Dad at his best Father’s Day photos
ALSO INSIDE Panel puzzle
Back in time Water trails
As an electric cooperative member, you have access to free information on how to save energy. In fact, we’ve been your community’s trusted source of energy advice for more than 80 years.
Contact your cooperative and learn about how you can upgrade your home’s energy efficiency.
24 PADDLING GUIDE
ODNR coordinates more than 1,000 miles of designated state water trails.
28 THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Minerva outfit tests the boundaries of what exactly can take flight.
32 ALL THAT JAZZ
Delaware musicians turn their neighborhood into an impromptu jazz club.
Cover image on most editions: Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member Julie Richards captured this image of her husband, Colin, napping with their youngest daughter, Hazel, after a long day of fun outside, and was inspired to share the photo for this month’s Member Interactive feature. See more “Dad at his best” images on page 40.
This page: The Valley Gem sternwheeler takes visitors on a trip back in time from its dock in Marietta. Our outdoors editor took a ride for his story that appears on page 12 (photo courtesy of Amy Strahler/Amy Strahler Photography).
June is that glorious month when we enjoy the longest days of the year. In fact, Ohioans get more than 15 hours of sunlight on several days surrounding the summer solstice later this month. In recent years, it’s also been a time when solar power draws significant attention as something that seems like an obvious solution to America’s evergrowing electricity needs.
But even as more electricity is added to the grid from solar resources, it’s important to understand that solar power alone cannot meet our nation’s electricity needs.
On these long, sunny June days, it’s easy to think of the sun as a free and limitless source of energy — powering panels on individual rooftops as well as those at large utility-scale solar farms being built across rural America.
In reality, though, those panels and all the related equipment they require are not free, and sunshine certainly has its limits.
When evaluating the impact of solar power, but especially that of large-scale solar farms, it’s crucial to recognize the need for a power supply that is not only economical and affordable, but also stable and reliable.
Overdependence on any one energy source can lead to grid failures and outages if that source encounters issues. Solar power, for example, is obviously unavailable at night or when it’s cloudy. In contrast, resources such as nuclear, coal, and natural gas are “dispatchable,” meaning they can produce power whenever needed — regardless of the weather or time of day.
So your co-op employs an “all of the above” strategy, using a balanced, diversified energy mix that includes renewables alongside dispatchable resources. That way, we can mitigate the risk of disruptions: If one source fails, others can compensate — with minimal interruption.
The considerations are a bit different when it comes to residential solar. Since we know that many folks consider adding rooftop panels during these long, sunny days, we’re taking a look at some of their specific advantages and disadvantages beginning on page 4.
Remember, it’s always advisable to consult with your electric cooperative before making any decisions on home solar that you can’t take back. Those decisions are rarely as simple as they seem, and your member-owned, not-for-profit co-op has your best interest at heart.
Craig Grooms PRESIDENT & CEO
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
Your co-op employs an “all of the above” strategy, using a balanced, diversified energy mix that includes renewables alongside those dispatchable resources.
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: Margo Bartlett, Colleen Romick Clark, Randy Edwards, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, James Proffitt, and Damaine Vonada.
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.
Panel puzzle: A deep-dive look at rooftop solar shows that home renewables aren’t as simple as they may seem.
Ride share, the island way: Familyrun taxi service on Kelleys Island provides more than just a lift home.
Back in time: Ohio’s most unusual state park is steeped in the early history of the state and nation.
Stay cool! These quick and yummy snacks are a delicious way to beat the summer heat.
News and other important information from your electric cooperative.
What’s happening: November/ December events and other things to do around Ohio.
National/regional advertising inquiries, contact Cheryl Solomon
American MainStreet Publications 847-749-4875 | cheryl@amp.coop
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Dad at his best: No joke — Members share photos in honor of Father’s Day.
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. 15 10 12 4 40 37
Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com!
A deep-dive look at rooftop solar shows that home renewables aren’t as simple as they may seem.
BY AMY HOWAT
“Sunshine is free.” Solar panel sales companies hammer the point over and over; they know it’s an idea that resonates with potential customers.
That opportunity to harness a free and renewable energy source appealed to David and Kathryn Reed. The couple did some research, talked to several companies, and decided to install solar panels on the roof of their home in Hillsboro, where they are members of Lancaster-based South Central Power Company.
The Reeds wanted to save money, avoid outages, and “help keep the Earth green, too,” David says. And the solar companies they spoke with made the project — which would cost $30 ,000 to $50 ,000 — sound like a no-brainer.
“The first company made it sound like we would have instant savings, that we would have no electric bill at all,” Kathryn says. “It sounded good to start with, but when we really started digging in, we realized maybe it wasn’t right for us.”
Before they pulled the trigger, the Reeds reached out to Kyle Hurles, an energy advisor at South Central Power. Hurles met with them to review their goals and go over the results they could realistically expect.
“We realized right away we were going to have an electric bill, no matter what,” David says. “One company said the solar panels would provide 90 % of our electricity, which might be true on a sunny day, but wouldn’t help us at night or in the winter. Unless we invested even more in batteries, we’d still be paying for electricity at night and when it’s
not sunny — and we’d still be subject to outages.”
Once they and Hurles examined the numbers, including the initial investment and a realistic calculation of how long it would take to recoup their costs through savings, the Reeds decided against installing solar panels.
“For us, there were more cons than pros,” David says. “A big factor for us was our age. At the time, I was 70 and I realized I’d have to live to 105 to see payback on the investment. I probably won’t make it that long.”
“South Central Power helped us immensely, providing a lot of information the solar companies didn’t,” David says. “They didn’t push us either way, but helped us understand all the factors. It’s not an easy decision, but well worth your time to investigate before you sign on the dotted line.”
Peter Niagu, business development and key accounts coordinator for Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative in Paulding, frequently assists members who are considering home solar projects.
“The first thing I ask is what their main objective is,” Niagu says. “Nine out of 10 times, they’re looking to lower their electric bills, so before we even get into solar, we discuss the many other ways to reduce electric usage. There’s a sensible way of figuring out whether solar is for you.”
Niagu walks members through a step-by-step process, starting with the low-hanging fruit of efficiency improvements: having a home energy audit, improving insulation and airsealing, and then maybe even moving to more energy-efficient heating and cooling systems.
Many members have high bills in the winter because they have inefficient electric heat, Niagu says. “But in Ohio, solar generation is not great in the winter. If they’re hoping solar will reduce their bills, they’ll be disappointed. If they invest in a geothermal system, their investment will be about the same, but they’ll recoup their costs much more quickly.”
For homeowners with high energy costs in the summer due to air conditioning, refrigeration, or pool pumps, solar panels may make more sense, Niagu says. “In those cases, they’re offsetting high energy use when solar panels are producing the most.”
the panels produce goes onto the electric grid, and South Central pays Kinzel wholesale rates for that energy. He pays retail rates for any electricity that he uses from the co-op, mostly at night or on cloudy days. That setup, often referred to as “net billing,” is common among co-ops. “My bills aren’t zero, but in the summer, they’re close to it. During the winter, though, the solar production is low, so I’m paying more.”
Kinzel considered adding battery storage as a way to avoid outages, or even to go completely off the grid. He decided against it because it was “horribly expensive” — besides, South Central’s high reliability and relatively low kilowatt-hour costs made his current set-up more practical.
Home solar also can be beneficial for homeowners whose goals are primarily environmental — to reduce their use of fossil-fuel energy — rather than financial.
When Gary Kinzel built his allelectric house in the country near Lancaster in 2008, he designed it to be highly energy efficient and considered adding solar panels. “I was really interested in energy conservation,” he says.
Kinzel took advantage of tax rebates for his solar project and worked with a good contractor, but he says it will take many years of savings to recover what he’s invested.
At the time, the costs were prohibitive, but as solar panel prices dropped over time, he reconsidered. In 2021, after talking extensively with folks at his co-op (he, too, is a South Central Power member) and researching contractors, he had 20 solar panels installed on the south-facing roofs of two barns on his property. After about a year, Kinzel says, it was clear the panels weren’t producing the amount of electricity he had anticipated, so he added eight more.
His total investment was about $30,000, and he’s been pleased with the results. Any excess energy
“The solar companies talk about payoff periods of about 10 years, but that’s not going to happen, at least for me,” he says. “Their estimations of production from the panels are really quite optimistic. You have to take what they say with a grain of salt, but the co-op was very honest about what makes sense and what doesn’t.”
Additionally, Kinzel says, as retail electricity prices rise, the value of his solar panels will also go up.
“This wasn’t necessarily a good investment, economically, but that wasn’t why I was doing it,” he says. “It feels great when I have really low electric bills, and I know I’m actually doing something for the environment.”
Thinking about adding a solar energy system to your home? Answer these questions and follow these steps to see whether home solar might be a good option for you.
Do you own your home?
Do you plan to stay in your home long-term (10+ years)?
Consider community solar, if available.
• Employ energy-saving behaviors
• Adjust thermostat a few degrees up in summer and down in winter
• Switch to LED bulbs
• Use window shades wisely
Is your home as energy-efficient as it can be?
• Good insulation and sealing
• Energy-efficient HVAC
• ENERGY STAR-rated appliances
Make efficiency improvements
• Have an energy audit
• Improve insulation and sealing
• Replace HVAC, if needed
When it comes to home solar contractors, Brett Perkins has seen more bad than good.
Perkins, general manager of Tricounty Rural Electric Cooperative in Malinta, has counseled countless members considering home solar, including running calculations that inject a dose of northern Ohio reality into sunny-sky results promised by some prospective vendors.
“A lot of the solar companies tell members they’ll no longer have an electric bill, but that’s not the truth,” he says. “Our minimum monthly charge doesn’t go away when someone adds solar panels. And I have a hard time with the numbers many solar companies come up with. I have yet to see a residential case where solar will really save them money.”
Home
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Do your homework:
• Check references When are your highest electric bills?
• Talk to your cooperative Consider community solar, if available
• Do the math
• Weigh pros and cons
• Research companies
• Get multiple quotes
It's not that a solar company is outright lying (though some do). A salesperson may well be realistic about the production capabilities of the solar panels they’re selling, but simply not have the local knowledge to account for other things like geographic factors or the actual rates the co-op charges and pays for energy. “I’m a numbers guy and I’ve looked at it over and over,” Perkins says. “I know if someone is telling you you’ll get your money back in five to eight years, that’s likely false.”
Here are steps members can take — before signing a contract — to avoid some of the worst pitfalls:
• Research solar companies, checking references from customers and the Better
Business Bureau (Perkins noted one company he checked had 2,000 to 3,000 complaints per year filed with the BBB). Talk to multiple companies and get several quotes.
• Talk to your co-op to verify rules and rates; learn whether the co-op offers net billing or net metering for home solar panels — and know what that difference means.
• Use the rates to calculate realistic costs and savings. Include added costs like interest paid (if you’re borrowing money) or interest lost (if you’re taking money out of an interest-bearing account) and savings from tax credits or rebates.
• Discuss your plan with your insurance company. Some may charge extra or even cancel a policy when panels are installed.
• Finally, before signing any contracts, consider how long a company has been in business and think about how long they’ll likely be around to provide warranty coverage. A company going out of business can leave consumers paying for years or decades for panels that might not even work.
“There are good companies out there,” Perkins says. “Many people want to do solar for the sake of their kids and grandkids. I’m not against it, but It’s a huge investment, so do your homework, do your research, talk to several people, and ask the questions so you won’t be sold a bill of goods.”
— Amy Howat
Ohio Cooperative Living has been a valued presence in rural Ohio homes and businesses for the past 60 years. 83.4% of our readers have taken action from
Grab your friends, pack a cooler, and let the current do the work. Tubing down the Muskingum is laid-back, sun-soaked fun for couples, crews, or anyone who needs a summer reset.
Family-run taxi service on Kelleys Island provides more
than just a lift home.
BY JAMES PROFFITT
Taxi cabs, like dense traffic, honking horns, and skyscrapers, usually are synonymous with big-city life. But the taxi business is different for Bobby and Natasha Skeans, members of Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative.
The Skeans family operates Island Ride on bucolic Kelleys Island. Covering only about 4 square miles, the Lake Erie island is awash with parks, nature preserves, and woods. It’s home to just a couple hundred year-round residents, and the tallest building there is three stories high.
But from May through September, Kelleys is a hot spot for tourists, who can number into the thousands on weekends — many needing safe rides to the island’s eateries and attractions. And Island Ride is always ready to serve.
Of course, with such a small operating radius, every day of operation is more smooth and uneventful than the last. Not!
While the Skeanses live in a home tucked away down a gravel lane in a quiet, peaceful, wooded area of the island, other spots on Kelleys — especially on those busy weekends — have an altogether different vibe, and the island’s roads can feature some chaotic twists and turns.
“[Riders] can be very happy and like to sing songs,” Natasha says. “One time I had a football team. They were like 55 years old, and they decided to share all the songs they used to sing back in the day.”
To be a good taxi driver on the island, it takes an easygoing, free-flowing personality — and the gift of gab helps.
“On Saturdays, with three or four big vans running, we’re seven calls deep and the phone keeps ringing,” Bobby says. “We just assure them that we’re on the way.”
There have been times when passengers “take a nap.” In that case, Bobby (who is also the island’s fire chief) heads to the EMS station, where the passenger gets a wake-up. If that fails, that passenger gets evacuated off the island.
Bobby says it’s not uncommon to get pickup calls from people who aren’t exactly certain where they are.
“Either they don’t know the address where they’re staying or they’re too intoxicated,” he says. “So I begin by asking them what they see, like Cedar Point or Perry’s Monument. That gives me a direction at least, and I can go from there. Or, we pick up people downtown who don’t know where they’re staying and they’ll say something like ‘It’s the house with the red door.’”
Either way, taxi drivers use their experience and clues provided to get folks home after their big adventures.
But it can be tricky if overindulgence leads to aggression.
“It rarely happens, but people have gotten kicked out of a cab on the wrong part of the island,” Bobby chuckles. “And then we get people calling for rides and they’re actually on another island or the mainland.”
Large groups of dozens of people can prearrange transportation to events or sightseeing tours. And
there are specialty runs too, like delivering food, cigarettes, or … wood. Huh?
“I get people who want to drive around and look for firewood. I mean, they want to look for random tree branches on the side of the road. That’s kind of annoying, so now I just buy it from the firewood spots and deliver it to them,” Bobby says.
Island Rides has also been known to save the day (or night) on occasion.
“Sometimes people heading to Sandusky on the last Jet Express (ferry) will mistakenly get off on Kelleys Island, so they’re stuck,” Bobby says. “We’ll try to find them a room for the night, but sometimes there are none.” In those cases, if there’s no serious weather coming through, Island Ride may hook them up with blankets and pillows, and perhaps even snacks and drinks, so they can sleep at the ferry dock and catch the first boat the next day.
Sometimes people get kicked out of a bar and, after getting picked up, Natasha says, they’ll try to pay the driver to take them back.
“We had one guy try to jump out of the van to get back to the bar,” she says, explaining that they convinced him to call it a night and go home.
When folks are informed of a longer wait time than they expected, those unfamiliar with the island often say they’ll just get an Uber and hang up.
“Yeah, they always call back,” Bobby says, noting that there are no ride shares on the island. “And you can hear it in their voice: ‘Yeah, you win.’”
began arguing with her dad. She says she then stuck her nose into the conversation, but that’s all she has to say about that incident.
“I think she’s gotten a lot of value out of it because she can talk, and she knows customer service and how to handle all sorts of people, you know, in conversation,” Natasha explains. “And our son, Nikolay — he just turned 12 — he’ll learn those skills this year because he’s going to start doing some dispatching this year.”
Island Ride fun includes two-way radio communication between vans, which customers often like to get involved in. And according to the Skeanses, an enjoyable taxi ride with friends means tips.
“Returning customers can be very generous and respectful,” Natasha explains. “They know we are reliable and are all good drivers and good people and we do a lot of stuff around the island, and that’s their way of showing their respect.”
Over the past few years, some callers have been surprised when a young girl answers the phone. Daughter Viktoriya, now 15, helps with operations by cleaning vans and other important tasks, and was 11 when she first began dispatching.
“A guy was complaining about the price ($7 per person) and I told him it would be a 40-minute wait because we’re so busy,” she says. “He said, ‘I don’t know, sweetheart, you can do better than that. Can I talk to an adult, please?’”
Viktoriya said a short time later they were picking up customers and the man approached and
Ohio’s most unusual state park is steeped in the early history of the state and nation.
“No colony in America was ever settled under such favorable auspices as that which has just commenced at the Muskingum. If I was a young man, just preparing to begin the world, or if advanced in life and had a family to make provision for, I know of no country where I should rather fix my habitation…” — George Washington, 1788
George Washington, in the above quote, was speaking of the Northwest Territory, which he had begun to explore as a surveyor well before he became the hero of the Revolutionary War. The territory, bounded to the east and south by the Ohio River, was instrumental in the growth of the new nation. Its first permanent settlement, Marietta, was established on the Ohio at the mouth of the Muskingum River.
The Muskingum begins at the confluence of the Walhonding and Tuscarawas rivers at Coshocton and flows 112 river miles to the south before emptying into the Ohio at Marietta. It’s the largest river totally within the Buckeye State’s boundaries, and the watershed drains more than 8,000 square miles. Much of that land today still looks as it did during Washington’s time: rugged, rolling, forested hills.
When Ohio gained statehood in 1803, leadership recognized the potential of the Muskingum to facilitate the opening of Ohio and the entire
Midwest for increased trade and development.
As a result, in 1837, the legislature began funding construction of a series of 11 locks and dams on the river, spending $1 6 million over the next four years (roughly the equivalent of $1 4 billion today) for what was one of the most extensive — and expensive — public works projects of its kind in America at the time.
Amazingly, those locks and dams are still in operation. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s the only system of handoperated locks left in the nation. Collectively, those various locks and dams make up the Muskingum River Parkway State Park. Today, most of the water traffic on the Muskingum is recreational rather than commercial — cruisers, pontoon boats, fishing boats, water-skiers, personal watercraft, and the like — and for those boaters, the locks are operated free of charge.
Those without their own boats have a way to enjoy the river as well. The Valley Gem
sternwheeler is a 158-foot, diesel-powered, doubledecked excursion boat owned and operated by Jason Sands and his wife, Heather. They offer various river trips on both the Ohio and the Muskingum beginning in the spring and running through fall from the Valley Gem’s Marietta dock.
“We have sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, dinner theaters, music cruises, lock cruises, and private charters available,” Jason says. “There’s something for everyone, with trips lasting anywhere from a couple of hours to all day.”
On a perfect day last summer, my wife and I boarded the Valley Gem along with 71 passengers and a crew of about half a dozen for the sevenhour “Lockapalooza” cruise, which traverses locks on both the Muskingum and the Ohio.
River locking systems raise and lower boats from one pool of a river to another. Before the Muskingum system was built, larger craft could only use the river during high-water periods of the year, because the river was naturally shallow.
On our cruise, the pilot, Don Sandford, nudged the Valley Gem up the Muskingum toward historic Devola Lock, narrating our adventure as we went. He expertly jockeyed the boat into the narrow open lock, and a pair of lock workers manually closed the twin gates behind us, just as was done nearly 200 years ago. We then slowly, magically rose the 13 feet to the next pool before being released to continue our journey upstream.
After a while, we turned around and headed back downstream, and after locking back through the Devola Lock, we turned upstream on the Ohio River to the Willow Island Lock and Dam. The contrast between the two locking systems — historic versus modern — couldn’t have been more dramatic.
Constructed to accommodate powerful, modernday commercial tow boats pushing multiple barges, the Willow Island locks (there are two) are fully automated and dauntingly immense, especially if you are inside one of them as the water gradually rises or falls. The larger of the two locks measures 110 feet wide by 1,200 feet long — the length of four football fields!
If you’d like to schedule a trip on the Valley Gem or its sister boat, the Major/Riviera, call 740-373-7862 or go online to www. valleygemsternwheeler. com. For more information about Muskingum River Parkway State Park, see the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website: www.ohiodnr.gov.
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
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WaterFurnace geothermal systems run reliably 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—rain or shine, day or night, windy or not. They use the stored solar energy in the ground to provide your family luxurious comfort and incredible savings. In fact, it’s the only HVAC system that’ll pay you back. Plus with geo, there’s no unsightly outdoor equipment and an incredibly long lifespan. There’s no better way to provide renewable comfort for your home.
RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CATHERINE
Prep: 15 minutes | Servings: 10
1 large cucumber, peeled and seeded
1 green pepper, stemmed and seeded
1 small yellow onion, quartered
1 large clove garlic
1 jalapeño pepper, sliced in half and seeded small handful parsley, roughly chopped
5 to 6 large ripe tomatoes, quartered
1 to 2 lemons, juiced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons good-quality olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup sour cream, optional
For garnish, finely chop some of the ingredients — maybe a bit of parsley, tomato, and/or cucumber. Set garnish aside. With a blender or food processor, puree remaining cucumber along with green pepper, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and parsley. Transfer mixture to a fine mesh strainer over the sink; press down to remove excess liquid. Next, puree tomatoes with vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Transfer tomato puree to a large bowl and stir in the contents of the mesh strainer. Taste and adjust for spice (jalapeño) and flavor (lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper). When serving, garnish with sour cream and/or the finely chopped ingredients. Store in fridge up to 5 days.
Per serving: 47 calories, 3 grams fat (0 grams saturated fat), 5 grams total carbohydrates, 237 milligrams sodium, 0 milligrams cholesterol, 1 gram fiber, 1 gram protein.
Prep: 15 minutes | Servings: 4
3 large oranges, divided
8 cups torn green leaf lettuce
15-ounce can whole beets, drained and diced
3 ribs celery, diced thin
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
½ cup crushed pistachios
1/3 cup champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon honey dash of salt and pepper
With a knife, peel and dice 2 of the oranges. On a platter (or individual serving plates), lay down lettuce then top with diced oranges, beets, celery, goat cheese, and crushed pistachios. To make the dressing, zest and juice the remaining orange and whisk together with the vinegar, olive oil, honey, and salt and pepper. Pour dressing over top of salad(s) or serve on the side.
Per serving: 292 calories, 17 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 28 grams total carbohydrates, 454 milligrams sodium, 13 milligrams cholesterol, 7 grams fiber, 11 grams protein.
Prep: 15 minutes | Chill: 4 hours | Servings: 4
2 large egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch pinch salt
2¼ cups 2% milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sweet cherries (fresh or preserved)
½ cup blanched almonds
Place egg yolks and sugar in a medium heatproof bowl; beat until fluffy. Place cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan.
Whisk in a splash of milk until smooth, then add the remaining milk. Cook, stirring continually over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes until bubbly, then lower heat a bit, continuing to cook a few minutes longer until thickened. Remove from heat.
Whisk a few tablespoons of the hot milk mixture into bowl with egg yolks to temper, then slowly whisk in the remaining milk. Return mixture to saucepan, gently boiling and stirring for 2 to 4 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat; mix in butter and almond extract. Transfer to an airtight container and chill in fridge for 4 hours. When ready to serve, spoon into bowls and top with cherries and almonds. For an even more decadent dessert, drizzle amaretto liqueur on top.
Per serving: 357 calories, 20 grams fat (7 grams saturated fat), 37 grams total carbohydrates, 121 milligrams sodium, 119 milligrams cholesterol, 3 grams fiber, 10 grams protein.
Name: Lisa A. Grassbaugh
Homes Address: 13845 State Route 520, Glenmont, OH 44628
Email Address: lgrassbaugh@hwecoop.com
Number of years as HWEC member: 23
Cooperative Voting District: 2
Education and degree: West Holmes High School, Kent State University – Bachelor of Arts, finance & management; LUTCF Certification — licenses include Series 7, 6, 63, Life & Health
Current employment or employment history: Landy, Hamilton & Associates – A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. My office is located at the Killbuck Savings Bank. I have 35 years of experience in the retail field as a Financial Advisor focusing primarily on insurance, investments, and financial planning.
Leadership and community activities: I was given the Friend of 4-H award for 2024 and served many years as a Holmes County Jr. Fair Dairy Committee member and treasurer. Before being elected to the HWEC board of trustees, I was honored to serve as secretary of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Foundation Operation Round Up for 16 years.
Why are you interested in becoming a member of the HWEC Board of Trustees or serving another term? I am honored to seek re-election as a member of the board of trustees for our cooperative. Over my tenure, I have consistently admired the cooperative’s steadfast principles and its efficiency in delivering cost-effective electricity to our community. My commitment to ongoing education ensures that I remain an asset to the board and our members, continuously aligning with the rapid advancements in technology and energy needs. I firmly believe that our cooperative model is not only crucial for current generations but also pivotal for our future. I look forward to contributing further to our shared mission and fostering sustainable, innovative solutions for our community.
Any additional information you feel is essential for members to be aware of: Growing up in Glenmont on a dairy farm has installed in me a hardworking foundation, and more importantly, a deep love and respect for our diverse area. For fun, I enjoy riding my horse around the farm and camping at state parks.
In addition to receiving my Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate, I have taken several classes toward my Board Leadership Certificate and recently attended the National Directors Conference. These experiences ensure that I remain an asset to the board and our members, continuously aligning with the rapid advancements in technology and energy needs.
Children: I have one son, John. He is currently a student at Kent State and is studying to be a professional pilot.
Name: Gary Graham
Homes Address: 6927 Non Pariel Road, Wooster, OH 44691
Email Address: moose6281@gmail.com
Number of years as HWEC member: 23
Cooperative Voting District: 9
Education and degree:
The Ohio State University – Ph.D., natural resources in natural resources management; Miami University – Master of Science, natural resources management; University of Akron – Bachelor of Science, secondary education; University of Akron/Wayne College – Associate of Science
Current employment or employment history: Employed part-time for several businesses as needed and volunteering when not working an at-home LLC business. I retired in 2022 after 38 years as an assistant professor for Ohio State University in the areas of natural resources and agriculture. Served as the state specialist for maple syrup production in the Ohio, national, and international maple production community. Before this, I was a mechanic for Triway Local Schools, a John Deere dealership, and a family truck repair business with my father, Bill Graham.
Leadership and community activities: As a member of the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, my leadership activities include co-leader of the safety team, trustee, long-range planning team, and Sunday school teacher.
Leadership within the maple syrup community included chair for the international gathering of university and extension specialists; board member for the International Maple Syrup Institute Board of Directors, service work for North American Maple Syrup Council; and newsletter editor and ex officio board member for the Ohio Maple Producers Association. This service work led to my induction into the North American Maple Hall of Fame in 2022.
Why are you interested in becoming a member of the HWEC Board of Trustees? It has been my honor to serve the members of HWE cooperative for the past three years. I believed in the mission of the cooperative before becoming a trustee and after my time on the board, remained resolute in its mission. I take my role of representing and serving the members in District 9, and the entire HWE market, seriously. It has been my pleasure to meet and talk with many of the members of District 9 to assist them with their cooperative needs and questions. The educational programs we are encouraged to participate in are tools to make the board of trustees better prepared to serve all its members in the ever-changing electric future. As members of HWEC, be assured that we are undoubtedly one of the best member-owned cooperatives in the state of Ohio. This comes from the outstanding people we have working within the company, from the leadership team to the dedicated office team, to the outstanding team of linemen who are out in all types of weather to keep the lights on. It takes all these folks working together to give us the reliable, cost-effective electricity that we have today. HWEC is truly blessed to have such a great family of exceptional employees. I would be honored to continue serving District 9 and all the members of HWEC cooperative on the Board as a trustee for another term. Being a trustee for me is more than a civic duty, it’s a way to give back to the HolmesWayne community that I love. This is my home and it is a privilege to serve the community in which I grew up and live.
Name: Barry Jolliff
Homes Address: 760 E Hutton Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691
Email Address: bjolliff@sssnet.com
Number of years as HWEC member: 32
Cooperative Voting District: 8
Education and degree:
Master’s degree, agricultural education, The Ohio State University, 1985; bachelor’s degree in early and middle childhood education, The Ohio State University, 1982; Northwestern High School, West Salem, Ohio. National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Credentialed Cooperative Director program, 2014; NRECA Board Leadership program, 2015.
Current employment or employment history: I recently retired. Previously, I owned Teamwork & Teamplay, LLC, where I taught team building and leadership seminars, social recreation, and dance workshops, and called square dances. I taught agriculture and education classes at The Ohio State University/Agricultural Technical Institute for several years. Prior to that, I worked for the OSU Extension in Wayne and Lake Counties in 4-H and youth development for 16 years, and I taught in Medina City Schools for three years. I have been a board member of Holmes-Wayne Electric since 2007, serving as secretary/treasurer since 2012. I’ve represented HolmesWayne on the board of Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives since 2012.
Leadership and community activities: I have been on the board of directors for Buckeye Leadership Workshop for more than 30 years. This board hosts and presents a Leadership Workshop each spring to teach leadership skills through recreation. I was a 4-H advisor in Wayne County for over 30 years.
Why are you interested in becoming a member of the HWEC Board of Trustees or serving another term? Over the past several years, I have worked diligently to become an educated and informed board member of the Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative. The HWEC board has elected me as their representative to serve on the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives board of directors and also elected me as their secretary and treasurer. I enjoy working with the board, the coop staff, and also the members. I have lived in Wayne County almost all my life and I appreciate having the opportunity to serve my family, friends, and neighbors as part of the HWEC board of trustees. Spouse, children, and grandchildren: My wife is Dr. Amy Jolliff. She is a family practice physician in Wooster. She is also the Wayne County coroner. We have three children: Christy, her husband, Jonathan, and their three children live in Wooster. Christy teaches for Wooster City Schools. Jonathan works as a counselor at the Village Network. Jesse lives and works in Grove City, Ohio. Becky is a physical therapy technician. She currently lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and is getting married June 1, 2025.
Name: Marlin Questel
Homes Address: 2120 Mechanicsburg Road, Wooster, OH 44691
Email Address: marlin134@gmail.com
Number of years as HWEC member: 20
Cooperative Voting District: 8
Education and degree: 1979 graduate of Wooster High School
Current employment or employment history: Owner of Questel Electric since 1955. Owner of Questel Storage.
Leadership and community activities: Wayne Township Trustee and board member of the Central Fire District
Why are you interested in becoming a member of the HWEC Board of Trustees or serving another term? I have been in the electrical trade for over 40 years. I would like to learn more about the business end.
Any additional information you feel is essential for members to be aware of: I am hardworking and have a desire to learn.
Children: Married to Jill for 25 years. Son, Marlin II, 24, and daughter, Sydney, 23.
The annual meeting of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc., was held at Harvest Ridge on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
The business meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman of the Board, Jackie McKee. It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Glenn Miller, CEO of the Cooperative, reported on the accomplishments during the past year and future plans:
• Your board approved the current four-year work plan totaling $23,077,200, allowing continued investment in line rebuilding, substation testing, pole replacements, and other equipment replacements.
• A significant amount of work was completed in 2023: 346 poles were replaced, trees were trimmed for 399 miles, vegetation was sprayed for 392 miles, and 201 new services were added all while preparing for the new Holmesville substation.
• This year in the four-year tree trimming cycle, Asplundh Tree will trim 479 miles of line in our Ripley, West Millersburg, and Reedsburg substation area. Protec Terra will be applying the necessary spray in the Buckhorn, Killbuck, Stillwell, and Drake Valley substation area.
• We continue to be active in promoting energy efficiency and safety by visiting local schools, participating in safety fairs, and talking with youth in 4-H and scout troops.
• Members were encouraged to visit HWEC’s website at www.hwecoop.com to learn about the power of membership and all of the ways that your cooperative is committed to the more than 18 , 000 accounts that we serve.
• Glenn Miller stated, “I want to assure you that HWEC is well-positioned to navigate the challenges facing our co-op and the electric utility industry. We are moving in the right direction that is strategic and guided by best practices, sound board policy, and careful financial planning.”
AJ Knapp of REA & Associates reviewed the Auditor’s Report for 2023, which resulted in a clean, unqualified opinion.
Daniel Mathie, Attorney for Critchfield, Critchfield, and Johnston, LTD, and president of Holmes-Wayne Electric Foundation, gave an Operation Round Up status update. Members of the cooperative who were enrolled in Operation Round Up donated over $43,000 in 2023 to local community members and organizations.
Dan Mathie also reported on the results of this year’s trustee election:
• Randy Sprang – District 1, Jackie McKee – District 3, David Tegtmeier – District 7 Attorney Mathie administered the oath to all trustees elected.
Randy Sprang reported on behalf of the Board of Trustees:
• In 2023, the cooperative paid $1,528,110 in kWh tax to the State of Ohio, and
• $1,484,112 in property taxes that benefited 12 local school districts and local governments.
• This month, $1,512,920 of patronage capital credits were returned to HWEC members. This is a reminder of the principles on which the cooperative was built.
• The annual report provided today displays the board’s commitment to investing our members’ dollars in the best possible manner. We are focused on maintaining reliable, affordable service, while actively participating in and giving back to the community.
There was no unfinished business. There was no new business.
Upon motion made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned.
Chairman – Randy Sprang Secretary – Barry Joliff
Congratulations to Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative members on reaching the incredible $1 million milestone with the Operation Round Up Foundation! Since its inception in 2006, HWEC members have demonstrated the power of collective effort by opting to round up their monthly electric bills, turning spare change into amazing support for the community.
The recent $500 donation presented by Glenn W. Miller, President/CEO of HWEC, alongside board member
Jonathan Berger, to the Wayne and Holmes Counties chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (shown below) is a significant gesture of support. This contribution not only aids the chapter in continuing its vital work in mental health advocacy and support services but also marks a monumental milestone — the achievement of the $1 million cumulative donation mark for HWEC’s Operation Round Up.
In 2024, Operation Round up distributed more than $52,500 in grants to individuals and organizations within our community.
Operation Round Up annual distributions:
2008 – $38,279.61
2007 – $37,596.26
2006 – $31,986.93
We have audited the financial statements of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the Cooperative), which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related statements of revenue and expense, patronage capital and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Cooperative as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS) and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States (Government Auditing Standards). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Cooperative and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audits. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Other matter
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Cooperative received $0 in long-term loan fund advances from CFC on loans controlled by the CFC Loan Agreement and/or Mortgage or Security Agreement.
Responsibilities of management for the financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Cooperative’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.
responsibilities for
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not absolute assurance, and therefore, is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatements when it exists.
February 18, 2025 • Board of Trustees
Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Millersburg, Ohio 44654
The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.
In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS and Government Auditing Standards, we:
• Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Cooperative’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.
• Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Cooperative’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time.
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit.
Other reporting required by Government Auditing Standards
In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated February 18, 2025 on our consideration of the Cooperative’s internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the Cooperative’s internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the Cooperative’s internal control over financial reporting and compliance.
Rea & Associates, Inc. Millersburg, OH
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Adjustments to reconcile net margins to net cash provided by operating activities:
CASH FLOWS
(increase) in assets:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $ 1,417,698 $ 579,517
(The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.)
Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. (the Cooperative) is a non-profit corporation operating on a cooperative basis. Its primary purpose is to provide electric power and energy to its membership which includes individuals as well as commercial and industrial businesses.
The Cooperative’s accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America following the accounting procedures common to rural electrical cooperatives and as recommended by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
The Cooperative maintains its cash and cash equivalents balances in multiple financial institution located in central Ohio. Deposits in interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing accounts are collectively insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to a coverage limit of $250,000 at each FDIC-insured depository institution. As a result, the Cooperative may have balances that exceed the insured limit.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles general accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Cooperative records improvements and additions to the distribution plant at cost using continuing property records. Retirements are removed from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts at a standard cost, which approximates original cost, which is updated periodically.
The general plant and equipment is recorded at cost based on the unit method. Any retirements or disposals of general plant and equipment are removed at cost from the asset and accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is provided for by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the property. The provisions are determined by the use of functional composite rates as follows:
Investments
Investments in associated organizations are recorded at cost, which is the same as par value. The investments have no
ready market and are included in the financial statements as long-term assets. These investments, for the most part, represent equity contributions in other cooperatives and patronage capital received from other cooperatives.
Inventory of materials and supplies not allocated to construction in progress is valued at average cost.
Net margins arising from operations are allocated to the members in the form of capital credits based on each member’s billings during the year. No portion of the current allocation is paid in cash.
The Cooperative applies Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842 in the accounting for leases. The Cooperative determines if a contract contains a lease when the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified assets for a period in exchange for consideration. Upon identification and commencement of a lease, the Cooperative establishes a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a lease liability. The total lease term is determined by considering the initial term per the lease agreement, which is adjusted to include any renewal or termination options that the Cooperative is reasonably certain to exercise. The Cooperative does not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. As a result of evaluating any contracts that may contain a lease, management of the Cooperative determined that ASC 842 does not have material impact on the Cooperative and therefore no ROU assets or lease liabilities are included in the financial statements.
The Cooperative is a Rural Electric Cooperative exempt from federal income taxes under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) (12). Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes has been made. An informational tax return, Form 990, is prepared and filed each year with the Internal Revenue Service. The Cooperative presently discloses or recognizes income tax positions based on management’s estimate of whether it is reasonably possible or probable, respectively, that a liability has been incurred for unrecognized income tax benefits. Interest and penalties would be recorded as operating expenses when they are incurred.
For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Cooperative considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Net cash flows from operating activities include cash payments for interest of $1,911,031 and $1,877,583 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. There were no payments for federal income taxes for 2024 or 2023.
Revenue from the sale of electricity is recorded monthly based on consumer electricity consumption. The Cooperative bills monthly for all consumers. Commercial consumers with capacity in excess of 15 KW have “Demand” meters and are billed based upon automated meter readings taken at the end of each calendar month. All other consumers are billed based upon self-read meter readings. Substantially all of the cooperative’s consumers are located in Holmes and Wayne counties.
The Cooperative derives its revenues primarily from sales of electricity. For such revenues, the Cooperative recognizes revenues in an amount derived from the electricity delivered to customers.
The Cooperative calculates revenue earned but not yet billed based on the number of days not billed in the month, the estimated amount of energy delivered during those days and the estimated average price per customer class for that month. Differences between actual and estimated unbilled revenue are immaterial.
The performance obligation in all arrangements is satisfied over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Cooperative delivers or sells the electricity. The Cooperative records revenue for all of those sales based upon the volume delivered, which corresponds to the amount that the Cooperative has a right to invoice.
There are no material initial incremental costs of obtaining a contract in any of the arrangements. The Cooperative does not adjust the promised consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if it expects, at contract inception, that the time between the delivery of promised goods or service and customer payment will be one year or less. The Cooperative does not have any material significant payment terms because it receives payment at or shortly after the point of sale.
The Cooperative also has various other sources of revenue including billing, collection, other administrative charges, rent of utility property, and miscellaneous revenue. It classifies such revenues as other ASC 606 revenues to the extent they are not related to revenue generating activities from leasing.
The Cooperative had an accounts receivable balance, net of allowance, of $5,902,263 as of January 1, 2023.
The Cooperative operates in the electric cooperative industry and its accounts receivable are primarily derived from consumer electricity consumption. Effective January 1, 2023, at each balance sheet date, the Cooperative recognizes an expected allowance for credit losses. In addition, also at each reporting date, this estimate is updated to reflect any changes in credit risk since the receivable was initially recorded. This estimate is calculated on a pooled basis where similar risk characteristics exist. .
The allowance estimate is derived from a review of the Cooperative’s historical losses based on the aging of receivables. This estimate is adjusted for management’s assessment of current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts regarding future events.
The Cooperative believes historical loss information is a reasonable starting point in which to calculate the expected allowance for credit losses as the Cooperative’s customers have remained constant since the Cooperative’s inception. The Cooperative writes off receivables when there is information that indicates the debtor is facing significant financial difficulty and there is no possibility of recovery. If any recoveries are made from any accounts previously written off, they will be recognized in income or an offset to credit loss expense in the year of recovery, in accordance with the Cooperative’s accounting policy election. The total amount of write-offs was not material to the financial statements as a whole for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Listed below are the major classes of the electric plant as of December 31:
Investments in associated organizations consisted of the following on December 31:
Investments in Associated Organizations:
Capital term certificates of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (NRUCFC)
ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATIONS
Patronage Capital from associated organizations consisted of the following on December 31:
Patronage Capital from Associated Organizations: Buckeye Power, Inc.
The Cooperative leases land and a postage machine that expire in various years through 2027. Termination of the leases is generally prohibited unless there is a violation under the lease agreement. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $6,968.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, patronage capital consisted of: 2024 2023 Assignable $ 4,157,176 $ 3,661,561
(33,796,460) (32,119,693) Total patronage capital $ 48,759,534 $ 46,279,125
The Cooperative’s patronage capital balances represent 41 percent, of the total assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023. Capital credit retirements in the amount of $1,676,767 and $1,464,064 were paid in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Cooperative received donated capital from members totaling $89,955 and $64,651 during 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included in the patronage capital retired for the year.
Patronage capital at December 31, 2024 and 2023 includes $25,294,883 and $24,228,179, respectively, reinvested in Buckeye Power, Inc. which has been restricted by action of the Board of Trustees and members of the Cooperative. This patronage capital reinvested in Buckeye Power, Inc. has been separately identified on the books of the Cooperative and will not be available for retirement by the Cooperative until retired in cash by Buckeye Power, Inc.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, other equities consisted of: 2024
All employees of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Retirement & Security Program, a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan qualified under Section 410 and tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Cooperative makes annual contributions to the Program equal to the amounts accrued for pension expense except for the period when a moratorium on contributions is in effect. In this Plan, which is available to all member cooperatives of NRECA, the accumulated benefits and plan assets are not determined or allocated separately by individual employer. The pension expense for 2024 and 2023 was $949,675 and $962,890 respectively.
All employees of Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. are eligible to participate in the selected pension plan and trust defined contribution benefit plan administered by NRECA. The Cooperative contributes 1 percent of all eligible participants’ base salary and wages and matches up to an additional 4 percent of a participant’s voluntary contributions. The Cooperative expensed $179,180 and $180,813 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The short-term line of credit of $10,000,000 maximum is available to the Cooperative on loan commitments from NRUCFC at December 31, 2024 and 2023. The interest rate on the line of credit at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was 6.50 and 7.25 percent, respectively, with outstanding balances on the line of $0 for 2024 and 2023. Substantially all of the assets of the Cooperative are pledged for the mortgage notes payable and the line of credit. Principal and interest installments on the above notes are due either quarterly or monthly. The Cooperative also has a corporate charge card agreement in place with US Bank and NRUCFC. The terms of the agreement state that CFC will extend the Cooperative credit, if needed, at CFC’s current line of credit rate, payable upon demand by CFC.
Long-term debt is comprised substantially of mortgage notes payable to the United States of America (RUS & FFB) and supplemental mortgages to NRUCFC. Following is a summary of outstanding long-term debt as of December 31, 2024 and 2023:
2.763% 12/31/45 1,029,858 1,065,744
The annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are as follows: 2025 $2,455,000 2026 2,454,000 2027 2,482,000 2028 2,574,000 2029 2,629,000 Thereafter 47,974,318 $ 60,568,318
Deferred credits are summarized as follows:
44 , 040
The Cooperative purchases all of its power from Buckeye Power, Inc., a non-profit corporation operating on a cooperative basis whose membership includes HolmesWayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. Rates for service members of Buckeye Power, Inc. are in accordance with the provisions of the Wholesale Power Agreement. The Cooperative had accounts payable due to Buckeye Power, Inc. of $3,001,598 and $2,675,209 at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Cooperative purchases material from United Utility Supply Cooperative Corporation, formerly, Rural Electric Supply Cooperative, Inc., of which it is an owner and member. Total purchases were $2,417,137 and $1,873,899 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Cooperative has an agreement with National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), St. Louis, Missouri to participate in data processing services offered by NISC. This contract will continue until terminated by written notice given by either party. The total expense under this agreement was $212,928 and $213,185 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Cooperative borrows funds from National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation of which it is a member and owner (see also Note L and M).
The Cooperative has an investment in Heartland Emergency Equipment, Ltd., a limited liability company (LLC). The LLC’s members consist of 13 rural electric cooperatives. The purpose of the LLC is for the cooperatives to pool resources for the provision and use of emergency substation equipment. The investment balance is disclosed in Note F.
The Cooperative has an investment in Cooperative Response Center (CRC). CRC provides after hours emergency telephone services for the Cooperative. Total fees for services were $55,260 and $52,261 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Cooperative maintains insurance coverage through Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange of which it is a member and owner. Total premiums paid were $138,522 and $132,082 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The following table sets forth the accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, beginning of year $ (12,962) $ (17,462)
Actuarial gain on postretirement benefits
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of year $ (8,462) $ (12,962)
The Cooperative sponsors an unfunded defined benefit postretirement medical insurance plan, which covers substantially all employees retiring from the Cooperative. Such a plan requires the recording of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost as employees render services necessary to earn such benefits and requires the accrual of the postretirement benefit obligation (including any unfunded portion of the plan).
RUS is not requiring the Cooperative to fund the plan. The Cooperative is paying benefits to retirees on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. Therefore, there are no assets available for benefits.
The following table sets forth the plan’s accrued postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) at December 31:
Benefits expected to be paid, representing
service, are as follows:
The annual health care cost trend rates, which have a significant effect on the amounts reported, are assumed as follows:
The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 4.50 percent.
Management has evaluated subsequent events through February 18, 2025, the date on which the financial statements were issued.
Members
13,035 Miles of Line
Employees
43
Members per mile of line 2,324 7.7
Utility poles tested
4,323
Poles replaced
740
Poles failed
Broken poles
139 73
(includes fiber-to-home project) (28 car accidents, 16 trees, one lighting, 28 other)
Meters Served
17,929
Counties Served
8
$20,200
24
Scholarships awarded to 10 children of members, totaling veterans hosted for 2024 Honor Trip to Washington, D.C.
Safety demonstrations Crew observations
11
15+
Lost-time accidents Instances of mutual aid to co-ops
0
4
Compared to an average score of 75 for municipal utilities and 74 for investor-owned utilities.
Miles of vegetation management
400
Miles of trees trimmed 87
477
Average outage minutes
178
New services
149
Substations owned & operated
19
The Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Annual Meeting of Members will take place on:
Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Event Center at Harvest Ridge 8880 OH-39, Millersburg, OH 44654
Agenda
Meeting called to order Invocation
Chairman’s report
Financial report
ORU report
President’s report
Results of trustee election and swearing in of trustees
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment
ODNR coordinates more than 1,000 miles of designated state water trails.
BY RANDY EDWARDS
When we were young boys, my brother and I sometimes paddled a battered aluminum canoe on the Mohican River in north-central Ohio. We’d launch from a riverside campground at Mohican State Park, where my family often parked our camper, to spend a leisurely afternoon chasing herons and kingfishers downstream and dodging other canoeists on the popular waterway.
A dozen river miles later, we’d pull out the boat in a Knox County hamlet called Greer. Looking back, I suppose our parents were confident we’d be safe because the Mohican was (and is) a placid stream heavily used by canoe rental liveries. But to be honest, back then we had no idea what to expect on that stretch, and information for paddlers was hard to find.
One of those streams is the Mohican, and today’s paddlers can view the Mohican River Water Trail at the ODNR website or download a brochure to find information about access points (including Greer Landing), picnic areas, and points of interest, as well as low-head dams and other hazards along the way.
A combination of safety manual, recreational guide, and marketing campaign, ODNR’s water trail program is designed to “promote the awareness of public paddling access while increasing safety by partnering with local communities to develop designated water trails on Ohio’s waterways.”
Today, intrepid boaters and their canoes, kayaks, and, increasingly, stand-up paddleboards have an outstanding resource to help them navigate some of the most popular paddling waters in Ohio. Fourteen streams and three sections of Lake Erie shoreline are now designated “State Water Trails” by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The program was launched in June 2005, when the Kokosing River Water Trail became the first designated water trail. The program surpassed the 1,000-mile mark in June 2022, when a 36-mile stretch of the Portage River became the 17th official Ohio water trail.
Although the program is coordinated by ODNR, “it’s not an ODNR-driven effort,” says Mark Allen, statewide trails coordinator for the state agency. The process of developing a water trail includes significant involvement from the local communities along the waterway.
“It’s more of a grassroots effort, where we have to capture that buy-in from local leaders, land managers, and community members,” Allen says. “We want to make sure there is buy-in from all the stakeholders along the trail, that they are in support of providing this as an asset for their community.”
ODNR guides the talks between local communities; user groups; and state, federal, and local park districts, often crossing several county boundaries. Once the groups reach an agreed-upon route, ODNR helps pay for brochures, maps, and signs. Additional promotion is up to the local communities, and some do more than others. Communities along the Tuscarawas River, for example, created an online “story map” that traces the route of the water trail with photographs and GIS maps. Drawing attention to the scenic and recreational values of a river does seem to encourage local enjoyment of the resource. An analysis of canoe and kayak registrations by Ohio State University professor Ozeas Costa Jr. and Bob Gable of ODNR’s Scenic Rivers program found a strong correlation between the state’s scenic rivers and the percentage of nearby residents with canoe and kayak registrations.
Ohio water trails offer a surprising variety of scenery, challenges, and hazards, Allen says: Paddlers navigate a series of locks along the Muskingum River (see related story on page 10) or a Class V series of rapids on the Cuyahoga River (for expert paddlers only); the Mad River has excellent trout fishing; and the Lake Erie Islands trails offer spectacular scenery in the lake’s most popular tourist area (but watch out for power boaters!).
The trail maps provided by the water trail program are especially valuable for paddlers, says Mary Spikowski, a founding member of Columbus Paddling Club. The club’s 150 -plus paid members schedule trips throughout the country, including some each year in Ohio. A map of in-stream hazards such as low-head dams, bridge abutments, and rapids can be lifesaving, she says. And identifying access points prevents conflicts with landowners.
“It’s very helpful to know which side of the river we are allowed to put in and where we can park. We want to stay legal, but sometimes it is hard to know.”
To view maps or download brochures for Ohio’s designated state water trails, go to www.ohiodnr. gov/watertrails.
The American Silver Eagle is arguably the most popular coin on the planet. First struck in 1986 for US citizens to own physical silver bullion, the Silver Eagle is made from one ounce of 99.9% fine silver. It’s no wonder why these hefty silver dollars have become THE global standard for silver bullion coins, with over 640,000,000 coins minted to date.
And now, the US Mint has released a special Silver Eagle that might just become THE greatest of all time…the Star Privy Silver Eagle!
There are two “key” reasons why the Star Privy Silver Eagle is poised to become the most sought-after coin in the Silver Eagle series;
One, collectors LOVE “Firsts” and the Star Privy is the FirstEver bullion Silver Eagle to have a Privy Mark, cementing its permanent place in Silver Eagle history.
Two, collectors also GO CRAZY for low mintage coins, the lower the better. And the Star Privy Silver Eagle not only has a low mintage. It’s the lowest mintage bullion Silver Eagle EVER!
Privy marks are small symbols added to coin, oftentimes to commemorate special occasions and/or historic events. In this case, the US Mint has added a “star” to the Silver Eagle to celebrate the release of a new mobile gaming app, 8th Era, a groundbreaking new mobile gaming app that marries gaming with coin collecting to inspire the next generation of collectors. It’s an instant “must-have” for Silver Eagle collectors.
Not only is the Star Privy Silver Eagle the first ever privy-marked bullion Silver Eagle, it’s also the lowest mintage bullion Silver Eagle ever! How low? It’s not even close!
Consider this….the 1996 Silver Eagle is the lowest mintage with 3,603,386 coins made. The Star Privy Silver Eagle has a mintage of only 500,000 coins. That’s SEVEN TIMES LOWER. Just look at the graph for perspective.
Each coin comes certified in Gem Brilliant Uncirculated condition, coming from the first 50,000 coins issued, the “top 10%” if you will, certified by the leading independent 3rd party grading company NGC. Those are bragging rights every collector would dream of having!
If you act now, you’ll even have the chance to SAVE BIG when you buy more! But don’t wait, our inventory won’t last long! Every moment you hesitate, someone else could be claiming your piece of this historic release!
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Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. These quality tours feature complete sightseeing, professional Tour Directors, and great itineraries. Discover for yourself why smart shoppers and experienced travelers have chosen Caravan Tours since 1952.
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BY DAMAINE VONADA
Minerva outfit tests the boundaries of what exactly can take flight.
Josh Bixler and his team once got a 3D printer to fly — while it was printing. They’ve turned Harry Potter into a remote-controlled airframe; devised a “Tubby” B-17 that’s an RC version of World War II’s iconic Flying Fortress; and taken on proof-of-concept RC projects for clients ranging from NASA to Tyler Perry. Want to see (faux) pigs fly? This is the place.
Flite Test LLC runs on ingenuity, electric motors, and tractor-trailer loads of foam board at its home in Edgewater Airpark, a 25-acre oasis for RC aviation enthusiasts that’s surrounded by Edgewater Golf Course in the countryside near Minerva in eastern Ohio. After Bixler and his wife, Jen, purchased the 18-hole course in 2018, they not only kept it open to the public but also carved out space where they could create an airpark complete with runways and a seasonal hobby store beside the pro shop. “Our vision is connecting people with family and friends around everyday activities like golf and model airplanes,” Bixler says.
Aviation has been a lifelong passion for Bixler, who grew up in the Alliance area on a farm with a grass airstrip. His father was a general aviation pilot who taught him to fly (“I soloed in a single-engine Taylorcraft monoplane,” he says proudly). Bixler also learned the basic principles of aircraft design and construction while he and his father built numerous RC model airplanes.
Shortly after he and Jen married, they ran a youth ministry for a church and tried to find activities that the kids were able to do with their parents. Bixler started designing easy-to-assemble RC airplanes that families could build in a few hours from foam board and other inexpensive materials. “My logic was that, for the price of a video game, we could get the entire family to spend time together by doing an engaging hobby,” he says.
The Flite Test brand was born in 2010, when veteran video producer Chad Kapper started making YouTube videos of Bixler’s foam board planes and practice flights. Bixler began making laser-cut model airplane kits to sell on Flite Test’s website, and soon enough, he decided to follow his heart: He quit his secure job painting Corvette parts and went all-in on becoming an RC airplane manufacturer. He enlisted his wife to organize the production process (raw materials in, finished items out) that Flite Test still uses, and they set up shop in Kapper’s one-car garage.
Josh and Jen Bixler run Flite Test LLC in Minerva. Their radio-controlled flying creations range from all styles of planes to Harry Potter and even a pig.
“We began the business with one laser, a workbench, a computer, and a propane space heater,” Bixler says.
Today, Flite Test is one of the nation’s leading RC aircraft manufacturers and recreational aviation e-commerce stores. “We sell 36 ,000 airplane kits and 1 ,000 drones every year,” Bixler says. Visitors to the website (www. flitetest.com) can also find model aircraft plans that are free to download.
Flite Test’s customer base includes individuals, STEM schools, homeschoolers, and hobby shops, and its YouTube shows boast a worldwide audience of 2 1 million subscribers.
Although it’s now a subsidiary of New Philadelphia-based Lauren International, Flite Test remains a family operation. As president, Josh oversees the design team, whose studios are housed in the golf course’s former banquet hall; Jen manages manufacturing and shipping in a recently constructed 6,000-square-foot building. Their two grown sons also work there — Noah Bixler is the lead producer for Flite Test’s YouTube content, and in addition to piloting the video drones and working on aircraft, Michael Bixler helps to maintain the golf course.
Using flight controller boards and gyros has allowed Flite Test to produce technologically advanced aircraft, and one of its signature design features is interchangeable electronic components that can be swapped among airplanes. The popular “First Flyers” STEM build kit, for example, includes three different, easily maneuverable airframes that can all be used as gliders or combined with a Flite Test power pack for RC flying. “People always comment that our RC models are clever and affordable,” Bixler says, “but we never compromise on either the build experience or how well our aircraft fly.”
Imagine a combination county fair and massive RC aircraft meet, and you’ll understand why Flite Test’s annual Flite Fest attracts thousands of aviation fans from as far away as Germany, Poland, and Turkey. Scheduled for June 19–22 at Furey Airport in Malvern, the familyfriendly event features food trucks, live music, build tents for RC novices and experts alike, and air-to-air combat sessions that can best be described as an aerial demolition derby where the last plane still flying wins. Go to https://flitefest. com or scan for details.
BY MARGO BARTLETT
They start showing up on West Lincoln Avenue in Delaware — folding chairs, blankets, and snacks in tow — around dinnertime on Fridays during the summer, setting up on both sides of the street near No. 77, the blue house just a little ways over from the Asbury United Methodist Church.
There’s always a good-sized crowd gathered by 7 p.m., when the jazz starts.
Korey and Abby Wimbiscus Black launched their neighborhood summer series, “Jazz on Lincoln,” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Korey, a professional jazz musician as well as a middle school band director in Worthington, got more and more restless as his gigs were canceled.
“I was so frustrated that I couldn’t play,” he says. So he started calling up a few musician friends and they did some socially distanced sets in his backyard for a few neighbors who would “sit and be kind,” he says. Soon enough, the neighbors encouraged them to move the show to the front yard.
That first summer, Korey played every Friday night show. He and Abby — and the neighbors — enjoyed it so much that they expanded the series the next summer, and now it’s to the point that bands audition for spots and the crowds have grown 10- or 20-fold from those first intimate sets. The Blacks even got a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council to purchase sound equipment.
“It is a second job,” Korey says of planning the series. “It is one hundred percent a second job.”
He says a German band on tour in the United States was among the 24 jazz groups (and one tap dancer) that applied to be part of this year’s series. Korey and Abby, a music teacher based at Dempsey Middle School in Delaware, review every application, listen to all the auditions, and sometimes even travel to hear bands that have applied to play. They had so much trouble paring down the list this year that they ended up adding a 10th show to the 2025 schedule. (They couldn’t find a way to schedule the German band, but Korey says they appreciated the interest.)
The Blacks try to present a range of styles, from traditional 1920s jazz to John Coltrane and Miles Davis to funk — which is “not exactly jazz,” Korey says, but has roots in the genre. There’s even a big band included in this summer’s series.
Abby and Korey serve as masters of ceremony. Abby takes photographs and manages their Facebook page — which is a good source of information about the series, as is their website, https://jazzonlincoln.wixsite.com/delaware.
“Jazz is our language,” Korey says, noting that the neighborhood setting is “a unique opportunity for a relationship between a musician and an audience.”
He says he’s grateful for his supportive neighbors.
“We have never had a single complaint about this concert series,” he says. Beyond that, when the Blacks arranged for food trucks to be available to concertgoers, neighbors invited the trucks to park in their driveways so they wouldn’t block the street.
That won’t be as much of a concern this year, as the local Backstretch Bar & Pub will provide food for the season. Even so, they have looked into closing the street altogether on concert nights, but Lincoln has remained open so far; Delaware police cruisers, occupants smiling, are among the occasional cars that pass through.
Also new this summer is a read-aloud before the concert. Abby has partnered with Delaware’s Beanbag Books to read picture books about music before the concert begins. “We hope it’s not just something that only very young kids can enjoy,” Korey said.
He’s been gratified by how so many factors have come together to make the series such a success, despite happening in a place that would never be confused with a traditional jazz venue.
He’s also proud that it’s happened in a completely organic way (“It’s all very grassroots, purposely,” he says). They don’t advertise; publicity is entirely word of mouth, on their website, or on Facebook. The shows are free, though there are tip jars placed on both sides of the street — 100% of which goes to that evening’s musicians and typically provides a decent haul, Korey says.
Of course, that location also puts limits on how much growth can happen. “If it becomes even bigger, that would change it,” Korey says. “The heart of this is it’s community, grassroots, organic entertainment. It started out just as an excuse to play some music when that was tough to do. The byproduct has turned into something that is just magical.”
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Sharks can be terrifying.
But what’s really scary, and even deadly, is distracted driving.
THROUGH OCT. 3 – First Friday Car Show, 122 N. Court St., Circleville, 5–9 p.m. Enjoy a night of classic cars, community fun, and a vibrant uptown atmosphere. All cars welcome! www.pickaway.com.
THROUGH 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.
JUN. 10, JUL. 8 – Storytime at Canal Park, 23352 Canal Rd., Circleville, 11 a.m. Families will gather to enjoy a story read aloud, followed by an engaging hands-on activity and a craft. Afterward, join us on a guided nature hike exploring the sights and sounds of the park. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes for walking. An adult must accompany all children under 12. Email questions to mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov.
JUN. 12 – Thursday Trail Tour: Pickaway Trail, 23727 Canal Rd., Circleville, 9:30–11:30 a.m. Free. 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.
JUN. 12 – Ohio Nature: Young Artists at Canal Park, 23352 Canal Rd., Circleville, 1 p.m. Participants ages 6 and up will have the opportunity to sketch live birds of prey in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Bring your favorite art supplies. These majestic birds will be staged on perches for you to observe. An adult must accompany all children under 12. Email questions to mellis@ pickawaycountyohio.gov.
JUN. 13–14 – Annual Morral Yard Sale Weekend, throughout Morral, starting at 9 a.m.
both days. Free to attend. www.facebook.com/ events/976698267607741
JUN. 14 – Annual Cruise-A-Palooza, Main Street, Amanda. Held rain or shine. General admission is free. Registration starts at 10 a.m.; $15 per vehicle, or $10 with donation of two or more canned food items. Multiple classes, trophies, dash plaques to first 100 registered vehicles, with awards at 2 p.m. DJ Johnny Garber, 50/50 bonanza drawing, door prizes, great food, and much more! www.facebook. com/CruiseAPaloozaAmandaOH.
JUN. 14 – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Logan High School Theatre, 14470 OH-328, Logan, 3 and 5:30 p.m. $10; Srs. $7; Stds. $5. The Missoula Children’s Theatre and more than 50 local students will perform an original adaptation of the Disney classic. Tickets available online in advance or at the door. https://hockingcochildrenschorus.org.
JUN. 14–15 – Worthington Arts Festival, Worthington Village Green (intersection of High Street and Rte. 161), Worthington. One of central Ohio’s premier community fine art/fine craft shows and named as one of the nation’s top 200 arts festivals by Sunshine Artist magazine. More than 100 vendors from across the country. www.mcconnellarts.org.
JUN. 21 – 2nd Annual Ohio Suppressor Fest, Black Wing Shooting Center, 3722 Marysville Rd., Delaware, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Join us for Ohio’s largest suppressedonly event. Factory direct reps on-site from your favorite suppressor brands, hundreds of products on display with swag, all indoor range lanes suppressed fire only, premium raffles, industry-related seminars, food trucks, and more! www.blackwingsc.com/osf.
JUN. 21 – Fishing Derby at Canal Park, 23352 Canal Rd., Circleville, 9–11 a.m. Rain or shine. The Kid Fish Youth Fishing Tournament is open to children ages 3–15. Preregistration required; limited spots. Sign-in begins at 9 a.m., tournament starts at 9:30 a.m. Award ceremony at noon with prizes and a hot dog lunch. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please register on Eventbrite.com with Old Canal Fishing. www.pickawaycountyparks.org.
JUN. 27 – Wildlife Wanderers Camp, Park HQ, 16405 U.S. Hwy. 23, South Bloomfield. Open to all incoming Pickaway County fifth and sixth graders, this one-day camp focuses on Ohio wildlife that campers can find in their own backyards. Each camper will receive a T-shirt. Please bring a packed lunch. Register at www. pickawayswcd.org/summer-camps.html.
JUN. 13–15 – Fostoria Glass Society of America Glass Show and Sale, Moundsville Center Bldg., 901 8th St., Moundsville, Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. $8. Premiere Fri. 4–7 p.m., $20. Auction Sat. 5 p.m., flea market Sun. 7 a.m.–noon. Featuring glassware by Fostoria, Imperial, Morgantown, Fenton, and others, including Depression glassware. 304-845-9188 or www.fostoriaglass.org.
JUL. 12, 26 – Myths of the Mountains, Fort New Salem, 81 Settlers Lane, Salem. Lamplight guided tour (approx. 1 hour) led by period-dressed guides, with each cabin housing a storyteller who spins tales of Appalachia. Gates open at 8 p.m.; groups begin tours every 10 minutes. 304-695-2220, director@fortnewsalemfoundation.org, or www. fortnewsalemfoundation.org.
JUN. 28 – Boogie on the Blacktop: The Groove Brothers, 135 E. Main St., Circleville, 6–11 p.m. Get ready to dance as the Groove Brothers bring a mix of classic rock, blues, and funk to the Blacktop. www. pickaway.com.
JUN. 28 – Wild Threads: Sewing Craft Workshop, Park HQ, 16405 U.S. Hwy. 23, South Bloomfield, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewist, you’ll craft a beautiful rainbowinspired placemat or wall hanging. Sewing machines and all supplies will be provided. Registration required through Eventbrite to guarantee your spot, with a $5 fee. For any questions, please contact wcaudill@ pickawaycountyohio.gov.
JUN. 30–JUL. 5 – Marion County Fair, 220 E. Fairground St., Marion. Enjoy spectacular fireworks on the 4th. 740-382-2558 or www. marioncountyfairgrounds.com.
JUL. 3 – 200th Anniversary of Ohio-Erie Canal, Canal Park, 23352 Canal Rd., Circleville, 9:30 a.m. Join the Park District Naturalist, Meghan Ellis, in celebrating this anniversary with a guided walk along the historic Towpath at Canal Park. Meet at the shelter house. Please dress for the outdoors. For questions or to register, email mellis@pickawaycountyohio.gov.
JUL. 10–12 – Picktown Palooza, 300 Opportunity Way, Pickerington. An exciting national entertainment lineup, food vendors, the Freedom 5K, a beer garden, Vendor Village, and the popular car, truck, and bike show. While the event is designed for adults 18 and older, minors (under 18) are welcome when accompanied by a paying adult. 614-379-2099 or www.picktownpalooza.org.
JUL. 11–13 – Lilyfest, Bishop Educational Gardens, 13200 Little Cola Rd., Rockbridge 43149, Fri. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Join us for 70 artists, musicians, Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists, gardens, hikes, food, Vikings, and more. 740-969-2873, www.lilyfest.com, or check us out on Facebook.
JUL. 13 – Union County Tour of Gardens, various locations in the Marysville area, noon–5 p.m., rain or shine. $10 donation. Tour eight beautifully landscaped public and private gardens. Tickets available on day of tour, check or cash only, at 18000 St. Rte. 4, Suite E, Marysville, 43040, the first tour stop. 937-644-8117 or https://union.osu.edu/ program-areas/master-gardener-volunteers/unioncounty-master-gardener-tour.
entry fee. AMMY, bikes, and imports. Free food and music. Rain date: Jun. 22. Church services available at 8:30, 9:45, and 11 a.m. Questions: Call Bart at 330465-8009 or email info@graceforohio.org. Preregister at https://qrco.de/bewI0M.
JUN. 21 – Opera Under the Stars, Uptown Park, Medina, 7 p.m. Free. Enjoy some of your favorite opera tunes and beloved melodies from operettas and musicals, as well as lesser-known works. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St., Medina. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.
JUL. 1–AUG. 31 – Steubenville Catfish Crawl, downtown Steubenville. A dozen 8-foot-long, intricately painted catfish will be on display around the downtown; grab a map and find them all! Maps available at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse, 159 N. 4th St., Steubenville, or online at www. steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com/catfish.html.
JUL. 4 – First Friday on Fourth: Freedom Friday All Day Party, 155 N. 4th St., Steubenville, 6–10 p.m. Patriotic-themed celebration featuring art, crafts, games, food trucks, and live entertainment. www. theharmoniumproject.org/first-Fridays.
THROUGH AUG. 7 – Fort Steuben Summer Concert Series, Fort Steuben Park, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville, Thur. 7–9 p.m. Free. Featuring a variety of live musical performances. 740-283-1787 or www. oldfortsteuben.com.
JUN. 12–14 – Dean Martin Hometown Festival, Steubenville. Three days of activities, food, and fun to celebrate native son Dean Martin and his music. Includes a golf scramble, the Dino Dash 5K, concerts, and a parade. www.deanmartinassociation.com.
JUN. 13–14 – Simply Slavic Festival, downtown Youngstown, Fri. 5–11 p.m., Sat. noon to midnight. $5; 12 and under free. Live music, folk dance performances, homemade ethnic food, children’s learning areas, educational exhibits, and ethnic vendors. www.simplyslavic.org.
JUN. 14 – Burton Antiques Festival, Geauga Co. Fgds., 14373 Cheshire St., Burton, early buyers 8–10 a.m., $25; general admission 10 a.m.–1 p.m., $10; 1–4 p.m., $5. Hundreds of vendors selling vintage items, antiques, art, repurposed and upcycled goods, and collectibles. www.facebook.com/ Burtonantiquesmarket.
JUN. 15 – Grace Church Father’s Day Car Show, 4599 Burbank Rd., Wooster, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Registration 8–11 a.m. Trophies at 1:30 p.m. No
THROUGH JUL. 28 – Rib City BBQ & Bluegrass, 746 NW Washington Blvd., Hamilton, Mon. 7–9 p.m. Free admission. Enjoy an evening of lively bluegrass music by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Call 513-829-7427 before traveling.
THROUGH JUL. 30 – Bluegrass Wednesdays, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Wed. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Enjoy dinner, wine, and an evening of free entertainment by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Reservations recommended. 513-385-9309, vinokletwinery@fuse.net, or www.vinokletwines.com.
JUN. 7 – Biergarten, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton. Doors open
JUN. 27 – Sammy DeLeon y su Orquestra, John Streeter Garden Amphitheater, 2122 Williams Rd., Wooster, 6:30 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.
JUN. 27–29 – Cy Young Days Festival, Newcomerstown. Food, entertainment, contests and competitions, car show, old-fashioned baseball games, and parade. This year’s parade marshal is Greg Swindell. www.cyyoungdaysfestival.com.
JUN. 28 – Spanish-American War Program, Fort Laurens, 11067 Fort Laurens Rd. NW, Bolivar, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Small group of reenactors will be on the grounds. Interact with the reenactors and learn more about what life was like during this conflict for late 19th-century Americans. 330-874-2059 or www. fortlaurensmuseum.org.
JUN. 28–JUL. 6 – Messiah’s Mansion, Fairgrounds at Harvest Ridge Event Center, 8880 OH-39, Millersburg, 1–6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public! Come tour this life-sized replica of the Mosaic Tabernacle, the historic sanctuary built by the Hebrews to worship God in the desert between Egypt and the Land of Israel. Guided tours daily. Walk-ups welcome! www.messiahsmansion.com/millersburg.
5 p.m. Polka Cola Band, 6–10 p.m. Food, music, German beer. 513-571-6198, www.libertyhome.net, or Facebook page for Liberty Home Association.
JUN. 14 – Darke County Summer Stampede Rodeo, Darke Co. Fgds., 800 Sweitzer St., Greenville. $15–$20. Food trucks, pony rides, petting zoo, and outdoor craft market beginning at 11 a.m. Rodeo begins at 7 p.m.; gates open at 5:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at www.darkecountysummerstampede.com.
JUN. 14 – Canal Music Fest, City Park, 35 Park Ave., Tipp City, 6 p.m. Free admission. Featuring Barracuda – America’s Heart Tribute and local fave Stranger. Food and beverages will be available beginning at 5 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. No coolers permitted. www.canalmusicfest.com or www. facebook.com/canalmusicfest.
JUN. 20, JUL. 18 – Bluegrass Night, Fibonacci Brewing Company, 1445 Compton Rd, Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free admission. Lively bluegrass by Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass. Wide variety of craft beers at the Beer Garden; food truck eats on-site. 513-832-1422 or http://fibbrew.com.
JUL. 2 – Bluegrass at Greenhills Commons, Greenhills Commons Bandstand, 24 Farragut Rd, Cincinnati, 7–9 p.m. Free. Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass performs lively bluegrass
JUL. 4–6 – Annual Mesopotamia Ox Roast, intersection of St. Rtes. 534 and 87, Mesopotamia. Free admission; free parking at fire station. Enjoy our famous roast beef sandwiches, fries, and beverages served each day starting at 10 a.m. Pancake breakfast at Town Hall each morning, 7–11 a.m. Antiques and flea market with over 160 dealers and live entertainment. www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100069774754580
JUL. 5 – Jazz Under the Stars: Eric Everett Jazz Elation, Uptown Park, Medina, 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to enjoy this free concert. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St., Medina. 419-853-6016 or www.ormaco.org.
JUL. 8–13 – Trumbull County Fair, 899 Everett Hull Rd., Cortland. Truck and tractor pulls, a rodeo, racing pigs, Demolition Derby, grandstand entertainment, animals, and exhibits, along with a variety of food, vendors, and much more. 330-637-6010 or www. trumbullcountyfair.com.
JUL. 13 – The Belleville Quartet: “Gypsy Jazz from the 1930s,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free concert. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. 419-853-6016 or www. ormaco.org.
music. Bring a lawn chair. Call 513-825-2100 for more information.
JUL. 3 – Oxford Freedom Festival, Oxford Community Park, 6801 Fairfield Rd., Oxford, 5–10 p.m. Bring your family and friends to celebrate Independence Day! Live music, food and drink trucks, vendors, games and inflatables, carriage rides, face painters, and more. Fireworks at 10 p.m. https:// enjoyoxford.org/calendar.
JUL. 10–13 – Greenville Farm Power of the Past, Darke Co. Fgds., 800 Sweitzer St., Greenville. $5–$10; 12 and under free. Featuring Oliver and Case, Michigan-built gas engines, oil field engines. Exhibits, demonstrations, tractor pulls, ladies’ and kids’ events, tractors parade, camping, vendors, food, and more. 937-459-6424 or www.greenvillefarmpower.org.
JUL. 12 – Biergarten, Liberty Home German Society, 2361 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton. Doors open 5 p.m. Gerhard Albinos, 6–10 p.m. 513-571-6198, www. libertyhome.net, or Facebook page for Liberty Home Association.
JUL 12 – The Dulcimer Guy: Matthew Dickerson, Garber Nature Center, 9691 OH-503 N, Lewisburg, 7–9 p.m. Free. Join us for a fun evening of dulcimer music. 937-962-5561, pcpdevents@gmail.com, or www.preblecountyparks.org.
THROUGH 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.
THROUGH 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.
JUN. 4, JUL. 2 – 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.
JUN. 6–JUL. 26 – Lima Locos Home Games, Simmons Field, 616 Heindel Ave., Lima. $4–$6. The Locos are a member of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, providing minor league-level competition for NCAA players who wish to continue on into professional baseball. See their complete schedule online at www.limalocos.net.
JUN. 7–8 – Bucyrus Flea Market, Crawford Co. Fgds., 610 Whetstone St., Bucyrus, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. 419-569-7008 (David M. Staats) or www. crawfordcofair.com/annual-events.
THROUGH 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.
JUN. 12–14 – Southern Ohio Forest Rally, Chillicothe, Shawnee Forest, McArther, and Zaleski Forest. An American Rally Association National Event. Free for spectators. The action kicks off Thursday with the Fan Festival in Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park; meet the drivers and see the action up close! www. southernohioforestrally.com.
JUN. 14–15 – Antique Tractor Show/Pulls, Flea Market, and Fiber Show, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. Featuring antique tractors and hit-miss engines. Antique tractor pulls Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with small hitch fee; no charge to show tractor; trophies and prize money awarded. We will also be demonstrating period spinning, weaving, sewing, and quilting on various types of fiber equipment from various time periods. For more details: 419-990-0107, villageauglaize@gmail.com, or www.auglaizevillage. com.
JUN. 21–22 – Family Fun Weekend: “Summer Kick Off,” Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, 1–4 p.m. $5 per person. Enjoy games, quarter-scale train rides, bounce house, and other family-friendly activities and events. 419-423-2995, www.facebook.com/nworrp, or www. nworrp.org for additional information.
JUN. 21–22 – 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 or find us on Facebook.
JUN. 26 – Fourth Thursday Food Truck Rally and Cookie Walk, downtown Lakeview, 5–8 p.m. Visit each participating business, collect stamps on your shopping passport, and grab a cookie to enjoy! Food trucks, entertainment, games, live music, and more. Bring your lawn chairs. www.facebook.com/ downtownlakeviewohio.
JUN. 27 – Lima Half-Mile Motorcycle Races, Allen Co. Fgds., 2750 Harding Highway, Lima, opening ceremony 6:30 p.m., races 7 p.m. $20–$75; VIP $125; prices increase by $10 the week of the race. See the Grand National Circuit’s top racers compete. With pit pass, fans can get up-close with the stars of the sport during open pits. Food and cold beverages for purchase; no coolers permitted. Presale tickets available at www.americanflattrack.com/events/2024/ view/lima-half-mile-2024#raceSchedule.
JUN. 28 – West Liberty Summer Street Market and Car Show, Lions Club Park, 576 Twp. Rd. 174, West Liberty, 12–10 p.m. Street vendors, food trucks, classic
JUN. 12–AUG. 31 – Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater, 5968 Marietta Rd., Chillicothe, Tues.–Sat. 8 p.m. $20–$75. Sit beneath the stars as sheer spectacle surrounds you with a herd of galloping horses, live military cannon in action, and dazzling battle sequences. www.tecumsehdrama. com.
JUN. 14 – Kenworth Truck Parade, Majestic Theatre Courtyard, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 8 p.m. Free. Watch as over 50 vintage, new, and customized trucks roll along the streets of downtown Chillicothe. Many of the trucks were made locally at the Kenworth plant in Chillicothe www.visitchillicotheohio.com.
JUN. 14 – National Road Bike Show and Ribfest, downtown Cambridge, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Free for the public. Bikes, bands, and BBQ. Food and merchandise, vendors all day. Family and dog friendly. www.downtowncambridge.com.
JUN. 14 – Raccoon Creek Market, Buckeye Furnace Historic Site, 123 Buckeye Park Rd., Wellston, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Over 30 vintage and maker vendors, food trucks, and local musicians. Museum, gift shop, and park will be open. www.buckeyefurnace.org/raccooncreek-market.
cars, live entertainment, softball tournament, fish fry, and more. Cap off the day with the spectacular fireworks display at dusk. www.mywestliberty.com.
JUL. 3–4 – Delphos Kiwanis July 4th Celebration, Delphos Stadium Park, 1101 N. Jefferson St., Delphos. Begins at 5 p.m. on Jul. 3 with live entertainment, duck races, fishing derby, amusement rides, and basket bingo, closing on the 4th with the area’s largest fireworks show at 10 p.m. See schedule of events at https://delphoskiwanis.com.
JUL. 4 – Independence Day Concert, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 2–3:30 p.m. Free. Bring your own chair or blanket for this patriotic concert by the Toledo Concert Band, performed on the verandah of the historic Hayes Home. Civil War reenactors will fire cannons in sync with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” 419-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.
JUL. 4 – Star Spangled Spectacular and Fireworks, Faurot Park, North Shore Drive and South Cole Street, Lima, 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Free. Join us for a family-friendly day of events celebrating our great country! Kicks off with the Freedom 5K at 9 a.m. and ends with fireworks at 10 p.m. Details and schedule of more events available at https://lima 4th.com.
JUL. 6 – Motorama, AuGlaize Village, 12296 Krouse Rd., Defiance. This event is open to self-propelled, motorized, or powered “anything”: antique cars, custom rods, fire trucks, and cycles. No registration or fee required. Flea market vendors welcome. 419-990-0107, villageauglaize@gmail.com, or www. auglaizevillage.com.
JUL. 11–12 – Huron River Fest, Huron Boat Basin, 330 N. Main St., Huron. Free. Parade, live entertainment, food vendors, midway, crafts, and fireworks display. over the river. Schedule of events available at www.huronriverfest.com.
JUL. 12 – Malinta Days Festival, Monroe Twp. Fire House, 8931 Co. Rd. K-2, Malinta, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission. Flea market, music, chicken BBQ and other food, kids’ area, kiddie tractor pull, and live auction. 419-966-9909 or www.facebook.com/Malintafest.
JUN. 27–28 – National Cambridge Glass Collectors Show and Sale, Pritchard Laughlin Civic Ctr., 7033 Glenn Hwy., Cambridge, Fri. 1–5 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $5 admission good for both days. Features not only Cambridge glass but also glass by manufacturers such as Heisey, Imperial, Steuben, Fenton, and many more. 740-432-4245 or www.cambridgeglass.org.
JUN. 28 – Glass Dash, St. Benedict’s Gymnasium, 701 Steubenville Ave., Cambridge, 7–8:30 a.m. early bird, $10; 8:30–11 a.m., $5. www.cambridgeglass.org.
JUN. 28 – Noah Cox Memorial Truck and Tractor Pull, Athens Co. Fgds., 286 W. Union St., Athens, 7 p.m. General admission $10. Drivers meet at 6:30 p.m.; $25 hook fee. More details available on our Facebook page. For questions, email noahsmemorialpull@gmail.com.
JUL. 10–12 – Ohio Hills Folk Festival, Fair and South Streets, Quaker City. Parades, car show, country store, live music, crafts, flea market, kids’ activities, 5K, tractor show, food vendors, Columbus Zoo show, bike race, duck race, and much more! 740-630-6587 or www.facebook.com/p/Ohio-HillsFolk-Festival-100057149452651
1 4 2 5 3 6
1 My husband, Steve Murray, and our son, Stephen Murray Jr., on a motorcycle trip to Death Valley. Beth Murray, South Central Power Company member
2 Don Burroughs with grandsons Eli and Jackson at a grandparents’ breakfast at Williamsburg Elementary School. Gayle Burroughs, South Central Power Company member
3 Our youngest daughter, Kaelyn, adores her dad! Becky Weaver, Firelands Electric Cooperative member
4 “Pappy” Curt Glenn driving his newly restored 10/20 McCormick tractor. Virginia Glenn, Carroll Electric Cooperative member
5 Ben Woods, with Maggie and Nolan, finishing up summer chores. Jessica Woods, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member
6 Our son, Taven Arnold, with his dad, Jared, and grandfather, Chris, on the Cagney steam train they restored (and was previously restored by great-grandpa John William Arnold). Jessi Arnold, Washington Electric Cooperative member
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