Ohio Cooperative Living – December 2025 - Butler

OHIO

DECEMBER 2025

COOPERATIVE Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

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Scholarships and Youth Tour

Scenes

of the

season

ALSO INSIDE Small change, big difference

Saving dough

Relics of faith

HOW DO CAPITAL CREDITS

WORK?

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

Annually, Ohio electric cooperatives return about $35 million to their members.

Nationally, electric coops returned more than $1 BILLION to members in 2024, and $24 BILLION since 1988.

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

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

ohioec.org/purpose

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

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

INSIDE FEATURES

22 ‘CRACKING’ GOOD TIME

The world’s largest collection of life-sized nutcrackers transforms Steubenville for the holiday season.

30 RELICS OF FAITH

A 19th-century frontier priest created one of the largest collections of religious artifacts in the U.S. — and named it after the monastery in his hometown.

Cover image on most editions: The collection of figures populating the annual Steubenville Nutcracker Village includes cartoon characters, celebrities, and, yes, the cast of the iconic Tchaikovsky ballet (photograph courtesy of Madeline Stutzman).

This page: Winter itself can be a work of art, as North Central Electric Cooperative member Mary Craig demonstrates in this photo of a foggy morning in Sandusky County. See more member-submitted Snow Scenes on page 28 and online at www.ohiocoopliving.com.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

1

UP FRONT

The great month of December D

ecember is a special time of year. The days may be shorter and colder, but there’s a lot to like. College and pro football start to get really interesting as rankings and playoff hopes take shape, and most of us aren’t too tired of the weather (yet). Christmas music can be heard everywhere, and for those of us who love it, especially the deep cuts or new songs just being released, it brings a lot of positive energy to the season. I look forward to discovering new Christmas music each year and love listening to favorites I haven’t heard for the last 11 months.

While we enjoy the season, electric cooperatives have been hard at work. They’ve spent months getting ready for winter — building, repairing, and checking lines and equipment to make sure everything is in good working order. Their goal is simple: Keep the power on, no matter how cold or snowy it gets. That means warm homes, working lights, and peace of mind for all of us.

It’s also a good time of year to recognize the heart-warming stories that arise when co-op members get the opportunity to support their own. Most of the co-ops in the state have programs in which co-op members can choose to round up their electric bills to the next dollar. That small change — just a few cents — goes into a fund that helps people in the community. It might support a food pantry, help fund scholarships, or provide aid to a local family in need.

What makes these round-up programs so wonderful is how easy they are. You don’t have to give a lot to make a big difference — when many people give just a small amount, it adds up to something powerful, and that simple idea brings real help to real people. Honestly, it’s the kind of program that should be everywhere.

December is a wonderful time to count our blessings here in the USA. So, as we enjoy the music, the lights, and the spirit of the season, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the folks who keep our homes warm and our communities strong. Yes, we face challenges — but the good still shines much more brightly than the bad.

As the year comes to a close, we pray for peace on earth, goodwill toward all, and a season filled with kindness, hope, and togetherness.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Craig Grooms

PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

You don’t have to give a lot to make a big difference — when many people give just a small amount, it adds up to something powerful.

DECEMBER 2025 • Volume 68, No. 3

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd.

Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com Craig Grooms Caryn Whitney Jeff McCallister Amy Howat Neal Kindig

Brynn Goedel, left, sent this selfie to her mother minutes before the crash that changed their lives forever. The Goedels’ story is an example of how electric cooperatives’ round up programs help their members and communities.

4

DEPARTMENTS

President & CEO Director of Communications Senior Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editor Graphic Designer

Contributors: Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, 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 Of­fi ce, Consumer Protection Sec­tion, 30 E. Broad St., Col­um­bus, OH 43215.

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

4 POWER LINES

Small change, big difference:

Co-op members round up to help fill needs in their communities.

8

8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Stocking splurge: If you’re really

into birding, a good spotting scope can be an ultimate eye on the sky.

10 CO-OP PEOPLE

Dreams at sunset: Co-op members fulfill their son-in-law’s dying wish for an heirloom car.

10

13 GOOD EATS

Day-old delights: Don’t toss that

old loaf — save some dough and upcycle that stale bread into some classic people-pleasers.

13

17 LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

28 MEMBER INTERACTIVE Snow scenes: Members share

National/regional advertising inquiries, contact

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

Cooperative members:

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

Alliance for Audited Media Member

scenic shots showing winter in all its icy glory — as in the photo at right submitted by Adams Rural Electric Cooperative member Dawn Fowler.

28

33 CALENDAR

What’s happening: December/

January events and other things to do around Ohio.

33

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.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

3

POWER LINES

Small change,

big difference

Co-op members round up to help fill needs in their communities.

Brynn Goedel in the trauma unit in Columbus, with the two men who pulled her from the burning bus: Josh Chika, a passerby who stopped to help at the scene of the crash, and Tusky Valley band director Stephen Tripp.

O

BY AMY HOWAT

n the morning of November 14, 2023, 16-yearold Brynn Goedel was in great spirits, traveling on a charter bus with fellow band members, teachers, and chaperones from Tuscarawas Valley Middle-High School. They were headed to play at a conference in Columbus, an honor for the musicians from the small school district in Zoarville.

As the bus slowed down for traffic on I-70 in Licking County, Brynn headed to the restroom in the back of the bus. “The door was stuck or locked,” she says. “I couldn’t get it open.”

That stuck door saved Brynn’s life, says her mother, Danielle Goedel. Brynn was standing in the aisle when a semi-truck loaded with batteries plowed over an SUV and slammed into the back of the bus, obliterating the bathroom she had been trying to enter. The collision threw her forward and ignited a massive fire. When Brynn came to, she was surrounded by flames; the bathroom door was on top of her and she was unable to move. Eventually, the band director and a good Samaritan pulled her from the bus as batteries from the truck continued to explode.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Brynn was the last person to make if off the bus alive. Six people — three students on the bus, plus two chaperones and a teacher in the SUV — died in the accident and many others, including Brynn, were injured.

Reality and recovery “When they got me off the bus, I couldn’t feel anything from my waist down,” Brynn says. “I didn’t even realize how bad it was until I got to the hospital and had surgery. I had a concussion and burns on my face and my upper arm.” She broke so many bones she can barely remember them all, but the list includes her pelvis, her sacrum, her collarbone, and nine ribs. She spent 10 days in the trauma unit in a Columbus hospital, followed by three more surgeries and extensive rehabilitation in Akron. Doctors initially gave her a 5% chance of walking again, but she finally left the hospital on her own feet, using a walker.

Danielle took extended time off from her job as a nurse to be with Brynn in the hospital and as she started the long recovery and rehabilitation process. The combination of endless medical bills and lost income

put an economic strain on the family, which was also dealing with the emotional toll of grieving and healing.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the closely knit Tusky Valley community — and even people from Columbus and beyond — rallied around the survivors and victims’ families with assistance, donations, and fundraisers. For the Goedels, some key support came from their co-op; Carroll Electric Cooperative’s People to People Fund granted the family $5,000 to help with medical expenses.

Small change, big difference Carroll Electric, based in Carrollton, is among about three-quarters of the state’s electric co-ops that invite their members to round their monthly electric bills up to the nearest dollar amount, collecting that spare change into funds that are in turn administered by boards of fellow members and distributed to a variety of worthy local causes.

Some call it Operation Round Up, others know it as the Community Fund or People Fund, but whatever the name, the results are the same: co-op members making a difference in their communities.

“Our community is amazing,” Danielle Goedel says.

“None of us could have done it without the support we received.” She says she’s grateful for the co-op members who contribute each month and wants them to know their donations have made a difference. “You don’t think about what you’ll need until it happens to you.

But we now know how many amazing people there are who are willing to help when you need it most.”

In 2025, Ohio co-ops granted about $1.8 million to individuals, community groups, schools, parks, libraries, police and fire departments, and numerous other community efforts. As the programs have grown over the past few decades, they’ve contributed more than $20 million within co-op communities around the state.

Brynn Goedel still experiences weakness and mobility challenges and has a long road ahead with continued rehabilitation and likely future surgeries. But for now, she says she’s “doing pretty well.” She’s taking classes at Kent State’s Tuscarawas Branch and plans to become a nurse. “Through everything, I’ve gained an appreciation for nurses and realized that’s what I want to do.”

The following pages showcase some other examples of how those extra pennies have made a big difference in co-op communities.

Continued on page 6

Paulding pupper:

Paulding Putnam cooperative’s Operation Round Up provided a grant to support the implementation of a therapy dog named Luna for Paulding Middle School. The grant funded insurance, training, and certification for the dog and her handler, guidance counselor Maddie Reinhart; Luna’s therapy dog vest; and even a resting place for her.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

5

Continued from page 5

Supporting schools The digital divide — a gap between people with and without the advantages of ready access to technology and the internet — can be especially wide in rural areas.

Oxford-based Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s Community Connection, the co-op’s round-up program, helped a local school district in closing that gap this year through an innovative partnership with the NFL Foundation and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative linked the Bengals with Preble Shawnee Local Schools, a rural district in a lower-income area, to provide a $10,000 grant for touchscreen Chromebooks for all 85 first-graders at Camden Elementary. Butler Rural Community Connection helped with the grant process and made up the difference between the grant amount and the full cost of the computers.

“Our first-graders were still using tablets, while most districts had already switched to touchscreen laptops,” says Mary Snellgrove, the director of curriculum for Preble Shawnee Local Schools. “We didn’t have funding to make that transition.”

Providing the touchscreen Chromebooks to firstgraders is important, Snellgrove says, because it’s an intermediate step, helping students build keyboarding skills they’ll need before taking tests on computers in second grade while still having the touchscreen capability they’re accustomed to with tablets.

“I believe that rural districts often get overlooked by organizations providing community support,” Snellgrove says. “But we get amazing support from Butler Rural’s Community Connection. They’re always making sure our teachers have access to resources, whether it’s a small grant or a large grant, to fund software or classroom projects. We appreciate the generous help from the co-op and its members.”

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Butler and the Bengals: A joint effort between the NFL Foundation, the Cincinnati Bengals, and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s Community Connection provided funding for touchscreen Chromebooks for firstgraders in Preble County. The school celebrated with the Bengals’ mascot, Who Dey.

Funding first responders First responders often can benefit from a bird’s-eye view in an emergency. Lancaster-based South Central Power Company provided aerial capability to the New Lexington police and fire departments by helping to get the village’s drone program off the ground.

The co-op’s Operation Round Up granted the department $7,000 toward the purchase of a versatile drone that can help locate missing people, find fires, and even detect water leaks.

“We had raised about half the money through a police-versus-fire-department ‘Guns and Hoses’ basketball game, but it was going to take us another year or two to reach the $15,000 we needed,” says Police Chief Douglas Gill. “Once we received the grant, we were able to purchase the drone and accessories right away.”

The New Lexington police and fire departments use their drone’s regular camera and infrared views in many emergency situations, including searching for missing people. This infrared image shows a person hidden in a bush (circled in red) during a training exercise.

The DJI Matrice 30 drone features wide angle, zoom, and infrared thermal cameras, as well as a spotlight and a speaker. It’s a valuable tool in a wide range of emergency situations.

“Once, we had a person who had fallen and was injured along railroad tracks,” Gill says. “We were able to fly the drone down the tracks, quickly locate the person, and find the best point of entry. It showed us that we could go into a field and across a creek, rather than traveling miles down the railroad tracks.”

The drone is also an important asset in fighting fires, New Lexington Fire Chief Jim Fain says.

Fain said in the case of one wildlands fire bordering on the Wayne National Forest, the department flew the drone day and night. “We can use a split screen between a camera view and the infrared,” he says. “It showed us where to direct our personnel and equipment, and we had the fire wrapped up in about 36 hours instead of many days or weeks.”

In the case of a building fire, the drone can show hot spots, letting firefighters know where to concentrate efforts, rather than going blindly into a structure.

“It’s a great tool for every fire department but many can’t afford it,” he says. “The funds from South Central Power got us over the top so we could purchase it.”

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

7

Stocking splurge If you’re really into birding, a good spotting scope can be an ultimate eye on the sky.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY W. H. “CHIP” GROSS

I

f you know someone who’s really ready to raise their birding game in 2026 (even if that someone is you), a spotting scope might be just the thing. A caveat: Due to a somewhat hefty price tag — several hundred to several thousand dollars — spotting scopes are not for the beginning birder, and they shouldn’t be a last-minute decision, because you’ll want to put some thought into choosing the right one.

My wife and I decided to make such a scope a combined gift to each other a year ago, and we have been thrilled.

Not knowing where or how to begin our search for a quality spotting scope, I first contacted Jim McCormac, one of Ohio’s best birders and the author of the birdidentification guide Birds of Ohio, who recommended a visit to Time & Optics near Millersburg. “Robert Hershberger and his people probably know more about optics than anyone in the state,” he told me. So that’s what I did. And I learned a lot.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

“We began as a small gift shop and watch-repair business in 1976,” says Hershberger, who owns the shop.

“So next year will be our 50th year in business. We always had a few pairs of binoculars for sale, and I began birding when I was a teenager, so the optics side of the business grew out of that hobby.

Today, we carry 18 brands of optics, with 200 to 300 pairs of binoculars on display, and 20 to 30 spotting scopes, as well as telescopes for stargazing.”

If you’d like to gift a spotting scope to someone special this Christmas — including yourself — but can’t afford the price, here’s an idea: Consider giving them a gift card for even a small portion of the cost. It just may be the nudge they need to start that special “spotting scope fund.”

Things to keep in mind when purchasing a spotting scope

Robert Hershberger of Time & Optics near Millersburg offers these tips to those considering the purchase of a new spotting scope: • Budget: “When a birder enters our store, I show them three options: a scope at their price range, then one above and one below. That lets a person compare the differences in quality and operation.”

• Use: “Will the scope stay indoors, used to view birds near home bird feeders, or will they be taking the scope outdoors into the field? Or will it be a combination? It makes a big difference.”

• Size, weight, and length: “For instance, 75mm to 100mm would be considered a large spotting scope, while 50mm to 65mm is usually considered a smaller scope. The bigger the lens, the longer the scope, and that adds weight. But a bigger lens is helpful for gathering light, so it’s brighter during times with low light, such as dawn, dusk, or on cloudy days. Also, some customers confuse field of view (the amount of area you see while looking through a spotting scope) with the diameter of the objective lens, but those two measurements have nothing to do with each other. Field of view is determined by the scope’s eyepiece, not the size of its objective lens.”

• Tripods and tripod heads: “If you mount a good-quality spotting scope on a poorly made tripod and tripod head you’ll be disappointed. So buy quality.”

• Try before you buy: “There is only so much you can determine by shopping for spotting scopes online — so go shopping where you can actually handle and look through various scopes. I’ve found that customers are usually happier with what they purchase in person rather than online.”

Ask

chip!

W.H. “Chip” Gross is Ohio Cooperative Living’s outdoors editor.

Email him with your outdoors questions at whchipgross@gmail. com. Be sure to include “Ask Chip” in the subject of the email.

Your question may be answered on www.ohiocoopliving.com!

www.ohiocoopliving.com

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

9

CO-OP PEOPLE

Dreams a Co-op members fulfill their son-in-law’s dying wish for an heirloom car.

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

T

odd McMullen’s dream was to buy a Ford Mustang Cobra convertible and take his family on rides at dusk underneath a sky ablaze with color.

But that dream hinged on a more serious goal: First, he had to beat his glioma.

Todd had grown up in rural Darke County. He and his wife, Sara, were married in 2010, and he had found success working in the insurance field. But he began feeling unexplainably dizzy and had a lingering headache, and in 2012, doctors gave him the news that no one ever wants to hear.

Glioma is a fast-growing type of cancer that affects the brain and nervous system. Its survival rate varies widely depending on the specific type and how early it’s caught.

He immediately began treatment — he followed the specific protocols his specialists ordered and underwent multiple surgeries — and it worked. Periodic follow-up MRIs indicated no suspicious growth.

Todd and Sara started a family — sons Colin and Corey were born a few years apart — and lived each day as a special gift.

The Mustang At the time, Todd drove a 1989 Ford Mustang convertible, but decided to sell it shortly before they bought their first home in Columbus. “He always regretted doing that,” Sara says. Later, as the boys were getting older, they enjoyed attending the annual London (Ohio) Cobra Show.

“My husband was a dreamer,” Sara says with a chuckle.

“Each year we attended that show, he talked about building three Carroll Shelby Cobras — one for Colin, 10

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

one for Corey, and one for us. Those were ambitious plans, considering it takes at least a year and a half to build each one.”

And so life went on, including those periodic discussions about that dream car and talks about those sunset drives with the top down. But the dream was interrupted by another dose of reality.

At the beginning of 2024, Todd did not feel well and knew something was amiss. Tests at the Cleveland Clinic confirmed his suspicions — the tumor was no longer dormant, and doctors also found at least three additional disorders that further complicated his condition, and soon he began feeling pain that was unrelenting.

Motivation Sara, a former service coordinator with the Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, used her skills to investigate holistic treatments and other approaches when traditional protocols like radiation offered little relief.

“Todd would get up in the morning and slowly make his way down the stairs to his recliner,” Sara says. “He could no longer drive due to double vision, there were mobility issues on his right side, and he developed short-term memory problems. But he never complained despite the pain and everything else.”

In July of that year, Sara saw the black Ford Cobra sitting in a neighbor’s yard, a “for sale” sign in the windshield.

She knew it was the motivation Todd needed. She helped him to their golf cart and a smile flashed across his face as soon as he saw the vehicle with its distinctive Cobra designs on the seats.

at sunset “Todd wanted that car,” Sara says.

He spoke a lot about the Cobra during the ensuing weeks, pointing out that Sara would have to do the driving, or planning which shows he wanted to take it to, or deciding whom he wanted to take around on those sunset drives.

talk to my husband first, but Dave was in agreement that we should do it for Todd and the boys. My dad had two Mustangs when I was growing up and everything seemed so right.”

The Heuings test drove the Cobra and ended up purchasing it this past summer.

The family spent much of the following months at the Cleveland Clinic, where doctors offered little hope after more tests indicated the cancer had spread to fluid around the brain and to the spinal cord. The disease ultimately claimed his life Oct. 24, 2024, exactly 12 years to the day from his initial diagnosis. He was 42.

Signs, and a decision The idea of buying the car and fulfilling Todd’s wishes came as the family drove home from the Cleveland Clinic after his death.

Sara says a large truck emblazoned with “Ford” seemed to shadow them during the drive, which she, Colin (then 10), and Corey (6) found comforting because they all knew he was definitely a “Ford man.”

But there was also that sky.

Sara’s parents, Dave and Julie Heuing, members of Piquabased Pioneer Electric Cooperative, were on their way back to their home in Russia (Ohio), and couldn’t help but to be reminded of their son-in-law. “The sunset was unusually beautiful that day and we knew Todd would have loved it,” Julie says. By the time they all got home, she had made a decision.

“I did a lot of praying about buying the car, and I told Sara I wanted to do it for Todd,” Julie says. “I needed to

Julie Heuing takes a ride in the Mustang Cobra with her daughter, Sara McMullen, and grandsons Colin and Corey McMullen, who will inherit the car one day.

“The first time I took it out I could sense Todd in the passenger seat,” Julie says. “I looked over and told him to fasten his seatbelt because we were going for a ride.”

Sara says she and the boys also feel Todd’s presence when they take a ride in “daddy’s car.” Julie says she may take it to some car shows and might even take a spin along legendary Route 66.

“I am keeping Todd’s dream alive while enjoying the car myself,” she says. “When the time comes, I will pass it on to the boys, just as their dad planned.”

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

GOOD EATS

Day-old

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS

BY CATHERINE MURRAY

delights

Don’t toss that old loaf — save some dough and upcycle that stale bread for some classic people-pleasers.

PEACHES AND CREAM BREAD PUDDING

Prep: 20 minutes | Bake: 1 hour | Servings: 8 6 cups 1 1/2-inch cubed bread* 3 cups fresh or frozen peaches (thawed) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 3 large eggs 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

*Bread can be frozen for up to 6 months!

Keep a bag of bread ends and/or stale bread to use for croutons, bread pudding, and strata. Mixing different kinds, such as white, wheat, rye, sourdough, buns, and baguettes, works well for croutons. Skip adding sweet breads, such as cinnamon raisin, and thaw bread before making into croutons.

1 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Coat an 8x8-inch baking dish (or double recipe for a 9x13-inch dish) with cooking spray and fill with bread. For a firmer pudding, toast bread in oven for 10 to 15 minutes (optional). Meanwhile, in a small bowl, coat peaches with lemon juice; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. With a slotted spoon, spread peaches over bread, then pour remaining juice across the top. Pour in egg mixture, ensuring all bread visible on top has been coated with liquid, then pour the rest into the crevices. Press down with a spatula so bread soaks up liquid. Bake 55 to 65 minutes, until tips of bread are toasted brown and center is firm when pressed down upon. Dust with powdered sugar (optional) and serve warm.

Per serving: 274 calories, 10 grams fat, 5 grams saturated fat, 37 grams total carbohydrates, 90 milligrams cholesterol, 119 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber, 9 grams protein.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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QUICK GRILLED CHEESE AND TOMATO SOUP No matter how you cut it, diagonal, crisscross, or tiny bites, grilled cheese and tomato soup are the perfect pairing on a cold, rainy day.

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes | Servings: 4 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, finely sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes in juice 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth 1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste 10 slices stale white bread, divided 2 tablespoons spreadable butter 6 ounces sliced cheese of choice

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté onion in olive oil for 5 minutes; add garlic and sauté another minute. Transfer onion mixture to a blender or food processor, along with tomatoes in juice. Remove crust of 2 pieces of bread and tear in pieces; add to blender and puree until smooth. Transfer soup back to saucepan; add broth, sugar, basil, oregano, and cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring regularly, then reduce to a simmer; let cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet (or an electric skillet if making all 4 at once) to medium-high. Butter bread on the outer facing sides of each sandwich and place the 4 bottom pieces butterside down in skillet. Top each piece with 2 slices of cheese and place second piece of bread on top, butter-side up. Cover with lid and grill, checking bottom of bread with a spatula after 3 minutes and continuing until bottoms are a medium brown and flip with ease. If cheese isn't fully melted, replace lid while grilling second side. Continue until bread is equally grilled on both sides and cheese is fully melted.

Per serving: 322 calories, 19 grams fat, 8 grams saturated fat, 26 grams total carbohydrates, 37 milligrams cholesterol, 1,131 milligrams sodium, 4 grams fiber, 12 grams protein.

SKILLET CROUTONS Total: 10 minutes | Servings: 12 3 tablespoons salted butter 3 1/2 cups 1-inch cubed bread* garlic powder and black pepper for sprinkling Melt butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When butter is foaming, add cubed bread; stir multiple times to coat.

Sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper, stir, and sprinkle again. Stir once or twice a minute for 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown on all sides. To keep for up to 2 weeks, cool completely before placing in an air-tight container and store in a cool, dry place.

Per serving: 79 calories, 4 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 8 grams total carbohydrates, 8 milligrams cholesterol, 106 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber, 2 grams protein.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

When bread loses its freshness over time, it becomes optimal for turning into panko breadcrumbs you can use to create crispy appetizers and fried favorites. It’s a flavorful coating for breaded meats and vegetables, or as a crunchy topping for casseroles. Stale bread becomes a treasure trove of possibilities for your next culinary adventure — such as the eggplant Parmesan pictured below.

Check it out!

See videos of some of our mouth-watering recipes being prepared at

www.ohiocoopliving.com

AIR FRYER PANKO BREADCRUMBS Prep: 10 minutes | Fry: 5 minutes | Servings: 6* 4 slices day-old white bread 1 tablespoon olive oil salt Cut off bread crusts and discard. Dice bread into evenly sized cubes, approximately 1/2 inch. Discard any crumbs, as they soak up the oil and fall through the fryer basket. Spread oil on the bottom and sides of a large container or bowl with matching lid. Pour in diced bread; cover and toss to coat. Sprinkle lightly with salt; cover and toss once more. Fill fryer basket with a loose single layer of bread cubes.

Cook on air fryer setting (300 F) 3 minutes, rotate tray 180 degrees and continue cooking, keeping a close eye until lightly toasted. Set tray on a heatsafe surface until cooled, then toss cubes into food processor and pulse into small crumbs. Store in an airtight container in pantry for up to a week, in fridge for up to a month, or in freezer for 3 months. Makes approximately 1 cup. *makes about 3 cups of crumbs Per serving: 70 calories, 3 grams fat, 0 grams saturated fat, 10 grams total carbohydrates, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 70 milligrams sodium, 0.5 gram fiber, 2 grams protein.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

15

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

REFLECTING ON PROGRESS, PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE As we close another year, I want to pause and express gratitude for you, the members of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, for your continued trust and support. Our cooperative was built on the promise of people coming together to improve the quality of life in their communities, and that promise still guides everything we do.

Each decision, whether it’s about delivering reliable electricity, innovating for the future, or advocating for smart energy policies that impact our local community, comes back to one simple question: How will this benefit our members?

This year has been marked by meaningful progress, both in strengthening our local system and in working at the national level to influence energy policies that directly affect reliability and resilience. While details of federal regulations can feel distant, they shape our daily operations.

Over the past year, electric cooperatives across the country came together for advocacy efforts on the EPA’s Power Plant Rule. As originally written, the rule would have forced a rapid shift away from always-available power generation resources, threatening the accessibility of a diverse fuel supply that keeps electricity reliable. Renewable energy sources are an essential and growing part of our energy future, but the demand for electricity is rising rapidly, and natural gas, coal, and nuclear remain essential for ensuring power is available around the clock. As we collaborated and engaged with policymakers, we pressed for a more balanced approach to generating power — one that supports clean energy innovation while recognizing the role of traditional resources. Our efforts are shaping a path forward that better protects reliability and keeps costs in check for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members.

Another area of progress came through advocacy work on federal permitting reform. For too long, outdated rules and lengthy delays have stood in the way of building critical infrastructure, including new transmission lines and generation projects. Modernizing this process is essential if we’re going to strengthen the electric grid and keep pace with growing demand. This year, electric co-ops helped move the needle on permitting reform, advocating for policies that make the process faster, more predictable, and more efficient. Investments we make in infrastructure will reach communities sooner, improving reliability and preparing us for the future.

We’re also seeing progress with bipartisan support of the FEMA Act of 2025, which would speed up the disaster recovery process for electric cooperatives and the communities we serve. Severe storms are a fact of life, and their impact on the electric system can be devastating.

Tom Wolfenbarger FEMA is a crucial GENERAL MANAGER partner for electric coops in efforts to restore power after disaster strikes, but currently, the federal reimbursement process after a major storm is slow and full of red tape. If passed, the bill would make FEMA a stronger, more responsive agency to help strengthen rural resilience, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure essential services are restored as quickly as possible after a natural disaster.

Achievements like these are not just wins in Washington — they are wins for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members like you.

In addition to advocacy efforts, we are proactively addressing our communities’ needs for the future by investing in new technologies and programs that improve service for our members. Through advanced monitoring systems and AI tools that improve daily operations, we are better equipped to identify power delivery issues or challenges before they occur.

As we look ahead to a new year, I see both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The energy industry is undergoing significant change driven by the rising need for more electricity, new tools and technologies, and federal energy policies.

The path forward requires innovative thinking and memberfocused solutions. I’m confident that with the dedication of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative employees and the continued support of our members, we are well positioned to adapt and meet challenges head-on. Through it all, our promise to you remains steadfast: reliable power for today and tomorrow.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

17

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

THIS MONTH’S BILLS WERE MAILED DECEMBER 4 AND ARE DUE DECEMBER 22

Consider the convenient, secure payment options below to avoid mail delays and late fees AUTO PAY

MOBILE APP

Reduce the stress of missing a payment or receiving a late charge by having your payment automatically removed from your checking or savings account on the due date.

Easily manage your account on the go and make payments with our free SmartHub app. Available on the App Store or Google Play Store — search for SmartHub.

Follow these steps to enroll in Auto Pay:

3. Accept the Auto Pay Terms & Conditions

Call 855-940-3867 to use our Self-Serve phone number.

The automated system allows you to pay your bill 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also call our office at 513-867-4400 during normal business hours to pay with a card.

4. Select Enroll under Auto Pay Enrollment

COOPERATIVE’S OFFICE

1. Log in to SmartHub 2. Select Bill & Pay then Auto Pay Program

5. Follow the instructions and continue paying your bill until your statement reads “Automatic Payment – DO NOT PAY!”

ONLINE Pay online through SmartHub by visiting butlerrural.coop or download the SmartHub app. If you don’t want to create a SmartHub account, use the Pay Now tab on the home screen of our website to quickly and securely make a payment.

BILL CREDIT WINNERS 18

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

PHONE

Pay your bill at the cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our office has a drop box that can be used to make payments after hours or on the weekends.

Please, do not put cash in the drop box.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANK Pay your electric bill at any First Financial Bank location with no charge. Visit the bank’s website for branch locations. Payments may take up to 24 hours (during normal business hours) to be received.

Did you attend our virtual annual meeting in April? If so, you could be the winner of a $50 bill credit. Congratulations to the October winners!

Connie Ehrnschwender • Susan Mavis • James Rubenstein • William C. Stephenson • Kyndra N. Tatum

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, KEEP WARM WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK. Did you know space heaters are one of the most expensive home appliances to use? The average space heater uses about 1,500 watt-hours of energy per hour. That’s more than $145 per month if used all day! Instead of using a space heater, consider adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees or installing a heat pump. Take control of your energy use with SmartHub’s enhanced home use data, which shows where your electricity is being used each month.

Find out how the little changes add up with enhanced home use data, available in SmartHub.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

18A

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

JUNE 14-20, 2026

A CO-OP SPONSORED TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

What is Youth Tour?

Who can apply:

• A trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

• Applicants must be high school sophomores or juniors.

• A week of visiting historic monuments, touring world-class museums, and meeting elected officials.

• You and your parents or guardian must receive electricity from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

• Developing lifelong friendships with delegates from across the country!

OhioYouthTour

@

Learn more and apply: butlerrural.coop > Community > Youth Programs > Youth Tour 18B

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

For more information contact: Andy Denny Community Relations and Marketing Coordinator andyd@butlerrural.coop APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb. 13, 2026

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Sign up today for

bill credits

New subscribers to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s paperless billing will receive a one-time $5 credit on their electric bill!

Members who sign up for Auto Pay will be entered to win one of two $50 bill credits each month! Sign up for both programs in SmartHub, our free mobile app.

Hello to always on time With AutoPay, you will never miss a payment again. Bills will automatically be paid from the account of your choice at no extra charge. You’ll no longer have to worry about mailing a check!

When we save money, you save money

By enrolling in paperless billing, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative saves money on postage and printing. As a not-for-profit organization, those savings help all members. You can still easily view your billing history and payment records online.

Learn more

To create a SmartHub account, visit butlerrural.coop

Download the SmartHub app on the Apple Store or Google Play. Once the app is open, type in “Butler Rural Electric Cooperative” as the provider. Your login information is the same for the website and mobile app.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

18C

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Shared Harvest Foodbank Community Service Days In October, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative employees participated in Community Service Days at Shared Harvest Foodbank. Employees packed 945 nonperishable food boxes for senior citizens who live below the poverty line and created backpacks full of nonperishable food for school-aged children with food insecurity to take home on the weekends.

We are grateful to have Shared Harvest in our community and for the support they provide to local food pantries.

Merry Christmas AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office is closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas and Thursday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s.

18D

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Holiday Harvest FOOD DRIVE

Lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need this holiday season Now through Dec. 12 Bring nonperishable food items to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 513-867-4400 to make a monetary donation.

Items are given to local food banks and churches to give to families in need.

You will be entered to win a $50 bill credit for every 10 items you donate!

Shop from the comfort of your home!

Use our Amazon wish list to purchase items and have them delivered to our office. Scan the QR code to get started.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

18E

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

CHILDREN OF MEMBERS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

AVAILABLE NOW!

TRADITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

These scholarships are awarded to high school seniors attending four-year colleges after graduation. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and must be involved in school and community activities. The top applicants will participate in interviews with judges and will receive a scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.

Breakdown > One student will be awarded the Michael L. Sims Scholarship and will receive $2,500 each year throughout their college career for up to four years. The recipient will compete for up to $4,600 in additional scholarships from Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives. > $3,000 Thomas Humbach Scholarship > $3,000 R. Fred Woodruff Scholarship > $1,000 scholarships

$2,000 COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP

The cooperative supports and appreciates the community involement of our youth. This scholarship is awarded to one high school senior attending a fouryear college after graduation. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must be heavily involved in the community and passionate about improving the quality of life in our service territory. The top applicants will participate in interviews with judges and one student will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

18 OHIO 18F OHIOCOOPERATIVE COOPERATIVELIVING LIVING• •DECEMBER DECEMBER2025 2025

$1,500 TRADE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

The Touchstone Energy Achievement Scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who is attending a technical college or trade school after graduation.

Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or above and must plan to attend an accredited technical school program after graduation. Past recipients of this scholarship have completed programs to become diesel mechanics, for example. The top applicants will participate in interviews with judges and one student will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

APPLY TODAY!

Visit butlerrural.coop > Community > Youth Programs > Scholarships to apply. Application deadline is Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

Scholarship applicants must be high school seniors, must be the child or legal ward of a Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member, and must live in a home receiving electric service from the cooperative.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Districts realign for more equitable representation The board of trustees has approved a redistricting initiative to more equally spread the number of members across each district in our territory. Per our code of regulations, the board of trustees may redistrict to ensure equitable distribution of members in geographic areas served by the cooperative.

Townships with new districts:

> Colerain and Crosby townships are moving from District 9 to District 8

Israel District 3

Somers District 3

> Israel Township is moving from District 1 to District 3 > Morgan Township is moving from District 8 to District 6 > Reily Township is moving from District 6 to District 1.

This change will take effect April 24, 2026, following our annual meeting. The change impacts our 2026 election and the townships up for election. See the following pages for more details.

Gratis District 4

PREB LE COU N TY

German District 4

MONTGOME RY C OUNT Y Madison District 5

Oxford District 1

Milford District 2

Reily District 1

Hanover District 7

Wayne District 5

St. Clair District 7

B U TLER COU N TY

Harrison District 8

Morgan District 6

Ross District 9

Fairfield District 9

Crosby District 8

H A M ILTON COU N TY

Colerain District 8

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

18G

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

ARE YOU READY TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES? Calling members to fill two vacancies on co-op’s board Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is owned by our members and is governed by a nine-person board of trustees. Board members are members like you — they receive electricity from the co-op and live in your community. Board members are nominated by district and are elected at large. The board of trustees makes decisions that affect the entire membership and represents the interests of all members.

Board elections are held in three of our nine districts each year. Members elect trustees to serve three-year terms and vote each spring online, by mail, or through SmartHub.

Board seats up for election Three board seats are up for election – District 6 (Morgan Township), District 7 (Hanover and St. Clair townships), and District 8 (Colerain, Crosby, and Harrison townships).

Two current board members have indicated they do not intend to run for reelection, leaving District 6 and District 8 vacant for the election. Board member Mike Tilton can run for reelection in District 7 if he chooses.

Who can become a board member?

Members living in Colerain, Crosby, Hanover, Harrison, Morgan, and St. Clair townships can run for, and be elected to serve on, the board of trustees. To be a candidate for the board, your account with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative must be in your name. This means your name must appear on your bill from the cooperative.

Board members’ responsibilities Board members meet with the co-op’s attorney, general manager, and management staff each month and work together to make important decisions that affect our day-to-day operations.

Board members spend about 25 hours each month reviewing cooperative information and attending meetings and conferences. This includes attending board meetings on the last Wednesday of each month at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office in Oxford. The meetings begin at 9 a.m. and typically conclude by 1 p.m.

To stay up-to-date on current and developing industry information, they also attend conferences in Columbus and national meetings with varying locations.

ELECTION TIMELINE

18H

JULY 2025

AUGUST 2025

SEPTEMBER 2025

OCTOBER 2025

14th Nominating committee meets with co-op’s attorney to discuss the committee’s responsibilities and the election.

Members living in districts 6, 7, and 8 receive notices letting them know they can run for the board of trustees. Interested members can contact the co-op to receive a Trustee Handbook and candidate information form, which is similar to an application.

15th Nominating committee meets with attorney to discuss board candidates and develop a plan to recruit candidates.

15th Deadline for members to apply to run for the board of trustees.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Board member qualifications

Apply by Dec. 30

You do not need to have electric or utility knowledge to become a board member. An orientation is provided to newly elected board members to learn about the cooperative business model and the electric utility industry. Board members complete training courses covering the roles, responsibilities, knowledge, and skills to govern Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. These courses address governance, financial decision-making, strategic planning, and current and emerging issues.

If you live in Morgan, Hanover, St. Clair, Colerain, Crosby, or Harrison township and meet the board candidate qualifications, you can submit a petition to the cooperative’s office by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The petition process requires members to collect 25 signatures from members. Contact Julie Abbott, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s director of administration, at 513-867-4402 or juliea@butlerrural.coop if you would like a petition.

The co-op provides compensation (per diem) for serving on the board. The average annual compensation for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s board members is $15,000. Board members do not receive health insurance through the co-op.

The petition process is an additional outlet for members to run for the board of trustees. Members who submit petitions will be interviewed by the nominating committee Jan. 12 if they weren’t interviewed in November to ensure they are qualified to serve on the board of trustees.

Nominating committee Eighteen members serve on our nominating committee.

These members are responsible for finding board candidates each year.

The nominating committee began accepting candidate applications in August. Members who applied to become board candidates were verified as members in good standing and underwent background checks.

Qualified applicants attended interviews with the nominating committee at the co-op’s office Nov. 18.

The committee selected candidates to appear on ballots after the interviews.

Get on the list for our nominating committee If you’re interested in participating in your co-op, serving on our nominating committee is another great away to do so. Nominating committee members meet three to four evenings per year and receive $75 plus mileage reimbursement for each meeting.

Contact Julie Abbott at 513-867-4402 or juliea@ butlerrural.coop if you would like to be considered by the board of trustees for our nominating committee.

NOVEMBER 2025

DECEMBER 2025

MARCH 2026

April 2026

18th Nominating committee interviews members running for the board.

Committee selects up to two candidates for each district after the interviews.

30th Petitions due at co-op’s office. Qualified members can submit petitions with 25 member signatures to run for the board.

23rd Election begins.

Members can vote for one candidate in each district.

Voting is completed by mail, online, or through SmartHub.

28th Election ends

JANUARY 2026 12th Nominating committee interviews candidate(s) who filed petitions, if needed.

30th Annual meeting Election results announced

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

19

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative recognized for high member satisfaction Butler Rural Electric Cooperative was recently recognized

by Touchstone Energy as a member cooperative that received one of the top five American Customer Satisfaction Index scores for energy utility services among all cooperatives participating in measurement for Touchstone Energy in the third quarter of 2025. In Q3 (2025), Butler Rural Electric Cooperative received an ACSI score of 92 on a 100-point scale.* Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s score is higher when compared to publicly measured cooperative utility scores reported in the syndicated 2025 ACSI Energy Utility Study and places Butler Rural Electric Cooperative 18 points higher than the average investor-owned utility score of 74, and 17 points higher than the average municipal utility score of 75, as well as 16 points higher than the average cooperative utility score of 76. *Compared to publicly measured energy utilities in the ACSI® survey of customers rating their own energy utility.

Results based on data provided by Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, collected between June and July. ACSI did not regulate the survey administration or sample size. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC. For more about the ACSI, visit www.theacsi.org.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

David Evans PRESIDENT

Jim Meador

VICE PRESIDENT

CONTACT

513-867-4400 butlerrural.coop OFFICE

3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

20

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Mike Tilton

SECRETARY & TREASURER

Lee P. Geiger ATTORNEY

Vickie Jo Barger Jay T. Hasbrook Ronald Kolb Scott Lessing Thomas L. McQuiston Robert Spaeth TRUSTEES

Tom Wolfenbarger GENERAL MANAGER

Jade Guthrie

MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

SMARTHUB

Access your electric use, pay your bill, and report outages through our free SmartHub app.

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DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING 21

Cracking good time The world’s largest collection of life-sized nutcrackers transforms Steubenville for the holidays.

BY MARGIE WUEBKER; PHOTOS COURTESY OF MADELINE STUTZMAN

T

nutcracker named Junior nearby. “He spent an entire year outside so we could see how he weathered heat, cold, rain, and snow,” Stutzman says. “He was such a hit that we created 150 more over the next few years.”

Fellow businessman Mark Nelson, however, put the concept in overdrive when he and his son-inlaw, Brodie Stutzman, built and erected a life-sized

And so now, a decade after those first displays brought the area to life, more than 200 life-sized nutcrackers — the world’s largest such collection — transform downtown Steubenville each holiday season into the Nutcracker Village. This year’s event will continue through Jan. 9.

he idea first came to Steubenville business owner Jerry Barilla in 2015, when he thought that the sight of empty storefront windows deterred folks from coming to the downtown area to do their Christmas shopping. So, he set up a few nutcracker displays in those windows to make the area a bit more festive.

22

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Visitors to the Nutcracker Village encounter just about any character they could imagine in nutcracker form — from whimsical storybook heroes and cartoon characters to real-life movie and television stars; from historical legends and religious leaders to first responders and service members from the various branches of the military.

Rosie the Riveter is there, along with Charlie Brown, Captain Nemo, Shirley Temple, Pope John Paul II, Scarlett O’Hara, and John Glenn. Notable Steubenville

native Dean Martin has come home in nutcracker form, along with fellow “Rat Pack” members Joey Bishop, Sammy Davis Jr., and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. New nutcrackers are added every year. (Famed soldier-turnedmovie-star Audie Murphy used to be here, but though most of the creations remain in the community, an outof-town visitor purchased Murphy’s figure to place in a Texas museum honoring the American hero.)

Stutzman says most of the nutcrackers he makes stand around 6 feet tall — with a notable exception. “I made Continued on page 24

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

23

Cracking good time continued from page 23 the Mouse King is 9 feet tall because I wanted him to look big and impressive,” he says.

estimates an additional 400 hours are spent each year on upkeep and repairs.

The nutcrackers are carved from Styrofoam, which obviously makes the finished product easier to handle than wooden forms. The foam comes in 200-pound blocks — enough material for 14 figures. It takes roughly 400 hours to design, carve, and paint each one, and at the end of the process, they all get a fiberglass outer skin to afford some protection from the elements. Stutzman

All that upkeep couldn’t happen without a legion of volunteers helping with everything from base-layer spray painting to making a twinkle in a Styrofoam eye and updating or repairing wardrobes.

24 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

“All the added detail brings each nutcracker to life and gives it personality,” says volunteer Gretchen Nelson, while working on one of the figures with her husband,

Mark. “Painting faces is the hardest part, but doing the hair can be tricky, too. Sometimes you have to take wigs apart and then glue the hair back on in layers, a few strands at a time.”

The wardrobes can also be complicated, depending on the specific character. Nelson recalls having trouble finding just the right fabric, for example, to make a skirt for Glinda the Good Witch. Even finding wands and other accessories is not as easy as it may sound.

It takes two full days to set up the elaborate display along the street and in front of sponsoring businesses.

Other events taking place during the Nutcracker Village include a lantern parade led by jolly old St. Nicholas and the Children’s Corner, which offers free face painting, Christmas crafts, and photos with Santa Claus.

There’s also a display of 400 Nativity scenes; a German Gluhwein Garden, where vendors set up shop to sell food and an assortment of wares; and several Continued on page 26

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

25

Cracking good time continued from page 25

productions of Woodenheart Follies, a family musical bringing to life nine nutcrackers. All the events are made possible through the Steubenville Cultural Trust, created to bring magic and hope to a city ready for its next great story.

“This all began as a way to revitalize downtown and help businesses,” Mark Nelson says. “We draw more and more people each year, so I think we’re accomplishing our goal.”

For more information, along with a full list of events, visit www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

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27

Snow

MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Our horses enjoying a snowy day out of their stalls.

Dawn Balser, Logan County Electric Cooperative member

Our sons, Ben and Greg, teaching our grandson, Jake, the art of competitive snowball fights. Pam Long, URE–Union Rural Electric Cooperative member

Cousin fun day in the snow.

Janeen Melroy, North Central Electric Cooperative member

My husband, Tim, and our granddaughters, Kayla and Shelby Ross, enjoying the snow mound that he plowed up high for them. Cathy Ross, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative member

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My grandson, Elijah, is ready for fun!

Tammy Offenberger, Washington Electric Cooperative member

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Red Dog, enjoying the snow day.

Denise Beckman, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative member

Our youngest, Ula, making a pond snow angel. Rana Watt, Darke Rural Electric Cooperative member

scenes Some of our cows in the snow.

Alana Nau, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative member

Aubrey and Aiden are enjoying a snowy hike at Hocking Hills. Miranda Noffsinger, Paulding Putnam member

My husband, Tim Kettler, plowing the driveway.

Roberta Kettler, Frontier Power Company member

Loving the Buckeyes, Christmas, and the snow — all at once!

Robin Herzog, Logan County Electric Cooperative member

My favorite farm on Route 56, especially in this winter scene.

Judy O’Brien, South Central Power Company member

Send us

For March, send “Tea party” by Dec. 15. For April, send “Photo bombs” by Jan. 15.

picture!

Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive.

Your photo may be featured in our magazine or on our website!

YOUR

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

29

faith

Relics of

A 19th-century frontier priest created one of the largest collections of religious artifacts in the U.S. — in a rural Ohio convent.

BY MARGIE WUEBKER

W

hen Francis de Sales Brunner, a Catholic missionary priest from Switzerland, first came to what is now Mercer County in the mid-1840s, one of the substantial number of religious artifacts he brought with him was a depiction of a miracle in which the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared from the rocks of a cliff to save a young boy who had fallen.

bits of bone or hair. Second-class relics are objects, such as a book or a rosary, that were touched or used by a saint; objects that have been touched by a first- or second-class relic, such as a piece of cloth, would be considered thirdclass. The collection also includes slivers of wood that are said to have come from the crucifixion cross and the manger of Bethlehem.

Brunner established 10 convents after he arrived in the New World. But the monastery that had been created on those Swiss cliffs, called Mariastein (literally “Mary of the Rock”), where he had been ordained, was Brunner’s inspiration when he named the convent that would house his relics: Maria Stein.

Audio guides are available to help visitors learn more about the shrine, which sits on nearly 30 acres in the unincorporated town of Maria Stein.

His original collection, expanded through acquisitions and donations over the years, has grown into one of the largest collections of holy relics in the country, and today, the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics draws visitors from around the world to pray and reflect among more than 1,200 documented pieces displayed in a series of three hand-carved wooden altars and assorted glass cases.

The shrine’s executive director, Mark Travis, says relics usually are objects that are associated in some way with Catholic saints, and roughly 95 percent of the collection are considered first class — meaning body parts, usually

30

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

Brunner founded the convent for the Sisters of the Precious Blood in 1844; the original frame building that served as the convent and housed the relics stood until a permanent brick building went up in 1860.

When additional relics were given to the sisters in 1875 and pilgrims began arriving, it became clear that larger accommodations were needed. Two new chapels — including one specifically to house the relics — went up in 1892, and a large, modern, four-story motherhouse was completed in 1901. Visitors can still see the outline of the original brick structure in the courtyard.

Numerous wings were added and renovation projects undertaken over the years, and the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

In the meantime, however, the order moved its motherhouse operations to Dayton, and the number of sisters residing at Maria Stein had declined to a point where the order needed help to oversee and maintain property and holdings. In December 2017, the convent transferred the deed to the shrine’s board of directors.

Travis is often amazed to see license plates from throughout the country in the parking lot. Visitors also come from places like New Zealand, Germany, and Switzerland, drawn there mostly by word of mouth.

Most visitors linger in the two chapels, viewing the relics and colorful stained glass windows imported from Germany.

The adjacent Gathering Place is often used for meetings, programs, meals, and social events.

The building’s fourth floor has not been remodeled and is not currently in use, according to Travis — getting there would be a problem anyway, as the elevator only serves three floors.

Numerous events are held on the grounds every year. The largest of those — the three-day Maria Stein Countryfest each June — is a collaboration with the local Knights of St. John and American Legion Post 571, and features a tractor pull, amusement rides, concessions, and live music, as well as a pilgrimage that is a decades-old tradition.

In the main building, the first floor includes a reception area and a large gift shop. The Heritage Museum on the second floor offers a detailed history of the shrine, with displays showing how early nuns supported the congregation. In addition to creating and selling religious statues made from papier-mâché, they also fashioned vestments with intricate hand-sewn detail, tatted lace, and crocheted altar cloths. The order was mostly self-sufficient, growing vegetables and raising livestock.

Travis calls the Shrine’s 180 volunteers the “heartbeat” of the organization, since it employs a small staff. Proceeds from the ongoing heritage fundraising campaign, seasonal events, shop sales, and rental fees from the Gathering Place help maintain the facility.

The nuns also baked bread and pastries both for their own needs and to serve visitors. Today volunteers bake goods to be served at the Brunner Bake Shop on the third floor.

Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, 2291 St. Johns Rd., Maria Stein. www.mariasteinshrine.org.

“The Precious Blood sisters entrusted us with their legacy, and we are committed to preserving it for generations to come,” Travis says. “This is a place for all faiths, offering an atmosphere of peace, prayer, and hospitality.”

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

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DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

33

2025-26 CALENDAR

DECEMBER/JANUARY

NORTHWEST

model train display runs through an intricate Victorian holiday scene. Interactive buttons, multitiered layout. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

DEC. 6 – Christmas at Apollo Craft Show, Apollo Career Center, 3325 Shawnee Rd., Lima, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $5; 12 and under free. Over 100 crafters selling homemade and handcrafted wares. Food available for purchase. www.facebook.com/apollocareercenter.

DEC. 6 – Donuts with Santa, Koenig Equipment, 306 N. Main St., Botkins, 10-11:30 a.m. Festive fun, sweet treats, and a visit from the jolly elf, plus holiday savings on John Deere toys and merchandise. www.koenigequipment.com/ THROUGH DEC. 30 – Upper’s Winter Fantasy of resources/events.

Lights, Harrison Smith Park, 525 E. Wyandot Ave., DEC. 8–22 – Winter Wonderland Light Display, Upper Sandusky, Fri.–Sun. 6–10 p.m., Mon.–Thur. Sandusky Co. Fgds., 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont.

Drive-through, Dec. 8–18 and 21–22, 6–8 p.m., 6–9:30 p.m. $10/car, $15/van, $50/tour bus. The $5 per car. Walk-through, Dec. 19–20, 6–9 park’s 33 acres will be ablaze with millions of p.m., $2, under 12 free. 419-332-5604 or www. lights and a myriad of unique light displays. 419sanduskycountyfair.com.

294-2351 or www.uppersfantasyoflights.org.

THROUGH DEC. 31 – Lake of Lights, Saulisberry DEC. 19 – Classic Movie Night: It’s a Wonderful Life, Hancock Historical Museum, 422 W. Park/France Lake, 13344 St. Rte. 67 W., Kenton, Sandusky St., Findlay, 7 p.m. Free; donations 6–9 p.m. daily. $5 per car. Drive-through lighting event. Special events held on the weekends. 567- accepted. Historical information presented before and discussion after the movie. Popcorn and 674-4567, lakeoflights08@gmail.com, or www. refreshments provided; feel free to BYOB. 419facebook.com/LakeOfLights.

423-4433 or www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org/ THROUGH JAN. 3 – NWORRP North Pole special-events.

Express, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay. $5; 12 and under, DEC. 19–20 – Hayes Home Holidays: “Spirits of Christmas,” Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., $3. Hop on board our quarter-scale trains for a Fremont, 5–9 p.m., final tour starting at 8 p.m. trip through a winter wonderland of lights and Tour the Hayes home and hear beloved Christmas festive decorations. See operating toy trains, stories by Charles Dickens. Before your tour, hundreds of decorated trees, and Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights. 419-423-2995, www. enjoy the “Hayes Train Special” model train display in the auditorium. 419-332-2081 or www. facebook.com/nworrp, or www.nworrp.org. rbhayes.org.

THROUGH JAN. 4 – “Hayes Train Special” DEC. 19–20 – Silver Screen Classics: It’s a Model Train Display, Hayes Library and Wonderful Life, Valentine Theatre, 400 N. Superior Museums, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., St., Toledo, 7:30 p.m. $8. See Frank Capra’s Fremont. Free; donations accepted. Operating perennial holiday classic on the big screen. 419-

242-2787 or www.valentinetheatre.com.

DEC. 26–31 – Horse-Drawn Sleigh and Trolley Rides at Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont, 1–4 p.m. $6 trolley, $7 sleigh; 2 and under free. Rides are drawn by South Creek Clydesdales. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

DEC. 31 – Lima Symphony NYE Pops: Queen in Concert, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $40–$50. Ring in the new year with this rock spectacular that brings the iconic music of Queen to life. 419-222-5701 or www.limasymphony.com.

JAN. 3 – Model Train Clinic, Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 5 and under free. Veteran model train hobbyists will examine your model train and help you with issues. You can also run your trains on the “Hayes Train Special” track. 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

JAN. 3–4 – Tri-State Gun Show, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Hwy., Lima, Sat. 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. $8; 18 and under free.

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-calendar.

JAN. 6–MAY 12 – Line Dancing, Delphos Eagles Aerie #471, 1600 E. Fifth St., Tues. 6–7:30 p.m. $5.

Step-by-step instructions given at the beginning of each class. Everyone can learn! Private lessons also available. Taught by Kelly Jackson Kroeger (see her Facebook page). www.visitgreaterlima. com/calendar.

JAN. 8 – Alter Ego: The World of Rock n’ Roll, Crouse Performance Hall, Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, #7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $25–$76. Tribute show catapulting you through a time warp where ’70s disco fever clashes with ’80s rock rebellion and ’90s pop anthems.

419-224-1552 or www.limaciviccenter.com.

SOUTHWEST

an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@ fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com.

DEC. 1–31 – ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park, 520 S. Stringtown Rd., Xenia, 6–9 p.m. Drivethrough dazzling light display. 937-562-6440 or www.gcpkstrails.com/events/parklights.

DEC. 10–11 – “Jingle Jazz: The Nutcracker Remix,” The Redmoor, 3187 Linwood Ave., Cincinnati, 7 p.m. $10–$35. This swinging holiday tradition features jazzy takes on classic carols and soulful seasonal surprises. We also will be celebrating the release of CCJO’s brandnew Nutcracker Remix album. 513-227-1039 or www.cincinnatijazz.org.

DEC. 19 – A Madcap Christmas Carol, Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford, 7–8 p.m. Featuring Madcap Puppets. A brand-new, family-friendly twist on a classic tale.

Recommended ages: 4–10. 513-524-8506 or www.oxarts.org.

THROUGH DEC. 31 – Light Up Middletown, Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, 6–10 p.m. nightly. Drive-through fantasy light display, open in all weather. Admission by cash donation — you set the price! www.lightupmiddletown. org.

THROUGH DEC. 23 – North Pole Express, LM&M Railroad, 16 E. South St., Lebanon. $35– $50; under 2, $10. Visit with Santa and his elves as you take a ride on a vintage train! Children

34

will receive a souvenir bell and a holiday cookie.

Hot chocolate available for purchase. www. lebanonrr.com/holiday-special-events.

THROUGH DEC. 28 – Ornament Blow, Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr., Cincinnati, Wed./Thur. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (closed 24th and 25th). $45 per 15-minute session. Must be 5 years and older. With help from our professional glassblowers, you can make your own Christmas ornament from hot molten glass! Reservations required. 513-751-3292 or neusoleglassworks@hotmail.com.

THROUGH JAN. 4 – Holiday Lights on the Hill, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton. Tues.–Thur., Sun.: 6–9 p.m.; Fri./Sat.: 6–10 p.m.; closed Mondays. $25 per carload. Drive-through tour featuring over 1 million lights and illuminated installations by local artists. www.pyramidhill. org/events/lights.

THROUGH JAN. 28 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK

NORTHEAST

Victorian splendor! 330-674-0022 or https://www. holmeshistory.com/museum.

THROUGH JAN. 3 – Christmas at the Fort, Historic Fort Steuben, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville.

Holiday Market, colorful lights and decorations, puppet shows, photo opportunities, music, Christmas Shoppe, Holly Trolley rides, and tours of Fort Steuben. www.oldfortsteuben.com.

THROUGH JAN. 9 – Steubenville Nutcracker Village, downtown Steubenville. Free. See 200 large-as-life, unique nutcrackers stationed amid lights and holiday decorations throughout the downtown 24/7. Also enjoy hayrides, children’s THROUGH DEC. 28 – Ashtabula County’s Lights activities, music, crafts, and much more! 740-2834935 or www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com. on the Lake, Lakeshore Park, 1700 E. 1st St., DEC. 4–23, 26–30 – Stan Hywet’s Deck the Ashtabula, Fri.–Sun. 6–9 p.m.; Dec. 24–25, 6–9 Hall, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, 714 N. Portage p.m. Car/van $5, bus $1/person, mini bus $20.

Path, Akron, 3–8 p.m. $13–$28; 2 and under free.

Largest holiday light display on Lake Erie, with Over 1 million holiday lights across the estate, over 70 displays on 54 acres of rolling hills and the majestic backdrop of Lake Erie. 440-993-1051 dazzling winter-themed décor inside the Manor House, shopping, refreshments, and visits with or www.aclotl.com.

Santa. 330-315-3287 or https://stanhywet.org/ THROUGH DEC. 28 – Elegant Illusions Driveevents/deck-hall.

Through Park, Portage County Randolph Fgds., DEC. 5–7, 12–14 – Candlelight Holiday Tours 4215 Fairground Rd., Atwater. $20 car; $40–$50 of the Big House, Malabar Farm, 4050 Bromfield limo/tour bus. All-new LED displays, the latest in Rd., Lucas, Fri./Sat. 5–8 p.m., Sun. 1–4 p.m. $6 animatronics, and over 50 holiday scenes, plus visits with Santa and Mr. Grinch. 330-947-2974 or adults, $4 children. Self-guided tours of Louis Bromfield’s historic home, all decked out for the www.elegantchristmaslighting.com. holidays. Enjoy cookies and warm drinks after THROUGH DEC. 31 – “Brightman Family the tour. 419-892-2784 or www.facebook.com/ Christmas: Holidays at the Mansion,” Victorian MalabarFarm/events.

House Museum, 484 Wooster Rd., Millersburg, DEC. 5–7, 12–14, 20–28 – Medina County Fair Sun.–Thur. 1–4 p.m., Fri./Sat. 1–8 p.m. $10; seniors and veterans/active military, $9. Step back Drive Thru Holiday Lights, Medina Co. Fgds., 720 W. Smith Rd., Medina, Sun.–Thur. 6–9 p.m., in time and celebrate the holidays in Fri./Sat. 6–10 p.m. Cars $10, small bus/15-

WEST VIRGINIA

THROUGH DEC. 29 – Celebration of Lights, Morris Park, Fairmont. $10/car, $40/bus. See over 540 Christmas light displays in this 1.3-mile drivethrough tour. Wednesdays are walker nights and are closed to traffic: $5/person; under 12 free.

Closed 24th and 25th. 304-366-4550 or www. celebrationoflightswv.com.

passenger van $20, large bus $70. 330-723-9633 or www.medinaohiofair.com.

DEC. 13–14 – Jingle Mingle Craft and Vendor Show, Ehrnfelt Recreation Center, 18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville, Sat. 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. Over 70 vendors selling handmade crafts, wood items, home decor, seasonal items, handmade cards, and much more. www.hometownvendors.org.

DEC. 14 – Willoughby Winter Pop-Up Shop, Willoughby Senior Center, 36939 Ridge Rd., Willoughby, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission/ parking. Join us for our last show of the season, where artists and crafters will be selling their original handmade items. www.avantgardeshows. com.

DEC. 21 – Flea Market of Collectables, Medina County Community Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $3. Early bird special admission 6–9 a.m., $4. A treasure trove of vintage items and collectibles. 330-948-4300 or https://conraddowdell.com/event.

JAN. 3 – Snow Dogs Train Show, Emidio and Sons Expo Center, 48 E. Bath Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $6; under 12 free. Free parking.

Operating layout of several gauges, many dealers, good food at reasonable prices. www.cvsga.com.

JAN. 7–11 – Ohio RV Supershow, I-X Center, Cleveland, Wed.–Fri. 12–9 p.m., Sat./Sun. 10 a.m.–9 p.m. $15–$18; 12 and under free. Discover the latest RV models, meet industry experts, and find everything you need for your next adventure.

Demos, fun activities, and entertainment. www. ohiorvshow.com.

THROUGH JAN. 4 – Winter Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, nightly from dusk to midnight. Featuring 300 acres of twinkling lights over a 6-mile drive, with more than 100 lighted attractions. Suggested donation of $30 per car; pass good for the entire festival season. 877-4361797 or www.oglebay.com.

Make sure you’re included in our calendar!

Submit listings AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to the event!

Email — events@ohioec.org.

Snail mail — Ohio Cooperative Living

6677 Busch Blvd.

Columbus, OH 43229 Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.

DECEMBER 2025 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

35

2025-26 CALENDAR SOUTHEAST

THROUGH DEC. 21 – The Magic of Christmas Mansion Tours, Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, 532 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, Fri. 5–8 p.m., Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m.

Join us for some Christmas cheer and see our mansion museum decorated for the season. www.belmontcountymuseum.com.

THROUGH DEC. 31 – Dickens Victorian Village, downtown Cambridge. Stroll the downtown streets to view more than 100 lifelike scenes that capture the spirit of Victorian England. 800-9335480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com.

THROUGH JAN. 1 – Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show, Cambridge.

Synchronized light and music shows nightly.

More than 85,000 lights, two amazing 23-foot Christmas trees, and 60 animated displays. 800933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com.

THROUGH JAN. 4 – Winterfest, Market Square Park, Portsmouth. Get ready to step into a winter wonderland where the festive spirit comes alive, with an ice skating rink, craft vendors, food trucks, live music, carriage rides, and even visits with Santa Claus himself! www. friendsofportsmouth.com/Winterfest.

DEC. 10 – A Christmas Carol, Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 7 p.m. $29–$54. A dazzling new adaptation of Dickens’

beloved classic Christmas story, with more than two dozen timeless Christmas carols woven throughout the production. 740-371-5152 or www.peoplesbanktheatre.com/event.

DEC. 11, 18, 20 – Victorian Christmas Tours: The Davis Family Christmas, The Castle Museum, 418 4th St., Marietta, 7–8 p.m. $14.50; 7 and under free. Reservations recommended.

Step back into 1888 and discover how the Davis family celebrated the holiday season. Enjoy engaging stories, immersive displays, and interactive moments. 740-373-1480 or www. mariettacastle.org.

DEC. 16 – Christmas with John Berry, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, Time: 7:30 p.m. $32–$57. The Grammy-winning singer/ songwriter is back for his 29th annual Christmas tour, featuring classic carols, fan favorites like “O Holy Night,” and heartwarming stories. VIP packages available. www.majesticchillicothe.net.

DEC. 31 – New Year’s Eve Train and Fireworks, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. $25–$38. The train will travel to East Logan and return, stopping near the stroke of midnight to ring in the new year with a fireworks display! Refreshments served. www. hvsry.org/train-rides.

the Coshocton Singers, the Roscoe Brass, and additional instrumentalists will perform sacred choral music, familiar Christmas tunes, hymns, classical and popular works, and more. 740-6230554 or www.coshoctoncommunitychoir.org.

DEC. 12 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra Holiday Spectacular, Faith Memorial Church, 2610 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Adults $30, children $10.

Tickets available online or by calling the CBUSArts Ticket Office at 614-469-0939 or the church office at 740-654-1711. For more information, visit www. columbussymphony.com or www.faithm.ch.

DEC. 13 – Holiday Cookie Walk, Fairfield County THROUGH JAN. 4 – Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds, 3311 Genealogical Research Library, 503 Lenwood Dr., Lancaster (corner of West Mulberry and Lenwood), S. Old State Rd., Delaware, Sun.–Thur. 5:30–9 1–4 p.m. Homemade cookies $6 per pound. 740p.m., Fri./Sat. 5:30–10 p.m. Locally owned and family-operated drive-through holiday light show. 653-2573 or www.fairfieldgenealogy.org.

See website for ticket information. 614-412-3499 DEC. 14 – Columbus Winter Avant-Garde Art and or https://butchbandosfantasyoflights.com.

Craft Show, Makoy Event Center, 5462 Center St., Hilliard, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3; under 12 free. Artists THROUGH JAN. 6 – Nativity at Cathedral and crafters will be selling their original handmade Square, St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad items. Full concessions stand on-site. A portion St., Columbus. Free. Historic outdoor life-sized of proceeds will benefit a local nonprofit, Hope Nativity display (formerly at State Auto). Lighting Hollow. www.avantgardeshows.com. times: daily 6–8 a.m., 5–11:30 p.m.; until 12:30 a.m. Fri./Sat.; Christmas Eve 3 p.m. until 8 a.m.

DEC. 20–21 – Scott Antique Market, Ohio Christmas Day. Choir schedule available at www. Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, facebook.com/catholicmuseumcolumbus.

Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission. Parking $7. America’s favorite treasure DEC. 7 – Coshocton Community hunt! info@scottantiquemarket.com or www.

Choir: Christmas Festival Concert, River View scottantiquemarkets.com.

High School Auditorium, 26496 St. Rte. 60, Warsaw, 3–4:30 p.m. Free-will donations only. The DEC. 21 – Last Chance Holiday Market, Historic 80-voice adult choir, the Coshocton Youth Chorale, Granville Inn, 314 E. Broadway, Granville, 11 a.m.–

4 p.m. Free admission and parking. A Made Local event in Ohio’s very own Hallmark Christmas village! 30 vendors. 614-937-7177 or www. facebook.com/madelocalevents/events.

JAN. 2 – First Friday Art Walk, downtown Zanesville, 5–8 p.m. Come downtown on the first Friday of the month, when all our participating galleries, studios, and small businesses are open at the same time! For a map of current participants, visit https://artcoz.org/arts-districtmap.

JAN. 2–4 – Columbus Building and Renovation Expo, Ohio Expo Center, Kasich Hall, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Fri. 12–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. $5; under 18 free.

Parking $7. From top-quality exhibits to insightful demos and more, you’ll discover thousands of ways to design or renovate your home. www. homeshowcenter.com.

JAN. 9–18 – Ohio RV and Boat Show, Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th St., Columbus. $13–$15; 12 and under free. Parking $7. See the new year’s RVs, campers, boats, pontoon/tritoons, PWC, golf cars, and motorcycles. www.ohiorvandboatshow.com.

JAN. 11 – Buckeye Valley FFA Alumni Annual Farm Toy Show, Buckeye Valley High School, 901 Coover Rd., Delaware (3 miles north of Delaware off Rte. 23), 9 a.m.–2 p.m. $2; 12 and under free. Vintage and new farm toys, toy trucks, farm collectibles, NASCAR items, and much more!

Baked goods, food, raffle, door prizes, kiddie tractor pull (9 a.m.–noon). Breakfast $7, 8–10 a.m. (includes show admission). 740-272-1782.

THROUGH DEC. 20 – The Christmas Cave, White Gravel Mines, 4007 White Gravel McDaniel Rd., Minford, Fri./Sat. 4–10 p.m. Free admission; donations appreciated. See the story of Christ’s birth unfold around you in lighted displays throughout the cave. 740-820-6161 or www. whitegravelmines.com/the-christmas-cave.

THROUGH DEC. 20 – Santa Train, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville. $19–$24; under 3 free.

Santa boards the train and visits with each child as the train traverses the historic Hocking River Valley. See website for dates and times. www. hvsry.org/train-rides/santa.

CENTRAL

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DECEMBER/JANUARY

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2025

WINTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY TIPS Energy strategies to keep Energy strategies to keep your holidays merry, bright, your holidays merry, bright, affordable safe! affordable and and safe! Seal to prevent preventheat heat Sealair air leaks leaks to from from escaping andaircold from escaping and cold fromair enterentering ing your your home.home.

Usetimers timers indoors indoors and toto Use andout out give your decorations — and give your decorations—andyour your electric bill — a break. electric bill—a break.  Switch to a smart thermostat and

 Switch smart save uptotoa15% on thermostat energy costs.and save up to 15% on energy costs.  Open blinds and curtains during

the day to allow in during to  Open blinds andsunlight curtains warm home.sunlight Close blinds the dayyour to allow in toand curtains at night toClose keep out cold, warm your home. blinds drafty air. and curtains at night to keep out drafty air.lights. They stay cold, Switch to LED cool, use up to 80% less energy

 Switch to LED lights. stay than traditional bulbs, They and reduce cool, use up to 80% less energy the risk of fire. than traditional bulbs, and reduce Lower your water the risk ofheater fire. temperature to 120 degrees to prevent scalding andwater save energy.  Lower your heater

120 under degrees temperature Avoid runningtocords rugs toorprevent and savebe in placesscalding where pets might energy. tempted to chew.

ohioec.org/energy

 Avoid running cords under rugs or in places where pets might be tempted to chew.

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