Ohio Cooperative Living – April 2025 - Pioneer

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.”

Your All-Inclusive Lower Mississippi River Cruise Includes:

 9-day/8-night exploration

 7 ports of call with guided excursion options at each

 All onboard meals and our signature evening cocktail hour

 Full enrichment package with guest speakers and nightly entertainment

 Newest fleet of ships with just 90 to 180 guests

 All tips and gratuities

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.

Saving is believing.

Think you can’t afford a geothermal heat pump?

After a closer look, you may be surprised at its overall affordability. Tax rebates can quickly bring down the initial costs of purchase and installation. And a geothermal heat pump is much cheaper to run than the most efficient furnaces and air conditioners. In fact, your energy bills can be cut by as much as 70%. As a result, many geothermal homeowners see a return on investment of 10-20% over the life of their system. When you crunch the numbers, you’ll see WaterFurnace is the money-saving choice. For more information, contact your local WaterFurnace dealer today.

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

visit us at waterfurnace.com/Ohio

Powering Barejones

Pioneer linemen recount Project Ohio

In the remote village of Barejones, Guatemala, a team of linemen from Ohio, including Pioneer Serviceman Curtis Schmidt and Manager of Safety and Construction David Overman, embarked on a life-changing mission — to bring electricity to a community that had been waiting decades for power. Through Project Ohio, they worked to turn the lights on — a testament to the cooperative spirit that first electrified rural America.

The work was physically demanding, but the sense of fulfillment was unmatched. The Ohio linemen were divided between overhead work and interior electrical wiring, building upon the foundation built by Oklahoma linemen before them.

“Oklahoma had worked right before us, so we were building on their progress,” Schmidt says. “We were higher in the mountains, and there was a noticeable separation of wealth. Some people had worked in America and sent money back, so their homes were different — some even had solar panels with batteries.”

Both Schmidt and Overman remark how well the group of Ohio linemen worked together and how much that unity made a difference in the overall productivity and success of the project.

“Even within our group, I was surprised by how well everyone worked together,” Overman says. “We all came from different co-ops with different ways of doing things, but no one had the ‘my way or the highway’ mentality. Everyone adapted and worked as a team.”

Although the lineworkers left to head back to the United States before their work was energized, the gratitude of the community reassured them that their work had made a lasting impact.

“Toward the end, we realized the village wasn’t going to get energized before we left, and that was disappointing,” Overman says. “But

Continued from page 19

a local told us they had been waiting 25 years for this moment, and this was the closest they had ever been. That reassurance made it all worth it.”

Schmidt echoes Overman’s thoughts, acknowledging that while being able to be there when the lights turn on would have been nice, they did everything that they set out to do.

“There was nothing we could have done differently,” Schmidt says. “Aside from what was not at our level, we did everything we could do.”

More than just the work, it was the people of Barejones who left the biggest impression on the linemen. The warmth of the community and their deep faith stood out.

“Everyone was so excited to see us and grateful for our help. The community’s faith was another surprise — two churches for just 90 houses,” says Overman. “Every single person had a strong faith. That was impressive.”

For Schmidt and Overman, though, the children of Barejones stood out the most.

“You do something like this, and you always remember the kids,” Schmidt says. “And they’re going to remember you.”

Overman recalls letting the kids carry the linemen’s tools and seeing the joy it brought them.

“It was unforgettable,” Overman says. “The hardest part was leaving. On the last day, you could see the sadness on their faces, and it really hit how much of an impact we had on them.”

One of the moments that stood out for Overman was that, even without electricity in their homes, the people were still able to connect to the world through similar means to many in the United States.

“Walking into a mud-brick house and seeing a kid eating rice and beans for his second breakfast while watching TikToks on his mom’s cell phone — it was surreal. No electricity, but still connected to the world in a way.”

By the end of their time in Barejones, the team had wired more than 90 houses. Neither Schmidt nor Overman has any regrets and they both agreed they would do it again in a heartbeat.

“Some people joked that if my family were down there, I’d just stay,” Overman says. “The pace of life is different — slower, more relaxed.”

PROMOTING SAFETY

McClay’s path exemplifies lineworkers’ opportunities for growth, advancement, and leadership

When Steve McClay applied for a job at Pioneer Electric Cooperative, it wasn’t because he was an experienced lineman or had extensive knowledge of the electric industry. He simply trusted his father’s word that the cooperative was a good place to work and hoped that his experience operating heavy machinery would make him stand out in an interview. At the time, he was young, had just purchased a home, and was ready to start a family.

“I came to Pioneer, and when I walked in, there were probably 50 people in the room, all applying for the same job,” McClay recalls. “I didn't know what I was getting into, but I put in my application anyway.”

To his surprise, he was called for an interview, then a second interview, and was eventually hired as a groundman trainee in March 1998, beginning a co-op career that has so far spanned nearly three decades and seen him consistently advance in knowledge and responsibility.

“The foreman took me out and dropped me on my first job with a hammer, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, and a wrench,” McClay says.

At first, he was still trying to understand his role at the cooperative while also adjusting to its culture.

“I was a town kid, not a country boy or a farmer. The other guys told me, ‘You’re not going to make it,’” McClay says. “I'm competitive by nature, so I decided I was going to do the job well and prove them all wrong.”

And that’s exactly what he did.

In June 2000, McClay was promoted to lineman trainee and then to lineman first class in June 2002. His progression didn’t stop there. Three and a half years later, in December 2006, he became a leader lineman.

April is

Lineworker Appreciation Month

“I think it was my second year here when I was involved in a couple of close calls that scared me — really woke me up. That’s when I decided to join the safety committee,” McClay says. “I quickly learned that safety meant change, and change was hard for some.”

A near-miss incident with another Pioneer lineman ultimately led McClay to his next role within the cooperative and sparked a broader cultural shift toward safety.

“It was one of my first calls as a lineman,” McClay says. “That’s the one call I remember every single day and what drove me to eventually apply for the manager of safety position.”

The call involved responding to a downed power pole after a car accident. The foreman assured them he had de-energized the power lines, so they proceeded with their work. But something felt off.

“I just remember looking at John and saying, ‘Give me your pliers.’ So, with my gloves on, I got his pliers, and I put them on the wire. It was still hot.”

The foreman had mistakenly shut off the wrong device, leaving the lines live. Fortunately, McClay and his coworker were wearing protective gear. But for McClay, the scariest part was that minutes before, the other lineman had stepped over those same live wires with a steel bar in his hand.

“He just happened not to touch it,” says McClay, who, because of his shorter stature, had walked farther down the road to go underneath the line.

McClay credits former Director of Operations and Engineering — now CEO — Tom Musick for instilling the importance of questioning everything and supporting the evolution of the safety culture. Even today, McClay frequently uses the ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin saying: DTA, Don’t Trust Anybody.

“From that day forward, we knew that if someone tells you something is a certain way, you test it anyway,” McClay says. “Back then, we didn’t do any testing, any isolation — none of the things we do today to protect ourselves in the field. We just took someone’s word for it and went to work.”

In May 2011, McClay was promoted to manager of safety. As he continued to rise through the ranks, one thing remained constant: his dedication to safety.

He became operations supervisor/assistant safety manager in 2015, then manager of safety and construction in 2018, and finally, director of operations and safety — the position he holds today — in 2021.

“In my current role, I can sit down with different kinds of people, be more efficient, and help improve or maintain the culture we have,” McClay says. “We have a great culture, but there are always ways we can be better.”

Starting at an entry-level position and working his way up has given McClay invaluable real-world experience, benefiting both him and the cooperative.

“I got lucky because several line crew members were ex-electricians, so on trouble calls, they taught me how electricity worked,” McClay says. “I learned troubleshooting from my peers. They taught me everything. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be who I am.”

As director of operations and safety, McClay and his two operations supervisors/assistant safety managers are responsible for bringing on new linemen and providing them with opportunities to learn and grow — just as McClay has done throughout his 27-year career.

“I want people who will speak up, ask questions, and be curious, because they’re going to help us get better,” McClay says.

That mindset has fostered a culture of teamwork, open communication, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to be where I am because of what others poured into me, and I can’t say enough about the lineworkers we have,” McClay says. “Without their dedication and teamwork, I couldn’t do what I do. I am so appreciative of each and every one of them.”

A FREE event for first responders, contractors, city/county workers, farmers, transportation departments, and others who may come in close contact with electrical hazards. This training is worth 1.5 CEUs.

APRIL 15, 2025

10 a.m. OR 6:30 p.m.

Pioneer Electric – Urbana Facility (767 Three Mile Road, Urbana)

Register by scanning the code or calling Nancy at 937-381-0631

PIONEER

Pioneer Electric Cooperative is committed to exceeding the energy needs and expectations of our consumermembers by providing safe, high quality and responsive service at fair prices.

American Consumer Satisfaction Index Score:

88 88

Pioneer Electric serves residential, commercial, and large industrial members throughout rural Miami, Champaign, and Shelby counties, as well as portions of the eight surrounding counties — Mercer, Auglaize, Logan, Union, Madison, Clark, Montgomery, and Darke.

Guided by

15,000+ miles of line

2,808 member-consumers

Compared to an average score of 75 for municipal utilities and 74 for investor-owned utilities. cooperative principles

7 board trustees, members of the cooperative, are elected to represent the entire membership.

9

89 YEARS OF SERVICE

Reflecting on 2024: A

year of transition,

dedication and community

As we look back on 2024, one thing remains clear — Pioneer’s success is driven by the unwavering support of our members and the hard work of our dedicated employees.

In 2024, the engineering and operations team successfully brought the Salyer Substation — formerly Union Substation — online in early September. This completion ensures continued reliable service to large warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and members in and around the city of Union, while also providing contingency support for members in southern Miami County.

We renewed our commitment to community through engagement and education. We reintroduced tabletop safety demonstrations in local schools, helping students understand the dangers of electricity. Additionally, we brought back our large-scale safety demonstration, engaging local fire departments, EMS, contractors, police, transportation departments, city workers, and others who work near potential electrical hazards.

Expanding our community presence, we participated in trade school competitions, career days, touch-a-truck events, local parades, and more.

All of these efforts highlighted our dedication to safety throughout our communities.

Outside of our own communities, we were able to provide mutual aid to other cooperatives and AES when called upon throughout the year.

We also welcomed eight new team members and experienced a leadership transition following the retirement of our former CEO, Ron Salyer, who dedicated 27 years of service to Pioneer. These new employees, including new CEO Tom Musick, represent the future of our workforce and the forwardthinking vision of our cooperative. With guidance from longtime employees, these new employees will gain skills and knowledge necessary to sustain our operations for years to come.

One of our most notable achievements was maintaining an 88 on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index for two consecutive periods. This score reflects the trust, confidence, and satisfaction of the members we serve daily and confirms the member-focused commitment of our employees.

The strength of our cooperative lies in its people — from the members who rely on us to the employees who dedicate themselves to serving our members and community.

As we look ahead, the challenges and achievements of 2024 have reinforced our dedication to serving our members with safety, reliability, and community at the forefront of everything we do.

EMPLOYEES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Pioneer Electric Cooperative is proud that members who call the co-op speak to live people. Our dedicated, local member services representatives take the front line in communications, taking calls related to outages, member questions, high bill concerns, and more.

All co-op employees know that every interaction with members matters, and maintain professionalism and a focus on members’ needs. phone calls answered

16,700 + service orders completed

1,800

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

From career days and safety demonstrations to our three-day Energy Camps for kids, member appreciation events, and more, we greatly increased our presence in the community in 2024.

IN 2024, TOGETHER WE PROVIDED...

SCHOLARSHIPS

$8,000 in scholarships was awarded to ten children of members.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

$12,100 was contributed to economic development projects in Champaign, Miami, and Shelby counties.

REBATES & INCENTIVES

184 residential rebates were provided to members for a total of $56,700 in rebates.*

*Cost is shared with Buckeye Power

CAPITAL CREDITS

$3 million was returned to current and former members in 2024. Pioneer has returned more than $60 million over the years.

SAFETY + COOPERATION

CREW OBSERVATIONS

112

Supervisors complete crew observations to ensure work was being done safely.

LARGE-SCALE SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS

4

Reaching more than 130 first responders, city workers, and home school students.

INSTANCES OF MUTUAL AID

7

SCHOOL SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS

14

Reaching nearly 400 school students.

Logan County Electric Cooperative

Midwest Electric Cooperative

Farmers Rural Electric Cooperative (Kentucky )

AES (twice)

Broad River Electric Cooperative (South Carolina)

French Broad Electric Membership Corporation (North Carolina)

Pioneer Electric Cooperative sent lineworkers to assist other utilities seven times in 2024, up from four instances of mutual aid in 2023. These efforts included helping other cooperatives in Ohio and Kentucky, AES, and co-ops in areas in the Carolinas devastated by Hurricane Helene.

AVERAGE OUTAGE MINUTES

*Per member; excludes major outage events

UTILITY POLES

Poles Replaced:

To enhance reliability and for added growth, Salyer Substation, formerly Union Substation, came online in September 2024. Pioneer also energized service to the Sheetz gas station and designed more than 22 miles of distribution.

*Includes mowing brush areas and treatment of those rights-of-way

ASSETS

UTILITY PLANT AND OTHER PROPERTY

Electric plant in service

Construction work in progress

Less: Accumulated provision for depreciation and amortization

NET UTILITY PLANT AND OTHER PROPERTY

OTHER ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS

Right of use assets, net of accumulated amortization

Investments in associated organizations

TOTAL OTHER ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $76,621 for 2024

Deferred charges

Materials and supplies

Prepaid power costs

Prepaid expenses and other receivables

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024 $141,856,430 429,205 142,285,635 (48,563,405) 93,722,230 298,580 37,424,796 37,723,376 10,252,510 7,027,6611,236,739 328,837 1,785,145 20,630,892 $152,076,498

TOTAL ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

$152,000,000

$148,000,000

$144,000,000

$140,000,000

$136,000,000

$132,000,000

$128,000,000

$124,000,000

$120,000,000

ELECTRIC PLANT

$145,000,000

$140,000,000

$135,000,000

$130,000,000

$125,000,000

$120,000,000

$115,000,000

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024

LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES

EQUITIES

Patronage capital

Donated capital

TOTAL EQUITIES

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Notes payable, less current maturities

Accrued postretirement benefits

Right of use liabilities

TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Current maturities of notes payable

Current maturities of right of use liabilities

Accounts payable - purchased power

Accounts payable - other

Consumer deposits

Accrued taxes

Deferred credits

Other current liabilities

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES $88,328,936 3,647,209 91,976,145 47,431,769 617,985 188,804 48,238,558 2,214,563 109,776 4,841,754 1,057,973 215,065 2,269,823 323,345 829,496 11,861,795 $152,076,498

Statement

of Revenue

and Expenses

for the year ended December 31, 2024 $81,634,309 55,500,201 6,480,478 2,476,047 1,711,145 2,489,961 4,462,863 1,711,293 74,831,988 6,802,321 2,271,902 4,530,419 1,587,661 6,118,080 223,022 (88,075) 9,636 144,583 $6,262,663

OPERATING REVENUES

OPERATING EXPENSES

Cost of power

Distribution expense - operations

Distribution expense - maintenance

Consumer accounts and sales expense

Administrative and general

Depreciation

Taxes

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES

OPERATING MARGINS BEFORE FIXED CHARGES

Interest on long-term debt

OPERATING MARGINS AFTER FIXED CHARGES

Capital credits from associated organizations

OPERATING MARGINS

NON-OPERATING MARGINS

Interest and dividend income

Loss on disposition of assets

Other income, net

TOTAL NON-OPERATING MARGINS

NET MARGINS FOR YEAR

Statement of Cash Flow

for the year ended December 31, 2024

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net margins

Adjustments to reconcile net margins to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation of utility plant

Patronage allocation from associated organizations

Loss on disposition of property

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable (net)

Materials and supplies

Prepayments

Deferred charges

Accounts payable

Deferred credits

Accrued postretirement

Accrued liabilities

Consumer deposits

Net cash provided by operating activities

CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Extension and replacement of plant and non-utility property, net of salvage and removal costs

Patronage redemption and cash patronage proceeds

Net cash used by investing activities

CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from notes payable

Payments on notes payable

Reassignment of patronage capital

Patronage capital credits retired

Net cash used by financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $6,262,663 4,462,863 (1,587,661) 88,075 (609,254) (36,935) (311,350) 90,936 566,615 195,599 (106,578) 196,558 (17,369) 9,194,162 (8,474,372) 2,153,750 (6,320,622) 2,500,000 (2,099,052) 206,720 (2,943,718) (2,336,050) 537,490 9,715,020 $10,252,510

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Orville

Ronald

Harold

Donald

Duane L.

Dwain E.

Terrence

Douglas A. Hurst

Edward P.

Paul R. Workman

Trustees

Thomas

John Vulgamore Champaign County | Treasurer

Roger Bertke Shelby County | 2nd Vice Chair

John Goettemoeller Shelby County | Secretary

Bill Clark Shelby County | Trustee

Mark Baily Champaign County | Chair

Ted Black Champaign County | OEC Rep.

Colleen Eidemiller Miami County | 1st Vice Chair

Robert Billings Miami County | Trustee

Wade Wilhelm Miami County | Trustee

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.

Survive Just About Anything for Under $20

On any outdoor adventure, Mother Nature’s job is to present you with challenges. Some days she’s more demanding than others. And on those days, you’d better come prepared. The Stauer Survival Box is a near-guarantee you’ll be up to the challenge. The stainless steel multitool offers wire cutters, knife, bottle opener, file, a set of screwdrivers, a pair of pliers and much more. The powerful flashlight has three different settings, and the tactical loop watch is a reliable, water-resistant timepiece that clips to your hip and never leaves your side. All told, opening the Survival Box gives you instant access to nine different tools for JUST $19.50.

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:

• Multitool: 3 1/4" x 1" folded

• Flashlight: 3 1/2" x 1", 260 lumens, takes AA batteries (not included), three LED light modes: strong, medium and caution flashing

• Watch: 2 3/4" x 1", battery type SR626SW (included)

Survival Box $99 $19.50* + S+P Save $79.50

*You must use Insider Offer Code: SVB308-01 to get this price. California residents please call regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: SVB308-01

Regularly priced at $99, take advantage of this special offer while supplies last!

Praise for Stauer’s Survival Box  “[It] has everything!” — Carol T., Anaheim, CA

Box includes flashlight, watch and multitool with wire cutters, knife, bottle opener, file, screwdrivers, pliers and more!

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.

Scan the QR code or upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive. Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website.

Trade School Scholarships available For adult and high school residential members

Scan the QR code for rules and applications

Application deadline: April 30