Ohio Cooperative Living – November 2023 - Butler by Ohio Cooperative Living

OHIO

NOVEMBER 2023

COOPERATIVE Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

Beauti-fall Scenes from autumn ALSO INSIDE High-tech co-ops

Turkey time

2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Election Election Election

Day Day

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

INSIDE

Holiday

gift guide

22 OHIO-MADE

When stockings are hung by the chimney with care, they cry out to be filled with made-in-Ohio gifts. We’ve found a selection of items that are useful, unique, and, in some cases, downright ingenious.

Cover image on most editions: Firelands Electric Cooperative member Cheri Raphael searched long and hard for the photo she took a few years ago of her granddaughter, Lily, peeking out from under the leaves that Cheri’s husband, Ray, had just painstakingly raked from the yard at their home in New London. More readers’ “Raking Leaves” photos can be found on page 36. This page: The Red Truck design is one of the most popular lines of festive plates, mugs, and serving pieces produced by Ohio Stonewear in Zanesville — one of 16 Ohio companies featured in our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide (photo courtesy Ohio Stonewear).

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

UP FRONT

Problem solvers

ow to reliably and cost-effectively provide electric service to less densely populated rural areas of the country was a problem that electric cooperatives were created to solve. Going back to the 1930s, most homes and businesses in cities and towns around the country had electric service. However, in rural areas and on farms, where the big utilities of the day didn’t see enough profit potential, that wasn’t the case. The advent of electric cooperatives changed all that. By the 1940s, in fact, co-ops had changed life across rural America, bringing power to nearly every corner of the country in a quick and cost-effective way. Ohio’s electric cooperatives still provide service across nearly 40% of the land area of our state, though they serve less than 10% of the population and electric demand. The challenges are real, but they’re not new. From their beginnings, co-ops have adapted quickly to take advantage of new and emerging technologies to overcome those challenges. Using a combination of cuttingedge tech, innovative ideas, and common sense, the people at your co-op come up with answers that work in your specific community. That creativity makes the co-ops’ electric service more cost-effective and reliable, and their work safer and quicker. Read more about some of that co-op tech beginning on page 4. Our emphasis on education and training, by the way, is just as important as technology in helping us rise to our challenges. Today, Ohio’s electric cooperatives operate what we believe to be the finest lineworker training program anywhere. We not only are teaching new apprentices the basics of line work, but we continue to sharpen the skills of our veteran lineworkers as well. Additionally, Ohio’s co-ops share ideas and best practices through their memberships in numerous job-specific associations, including engineering, information technology, finance and accounting, safety, legal affairs, member services, communications, human resources, management, and supervision. The process of working together, sharing ideas, and putting them to use in real-world conditions keeps cooperatives cost-competitive and allows us to be problem solvers as new challenges emerge. The simple principle of cooperation among cooperatives helps make us stronger and smarter, together.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

Pat O’Loughlin

PRESIDENT & CEO OHIO’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

Electric cooperatives have always adapted quickly to take advantage of new technologies, tools, and equipment to make our work safer, quicker, and more efficient.

NOVEMBER 2023 • Volume 66, No. 2

Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 614-846-5757 www.ohiocoopliving.com Patrick O’Loughlin Caryn Whitney Jeﬀ McCallister Amy Howat Crystal Pomeroy

President & CEO Director of Communications Managing Editor Associate Editor Graphic Designer

Contributors: Jodi Borger, Colleen Romick Clark, Getty Images, W.H. “Chip” Gross, Catherine Murray, Damaine Vonada, and Margie Wuebker. OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 134-760; ISSN 2572-049X) is published monthly by Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. It is the official communication link between the electric cooperatives in Ohio and West Virginia and their members. Subscription cost for members ranges from $5.52 to $6.96 per year, paid from equity accruing to the member. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to editorial and advertising offices at: 6677 Busch Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43229-1101. Periodicals postage paid at Berne, IN 46711, and at additional mailing offices. Nothing in this publication may be reproduced in 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.

4 DEPARTMENTS 4 POWER LINES

On the cutting edge: Economics and customer service inspire electric cooperatives to stay ahead of the high-tech curve.

8 WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Where have all the wild turkeys gone? Once a stirring comeback story, the game bird population is dwindling again.

10 CO-OP PEOPLE

Gobble-gobble: Family-owned

Bowman and Landes Turkeys has produced the traditional holiday meal centerpiece for four generations.

13 GOOD EATS

Potato, potahto: No matter how you slice it (or say it), the starchy vegetable packs a tasty punch.

17 LOCAL PAGES

News and other important information from your electric cooperative.

National/regional advertising inquiries, contact

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

CALENDAR

What’s happening: November/ December events and other things to do around Ohio.

36 MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Cooperative members:

Please report changes of address to your electric cooperative. Ohio Cooperative Living staﬀ cannot process address changes. Alliance for Audited Media Member

Raking leaves: What could be better after hours of autumn lawn work than jumping and playing in that fresh pile of colorful fallen foliage?

Visit Ohio Cooperative Living magazine online at www.ohiocoopliving.com! Read past issues and watch videos about our articles or our recipes. Our site features an expanded Member Interactive area, where you can share your stories, recipes, and photos and find content submitted by other co-op members across the state. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

POWER LINES

On the

Electric cooperatives use technology that can monitor their entire distribution systems to find, minimize, or even prevent interruptions of service to their members.

CUTTING BY JODI BORGER

EDGE

Economics and customer service inspire electric cooperatives to stay ahead of the high-tech curve.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

n the middle of one night this past July, Pioneer Electric Cooperative experienced an outage affecting 1,041 members.

In the past, the co-op would have had to rely on members calling in a report to be able to triangulate the fault that caused the outage closely enough to send out a crew to find and fix it. Those members likely would have been without power for hours in a severe test of the system’s reliability. But in this case, the co-op’s on-call engineer received a text message notification at 12:39 a.m., seconds after power was interrupted. The engineer immediately drove to the office in Piqua, evaluated the outage based on data received from the co-op’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, and confirmed the status. After communicating with the rest of the restoration team to make a plan, the engineer was able to reroute the power supply by remotely opening and closing a series of switches. In this instance, the co-op didn’t even have to dispatch a line crew. By 1:20 a.m., 41 minutes after the outage began, power was restored to all members.

Leading the way Electric cooperatives are not strangers to overcoming challenges. Co-ops were born because bringing power to rural America was (and remains) a difficult task that forprofit utilities wanted no part of. That explains why, from their beginnings, electric cooperatives have been at the forefront of developing, adopting, and using cutting-edge technology — not because it’s fun and fancy, but because it’s a necessity. On a large scale, co-ops use the latest technology to monitor and maintain entire systems. Closer to home, coop-developed technology has simplified tasks as mundane as reading a meter or finding the location of an outage. In a big city, that might take a few minutes for a utility crew, but co-op crews might have to drive for a couple of hours, often over vast and/or challenging terrain, to do the same thing. If technology can save that two-hour trip in a truck, it’s safer for employees, minimizes outage times, and saves members money.

Technology for growth Pioneer Electric was among the first electric utilities in the country to implement a SCADA-type system. When the co-op saw large industrial growth in its service area in the 1980s, engineers needed a way to monitor and quickly and efficiently fix any substation and power-

line issues that could damage the sensitive, sophisticated equipment now running on co-op electricity. So they developed and put into use a system that both co-ops and even larger electric utilities around the country have since adopted. Those SCADA systems can automatically and constantly report distribution line conditions, including voltage and amperage, among other things, so the co-op can see the real-time status of substations and other equipment. SCADA even allows the co-op to reroute electricity when an outage occurs. “We have visibility between substations, which allows us to perform remote switching in outage situations,” says David Elliott, Pioneer Electric’s operational technology manager.

The system knows The data from SCADA systems has allowed the addition of an automated outage management system that not only detects outages but can even predict their extent. In the mid-2000s, Pioneer added automated metering infrastructure (AMI) technology, which allows the cooperative to pinpoint an outage at an individual member’s meter even before the member has time to call the co-op. It had another advantage as well. “AMI allowed us to reliably read meters without having to dispatch a meter reader,” Elliott says. The SCADA technology has increased the reliability of the entire electric distribution system and also has significantly cut response times for outages. Co-ops are able to gather data from the system and assist line crews in finding the fault that caused the outage. Coupled with other technologies, it gives the co-op a detailed view of how the system is performing at any given moment.

A new way to serve The meter-reading systems have allowed cooperatives to put some of that technology into the members’ hands. Many co-ops have introduced apps, such as SmartHub or the South Central app, that members may use to monitor real-time energy use, pay bills, report outages, or submit service orders right from their phones. “We use SmartHub primarily for bill payment and have found the autopay function a time-saver when it comes to paying monthly bills,” says Sandy Borger, a member of St. Marys-based Midwest Electric. “We appreciate knowing that if our monthly bill looks a little off, we have the capability to log in to our account and find the issue without having to call into the co-op office.” In many cases, members can also sign up for text alerts for outages or other important and timely information.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

Monitoring the line for reliability Electric co-ops use a variety of monitoring and automation technologies that improve power reliability, shorten outage times, and reduce labor time for crews.

Drones

Drones may be used to inspect the power lines co-ops maintain. Drones can provide infrared evaluation to locate hot spots on power lines and vegetation assessment to locate trees and other vegetation that can cause outages.

Technology in eﬃciency Plenty of other new technology constantly in development helps co-ops become ever more efficient. Computerized mapping systems Midwest Electric members Ben and and Global Sandy Borger say they appreciate the co-op’s app, which lets them do things Positioning such as check their electric bill, even Systems (GPS), when they’re on vacation. for example, quickly locate crews and efficiently guide them to wherever they may be needed. Drones are another example. Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative began using the remotely operated ﬂying cameras in 2018 as a way to document the installation of new cable being run under Lake Erie to Kelleys Island. “We primarily use our drone to take photos of equipment in hard-to-access areas,” says Allen Riegle, the line superintendent at Hancock-Wood. “It’s been worth the investment, and we continue to find new ways to use it all the time.”

Power sensors

Power sensors typically clamp on or connect to the power line and provide nearly real-time reporting on power, voltage, current, and more — all of which helps to provide more reliable energy to members.

Reclosers

(Antenna)

AMI

Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) provides real-time data to the co-op. In addition to meter reading, this data helps to detect faults and other potential problems on the electrical system, resulting in increased power reliability for members.

A recloser acts like a circuit breaker for power lines. When a problem occurs, the recloser temporarily shuts off power. If the problem is temporary, the recloser restores power. (This is why you sometimes see the lights blink.) If the problem persists, the recloser will shut off power until a crew can make repairs. The recloser’s antenna provides wireless, real-time data back to the co-op.

Ohio cooperatives also use drones to scout lines in difficult-to-reach areas, assess storm damage, and get an up-close perspective on tower equipment hung high in the air. They save time and money, and are safer than having to send lineworkers up a pole or tower to see what a problem might be.

… and into the future Just as few people could have predicted 25 years ago that hand-held computers would be available and easily accessible to everyone, it’s difficult to know exactly what will be the next big thing in high-tech. Predictions range from better battery storage to small modular nuclear reactors and beyond. With the amount of data coming from SCADA systems, it’s likely that artificial intelligence will come into play in the near future — not for decisionmaking, likely enough, but to filter and analyze all the information that’s available. Whatever is developed, Ohio cooperatives will continue to adapt as they always have, seeking out and using any tools they can to continue to improve their industry-leading service.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

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WOODS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE

Where have all the

wild turkeys gone?

Once a stirring comeback story, the game bird population is dwindling again. STORY AND PHOTO BY W.H. “CHIP” GROSS

Turkey gobblers like this one are becoming less and less common in the wild because of a variety of factors.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

’ve been chasing wild turkeys, both with a shotgun and a camera, for more than 40 years, but April 2022 was my most satisfying spring hunt ever. My 12-year-old grandson, Xavier, was with me on his first turkey hunting trip, and he and I both shot gobblers — from the same blind and just seconds apart. Shortly after the high-fives and hugs — and maybe even a few happy tears — had subsided, it dawned on me that making those kinds of lifelong outdoor memories with family and friends could be more difficult in the future. Unfortunately, the wild turkey population in the Buckeye State is gradually declining.

The history of the wild turkey in Ohio is one of boom and bust. A bird of mature woodlands, turkeys thrived in presettlement times when our state was 95% forested. In 1915, a researcher by the name of Wright, after reviewing records from the 18th and early 19th centuries, wrote, “In all the United States, no state had more turkeys than Ohio and her neighbors.” Just how many wild turkeys existed in the Ohio country hundreds of years ago is anyone’s guess — a million, perhaps? “One million is possible,” says Mark Wiley, wild turkey biologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. “It’s very difficult to say for sure.” Regardless, everything changed within a 150year period from about 1750 to 1900, when Ohio lost all but 10 percent of its woodlands to timbering, farming, and development. As a result, our state also lost all of its wild turkeys. The last bird was believed extirpated by 1904, a victim not only of habitat loss but also of unregulated hunting. The woods, however, have gradually begun to grow back — Ohio is now one-third forested again. What’s more, in the 1950s, wildlife biologists began restocking wild turkeys captured in other states to fill our empty habitat. The wild turkey population

Ask

CHIP!

again took off, reaching an estimated modern-day population of more than 200,000 by the early 2000s. But now they are dwindling again, and the current dearth of wild turkeys is not limited to Ohio. Nearly all Eastern states are experiencing declines. Mike Chamberlain, a wild turkey biologist at the University of Georgia, believes he knows why. “There is no single smoking gun; rather, it’s death by a thousand cuts,” Chamberlain says. “As with any wildlife population, suitable habitat is key, and turkey habitat in the East is suffering in several ways. It’s not only the amount of habitat that’s decreasing. Land is also being converted to types of habitat not conducive to turkeys. In other words, the birds are trying to survive in poorquality woodlands, and those woodlands are also becoming fragmented.” Fragmentation results in little to no opportunity for the remaining turkey ﬂocks to intermingle and exchange genetics to keep the overall population healthy. Chamberlain also points to the impact predators have on wild turkeys. Raccoon populations have been high for decades, and coyotes have become firmly established in all Eastern states. Bobcats, too, are now increasing in Ohio. All of this is bad news for ground-nesting turkey hens and their young poults. “I believe we are entering a new normal when it comes to wild turkeys,” Chamberlain says. “In my estimation, we are never going back to where we were in 1995, when modern-day turkey populations peaked in the U.S.” Work has begun to mitigate the current situation. Ohio has cut its spring turkey bag limit for hunters in half, to just one bird per hunter per year. In addition, the fall wild turkey hunting season has been shortened, and the Division of Wildlife, in conjunction with Ohio State University, has initiated a study to determine turkey hen nesting habits. Are we entering a new era of wildlife management and conservation concerning the wild turkey in the Buckeye State? We shall see.

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

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

CO-OP PEOPLE

gobble! Gobble-g STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARGIE WUEBKER

lump hens and toms are living on borrowed time these days at Bowman and Landes Turkeys near New Carlisle in Miami County.

The family operation dates to 1948, when Kenneth Bowman and Dennis Landes set out to produce the highest-quality free-range turkeys around while being good stewards of the land. The third generation is now actively upholding the tradition, with the fourth generation ready to pick up the mantle. Baby turkeys, known as poults, arrive at the farm the day they hatch, each weighing one-fourth to one-third of a pound. The poults initially spend time in climatecontrolled barns but quickly move, at 6 to 8 weeks of age, to outdoor ranges equipped with feeders, water, and shade shelters. Fencing keeps them in and predators out. Third-generation co-owner Drew Bowman said birds ﬂourish outdoors with a prescribed diet that includes grain raised and ground at the 2,800-acre -acre farm and grass provided by nature. The end result is a more tender and ﬂavorful Thanksgiving (and, let’s face it, year-round) meal centerpiece.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

Piqua-based Pioneer Electric Cooperative serves a portion of the operation, which raises roughly 75,000 turkeys each year. Individual ﬂocks arrive at the farm steadily between late June and mid-August, and it takes roughly 14 to 20 weeks to produce the iconic broad-breasted birds for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables (which is several weeks less than the company founders needed to accomplish the same goal). Turkeys live a stress-free life on the farm, and that continues right up to processing day. Instead of loading the birds onto semi-trucks for transport, workers carrying poles equipped with feed bags walk the naturally inquisitive turkeys across the range to the nearby ultra-modern, USDA-inspected harvesting plant. The normal 30-member workforce swells to 100 with the arrival of November. “It’s all hands on deck to make sure everything is ready for our customers,” Bowman says. Dressed hens range in size from 10 to 21 pounds, while the heavier toms tip the scales at anywhere from 22 to 30 pounds or more. They come fresh, frozen, or smoked, depending on customer requests. “We have people coming here and telling us they initially came with their parents more than 50 years ago,” Bowman says.

Family-owned Bowman and Landes has produced the traditional holiday meal centerpiece for four generations. Drew Bowman (left), a third-generation co-owner of Bowman and Landes Turkeys, presents one of the company’s signature products. The farmers strive to give their turkeys a stress-free life.

“There was no store in those days. Customers drove in and rang a bell, and Grandma Bowman would come out of the house to wait on them.” While the company made its name selling whole birds, customers can shop for nearly everything but feathers and gobbles in the large 26,000-square-foot meat market and deli. Smaller families tend to favor more manageable turkey roasts, which combine white and dark meat, or succulent turkey breasts. Newer offerings include spiralsliced turkey breast finished with a honey-sugar glaze, homestyle gourmet turkey gravy, and sliced turkey bacon. Canned meat and broth help with quick at-home meals. Shoppers will also find a range of turkey parts available — not only drumsticks, thighs, and wings, but also necks, ribs, giblets, and tails. Other more exotic options include turkey breast mignon, cubed turkey breast steak, ground turkey burgers, turkey bratwurst, and ﬂavored sausage. The company also produces its own deli meats, such as pastrami, ham, and turkey breast in a variety of ﬂavors. Owners have seen a marked increase in the sale of individual sandwiches and box lunches available during store hours. Favorites include stuffed sandwiches with names like the Gobbler, the Gobbledilla, and the Big Tom. “We’re proud of our high-quality turkeys and we are always looking for new ways to promote our product,” Bowman says. “Yes, we are a holiday tradition for many families, but we give them a lot of tasty reasons to come back.” Deeply committed to producing the best product possible, the family operation also adheres to the founders’ philosophy of being good stewards of the land. Cover crops help control erosion, and the farm promotes no-till and minimum-till practices. Turkey manure enriches the soil, while the recycling of cardboard and plastic keeps those materials out of landfills. Solar arrays now provide half the energy needed to operate the farm.

Bowman and Landes, 6490 Ross Road, New Carlisle, OH 45344. www.bowmanlandes.com; 937-845-9466. The meat market and deli is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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GOOD EATS No matter how you slice it (or say it), the starchy vegetable packs a tasty punch.

ALOO MUTTER (POTATO AND PEA CURRY) Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Servings: 6 2 teaspoons garam masala 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon coriander powder 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek seeds (optional) ½ teaspoon turmeric powder

½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste) 1 tablespoon oil 1 large yellow onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced

28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 cup frozen green peas 2 tablespoons minced fresh 2 cups water cilantro 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, 3 cups cooked basmati rice ½-inch dice, rinsed 3 tablespoons cream or coconut cream (optional)

Mix spices (garam masala through cayenne pepper) in a small bowl. In a Dutch oven over medium heat, sauté onion in oil for 7 minutes. Mix in garlic and spices and stir for another 2 minutes. Mix in crushed tomatoes and water. Add potatoes; stir and cook at a rolling boil over medium heat 15 to 20 minutes, until potatoes are cooked through. Add peas and cream (if desired), stirring until heated through. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with rice. Per serving: 485 calories, 5 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 0 milligrams cholesterol, 461 milligrams sodium, 97 grams total carbohydrates, 8 grams ﬁber, 12 grams protein. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

Check it out! See videos of some of our mouth-watering recipes being prepared at

www.ohiocoopliving.com

CREAMY ADOBO CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATOES Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 50 minutes | Servings: 4 1½ cups heavy whipping cream ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 large sweet potatoes 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast ½ teaspoon salt Blend cream, chipotle pepper, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into ½-inch rounds, then layer slices in a 10-inch greased baking dish. Preheat oven to 400 F. Pour 2⁄3 of the cream mixture over sweet potatoes, cover with foil, and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and place chicken breasts on top of the potato slices. Pour remaining cream over chicken and bake uncovered another 25 minutes, until potatoes are soft and chicken is cooked through. Slice chicken and serve. Per serving: 560 calories, 26 grams fat (13 grams saturated fat), 168 milligrams cholesterol, 744 milligrams sodium, 44 grams total carbohydrates, 8 grams ﬁber, 37 grams protein.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

MASHED POTATO SALAD Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Cool: 15 minutes | Servings: 12 4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, diced, and rinsed 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon celery seed

2 tablespoons yellow mustard 2 large carrots, diced 15 ounces Miracle Whip Light 10 ounces sweet relish 8-ounce brick of cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes

Place diced potatoes and salt in a large stockpot and just cover with water. Turn heat to high, cover, and bring to a heavy boil. Turn down heat a bit and continue boiling for 7 to 10 minutes, until potatoes are easy to pierce with a fork. Drain and rinse potatoes with cold water; let cool to room temperature. In a large bowl with an electric mixer on low, mash and whip potatoes with the celery seed, mustard, and Miracle Whip until smooth and well-incorporated. Mix in cheddar cheese cubes, diced carrots, and relish. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Per serving: 357 calories, 18.5 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat), 29 milligrams cholesterol, 802 milligrams sodium, 42 grams total carbohydrates, 4 grams ﬁber, 8 grams protein.

LEFTOVER MASHED POTATO OMELET Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Servings: 2 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes 5 teaspoons water, divided 4 large eggs

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves ¼ teaspoon garlic salt or truffle salt

¼ teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon butter or bacon fat 1⁄3 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Note: If using ground thyme, sprinkle it on the mashed potatoes or the eggs will turn green. Reheat mashed potatoes in microwave with 1 teaspoon of the water mixed in. In a small bowl, beat eggs with 4 teaspoons water, thyme, salt, and pepper. Heat skillet over medium-low, melting butter (or bacon fat) and tilting skillet to thoroughly coat the bottom and sides. Pour in eggs and cover with lid. Let cook untouched for 4 minutes. Once eggs are a little wet but not runny, spoon mashed potatoes evenly over half and sprinkle cheese over potatoes. Cover with lid and cook another minute until cheese is melted. Remove lid and lightly run spatula around the edges of the pan to loosen. Carefully fold eggs over the potatoes and slide omelet onto a plate, cutting in half to serve. Per serving: 383 calories, 25 grams fat (11 grams saturated fat), 405 milligrams cholesterol, 565 milligrams sodium, 20 grams total carbohydrates, 2 grams ﬁber, 20 grams protein.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

pays TO BE A

CO-OP MEMBER!

Among the many benefits cooperatives offer members, one big difference stands out this time of year — capital credits. Unlike investor-owned utilities that maximize profits to pay shareholders, your not-for-profit cooperative provides electricity at cost. You receive capital credits because you're an owner of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Capital credits represent this ownership and are one of the most unique and rewarding benefits of being a co-op member.

How capital credits work At the end of each year, we subtract our operating expenses from the amount of money collected from members paying their electric bills. The money left is called margins. Your margins are based on the amount you paid for electric service and are deposited into your capital credits account at the end of the year. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative uses allocated margins to build and maintain our electric infrastructure by purchasing materials and equipment like poles and wires. These funds serve a vital function and allow the cooperative to operate economically and effectively while investing in the infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of our members. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative's board of trustees evaluates the financial stability of the co-op each year to determine whether we can retire capital credits. When the co-op retires capital credits, we withdraw margins from your capital credits account and send them to you

as a check or as a credit on your bill. The capital credits amount you receive is based on the amount you paid for electric service during the years of capital credits retirement.

We're retiring more than $1.5 million in capital credits this year!

Evan Rauch

MANAGER OF ACCOUNTING AND

This month, FINANCE/CFO members who received electricity from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative in 2006, 2007, and 2022 may receive a capital credits check or a credit on their electric bill. Checks will be issued Nov. 13 and are mailed from St. Louis, Missouri. It may take at least three weeks to receive a capital credits check through the mail. If you receive a check, please cash or deposit it promptly. If you chose to apply your capital credits to your electric bill, they will be applied Nov. 6. Thank you for your investment in Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Your support allows the co-op to continue to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Holiday Harvest FOOD DRIVE

Lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need this holiday season Nov. 15 through Dec. 15 Bring nonperishable food items to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or call 513-867-4400 to make a monetary donation. Items are given to local food banks and churches to give to families in need. You will be entered to win a $50 bill credit for every 10 items you donate!

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Celebrating employees Seth Fricke and Andrew Strait recently graduated the apprentice lineworker program. They completed rigorous training at The Central Ohio Lineworker Training, or COLT, facility in Mount Gilead, Ohio. There, they learned the fundamentals of electricity – how to install, maintain, and repair power lines and how to operate a variety of vehicles used in line work.

This knowledge and skill were earned over a four-year apprenticeship, including 8,000 hours of on-the-job training interspersed with 600 hours of instruction at COLT.

SETH FRICKE has worked at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative for eight years. He and his wife have two

Seth Fricke LINEWORKER

winners

BILL CREDIT

boys, who are six and four years old. During his free time, Seth enjoys hunting and fishing. He enjoys being a lineworker because he loves being outside and takes pride in restoring power during outages.

ANDREW STRAIT has worked at the cooperative for four years. He has been married to his wife, Anna, for nine years and they have an eight-year-old son named Jagger. During his free time, Andrew enjoys hunting and building and riding motorcycles. His favorite part of being a lineworker is restoring power for members during storms.

Andrew Strait LINEWORKER

Did you attend our annual meeting in April? If so, you could be the winner of a $50 bill credit! All attendees who did not win bill credits at the meeting are eligible to win. Congratulations to the October winners! James M. Benge • Georgia A. Enneking • Gerald Kirby Ernst Schlichter • Larry Schulte

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

THE LAST WATER HEATER YOU’LL EVER NEED TO BUY Its award-winning construction makes the Rheem® Marathon® water heater the most durable electric water heater ever made. And its industry-best warranty makes it a smart purchase you can count on for years to come. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative sells and leases Rheem Marathon water heaters.

Purchase

Members can purchase water heaters at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office at 3888 Stillwell Beckett Road in Oxford. All prices are subject to change, so please contact our office to get the current price and to ensure we have the model you need in stock. The cooperative offers rebates to members replacing an existing fossil-fuel water heater for the first time or building a new home. Our electricians are available to install and service the water heaters. 50 gallon $1,193 plus applicable taxes Rebate price: $843 plus applicable taxes ($350 rebate)* 85 gallon (grid-enabled) $1,625 plus applicable taxes Rebate price: $1,075 plus applicable taxes ($550 rebate)* 100 gallon (grid-enabled) $1,822 plus applicable taxes Rebate Price: $1,172 plus applicable taxes ($650 rebate)* *Taxes are paid on the full retail price. Rebate is given to members who install a radio-controlled switch on their water heater. Rebate is subject to change at any time without notice.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

Lease

Only $12.50 per month* plus $4 credit for radio-controlled switch (required for lease). Lease benefits > All service is performed free of charge > No up-front cost, no tank to buy, no installation fee > You can trust the trained Butler Rural Electric Cooperative employees who install the water heater > You pay a low monthly fee on your electric bill *Additional charges may apply if installed after normal business hours or if member has geothermal or existing fossil-fuel water heater. Lease not available on new home construction or remodel.

Visit butlerrural.coop > Energy Solutions > Member Rebates > Water Heaters or call 513-867-4400 to learn more

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Mini-split systems are gaining traction

Installing a mini-split system can provide several benefits, but the capability to regulate temperatures in specific rooms or areas of the home is the most attractive feature. Photo Source: Dennis Schroeder, NREL

A ductless air conditioner, also referred to as a minisplit system or air source heat pump, offers a variety of options for heating and cooling, particularly for older homes and buildings. Several years ago, mini-split models were thought to be inefficient for colder climates, but these systems have made great strides, making them a more viable option for most U.S. regions. Installing a mini-split system can provide several benefits, but the capability to regulate temperatures in specific rooms or areas of the home is the most attractive feature. The two major components of a mini-split system are an indoor air-handling unit (evaporator) and an outdoor compressor/condenser. In many ways, minisplit air conditioners operate like conventional air conditioning systems. In cooling mode, the system transfers heat from inside the home to the outside. With a central air system, cold air is blasted throughout all the ducts in the home from a single air handler, such as a large fan in an attic or basement. Because a mini-split can blow air from up to six independent air handlers, it can regulate temperatures for different rooms or areas inside the home. Mini-splits are a viable alternative to duct systems for home additions or for homes where a duct system may not be practical. When a duct system is too expensive to install, a mini-split system can efficiently heat and cool a space while keeping installation costs down. A mini-split can also settle thermostat disagreements in a home for those with different comfort preferences.

Compared to conventional HVAC systems, minisplits can significantly reduce energy consumption and have the potential to save up to 30% on cooling costs and 50% on heating costs. Additionally, inverter technology, which enables variable-speed operation, is frequently included with mini-split systems. This results in increased energy efficiency and a cheaper cost of operation as the system adjusts its output based on the actual heating or cooling demand. In addition to greater control over heating and cooling, mini-splits can also be managed with a mobile app, smart thermostat, or remote control. They provide better air quality, and homeowners can easily replace the filters themselves, saving money on the pricey duct cleanings needed for conventional air conditioners. A common feature of mini-split systems is reheat dehumidification, which maintains a steady room temperature while lowering humidity. A few factors should be considered before installing a mini-split system. Determining the right size and quantity of units is a key first step. The location of the system is another important factor to consider. A minisplit should be installed where it will help maximize air distribution throughout the home. A qualified contractor can offer advice on these factors. Additionally, your home should be properly sealed in order for the mini-split system to operate efficiently. For many homeowners, a mini-split ductless heating and cooling system can be a fantastic alternative for heating and cooling. NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

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power of giving

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

The

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members donate more than $39,608 to local organizations This fall, cooperative members donated to local nonprofit organizations through Butler Rural Community Connection. Community Connection gives grants to local nonprofit groups in Butler, Preble, Hamilton, and Montgomery counties. 9,156 cooperative members and 32 employees contribute to Community Connection by rounding up their monthly electric bills to the next highest dollar amount or by making donations throughout the year. These generous donations make a huge impact in our communities. The Community Connection board of trustees met in September to choose grant recipients. These voluntary board members are co-op members and are separate from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s board of

trustees. They meet twice a year to evaluate Community Connection applications and select grant recipients. They will meet March 13 to award spring grants. Visit butlerrural.coop > Community > Community Outreach > Community Connection to apply for a Community Connection grant. The spring Community Connection application deadline is March 1, 2024. Community Connection is a separate entity from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Donating to the program is voluntary and does not affect the cooperative’s rates. We hope the lives of our members have been touched by Community Connection. We are thankful for the continued support from members and employees who donate to the program.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION FALL GRANT RECIPIENTS

18D

Animal Friends Humane Society $800 for animal microchipping

Germantown Fire and EMS $930 for battery-powered tools

Bogan Elementary $909.80 for wheelchair swing and sensory corner

Gratis EMS $820 for vacuum splint kits

Bogan Elementary Parent Teacher Group $500 for books and rewards

Greater Oxford Community Foundation $3,000 for student dental assistance

Butler County Educational Service Center $1,277 for baby supplies for assistance program

Harrison Junior School $750 for classroom resource tools

Butler County Educational Service Center $1,500 for food pantry assistance

Hope’s Closet $3,520 for personal item assistance

Camden Comeback $500 for surface mats

Madison Elementary $750 for books

Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS $767 for training resources

Madison Middle School $850 for rocket program

First Baptist Church of Auburn $500 for children’s bedding

Madison Township Fire Department $900 for equipment battery packs

Friends of Neighbors in Need $1,500 for backpack program

Marshall Elementary $900 for gym equipment

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Marshall Elementary $299 for online curriculum lesson plan

Ross High School FCCLA $1,000 for community service projects

Marshall Elementary $800 for ceramics supplies

Ross Intermediate School PTO $770 for playground equipment

New Miami Fire Department $650 for rescue tools

Southwest Local School District $949 for an AED

New Miami Police Department $461.88 for emergency response kits

St. Clair Township Fire Department $540 for a washer and dryer unit

Open Hands Food Pantry $1,500 for food pantry assistance

Talawanda High School FCCLA $1,000 for a community service project

Oxford Cat Rehab c/o Maketank, Inc. $1,100 for cat rehab materials

Talawanda Middle School $720 for school-wide read aloud event

Oxford Empty Bowls $1,577 for ceramic supplies

Talawanda Middle School $799 for classroom learning robot

Oxford Women’s Care Center $700 for care center signage

Trenton Fire Department $700 for batteries

Parachute: Butler County CASA $1,400 for volunteer training

Union County College Corner Joint School District $1,000 for fall festival

Power To The People $2,000 for utility assistance

Village of Camden $750 for K9 cruiser

A Community Connection grant purchased an infant treadmill to help Butler County children with disabilities learn to walk.

Another grant funded a local summer camp focused on STEM projects for elementary students.

Butler Rural Community Connection helped fund an Explorer Mini, which helps young children with mobility impairments.

DONATE TO COMMUNITY CONNECTION + APPLY FOR COMMUNITY CONNECTION GRANTS butlerrural.coop > Community > Community Outreach > Community Connection

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

18E

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

ENERGY-SAVING GADGETS + GIZMOS Four tips for getting the right smart technologies for your home With the holidays approaching, shoppers will soon be eying an abundance of devices and gadgets to gift friends and loved ones — or to buy for themselves. When it comes to cool new technology, many consumers are turning to smart home devices that offer convenience as well as other benefits, including one often-overlooked perk: energy savings. With so many options available, choosing the best tech for your needs can be overwhelming. Here are four tips to help you determine the right smart home technologies for your home. Ask yourself how smart you want your home to be. Smart plugs, energy-use apps, and home monitors are cool devices that can help you save energy. Before you invest your time and money, ask yourself how much technology you want. What are your habits when it comes to setting up and using the latest development? If you like to tinker, an energy app on your phone could be fun and help you save money. As electronics get smarter, even non-tech-savvy people are finding them easier to use. Get the most bank for your buck. The most frequently recommended energy-saving device is a smart thermostat because heating and cooling account for the most energy consumption in your home. Smart thermostats can program an energy schedule to adjust the heating or cooling when you’re sleeping or out of the house during the day. Additional smart thermostat features include detecting movement in a room to adjust energy use, learning your daily habits, responding to voice commands, and tracking the weather. Take advantage of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s rebate to members who install a new smart thermostat in their home. Visit butlerrural.coop > Energy Solutions > Member Rebates > Smart Thermostats to learn more.

If you have a heat pump, you could benefit by contacting an HVAC expert before using a smart thermostat. Lowering the temperature too much when you’re not home could result in switching to more expensive auxiliary heat to bring the house back to room temperature. Determine your energy-saving goals. A home energy monitor is one way to save on electricity, and the range of choices means you’ll need to ask how much you’re willing to pay and whether it’s worthwhile. One study found that spending about $1,800 on a full-home, commercially installed energy monitor could save about 16% on electric bills and pay for itself in 10 to 15 years. Much less ambitious approaches involve downloading an app on your phone so you can keep track of your electricity use, and even turn smart appliances on and off when you’re away. Do a simple energy checkup. Walk through your home and identify everything that uses electricity. You’ll likely notice many functions that could be managed with smart devices. If your phone sits plugged in long after it’s charged, smart power strips and smart outlets can stop the electricity use when the battery is at 100%. Smart lightbulbs can be controlled with an app on your phone, saving energy and giving your home that livedin look when you’re away. Ceiling fans can now adjust themselves for the best air flow depending on the temperature. Motion detectors can turn indoor lights on and off when you enter or leave a room, and even solar-powered outdoor lights can detect when you’re approaching and light the way. With just a little planning, you can make sure this giftgiving season is merry, bright, and smart.

Happy Thanksgiving! Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s office is closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, for the holiday.

18F

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative awards Dr. Gene Willeke Institute for the Environment and Sustainability Scholarship Butler Rural Electric Cooperative has a long-standing relationship with Miami University’s Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES) graduate program. This relationship helps the cooperative stay informed on environmental issues. The IES educates students through programs in environmental science and sustainability and provides leadership in areas of research and outreach that address environmental problems and promote a more sustainable society. In the past, the IES has completed several projects for the cooperative, focusing on dual fuel, geothermal, and solar energy. The relationship between the cooperative and the IES began thanks to Dr. Gene Willeke, former director of Miami University’s Institute of Environmental Sciences, which is now the IES. He served as the institute’s director from 1977 to 2004 and retired in 2005. Gene received the Benjamin Harrison Medal from Miami University, which is one of the most significant recognitions the university offers to faculty for contributions attesting to qualities of teaching, research, and service. Gene passed away Jan. 31, 2016. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative awards $3,000 in scholarships to students in the IES program each year. In 2016, the cooperative named the IES scholarship the Dr. Gene Willeke Institute for the Environment and Sustainability Scholarship to honor Gene and his commitment to the school and the cooperative.

2023 IES scholarship recipient Anna Abbey is this year’s recipient of the $3,000 Dr. Gene Willeke Institute for the Environment and Sustainability Scholarship from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. Anna is an exemplary second-year graduate student at Miami University working toward her master’s degree in environmental science. She is working as a graduate intern in the Office of Sustainability at Miami University, where her responsibilities include calculation of commuter emissions for the greenhouse gas inventory for the fiscal year 2022 to 2023, creation of

Anna Abbey

2023 IES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

promotional material for sustainable transport services for residence halls with the help of Butler County Regional Transit Authority, assistance in development of Miami’s resilience report and climate action plan, and programming for Environmental Awareness Living Learning Community. Anna plans to pursue a career in environmental policy development for climate change mitigation and economic and energy resilience in developing countries. Before coming to Miami, Anna was a middle and high school teacher in biology and global perspectives in Kerala, India. She came to Miami as a recipient of an international grant-in-aid and now works as a graduate assistant for the graduate school. Congratulations, Anna!

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

18G

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Shandon’s Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Country Shandon, Ohio’s first Welsh settlement, celebrates its 46th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas in the Country Saturday, November 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Shandon. Parking and admission are free. The event will feature free horse-drawn carriage rides. The carriage rides will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The historic local shops will be open with antiques and collectibles, furniture, country crafts, and alpaca products.

and crocheted items at Plas Cadnant Bed and Breakfast, where visitors can also get Welsh cakes. Visit Santa Claus in the Old Fire House Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., stroll through the old Welsh Cemetery, and take a ride on the carriage to the Salty Dog Car Museum, which will be open Saturday during the event. The Morgan Township Historical Society Museum in Okeana will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

St. Aloysius Church on Chapel Road will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The church is handicapped accessible and free parking is nearby.

A road map/flier will be available at many locations in Shandon during Christmas in the Country with details, including locations of shops, craft shows, food, and times for events.

Welsh cakes will be at St. Aloysius Church and The Shandon Congregational Church’s Community House. The Village and Farm Garden Club will sell their naturalcrafted ornaments, homemade jewelery, and knitted

Shandon is located on State Route 126, four miles west of Ross. For more information about the event, call Jon at 513-738-4180, Chip at 513-313-3034, or Mary at 513-470-1517.

Fiber internet is coming to all members! In 2021, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative completed a partnership project with Cincinnati Bell, now known as altafiber, to bring fiber access to more than 2,000 member locations where high-speed internet was not available. The project also provided fiber service to the cooperative’s substations and switching equipment. The project was a huge success, bringing greater operational flexibility to enhance reliability while improving the quality of life for members. We have received tremendously positive feedback from members because of this project. After the 2021 project was completed, we still had 2,800 members who did not have adequate and reliable access to high-speed internet, which is a quality of life issue. altafiber has committed to making the investment to extend fiber access to all remaining unserved members.

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

As promised, altafiber continues to expand its fiber network in our area, and members continue to gain access to fiber service as the network is built. The remaining unserved members are expected to have available fiber service by 2025. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative spent this summer processing and evaluating pole attachment requests for the project. We are thrilled to build on this innovative partnership and deliver access to reliable connectivity to all of our members. altafiber is updating a website for our members to check the status of their locations. Please check our website, butlerrural.coop > Community > Community Outreach > Fiber Internet, for more information and to visit altafiber’s website for our members once it is available.

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

SERVING UP SAVINGS The holiday season is just around the corner and soon, festive music will flood the airwaves, sparkling lights and decorations will adorn homes and businesses, and good tidings will abound. The holidays also bring a frenzy of decorating, cooking, and family gatherings, and amid the hectic hustle and bustle, you may receive higher-than-usual energy bills. This month is a good time to remind Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members of a few programs and efficiency tips to help lower your monthly energy use.

Programs designed to help you save Winter months typically bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. Making minor, low-cost improvements, like weatherstripping exterior doors and caulking around old, drafty windows can make a positive impact on energy bills. If you’re not sure where to start, contact Butler Rural Electric Cooperative at 513-8674400 or visit butlerrural.coop > Electric Service > Home Services > Energy Audit to schedule a home energy audit. Give us a call if you’d like to learn about specific programs and services that can lower your bills.

Be festive without breaking the bank

Christmas tree to illuminate your home. If you have a fireplace, remember to close the flue when it’s not in use to ensure heat doesn’t escape through the chimney.

Cook up energy savings in the kitchen You can cook up energy savings by using small countertop appliances like microwaves, air fryers, and slow cookers when possible, as they use much less energy than the stovetop or oven. When using the oven, bake multiple dishes at once for maximum efficiency. It takes as much energy to cook one dish as it does to cook several. Once the food is done, leave the oven door ajar to allow the residual heat to warm the room. We hope a few of these tips will be helpful as we approach the holiday season. Remember, we’re here to answer any questions you have about managing energy use or your monthly bills. With a little planning, you can find efficient ways to save on everything from holiday decor to your favorite soup recipes. From your friends at Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Many people bring out Christmas decorations faster than they can finish the Thanksgiving turkey. With holiday lights adorning homes for more than a month, making the switch to LEDs can save energy. LED holiday lights use 88% less energy than incandescent holiday lights. The Department of Energy estimates with standard holiday decorations, LED lights typically increase energy bills by $5 to $7. With incandescent lights, energy bills typically increase by $33 or more. For homes that go above and beyond with incandescent holiday lighting (think Clark Griswold), energy bills could increase by as much as $350. You can also lower energy use by conveniently managing holiday lighting. Smart light timers connect to a smart phone app or voice assistant to program lights to turn on and off at set times. Alternatively, you can save energy by using traditional timers. Additional easy ways to save during the holiday season include turning off overhead lights and using your

The holidays are a joyous time of year, bringing a frenzy of decorating, cooking, and family gatherings. If the extra hustle and bustle leaves you with higher energy bills, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative can help you find ways to save.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

BUTLER RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative receives excellent member satisfaction rating Each year, the American Customer Satisfaction Index score, or ACSI score, is determined for Butler Rural Electric Cooperative. The index measures the satisfaction of consumers with the quality of products and services offered by individual firms. The ACSI is the only cross-industry measure of satisfaction in the United States. Overall satisfaction with the cooperative remains excellent with an ACSI score of 88, which is higher than industry leaders. This means satisfaction with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is higher than wellknown businesses like Apple and Coca-Cola. Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is rated most positively for our employees being friendly, courteous, and highly trained and professional. Thank you to all of the members who participated in the survey this spring. We greatly appreciate your time to share your opinions on the cooperative. Participating in the survey helps us make decisions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors. Your thoughts and opinions about Butler Rural Electric Cooperative help us serve you better.

HIGH FOR THE

MARKS 74 74 88 Municipal Utilities

Investor-Owned Utilities

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

Scores for Municipal and Investor-Owned Utilities taken from the syndicated 2023 ACSI® Energy Utilities Study. Results based on data provided by Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, collected between April 21 and May 1, 2023. ACSI did not regulate the survey administration or sample size. ACSI and its logo are registered trademarks of the American Customer Satisfaction Index LLC.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

David Evans PRESIDENT

Robert Hoelle VICE PRESIDENT

CONTACT

513-867-4400 butlerrural.coop OFFICE

3888 Stillwell Beckett Road Oxford, Ohio 45056 OFFICE HOURS

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

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

2023

Jim Meador

SECRETARY & TREASURER

Lee P. Geiger ATTORNEY

Jay T. Hasbrook Ronald Kolb Thomas L. McQuiston James O’Brien Robert Spaeth Mike Tilton TRUSTEES

Tom Wolfenbarger GENERAL MANAGER

Jade Guthrie

MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

SMARTHUB

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

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

OHIO

COOPERATIVE

2023

oliday H

gift guide COMPILED BY DAMAINE VONADA

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

the y b g n u h e r a s g in When stock cry out to y e th , e r a c h it w y chimne io gifts h O in e d a m h it be filled w chant n e ly n o t o n ta n a that help S but st e r a e d d n a st e r a e everyone’s n preneurs e tr n e to st o o b a e also giv e state. th t u o h g u o r th s n and artisa ems it f o n o ti c le se a d n We’ve fou and, in , e u iq n u l, fu se u e r that a genious. in t h ig r n w o d s, se a some c NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

American Classic Snack Company, Wadsworth Using locally grown corn and ingredients such as homemade caramel and toffee, American Classic Snack Company has produced handcrafted, small-batch popcorn snacks for more than 30 years. While Buckeye Blitz is a year-round favorite generously coated with peanut butter and chocolate, the company’s palatepleasing treats also include Bear Claw with Cashews, Beer Cheese + Bourbon, Caramel Apple, and Pumpkin Pie Crunch. 877-745-7207; orders@americanclassicsnackcompany.com; www.americanclassicpopcorn.com.

American Whistle Corporation, Columbus

American Whistle is the nation’s only metal whistle manufacturer, using exclusively made-in-the-USA materials to annually produce more than a million solid brass whistles. Ideal for stocking stuffers, the whistles are available with a variety of finishes and stamped images, and American Whistle owners Dominic and Kelly Davirro operate a factory store and give family-friendly factory tours that will blow you away. 614-846-2918; custserv@americanwhistle.com; www.americanwhistle.com.

Beagle Bay Knot Works, Huron Everything is knotty and nice at Christine and Randy Crawford’s nautical-themed shop in downtown Huron. Using centuries-old mariners’ knot-tying techniques, the seasoned Lake Erie sailors cleverly transform rope and cord into lifestyle items for land and sea. They make Star Knot ornaments and crowned knot Candy Cane ornaments in Christmas colors, and their Manila rope wreaths look shipshape in any decor. 330-465-0890; beaglebayknots@aol.com; www.beaglebayknotworks.com.

D.B. Yummers, Washington Court House Currently owned and operated by Brian Detty and his family, D.B. Yummers dates to 1991, when it started producing barbecue sauce as a fundraiser for local FFA chapters. The company’s barbecue sauce won a blue ribbon at an Ohio State Fair rib cook-off. Besides the original Sweet & Smokey Barbecue Sauce, the Dettys offer Mildly Spicey sauce and Island BBQ sauce laced with crushed pineapple. 740-505-4021; info@dbyummers.com; www.dbyummers.com.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

Firelands Adventure Tours, Sandusky Stumped by what to get those hard-to-buy-for folks on your list? Consider a gift certificate for an edifying and enjoyable outing with Jim Ervin and Dick Ries of award-winning Firelands Adventure Tours. Guests ride in an 18-passenger, ADAcompliant bus on their way to experiences that range from meeting winemakers to exploring lighthouses to leg lamp scavenger hunts during Holiday Lights excursions. 419-734-9283; info@firelandsadventuretours.com; www.firelandsadventuretours.com.

Four Eyes Ceramics, Cincinnati

Working from her home studio, Jenny Rush designs and crafts boldly colored, statement-making ceramic earrings, necklaces, and bracelets from U.S.-sourced clays and metals. Her geometric Big Arch, Cutout Dangle, and Mini Dome earrings are perennial bestsellers, and customers love that they’re thin, lightweight, and comfortable to wear. jenny@foureyesceramics.com; www.foureyesceramics.com.

Ohio Stoneware, Zanesville Ross and Tiffany Pattison run one of the nation’s last commercial potteries, and their 100% American-made product line includes bakeware, kitchenware, fermenting crocks, planters, pet bowls, and piggy banks. Festive holiday plates, mugs, and serving pieces are hand-decorated with designs like Gingerbread, Red Truck, Buckeye Snowman, and Red Cardinal. They’re available online or at Ohio Stoneware’s factory retail store. 740-450-4415; info@ohiostoneware.com; www.stonewareoutlet.com.

Pantless Jams, Toledo Jessica Hopkins calls her handmade jams “pantless” because they’re stripped of unnatural ingredients and contain only fruit, unrefined cane sugar, and lemon juice. She personally does everything from prepping and mashing fruit to filling and labeling jars, and her appetizing array of flavor combinations includes Peach Mango Habanero, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Blue Honey Lavender. 419-283-8470; pantlessjamsllc@gmail.com; www.pantlessjams.com.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

Phoenix Bats, Plain City Started in 1996 in a one-man workshop, Phoenix Bats now boasts a state-of-the-art facility served by Union Rural Electric Cooperative. Using USA-sourced ash, maple, and birch, it manufactures bats used by Major League players, softball teams, hitting coaches, vintage leagues, and Little Leaguers, and also makes trophy and award bats. Score one online or by visiting the factory store. 614-873-7776; customercare@phoenixbats.com; www.phoenixbats.com.

Sweet Fire Sugar Bush, Glenmont Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative member Melissa Biltz and her son, Jason Blitz, work together to create Sweet Fire Sugar Bush’s products. While Jason oversees sap collection, Melissa masterminds their maple sugar-based barbecue rubs, maple sugar-coated nuts, and infused maple syrups. Their cinnamon syrup is yummy on French toast; elderberry syrup makes a great mixer; and chili pepper syrup works wonders on vanilla ice cream. 330-231-6175; sweetfiresugarbush@gmail.com; www.sweetfiresugarbush.com.

Sylvan Craft, Dalton Craig Mast and Chris Meyer share a pair of passions: forest restoration and turning fallen trees into handsome “forestto-table” cutting boards, live-edge charcuterie boards, and furniture. All the wood they use comes from their own forest near Fresno, thoughtfully harvested using horse-drawn equipment and other low-impact methods. 330-203-1343; info@sylvancraft.com; www.sylvancraft.com.

The Cobbler Candle Company, Berea Chad Smith makes candles look extra-merry by decorating them with smiling Santa, elf, and snowman faces formed from cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon sticks. His hand-dipped soy wax candles are extra-fragrant because they’re scented top-tobottom with essential oils. He also produces snowman-faced LED candles, and his Winter Trio jar candle features the aromas of pine needles, candy canes, and red-hot cinnamon. 440-454-0571; cobblercandlecompany@gmail.com; www.cobblercandle.com.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

The Green Cottage Makery, Hartville Julie Matola’s desire for green living inspires the organic body and home essentials she hand-makes in her 130-yearold farmhouse. Featuring eye-catching packaging and subtle, nature-based scents, her preservative-free products include avocado oil lip balms that come in chunky, earth-friendly paper tubes and a whipped body butter that blends the healing properties of calendula flowers with hydrating coconut oil, shea butter, and pomegranate seed oil. 330-730-4408; julie@ greencottagemakery.com; www.greencottagemakery.com.

Unnatural Ohio: A History of Buckeye Cryptids, Legends, and Other Mysteries, Fremont A Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums exhibit prompted its artifacts curator, Kevin Moore, and communication manager, M. Kristina Smith, to delve into Ohio’s paranormal and unexplained phenomena. Their new book covers facts, fiction, and folklore about everything from the Dogman of Defiance and South Bay Bessie to Portage County’s UFOs and Vermilion’s Gore Orphanage ghosts. www.rbhayes.org/store.

Wittich’s Candy Shop, Circleville South Central Power Company member Janet Wittich’s confectionary has been in her family since 1840. Wittich’s proudly hand-dips old-fashioned, preservative-free chocolates, and its unique buckeyes have peanut butter centers that are fully covered in chocolate to keep them moist, with peanut butter dots on the outside. In addition to typical milk and dark chocolate versions, Wittich’s also produces hard-to-find white chocolate buckeyes. 740-474-3313; wittichscandy@frontier.com; www.wittichscandyshop.com.

zerOz, Columbus Lighten your Christmas gift list with ultra-slim zerOz wallets, a cool and useful option for kids, retirees, and everyone in between. Handmade in a downtown studio storefront by zerOz owner and inventor Paul Westrick and his team, the wallets consist of Italian and composite recycled leathers in a variety of colors and styles. Tip: For a customized zerOz, order by Dec. 1. info@zeroz.com; www.zeroz.com.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

Your Local WaterFurnace Dealers Bowling Green United Home Comfort (419) 352-7092 unitedhomecomfort.com

Findlay Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com

Canal Winchester Kessler Htg & Clg (614) 837-9961 kesslerheating.com Chillicothe Accurate Htg & Clg (740) 775-5005 accurategeothermal.com

Gahanna Custom A/C & Htg (614) 552-4822 customairco.com/ geothermal

Coldwater Ray’s Refrigeration (419) 678-8711 raysrefrigeration.com

Marion Wenig’s Inc. (740) 383-5012 wenigsinc.com

Groveport Patriot Air (614) 577-1577 patriotair.com

Medina Sisler Heating (330) 722-7101 sislerwaterfurnace.com

Holgate Holgate Hardware (419) 264-3012

Mt. Vernon Cosby Htg & Clg (740) 393-4328 cosbyhc.com

Columbus Geo Source One (614) 873-1140 geosourceone.com

Kalida Knueve & Sons Inc. (419) 420-7638 knueve.com

Defiance Schlatters Plbg & Htg (419) 393-4690 schlattersgeothermal.com

Sarka Electric (419) 532-3492 sarkaelectric.com

Dresden Federal Htg & Clg (740) 754-4328 federalheating.com

Mansfield Eberts Energy Center (419) 589-2000 ebertsheatingandcooling. com

Lancaster Fairfield Heating (740) 653-6421 fairfieldgeothermal.com

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

New Knoxville New Knoxville Supply (419) 753-2444 newknoxvillesupply.com Newark Hottinger Geothermal (740) 323-2330 hottingergeothermal.com

Sidney Lochard Inc. (937) 492-8811 Sunbury Westin Air (614) 794-1259 geothermalcentralohio.com Toledo Overcashier & Horst (419) 841-3333 ohcomfort.com Waverly Combs Htg & A/C (740) 947-4061 combsgeopro.com Wellington Wellington Indoor Comfort (440) 647-3421

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OCT 12 - 15 NOV 9 - 12 DEC 7 - 10

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OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

(3650 & 3850 Jonesboro Rd SE)

*Closed Easter Sunday

2023 CALENDAR

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

NORTHWEST

Sandusky, 5:30–8 p.m. Free. $1 carousel rides. 419626-6111 or www.merrygoroundmuseum.org. NOV. 24–DEC. 30 – North Pole Express, Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc., 12505 Co. Rd. 99, Findlay, Fri./Sat. 5:30–9 p.m., Sun. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Closed Dec. 24. $5; 12 and under, $4. Hop on board our quarter-scale trains for a magical trip through a winter wonderland of sparkling lights and festive decorations. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights. 419-423-2995, www.nworrp.org, or www.facebook.com/nworrp. NOV. 24–JAN. 7 – “Hayes Train Special” Model Train Display, Hayes Library and Museums, NOV. 8–11 – “Angels in the Attic” Crafts Show, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., Fremont. Free; Ross Historical Ctr., 201 N. Main Ave., Sidney, donations accepted. Operating model train display Wed.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. runs through an intricate Victorian holiday scene. $3. Handmade crafts of all kinds by local artists. Interactive buttons, multi-tier layout. 419-332-2081 Complimentary refreshments, door prizes. www. or www.rbhayes.org. facebook.com/p/Angels-in-the-Attic-CRAFTNOV. 25–26 – “Crafts for Christmas” Craft SHOW-100063699182511. Show, Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key NOV. 17–DEC. 31 – Lights Before Christmas, St., Maumee, Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, Mon.–Thur. 3–8 p.m. Free. Our winter spectacular! Fine handmade p.m., Fri.–Sun. 3–9 p.m. Over 1 million lights, the Big crafts, gifts, and holiday decorations. Also collecting Tree, and 200+ illuminated animal images. 419-385- donations for Toys for Tots. 419-842-1925 or www. 5721 or www.toledozoo.org. toledocraftsmansguild.org. NOV. 21 – Kenton Window Wonderland and NOV. 30 – Lights of Spiegel Grove, Hayes Library Christmas Parade, downtown Kenton. Free. The and Museums, Spiegel Grove, 1337 Hayes Ave., evening begins at 6 p.m. with the unveiling of the Fremont. Free. Christmas lights, sleigh rides, hot Window Wonderland and the lighting of the Hardin chocolate and popcorn, the “Hayes Train Special” County courthouse. Ohio’s Biggest Small Town model train display, and visit with Kris Kringle. 419Christmas Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Also free 332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org. entertainment, train rides for children, Santa, and so NOV. 30–DEC. 10 – Live Theatre: Sorry Wrong much more! 419-673-4131 or www.facebook.com/ Chimney, Van Wert Civic Theatre, 118 S. Race St., KentonHistoricCourthouseDistrict. Van Wert, Thur.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $16. 419NOV. 22 – Holiday Lights Grand Illumination, 238-9689 or www.vwct.org. Shelby County Court Square, 100 E. Court St., Sidney, 6–6:30 p.m. Free. https://sidneyalive.wpcomstaging. DEC. 1–3 – Christmas House, St. Augustine Church, 726 Monroe St., Napoleon, Fri./Sat. 9:30 a.m.–7 com/events. p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Shop for holiday wreaths NOV. 24 – Sandusky Holiday Lighting Ceremony, and décor, jewelry, and gifts, then enjoy homemade Merry-Go-Round Museum, 301 Jackson St., meals, baked goods, cheeseballs, and Christmas

WEST VIRGINIA

COMPILED BY COLLEEN ROMICK CLARK

cutout cookies. Bring your kids for Friday dinner with Santa. 419-592-7656 or www.staugie.net. DEC. 2 – Winter Wonderland Market and Parade of Lights, Downtown Revitalization District, Sidney. Free. Downtown Sidney will be alive with various activities, ending with a nighttime parade. https:// sidneyalive.wpcomstaging.com/events. DEC. 2–3, 8–10 – Christmas at the Logan County History Center, 521 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, Fri. 5:30–7:30 p.m., Sat./Sun. 1–5 p.m. Free; donations accepted. The 1906 neoclassical Orr Mansion will be fully decorated for the holidays. Enjoy entertainment, refreshments, and kids’ crafts. 937-593-7557 or www.loganhistory.org. DEC. 3 – University of Toledo Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Concert, Donnell Theater, Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 3 p.m. Free. 419-423-2787 or www.marathoncenterarts.org. DEC. 6 – Down on the Farm Story Time, Proving Ground Farm, 5670 E. Twp. Rd. 138, Tiffin, 10 a.m. Stories and activities are geared for preschoolage children and focus on farming and nature in a picturesque outdoor setting. Families welcome! 419-447-7073, www.conservesenecacounty.com, or follow Seneca Conservation District on Facebook. DEC. 9 – “Bells, Brass, and Bows,” Veterans Memorial Civic Center, 7 Town Square, Lima, 7:30 p.m. $10–$35. The Lima Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present their beloved holiday concert of Christmas singalongs, sacred carols, and popular sounds of the season. 419-222-5701 or www. limasymphony.com. DEC. 10 – Winter Festival of Crafts, Franciscan Center at Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pick up that last-minute holiday gift or decoration at our last show of the year. Crafts by the craftsman — no imports here! 419-842-1925 or www.toledocraftsmansguild.org.

Make sure you’re included in our calendar! To ensure we receive your lisiting in time, send details in an email to events@ohioec.org AT LEAST 90 DAYS prior to your event. Or send by U.S. Mail to:

THROUGH JAN. 8 – Festival of Lights, Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, dusk to midnight nightly. Featuring 300 acres of twinkling lights and displays over a 6-mile drive. $30 per-car donation requested; valid for the entire festival season. https://oglebay.com/lights-drive.

Ohio Cooperative Living 6677 Busch Blvd. Columbus, OH 43229 Ohio Cooperative Living will not publish listings that don’t include a complete address or a number/website for more information.

NOVEMBER 2023 • OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

2023 CALENDAR

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Painesville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free. Handmade art and crafts show. Shop local and help preserve history at the museum! 440-655-4455, PRRMevent@att.net, or www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org. NOV. 25–26 – Christmas in the Alpaca Barn, 16800 Cowley Rd., Grafton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Come and enjoy an up-close and personal look at these wonderful peaceful creatures. Shop for unique gifts at the Farm Store. 440-477-4300 or www. ourlittleworldalpacas.com. DEC. 1–3, 8–10 – Candlelight Holiday Tours of Malabar Farm, 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, Fri./Sat. 5–8 p.m., Sun. 1–4 p.m. Adults $6, youth $4. Tour Louis Bromfield’s Big House, all decked out for the NOV. 18 – Victorian House Museum Grand holidays. Enjoy cookies and warm drinks. You might Opening Holiday Event, 484 Wooster Rd., even see Santa! 419-892-2784 or www.malabarfarm. Millersburg, 4–8 p.m. $5. This year’s theme is “A org/events. Child’s Storybook Christmas,” with each room decorated to reflect a specific holiday children’s DEC. 2 – Christmas in the Village, Tis the book. Santa will make an appearance! 330Season and Schrock’s Heritage Village, 4363 St. 674-0022 or https://www.holmeshistory.com/ Rte. 39, Berlin. See the village fully decorated museum#VictorianHouse. for the holidays. 330-893-3232 or https://www. tistheseasonchristmas.com. NOV. 24–DEC. 31 – Medina County Fair DriveThru Holiday Lights, Medina Co. Fgds., 720 W. DEC. 2 – Christmas in Zoar, 198 Main St., Zoar. $12; Smith Rd., Medina, Fri./Sat. 6–10 p.m., Sun. 6–9 12 and under free. Take a self-guided tour and see p.m.; Dec. 15–31, open also on weeknights 6–9 p.m. how America’s most successful communal settlement $10 for vehicle; $20 for small bus or 15-passenger celebrated Christmas in the 1800s. Juried craft show van; $50 for bus. www.medinaohiofair.com. and shopping, Bimeler Museum, and more. 800-262NOV. 24–JAN. 6 – Steubenville Nutcracker Village 6195 or www.historiczoarvillage.com. and Christmas at the Fort, Steubenville Visitor DEC. 2 – Holiday Craft Fair, LifeSpring Community Center, 120 S. 3rd St., Steubenville. Free. Over 200 Church, 1638 Lester Rd., Valley City, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. large-as-life, unique nutcrackers are on display 330-483-4774 or https://lifescc.net. throughout downtown and Fort Steuben Park 24/7. DEC. 3 – Canton-Akron Comic, Toy, and Nostalgia Advent Market, hayrides, the Holly Trolley, children’s Convention, St. George Event Center, 4667 activities, music, and much more. 740-283-4935 or Applegrove St. NW, North Canton, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com. $5 (cash only); 6 and under free. Comic and toy NOV. 25 – The Handmade Market, Historic vendors, guest comic creators, hourly prizes. 330Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad St., 462-3985 or www.harpercomics.com.

DEC. 6 – Cynthia Cioffari and the University of Akron BassoonaRoos, Medina County District Library, 210 S. Broadway St., Medina, 6:30 p.m. Free, but registration recommended. A lively performance of holiday favorites and other jazz arrangements. Register at www.ormaco.org or call 419-853-6016. DEC. 8–10 – The Nutcracker, Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old OH-39, Sugarcreek, Fri./Sat. 7 p.m., Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. 330-473-2879 or www. holmescenterforthearts.org. DEC. 9 – Stark Vintage Market, Stark Co. Fgds., 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. $3, under 5 free. Wide variety of antiques, collectibles, artisan wares, and repurposed household goods. 330-4953044 or www.starkvintagemarket.com. DEC. 10 – Emily Aleta Dorland and Duane Carlson: “Home for the Holidays,” Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 2–3 p.m. Free, but reservations recommended. The vocal and piano duo will take you on a musical journey celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. Register at www.ormaco.org or call 419-853-6016. DEC. 10 – Massillon Train and Toy Show, Massillon Knights of Columbus Hall, 988 Cherry Rd. NW, Massillon, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5; 12 and under free. 150+ dealer tables. All gauges, parts, running layouts, farm and vintage toys, diecast models, NASCAR items, and more. Food and drink available. 330-262-7488 or http://cjtrains.com/shows. DEC. 13 – Jingle Bell Bus, Main Street Amherst, 255 Park Ave., Amherst, 6–8 p.m. $5 per ride; tickets must be pre-purchased. Hop aboard for a ride through Amherst to see the beautiful Christmas lights. 440984-6709 or https://mainstreetamherst.org.

Pyramid Hill Blvd., Hamilton, 7:30 p.m. Free. www. butlerphil.org or on Facebook: @officialbutlerphil. NOV. 18 – Hometown Holiday Horse Parade, downtown Greenville, 7 p.m. More than 100 lighted horse-drawn carriages, hitches, and riders illuminate the downtown. New this year: a 20th anniversary celebration beginning at 3 p.m., with a band spectacular at 6 p.m. 937-548-4998 or www.mainstreetgreenville.org. NOV. 24 – Grand Illumination, downtown Troy, 5–8:30 p.m. Join us downtown for the lighting of the Christmas tree, horse-drawn carriage rides, cider and hot cocoa, and the arrival of Santa Claus! Santa will be available for visits in the Santa House on Prouty Plaza. www.troymainstreet.org. NOV. 23–DEC. 31 – Light Up Middletown, Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, 6–10 p.m. daily. A drive-through fantasy light display, open in all weather. Admission by cash donation; you set the price! www.lightupmiddletown.org. NOV. 25 – Hometown HoliDazzle Illuminated Parade, downtown Wilmington, 7 p.m. www. hometownholidazzle.com. DEC. 1 – Christmas on the Green, downtown Piqua, 6–9 p.m. Community caroling, horse-

drawn carriage rides, children’s activities, and live entertainment. 937-773-9355 or www. mainstreetpiqua.com. DEC. 1–3 – Christmas in the Village, downtown Waynesville. Shopping, dining, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers and choirs, costumed characters, a gingerbread house making contest, and daily visits from Santa Claus. 513-897-8855 or www.waynesvilleohio.com. DEC. 2 – Piqua Holiday Parade, downtown Piqua, 2 p.m. Kids can visit with Santa after the parade in the lobby of the Fort Piqua Plaza. www. mainstreetpiqua.com. DEC. 2 – Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival, downtown Lebanon, parades at 1 and 7 p.m., festival 10 a.m.–8 p.m. www.facebook.com/ lebanoncarriageparade. DEC. 9 – The Butler Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus: Holiday Pops, Parrish Auditorium, Miami University–Hamilton, 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton, 7:30 p.m. $20. www.butlerphil.org or on Facebook: @officialbutlerphil.

NORTHEAST

SOUTHWEST

THROUGH DEC. 27 – 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. NOV. 17 – The Butler Philharmonic Chorus: Thanksgiving Concert, First Baptist Church, 1501

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

CENTRAL

NOV. 9, DEC. 14 – Inventors Network Meeting, The Point at Otterbein University, 60 Collegeview Rd., Westerville, 43081, 7 p.m. Educational presentations and discussion about the invention process. Zoom meetings Nov. 16 and Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. 614-470-0144 or www. inventorscolumbus.com. NOV. 11 – Veterans March and Ceremony, Canal Winchester, 10 a.m. March begins at the Community Center, 22 S. Trine St., and ends at Stradley Place, 36 S. High St., for the ceremony. Free pancake breakfast at the Community Center for veterans and their families 8:30–10 a.m. 614-834-9915 or www. canalwinchesterohio.gov. NOV. 17–18 – Christmas in the Country, various businesses in the Amanda, Tarlton, and Stoutsville area, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (times may vary). Enjoy a ride in the country visiting area businesses. Special offers and shopping/dining guide with map available at each location. 740-503-2125 or www.countryshophop.com. NOV. 17–18 – “An Evening with Patsy Cline,” Woodward Opera House, 107 S. Main St., Mount Vernon, Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 and 7 p.m. $25. 740-4624278 or www.mvac.org/events.

SOUTHEAST

THROUGH DEC. 16 – Cambridge Glass Museum Holiday Hours, 136 S. 9th St., Cambridge, Fri./ Sat. 12–4 p.m. $6, Srs. $5, under 12 free. 740432-4245, www.cambridgeglass.org, or www. visitguernseycounty.com. THROUGH DEC. 17 – Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum Christmas Tours, 532 N. Chestnut St., Barnesville, Fri. 5–8 p.m., Sat./Sun. 1–4 p.m. (closed Nov. 24). Join us for Christmas cheer and to see our museum decorated for the season. www.belmontcountymuseum.com. THROUGH DEC. 30 – Athens Art Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens, Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Members of Athens Art Guild offer handmade and juried arts including pottery, furniture, fiber arts, paintings, glassware, jewelry, and more. athensartguildevents@gmail.com. THROUGH DEC. 30 – Athens Farmers Market, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens,

NOV. 19 – Buckeye Comic Con, Courtyard Marriott Columbus West, 2350 Westbelt Dr., Columbus, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5; 6 and under free. Comic and toy vendors, comic creators, hourly prizes. 330-462-3985 or www.harpercomics.com. NOV. 19 – Zanesville Handbell Festival, Grace U.M. Church, 516 Shinnick St., Zanesville, 7 p.m. Freewill offering taken to cover expenses. Handbell choirs perform individually and together to usher in the holiday season. www.centraltrinityumc.com. NOV. 24–25 – Heart of Christmas Craft Show, Clum Auction Gallery, 7795 U.S. Hwy. 22, Rushville, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list and enjoy holiday music and cookies while shopping. 740215-7999 or www.theheartofchristmas.com. NOV. 24–26 – It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Knox Memorial Theater, 112 E. High St, Mount Vernon, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun 1 p.m. $22. This American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. 740-462-4278 or www.mvac.org/events. NOV. 25–26 – Scott Antique Market, Ohio Expo Ctr., Bricker and Celeste Bldgs., Columbus, Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free; $5 parking. 800–1,200 exhibit booths. www.scottantiquemarkets.com. DEC. 1 – Festival of Trees Auction, Zanesville– Muskingum County Welcome Center, 205 N. 5th St., Zanesville, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. A community celebration and fundraiser for the chamber of commerce. Details and auction schedule will be posted at www.zmchamber.com. DEC. 1–2 – Christmas Walk, Lancaster Camp Ground, 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Fri. 4–8 p.m., Sat. noon– 8 p.m. Music by Nostalgics Jazz Band (Fri. 7 p.m.) and the Lancaster High School Choir (Sat. 7 p.m.); Santa’s Workshop with crafts and activities (and an appearance by Santa!); holiday shopping and more. Follow us on Facebook or www.lancastercampground.org.

DEC. 1–3 – Christmas at the Palace, Marion Palace Theatre, 276 W. Center St., Marion, Fri./Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $12–$29. 740-383-2101 or www. marionpalace.org. DEC. 2, 9 – Roscoe Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony, Roscoe Village, Main Stage, 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton, 6 p.m. Share in the tradition of lighting the 35-foot Christmas tree. Roscoe Christmas lantern tour follows at 7 p.m. Christmas crafts offered both days; reservations required. 740-622-7644 or www.roscoevillage.com. DEC. 2–17 – Dickens of a Christmas, Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Sat. 5:30–9 p.m., Sun. 1–5 p.m. $14–$18; 3 and under free. See Charles Dickens’ festive and enduring vision of Christmas come to life. 800-6861541 or www.ohiohistory.org. DEC. 3 – Christmas in the Country, M Event Center, 24688 Co. Rd. 10, Coshocton, 12–4 p.m. Local crafters, the Real McCoy BBQ, Santa for children, and a cash bar for wine. For more information, email westlafayettefarmersmarket@gmail.com or see the event page at www.facebook.com/ westlafayettefarmersmarket. DEC. 3 – National Road and Zane Grey Museum Holiday Open House, 8850 East Pike, Norwich, 1–4 p.m. 740-872-3143 or www.ohiohistory.org. DEC. 9 – Simply Christmas Celebration, Village of Lithopolis and the Wagnalls Memorial, 150 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Holiday markets, Village Shop Hop, live music, food, visits with Santa, activities for children, and the Wagnalls Memorial open house. 614-837-4765 or www.wagnalls.org. DEC. 9–10 – The Nutcracker, Woodward Opera House, 107 S. Main St., Mount Vernon, Sat. 6 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. $25. Presented by the Central Ohio Youth Ballet. 740462-4278 or www.mvac.org/events.

Sat. 9 a.m.–noon; through Nov. 23, Wed./Sat. 9 a.m.–noon. Voted Ohio’s #1 favorite farmers market! 740-593-6763 or www.athensfarmersmarket.org. THROUGH JAN. 1 – Dickens Victorian Village, downtown Cambridge. Stroll the streets to view scenes of life in 1850s England, featuring life-sized, handmade mannequins wearing vintage clothing. 800-933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. THROUGH JAN. 1 – Guernsey County Courthouse Holiday Light Show, Cambridge, 5:30–9 p.m. nightly (Nov. 1–4, 6:30–10 p.m.). See the courthouse decked out with thousands of pulsating colorful lights synchronized to holiday music, three 20-foot Christmas trees, and 60 animated displays. 800933-5480 or www.dickensvictorianvillage.com. NOV. 17–19 – Downtown Holiday Open House, North Paint Street, Chillicothe, Fri. 5–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 12–5 p.m. Ring in the holidays with the annual tree lighting, “Shine On Chillicothe” lights, carriage rides, shopping, caroling, trolley rides, and more! www.downtownchillicothe.com. NOV. 25 – Cambridge Christmas Parade, downtown Cambridge, 5 p.m. 740-439-2238 or www.downtowncambridge.com. NOV. 25, DEC. 2, 9, 16 – Cut your own tree, Bruce Family Trees, 48601 Township Rd. 63 (Chapel Hill Rd.), Lewisville, 10 a.m. till dusk. Enjoy a wagon ride through the woods, then come in to warm up with complimentary hot chocolate beside the fire. Local crafts also for sale. 740-567-3320. NOV. 25–DEC. 17 – Santa Train, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, Nelsonville Depot, 33 W. Canal St., Nelsonville. $19–$24, under 3 free. Santa comes

on board and visits with each child as the train traverses the historic Hocking River Valley. www. hvsry.org/train-rides/santa. DEC. 2 – Chillicothe Christmas Church Walk, downtown Chillicothe, 6:30 p.m. $10. Take a walking tour to several churches; a short performance will be presented at each stop. Tickets available at Eventbrite. https://visitchillicotheohio.com/ eventcalendar. DEC. 2 – Phil Dirt and the Dozers, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $20–$25. This annual concert is great fun for all ages. Take a stroll through the oldies-but-goodies along with some of the band’s Christmas favorites. www.majesticchillicothe.net. DEC. 2–3, 9–10 – Holidays at Adena, Adena Mansion and Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $6–$12. Guided tours of the mansion, beautifully decorated in 19th-century Yuletide splendor; live entertainment; refreshments. www.adenamansion.com. DEC. 6 – Rudolf Run 5K and Glow Walk, Elks Lodge #52, 42 W. Second St., Chillicothe, 6 p.m. $10–$30. Participants will get a glow nose and necklace with their registration. www. downtownchillicothe.com. DEC. 7, 14, 16 – Victorian Christmas Tours, The Castle, 418 Fourth St., Marietta, 7 p.m. $9–$12; 5 and under free. 740-373-4180 or http:// mariettacastle.org. DEC. 13 – John Berry Annual Christmas Tour, Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 7:30 p.m. $25–$55. www.majesticchillicothe.net.

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MEMBER INTERACTIVE

Zeke Auman enjoying his first fall! Brittany Auman, South Central Power Company member

Peeking through the large leaf pile. Megan Gibson,

My daughter, Viola, and her grandpa (my dad) love to play outside. Megan Gibson, Consolidated Cooperative member

Consolidated Cooperative member

Zander, Thera, and Zane Reber enjoying the leaves. Tracey Reber, Holmes-Wayne Electric

Cooperative member

Our granddaughter, Daphne, 4, takes a rest with a snack after walking in the leaves in the metro parks. Thomas and Anna Woisnet, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members

Electric Cooperative member

Our kids, Nikola, Anna, Nadine, and Milica, helping their dad in the yard (this picture is about 25 years old!). Dee Dee Tumbas, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative members

Kristin Hinkle, South Central Power Company member

Ruger throwing leaves on his little brother, Bo.

Sarah Lonsinger, Pioneer Electric Cooperative member

My daughter, Vivian, playing in the leaves. Emily

Haury, Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative member

Send us

For February, send “Romantic dinner” by Nov. 15. For March, send “Pi(e) Day” by Dec. 15. Upload your photos at www.ohiocoopliving.com/memberinteractive.

picture!

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

YOUR 36

Maggie and her cat Sonny in the leaf pile. Jessica Woods, Pioneer

Michelle Woltz playing in a giant pile of leaves with her grandkids.

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • NOVEMBER 2023

My granddaughter, Rory Foster, helping Pawpaw rake leaves.

Angela Schoonover, South Central Power Company member

Sisters Emma and Ava, loving the leaves and all that comes with fall. Nicki and

Jeremy Lawrence, North Central Electric Cooperative members

VETERANS DAY NOVEMBER 11

lectric cooperatives across Ohio join the nation this month in honoring veterans of the U.S. armed forces — America’s courageous protectors, defenders, and heroes. We proudly acknowledge veterans’ dedication to our country, and we are grateful for the unique strengths and noble characteristics our veterans bring to the cooperative network.

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