trail surfaces. An adult must accompany all children under 12. Program will be canceled in the case of inclement weather. www. pickawaycountyparks.org.

APR. 17–22 – Clematis Kerfuffle, Groovy Plants Ranch, 4140 Co. Rd. 15, Marengo. Gather your friends and join us for an unforgettable plant celebration featuring a dazzling display of over 1,000 clematis. We will have the standard favorites plus some exciting harder-to-find varieties. 740-675-2681 or www. groovyplantsranch.com.

APR. 19 – “Birds in the Preserves,” Park District Headquarters, 16405 U.S. 23, South Bloomfield, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. Join us for a guided bird walk through the preserve as we explore the sights and

SOUTHEAST

APR. 12 – Earth Gathering Festival, Pump House Center for the Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free. Juried-invitational art festival with an Earth Day theme, featuring Earth-friendly art, music, food, products, and ideas. www. visitchillicotheohio.com.

sounds of the spring neo-migrate birds. Perfect for bird enthusiasts of all levels and all ages! Bring binoculars if you have them. To register, email mellis@ pickawaycountyohio.gov. For more details, visit www. pickawaycountyparks.org.

APR. 25–26 – Spring at the Round Barn: Vintage and Made Market, Fairfield Co. Fgds., 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster. Open-air and barn markets showcasing 100+ modern makers, vendors of authentic vintage finds, clothing boutiques, designers, growers, food trucks, and live music. 614-296-1621 or www.thevintageandmademarket.com.

APR. 27 – Coshocton Community Choir Concert: “In All Things, Love,” McKinley Auditorium, Coshocton High School, 1205 Cambridge Rd., Coshocton, 3–4:30 p.m. Free admission; freewill donations only. Includes the 80-voice adult choir, the Coshocton Youth Chorale, the Coshocton Singers, Roscoe Brass, and more. 740-623-0554 or www. coshoctoncommunitychoir.org.

APR. 27 – Marysville Toy Show, Union Co. Fgds., Beef Barn, 845 N. Main St., Marysville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $6; 12 and under free; early buyer (8–9 a.m.) $12. Free parking. Die-cast cars, action figures, model kits, farm toys, and more. All kinds of toys, old and new. Visit us on Facebook @ Marysville Toy Show.

MAY 1 – Thursday Trail Tour: Park Headquarters, 16405 U.S. 23, South Bloomfield, 9:30–11:30 a.m. To register, email mellis@pickawaycountyohio. gov. Please dress to be outside and for a walk along various trail surfaces. An adult must accompany all children under 12. Program will be canceled in the case of inclement weather. www. pickawaycountyparks.org.

MAY 2 – Pickerington Chocolate Hop, Olde Pickerington Village, 6–8:30 p.m. A $5 donation gets you a map of locations around the Village where you will receive a little chocolate treat as a thank-you. Begin on the plaza at Columbus and Center Sts. Limited number of maps; donate in advance to reserve yours. www.pickeringtonvillage.com.

MAY 2–OCT. 3 – First Friday Car Show, 122 N. Court St., Circleville, Fri. 5–9 p.m. Enjoy a night of classic cars, community fun, and a vibrant uptown atmosphere. More information at www.pickaway.com.

APR. 17–NOV. 27 – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Wed. 9 a.m.–noon. Open year-round Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. 740-593-6763, www.athensfarmersmarket. org, or www.facebook.com/afm.ohio.

APR. 25–27 – Pike County Dogwood Festival, Pike Co. Fgds., Piketon. Small-town festival celebrating the dogwood tree. Parade, baby contest, royalty contest, live music, food, and more. pikecountydogwood@yahoo.com or www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100093285501866

APR. 26 – Shenandoah Live in Concert, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. $42+. www.peoplesbanktheatre.com.

MAY 1–4 – Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival, McArthur, Thur. 5–11 p.m., Fri./Sat. noon–11 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Midway, carnival food, bike show, contests, and nightly musical entertainment. Grand parade Sat. 6 p.m., followed by crowning of the festival queen. wildturkeyfestival@outlook.com,

MAY 3 – Earth Day Celebration, ECO Center, 1757 Co. Rd. 59, Caledonia, 12–3 p.m. Free. Fun-filled and educational day for the entire family! Outdoor activities include mini zip lines, nature scavenger hunt, and much more. Local goods for purchase. 914-4008085 or www.ecocenterohio.com.

MAY 3 – Spring Migration Hike, Southern End of Canal Park’s Towpath Trail, 25500 Canal Rd., Circleville, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. To register, email mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov. Explore the Ohio-Erie Canal and Scioto River with our knowledgeable guides and observe local songbirds, waterfowl, and other migrating species. Perfect for bird enthusiasts of all levels and all ages! Bring binoculars if you have them. www. pickawaycountyparks.org.

MAY 3 – Ohioana Book Festival, State Library of Ohio, 274 E. First Ave. #100, Columbus. This year’s festival will include author and illustrator panel discussions, family-friendly activities, food trucks, a book fair, the chance to explore Ohioana Library, and more! 614-466-3831 or www.ohioana.org/programs/ ohioana-book-festival.

MAY 4 – Lancaster Handbell Ensemble: “Cascades of Sound,” First Presbyterian Church, 140 E. Orange St., Lancaster, 3 p.m. $10; under 18, $5 The concert will feature the versatility and artistry of our handbell ensemble, alongside talented soloists from throughout the Lancaster area. www. lancasterhandbellensemble.org.

MAY 3–OCT. 25 – Coshocton Farmers Market, Skip’s Landing, 22375 Co. Rd. 1A, Coshocton, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–noon. Locally grown produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts. Rain or shine. www. facebook.com/coshoctonfarmersmarket or email market.manager@coshfarmmarket.org.

MAY 10 – Spring Ephemeral Hike, Park District Headquarters, 16405 U.S. 23, South Bloomfield, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Free. Join us for a fun guided hike through the forest as we search for delicate wildflowers that bloom briefly before the trees leaf out. Learn about their ecological importance. To register, please email mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov. More details at www.pickawaycountyparks.org.

www.wildturkeyfestival.com, or http://vcwtf.org/ index.html.

MAY 3 – The Big Deal at Great Seal, Great Seal State Park, 4908 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, 8 a.m. $50–$120. Presented by RunFluent with options of 50K, 25K, and 5K. Cash prizes to top male and female of each distance, along with awards, including special “Golden Goat” award. www. facebook.com/events/1058494238918848

MAY 10 – Etta May, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 8 p.m. www. peoplesbanktheatre.com.

MAY 10 – Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Bellavenue Manor, 207 S. 10th St., McConnelsville. Annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, rose bushes, herbs, and lavender. 419-571-9303 or florabyfawn@ gmail.com.

1 Our five grandchildren running into the water: Jaime Bolon, Trevor Wilson, Jeffrey Bolon, Tori Wilson, and T.J. Wilson. Patty Quaglia, South Central Power Company member

2 My grandson, Pierson, and my granddaughter, Piper, had a fun time on spring break in New York City. Diane Wamsley, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative member

3 Our grandson, Rhett Crites, enjoying the weather at Hollywood Beach, Florida. Dan and Cheryl Crites, North Western Electric Cooperative members

4 Cousins enjoying the Buckeyes’ spring game for spring break. Andy Bushman, Midwest Electric member

5 Spring break 2023 at Hilton Head Beach. Taylor McCullough, Frontier Power Company member 1 2 3 4 5

For July, send “We all scream for ice cream” by April 15; for August, send “Smiley dogs” by May 15.

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